A report from the Department of Defense is calling for more restrictions on high-interest loans to active-duty military. Defense officials must clamp down on more predatory lenders to force troops away from high-cost credit options, according to a Defense Department report recently submitted to Congress. Defense officials are putting together more comprehensive rules to increase protections for troops. The Military Lending Act of 2006 was designed to cap loan interest rates for service members at 36 percent. But according to a survey that is part of the report, 11 percent of enlisted troops are using payday loans, vehicle title loans, bank deposit advances, pawn shops and installment loans structured in such a way that their interest rates exceed 36 percent. The report was submitted to Congress on April 29.
