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How Earned Wage Access is breaking the payday loan cycle

By Gloria Methri

January 29, 2025

  • APAC
  • Asia
  • Debt Management
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Breaking Free from the Debt Trap: How Earned Wage Access is Tackling the Predatory Lending Crisis, Payday loans, LendingPredatory lending has long been a pressing financial issue, trapping millions of workers in cycles of debt with exorbitant fees and interest rates. However, a new study by Volante Labs has revealed that Earned Wage Access (EWA) is transforming how workers receive their salaries, significantly reducing dependence on payday loans and enhancing financial security.

For decades, payday lenders have capitalised on the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, offering high-interest short-term loans to desperate workers. According to Volante Labs’ study, traditional payday lenders charge up to $300 in fees for a $1,000 loan. Such practices push workers into deeper financial distress, forcing them to borrow their own money back at outrageous rates.

Delayed wage payments exacerbate this problem. Companies hold onto workers’ earnings for weeks, leveraging them to generate interest while employees struggle to cover essential expenses. The result? A cycle of dependency on payday loans that workers find difficult to break.

Earned Wage Access: A Game-Changer

EWA solutions provide employees with real-time access to their already-earned wages, eliminating the need to rely on predatory loans. Volante Labs’ research, which examined 600 companies across various industries, found that EWA implementation reduced predatory lending by a staggering 69%. Some key findings from the study include:

  • Workers save up to $260 per $1,000 accessed compared to traditional payday loans.
  • 89% of participants reported reduced financial stress and improved ability to manage expenses.
  • Companies implementing EWA systems saw a significant decline in payday loan dependency.
How EWA Works

With EWA, employees can access a portion of their wages before payday, typically through mobile apps integrated with their employer’s payroll system. This instant access empowers workers to cover unexpected expenses, avoiding high-interest loans and late payment penalties. The technology has made daily wage payments feasible again, challenging the outdated bi-weekly or monthly pay cycle.

Joey Bertschler, CEO of Volante Labs, highlights the urgency of wage reform, saying, “The delay between work and wages isn’t just outdated—it fuels a system where workers are forced into borrowing at extortionate rates.”

With EWA adoption on the rise, businesses can play a crucial role in dismantling predatory lending structures while enhancing employee financial stability. The benefits extend beyond workers—companies with EWA programs report increased job satisfaction, higher retention rates, and improved productivity.

Predatory lending thrives on financial desperation, but EWA offers a sustainable alternative. As companies embrace this modern payroll approach, they contribute to a fairer financial system where employees can access their earnings without falling into debt traps.

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