Date of Award
1-1-2023
Language
English
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School/Department
School of Criminal Justice
Content Description
1 online resource (vii, 141 pages) : illustrations (some color), maps.
Dissertation/Thesis Chair
David McDowall
Committee Members
Colin Loftin, Dana Peterson, David Hureau
Keywords
Payday loans, Crime
Subject Categories
Criminology
Abstract
Legislators have largely regarded payday lending, a type of alternative financial service through which borrowers obtain unsecured loans for fast cash, as predatory and detrimental for already vulnerable areas. Critics of this industry suggest that the use of payday loans creates a cycle of debt that can lead to several negative outcomes, including an increase in crime in the areas in which they are located. In an effort to address the negative effects of payday lending, several laws have been passed to regulate or eliminate traditional payday lending. Despite these intentions, prior research has produced mixed results about whether or not payday lenders cause negative financial outcomes or negative criminal justice outcomes. Further, some studies indicate that payday loans have had a positive impact on vulnerable areas because they provide resources for communities underserved by mainstream banks. In the current study, I use interrupted time series analysis to determine whether rates of reported crime changed after the introduction of payday lender regulation and subsequent decrease in access to payday lenders in Cincinnati, Ohio. My findings indicate that there was not a statistically significant change in the rates of reported crime after the introduction of the legislation in Ohio. Further research is needed to understand the important long-term effects of fringe banking.
Recommended Citation
Mair, Colleen D., "When payday is not enough : the impact of small loan regulation on reported crime in Cincinnati, Ohio" (2023). Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024). 3184.
https://scholarsarchive.library.albany.edu/legacy-etd/3184
