1Our Commitment to Responsible Lending
We refuse to profit from debt traps. Our business model succeeds only when our borrowers succeed — when they repay their loans on time, improve their credit scores, and come back to us for larger loans at better rates in the future.
To that end, we commit to:
- Only lending what you can afford to repay based on verified income and existing debts
- Transparent, up-front pricing with no hidden fees or balloon payments
- No prepayment penalties, ever — pay off your loan whenever you can
- Working with borrowers facing hardship through hardship programs and payment arrangements
- Reporting positive payment history to all three major credit bureaus, not just negative
- Educating borrowers with free guides on credit, budgeting, and debt management
2Ability-to-Repay Assessment
Before approving any loan, our lending partners evaluate your ability to repay based on:
- Verified income from employment, self-employment, or benefits
- Current debt obligations (reported on your credit file)
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI) — typically capped at 50%
- Housing costs (rent or mortgage)
- Monthly cash flow after essential expenses
Our rule: If adding a loan payment would push your DTI above 50% or leave you without enough margin for essential expenses, we will decline — even if your credit score qualifies you. This protects you from entering a loan you may struggle to repay.
3Military Lending Act (MLA) Compliance
The Military Lending Act provides special protections for active-duty servicemembers and their dependents, including:
- A 36% Military Annual Percentage Rate (MAPR) cap on most consumer loans
- Prohibition on mandatory arbitration clauses
- Prohibition on prepayment penalties
- Required oral and written MAPR disclosures
We check every applicant against the Department of Defense's Military Lending Act database before extending credit. If you are an active-duty servicemember or dependent, you will not be approved for products that exceed the MAPR cap or lack required MLA protections.
4Fair Lending & Non-Discrimination
In accordance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Fair Housing Act, and all applicable state anti-discrimination laws, we do not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of:
- Race, color, or ethnicity
- National origin or ancestry
- Religion or creed
- Sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation
- Marital status
- Age (provided the applicant has the legal capacity to contract)
- Receipt of public assistance income
- Exercise of rights under the Consumer Credit Protection Act
Our underwriting algorithms are regularly audited for disparate impact and fairness.
5Transparent Pricing
Before you accept any loan offer, you will see — in clear, plain English:
- Your Annual Percentage Rate (APR), inclusive of all fees
- Your monthly payment and total number of payments
- Total of payments (principal + interest + fees)
- Any origination fee (deducted from loan proceeds if applicable)
- Late fees and NSF fees that may apply
- Full Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosure
6Financial Education Resources
We provide free, expert-reviewed educational content including:
- Credit score guides and FICO improvement tips
- Budgeting worksheets and debt payoff calculators
- Explainers on hard vs soft credit inquiries
- Guides to understanding your credit report and disputing errors
- Post-bankruptcy credit recovery strategies
7Hardship & Collection Practices
If you experience a financial hardship (job loss, medical emergency, natural disaster), contact us immediately. We offer:
- Temporary payment deferrals (up to 90 days)
- Loan modification programs for long-term hardship
- Payment plan restructuring
- Fee waivers for one-time emergencies
Our collection practices comply with the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). We do not call before 8 AM or after 9 PM, we do not contact your employer about your debt, and we do not use abusive, deceptive, or unfair practices.
8State Regulations
Loan products are offered only in states where we are licensed and compliant with applicable state lending laws. Interest rates, loan amounts, and fees vary by state. We do not currently offer loans in states where our products would violate state usury caps or licensing requirements.
9Where to Get Help
If you need additional support beyond what Indigo Card USA offers, these free, non-profit resources can help:
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) — File complaints, access consumer guides
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) — Free credit counseling
- AnnualCreditReport.com — Free credit reports from all 3 bureaus
- FTC Consumer Information — Fraud reporting and consumer rights
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — If financial stress is affecting your mental health
Need to talk to someone? Our financial counselors are available Monday–Friday 9 AM–6 PM ET at 1-800-XXX-XXXX or [email protected].