Money Mart
Is This Your Business?Author: Kaitlyn Short
Money Mart is a financial services company founded in 1982 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada and owned by Dollar Financial Group, which also owns The Check Cashing Store. The company offers payday lending in ten states, working with borrowers who have poor or bad credit needing a short-term financial boost.
Money Mart offers in-store payday options in Alaska, California, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Washington. It offers online payday loan options in California, Hawaii, Kansas, and Louisiana. Loan amounts, repayment terms, fees, and interest rates vary based on your location.
The company also offers other services, including money transfers, check cashing, and Momentum prepaid debit cards.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Transparency
- Application Requirements
- Extended Payment Plan
Transparency
Money Mart is upfront about the finance charges customers must pay for their loans. Right on the main payday loan page, you can select your state and use a tool to see what fees would be for the amount you need to borrow.
Application Requirements
Borrower requirements are on-par with other similar lending companies. To fill out a loan application, you must be 18 years old, have a valid checking account, and proof of income, as well as a government-issued photo ID. Applications can be filled out in the store or online in the applicable states.
Possible Extended Payment Plan
If you are coming up on your payment due date, and you are not going to be able to make your full repayment, you can contact the store to see if your state allows for an extended payment plan.
The Bad
- Previous Litigation
Previous Litigation
Money Mart has been involved in a couple of lawsuits in Canada regarding its interest rates. Both were settled out of court: one in 2009 and one in 2010.
The Bottom Line
As with all short-term lenders, the cost of borrowing can be high, especially if you can't pay on time. This is meant to be a short-term loan. If you are unable to repay in full according to your initial loan agreement, your debt can grow exponentially, negatively affecting your credit.
With that being said, Money Mart's fees are not out of the ordinary, as they are set by your location. The company’s up-front financial information is helpful and its loan application is easily filled out.
