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What is Oportun?

Hannah Locklear | August 11, 2023

Hannah Locklear
Editor at SoloSuit
Hannah Locklear, BA

Hannah Locklear is SoloSuit’s Marketing and Impact Manager. With an educational background in Linguistics, Spanish, and International Development from Brigham Young University, Hannah has also worked as a legal support specialist for several years.

Summary: Oportun, known for its unique financial services targeting underserved communities, has faced scrutiny for aggressive debt collection practices. If you're facing a lawsuit from Oportun or its partner banks, SoloSuit can guide you in responding and settling the debt to avoid going to court.

In the realm of contemporary finance, where technological advancements are reshaping conventional practices, Oportun emerges as a distinctive player, offering a unique approach to financial services, particularly targeting underserved communities. However, Oportun also has a history of aggressive debt collection.

If you’ve been sued by Oportun, or one of its partner banks, SoloSuit can help you respond to the lawsuit and resolve your debt before going to court. Keep reading to learn more.

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What is Oportun?

Oportun, also known as Oportun, Inc. and Oportun, LLC, is a financial services company that specializes in providing affordable and responsible loans to individuals who may have limited or no access to traditional banking systems.

Now, let’s get more specific. Oportun provides loan sums ranging from $300 to $10,000, with repayment windows spanning 12 to 54 months. The highest Annual Percentage Rate (APR) offered by Oportun stands at 35.99%. Oportun personal loans and credit cards may be financed by Pathward®, N.A., depending on the state where the loan occurred.

Oportun wants to make personal loans available to all

Oportun stands out not only as a financial services provider but also as a mission-oriented entity. Its central objective revolves around extending affordable and responsible financial

solutions to individuals who might not have easy access to mainstream banking services.

With the fundamental belief that everyone should have equal opportunities to shape their financial futures, Oportun addresses the gaps between underserved populations and traditional financial channels.

Technology forms the bedrock of Oportun's operations, particularly in its innovative assessment of creditworthiness. Unlike conventional credit evaluation systems that often exclude those with limited credit histories, Oportun embraces alternative data sources. By employing advanced algorithms and machine learning, the company analyzes various financial behaviors, such as rent and utility bill payments.

This comprehensive evaluation allows Oportun to extend loans to individuals who might otherwise be overlooked by conventional lenders, thus widening access to financial resources.

Despite its borrower-centric approach, Oportun has a history of filing excessive debt collection lawsuits. In recent years, the company even changed some of its rate in response to the backlash against its litigious ways.

Oportun ramped up debt collection lawsuits in 2020

In 2020, Oportun's debt collection practices drew significant attention and scrutiny.

According to an investigative report by ProPublica and The Texas Tribune, Oportun came into the spotlight for being among the foremost initiators of debt-related lawsuits in the spring of 2020, a period marked by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The investigation revealed that, despite the challenging circumstances posed by the pandemic, Oportun continued to pursue legal actions against borrowers who were struggling to keep up with their payments. Oportun even openly acknowledged itself as the primary financial institution filing small claims lawsuits in both California and Texas during 202.

Responding to the backlash, Oportun made notable changes to its operational strategies. The company introduced a significant reform by imposing a ceiling on its interest rates, setting the cap at 36%. Additionally, Oportun took action by dismissing all ongoing litigation cases and temporarily suspending any new filings of legal proceedings.

The publicized investigation underscored the complexities surrounding Oportun's debt collection practices, prompting the company to revise its approach and address the concerns raised about its impact on borrowers facing financial hardships.

Read also: How to Beat an Oportun Lawsuit

What bank does Oportun work with?

Oportun provides direct deposit accounts (Direct℠) in collaboration with its banking partner, Pathward, N.A., which is a member of the FDIC. In specific regions, Oportun also extends personal loans through its partner Pathward, N.A., and offers credit card services through its association with WebBank, N.A.

So, if you’ve been sued by Pathward, N.A. or WebBank, N.A., it could be due to your delinquent account with Oportun.

Resolve your debt with Oportun

Facing a debt lawsuit can be an overwhelming experience, especially when it involves a company like Oportun. Luckily, you have options. For example, SoloSuit can help you respond to a debt lawsuit and negotiate a debt settlement before your court date.

If you’ve been sued over an Oportun debt, you will received a Summons and Complaint (also known as a Petition in some states). These documents outline the case details and specific claims against you. You should respond to the Summons and Complaint with a written Answer before your state’s deadline. Use the calculator below to determine how long you have to respond to your Oportun debt lawsuit:

Deadline Calculator

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Select the day you were served.


Your deadline

This calculator is for educational purposes only. It does not factor in weekends or holidays, so your actual deadline may be some days later.


In your Answer, focus on responding to the numbered claims listed in the Complaint document (or Petition, if you live in Texas). You can respond to each claim by saying you admit, deny, or deny due to lack of knowledge. After you’ve addressed each claim, you should also assert your affirmative defenses.

An affirmative defense is any legal reason you should not be held liable for the debt. This may include reasons such as an expired statute of limitations, lack of standing, improper service, fraud or misrepresentation, or bankruptcy discharge.

SoloSuit makes it easy to respond to each claim and assert your affirmative defenses.

Once you’ve drafted and filed an Answer to your Oportun debt lawsuit, you have bought yourself time to work out a debt settlement agreement with Oportun. This is the surest way to resolve your debt once and for all. SoloSettle can assist you in the settlement negotiation process. To learn more about how to settle a debt with Oportun, watch this video:

What is SoloSuit?

SoloSuit makes it easy to fight debt collectors.

You can use SoloSuit to respond to a debt lawsuit, to send letters to collectors, and even to settle a debt.

SoloSuit's Answer service is a step-by-step web-app that asks you all the necessary questions to complete your Answer. Upon completion, we'll have an attorney review your document and we'll file it for you.

>>Read the FastCompany article: Debt Lawsuits Are Complicated: This Website Makes Them Simpler To Navigate

>>Read the NPR story on SoloSuit. (We can help you in all 50 states.)

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Hosted by Team Solo, The Debt Hotline breaks down debt and personal finance topics with help from attorneys, financial experts, and industry pros. We respond to real questions to help you navigate debt with knowledge and courage.

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