Small-Dollar Loan Pilot Results Released Pilot Study Results in Creation of Safe, Affordable and Feasible Template for Small-Dollar Loans

Highlights: 

• At the conclusion of the pilot, 28 volunteer banks with total assets ranging from $28 million to nearly $10 billion were participating. Participating banks made more than 34,400 small-dollar loans with a principal balance of $40.2 million. Small-dollar loan default rates were in line with default rates for similar types of unsecured loans.
• The pilot resulted in the development of a template of product design and delivery elements for safe, affordable and feasible small-dollar loans. Elements include loan amounts up to $2,500; annual percentage rates of 36 percent or less; low or no fees; streamlined underwriting; and loan terms of 90 days or more.
• The template is an illustration of a best practices model for safe, affordable and feasible small-dollar lending.
• The template is reflective of the programs and products offered by pilot banks and is replicable. It is relatively simple to implement and does not require any technology or other major infrastructure investment.
• The template can help banks better adhere to existing regulatory guidance on offering alternatives to fee-based overdraft programs. Specifically, this guidance suggests that banks should "monitor excessive consumer usage (of overdrafts), which may indicate a need for alternative credit arrangements or other services, and inform consumers of these available options," which could include small-dollar credit products.
• The best practices and elements of success that emerged from the pilot underpin the Safe, Affordable, and Feasible Small-Dollar Loan Template. In particular: most bankers participating in the pilot indicated that small-dollar loans were used to develop or retain long-term relationships with consumers; long-term support from a bank's board of directors and senior management appeared to be most important for program success; and, loan terms longer than a few pay cycles, giving consumers time to repay, emerged as the most important product element.

Distribution: 
FDIC-Supervised Institutions 

Suggested Routing: 
Chief Executive Officer 
Compliance Officer 
Chief Lending Officer 
Consumer Loan Officer 
Board of Directors 

Note: 
FDIC financial institution letters (FILs) may be accessed from the FDIC's Web site at www.fdic.gov/news/financial-institution-letters/2010/index.html . 

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Paper copies of FDIC financial institution letters may be obtained through the FDIC's Public Information Center, 3501 Fairfax Drive, E-1002, Arlington, VA 22226 (1-877-275-3342 or 703-562-2200).