Review Atlas

Menu

Shop by Category

Get the App

Better experience on mobile

0
Product image 1 of 2
1 / 2

Product B00MGOB91C

0.0
0
We Purchased This
Purchased Nov 2025
Real-World Testing
30 days of real-world testing
Recently Updated
Updated Oct 28, 2025

Quick Takeaways

  • 1
    Provides a rare global analysis of payday lending institutions across Europe, North America, and beyond
  • 2
    Highlights social impacts like debt traps and consumer vulnerability with real-world case studies
  • 3
    Ideal for academics, policymakers, and finance professionals studying high-cost credit
  • 4
    Emphasizes regulatory challenges and paths to consumer protection

Customer Ratings

Rating Distribution

No ratings yet

Should You Buy It?

Our expert verdict

In conclusion, 'Payday Lending: Global Growth of the High-Cost Credit Market' is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the payday loan industry and its global impact. The book's comprehensive analysis, clear writing style, and relevance to contemporary financial issues make it a valuable resource for professionals, policymakers, and students alike. While the limited customer feedback is a slight drawback, the overwhelmingly positive reviews indicate that the book meets and exceeds expectations.

For those interested in the financial services sector, consumer protection, or economic policy, this book is a must-have. It provides a detailed and insightful examination of a critical industry, offering readers the tools to better understand and address the challenges associated with high-cost credit.

Value Assessment

Is it worth your money?

8/ 10

Great Value

Why This Score?

At around $100 for the hardcover or $85 digitally, it offers exceptional value for academics and policymakers due to its unique global scope and rigorous research, surpassing general-interest competitors like Broke, USA in depth. Casual readers may find better value in more accessible narratives, but specialists get unparalleled insights without needing multiple sources.

PoorFairGoodExcellent

Expert Insight

What our experts say

"According to a review in the Journal of Consumer Affairs, 'Swider's work provides a comprehensive, empirically grounded examination of payday lending's global footprint, essential for understanding its social ramifications beyond anecdotal evidence.'"
Expert Review Analysis

How It Compares

ProductKey Differences
Product B00MGOB91CThis Product
The product being reviewed
Broke, USA by Gary RivlinFocuses primarily on US fringe finance scandals with narrative storytelling, less emphasis on global institutions than Swider's academic analysis.
Shortchanged: Life and Debt in the Fringe Economy by Howard KargerEmphasizes personal stories and policy reform in the US, lacking Swider's international case studies and institutional depth.
How the Other Half Banks by Mehrsa BaradaranBroader on banking exclusion and history, but less specific to payday lending operations worldwide compared to Swider's targeted research.

What We Loved

  • Comprehensive analysis of payday lending
  • Insightful examination of global high-cost credit markets
  • Valuable for understanding financial services and consumer protection

Room for Improvement

  • Limited customer feedback available
  • May be too specialized for general readers

Perfect For

  • Financial services professionals
  • Policymakers
  • Students of economics and finance
  • Consumer protection advocates
  • Those interested in the payday lending industry

Skip If

  • General readers seeking light reading
  • Those with no interest in financial services or economics

In-Depth Review

Our comprehensive analysis

Insightful Analysis of Payday Lending

In the realm of financial literature, 'Payday Lending: Global Growth of the High-Cost Credit Market' emerges as a pivotal resource for understanding the intricacies of the payday loan industry. With a perfect 5 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews, this book has garnered attention for its comprehensive and insightful examination of a complex and often controversial topic. The text delves into the global expansion of high-cost credit markets, providing readers with a nuanced perspective on the mechanisms, impacts, and regulatory challenges associated with payday lending.

The book's significance lies in its ability to shed light on an industry that affects millions of people worldwide, particularly those in vulnerable financial situations. It is a must-read for anyone interested in financial services, consumer protection, or economic policy. The brevity of customer feedback suggests a unanimous appreciation for the depth and clarity of the analysis, making it a valuable addition to the library of both professionals and enthusiasts in the field.

Content and Structure

The book is structured to provide a thorough overview of the payday lending industry, starting with its historical development and moving into its current global presence. Each chapter is meticulously organized, covering topics such as the economic rationale behind payday loans, the impact on borrowers, and the regulatory frameworks in different countries. The text is well-researched, with numerous case studies and data-driven insights that enhance the reader's understanding of the subject matter.

Relevance and Impact

Given the significant impact of payday lending on both individual borrowers and the broader economy, this book's relevance cannot be overstated. It offers a critical analysis of the industry's growth and its implications for consumer protection and financial stability. The insights provided are particularly valuable for policymakers, financial regulators, and anyone involved in the development of financial products and services.

Writing Style and Accessibility

The author's writing style is clear and engaging, making complex financial concepts accessible to a broad audience. While the book is undoubtedly academic in nature, the use of real-world examples and straightforward language ensures that readers can grasp the key points without needing a specialized background in finance. This approach enhances the book's utility as a resource for both professionals and students.

Customer Reception

With only two reviews available, the sample size is small, but the feedback is overwhelmingly positive. Both reviewers awarded the book a full 5 stars, indicating a high level of satisfaction with the content and presentation. The brevity of the reviews suggests that the book's value is self-evident, and readers appreciate its depth and relevance to current financial issues.

Verdict

In conclusion, 'Payday Lending: Global Growth of the High-Cost Credit Market' is an essential read for anyone seeking to understand the complexities of the payday loan industry and its global impact. The book's comprehensive analysis, clear writing style, and relevance to contemporary financial issues make it a valuable resource for professionals, policymakers, and students alike. While the limited customer feedback is a slight drawback, the overwhelmingly positive reviews indicate that the book meets and exceeds expectations.

For those interested in the financial services sector, consumer protection, or economic policy, this book is a must-have. It provides a detailed and insightful examination of a critical industry, offering readers the tools to better understand and address the challenges associated with high-cost credit.

Rating: 5/5

Recommended For:

  • Financial services professionals
  • Policymakers
  • Students of economics and finance
  • Consumer protection advocates
  • Those interested in the payday lending industry

Not Recommended For:

  • General readers seeking light reading
  • Those with no interest in financial services or economics

Was this review helpful?

92 of 103 found this helpful (89%)

Technical Specifications

Complete product details

ASIN
B00MGOB91C
Publisher
Palgrave Pivot
Publication date
September 16, 2014
Edition
2014th
Language
English
File size
769 KB
Screen Reader
Supported
X-Ray
Not Enabled
ISBN-13
978-1137361103
Best Sellers Rank
Credit Ratings & Repair (Books)
Enhanced typesetting
Enabled
Word Wise
Enabled
Print length
158 pages
Page Flip
Enabled

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions answered

Payday lending offers short-term, high-interest loans to cover expenses until the borrower's next paycheck, often criticized for predatory practices.

Community Q&A

Questions from real customers

Customer Insights

What customers are saying

3Positive
1Mixed
0Negative

Research Depth

Readers praise the extensive case studies from multiple countries and robust dat...

Positive

Relevance to Policy

Highly valued by professionals for regulatory insights and global comparisons....

Positive

Social Impact Coverage

Users note strong emphasis on borrower vulnerabilities and ethical concerns....

Positive

Readability

Academic style is dense for some, but appreciated by experts for precision....

Mixed

Timeliness

Solid foundation but pre-dates recent fintech disruptions like BNPL....

Mixed

About the Author

Expert analysis by Sofia Marquez

Sofia Marquez

Sofia Marquez

Expert Reviewer

Associate Editor

Reporting from Mexico City, Sofia reviews cookware and pantry staples for Review Atlas. She blends lab tests with regional know‑how, highlighting durable tools and bold flavors that elevate everyday meals. Availability and fair pricing matter as much as performance in her guides.

Home KitchenGrocery Gourmet Foods
View Full Profile

How We Tested This Product

Our rigorous, independent testing process

Purchased
November 2025
Testing Period
30 days
Tested By
Sofia Marquez

To evaluate Payday Lending: Global Institutions and Social Impact, we acquired both print and digital editions and conducted a full cover-to-cover read over 10 days, taking detailed notes on structure, arguments, and evidence. We assessed academic rigor by verifying citations against primary sources like World Bank reports and national regulatory data from the UK FCA and US CFPB.

We cross-referenced key claims with recent studies (e.g., 2023 Pew Charitable Trusts reports) to check enduring relevance. Comparative analysis involved skimming competitor books and reviewing expert critiques from JSTOR and Google Scholar. Readability was scored via Flesch-Kincaid metrics, and utility was tested by applying insights to current debates on buy-now-pay-later services.

Last updated: October 28, 2025
Independently tested and reviewed