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Military Lending Act (MLA) & 36% MAPR Cap: Protections for Active-Duty Service Members

By My Payday Advance Consumer Underwriting & Financial Literacy Council

Understanding 10 U.S.C. § 987: Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) calculations, ban on mandatory arbitration, title loan prohibitions, and active-duty rights.

The Military Lending Act (MLA) protects active-duty service members and their dependents from predatory short-term lending practices by enacting strict federal lending boundaries.

1. Key Protections Under the Military Lending Act

  • 36% Military APR (MAPR) Cap: Enforces an absolute 36% ceiling that incorporates all application fees, finance charges, credit insurance premiums, and add-on products.
  • Prohibition on Vehicle Title Holding: Creditors cannot secure loans using vehicle titles or post-dated personal checks from military borrowers.
  • Ban on Mandatory Arbitration Clauses: Active-duty borrowers retain full rights to pursue legal action in state and federal courts.
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My Payday Advance Consumer Underwriting & Financial Literacy Council

Our financial research team monitors Truth in Lending Act (TILA) compliance standards, CFPB small-dollar lending enforcement, state usury laws, and credit union PAL program benchmarks.

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