Definition
Lending practices that exploit borrowers through high rates, hidden fees, or complex terms—basically, the lender is the wolf and you're in an increasingly questionable deal.
Example Usage
The subprime lender's predatory terms seemed aggressive until we realized we'd pay $200,000 in interest on a $150,000 loan.
Origin
Modern term describing aggressive lending designed to trap borrowers in unsustainable debt
Fun Fact
Predatory lending was a major factor in the 2008 housing crisis; regulations like Dodd-Frank were supposed to prevent it (debatably).
Source: Lending Ethics and Regulation
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “Predatory lending” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator