On March 11, Prosperity Indiana and the Indiana Assets & Opportunity Network were joined by dozens of military and veterans’ groups, faith-based organizations and churches, social service providers, community organizations, concerned citizens, and more at the Statehouse for a Reject Senate Bill 613 press conference. 

Advocates stood in unity to discuss the devastating consequences SB 613 would have for consumers and communities. They implored House leaders to reject this piece of harmful legislation. If passed, SB 613 would rewrite the definition of criminal loansharking and open the door for high-cost lending in Indiana by permitting larger, longer-term loan products outside of the current 72 percent cap. It would also increase the allowable cost on various consumer loans, including auto and installment loans.

Prosperity Indiana and its members were represented by Mark Lindenlaub, Executive Director of Thrive Alliance in Columbus. He voiced concern regarding the increased workload social service agencies would encounter from families seeking relief from predatory loans should SB 613 pass, stating that, “adding larger, longer-term and higher-rate loans to vulnerable families will only make their lives, and our work, more difficult.”

Iraq War veteran Steven Bramer, Jr., a former payday borrower, shared his experience of getting caught in the vicious payday lending cycle. “I got myself in a horribly expensive cycle,” he shared before adding, “I protected you at one point. Now, it’s time for you to protect me.”

Click here to view a recorded live stream of the press conference and please contact your House Representative to urge him/her to oppose this bill!