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On Tuesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a $1.4 billion lawsuit against the cash advance provider Yellowstone Capital. The lawsuit alleges the company engaged in predatory lending practices by charging exorbitant interest rates on fraudulent loans.
US News reported that Yellowstone Capital, now operating under the names Delta Bridge Funding or Cloudfund, is accused of deceiving merchants by promising to purchase specific percentages of their future revenue, also known as receivables. Instead, the company withdrew fixed amounts from merchants' bank accounts within short periods, resulting in excessively high effective interest rates that sometimes reached an alarming 820%.
Impact on Small Businesses
As per Reuters, the lawsuit revealed that New York's legal limit for interest rates is 16%, highlighting the egregious nature of Yellowstone Capital's practices. Notably, one of the victims mentioned in the lawsuit was City Bakery, a former customer of Yellowstone Capital located near Manhattan's Union Square. The bakery, which had been in business for 29 years, was forced to close due to substantial debts owed to the company and unexpected payment hikes imposed two years prior.
Attorneys representing Yellowstone and Delta Bridge and 37 corporate and individual defendants have yet to respond to the allegations presented in James' comprehensive 281-page complaint. The lawsuit sheds light on the detrimental impact of predatory lending on businesses and individuals, emphasizing the need for regulatory measures to prevent such exploitative practices.
Attorney General Letitia James remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice for those affected by predatory lending schemes. She seeks to hold accountable those responsible for the financial harm inflicted on vulnerable merchants and businesses across New York.
Regulatory Responses and Recommendations
The broader implications of this lawsuit extend well beyond the immediate parties involved, shedding light on a pervasive issue within the financial industry. It serves as a stern reminder to regulatory bodies and lawmakers of the critical need for stringent oversight and robust legal frameworks to protect small businesses from predatory financial practices.
Photo: PR Newswire
