Every dollar figure on Fenix Loans traces back to a primary source—regulator, statute, or official database. Below is exactly how we lock that chain in place, what happens when a source disappears, and how you can verify our work yourself.
Does Fenix Loans use AI to write content?
No. AI assists with drafting, but humans verify every citation, statute number, and dollar figure against Tier-1 or Tier-2 sources. A dedicated fact-checker extracts every numeric claim, legal citation, regulator name, and dollar amount, matching each to its documentation. This human gate is non-negotiable.
Our fact-checking policy details the specific checks performed at each tier. The distinction matters because borrowing costs vary dramatically by state—Arkansas caps rates differently than Texas, and only primary sources capture those distinctions accurately.
What happens when a source goes missing?
We operate under a 48-hour hard stop. If Tier-1 or Tier-2 support cannot be located within 48 hours, the claim comes down until the documentation surfaces. This applies to everything: a regulator phone number, a statute effective date, a dollar threshold.
This rule protects borrowers who rely on our state hubs—where statutes, citations, and local regulator contacts must be current. A broken link to a state banking portal could send someone to a defunct phone line. We remove rather than risk.
How do you verify the math yourself?
Start with our topic briefs. These track the seven phases we follow, from initial research through final sign-off. Each brief lists the primary statutes and regulator contacts for that state's rules.
For cost comparisons, check our side-by-side math against the original sources:
- Locate the state statute in our state hub—the citation links to the official text.
- Cross-reference any dollar figures against the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database or state regulator portal.
- Verify income or poverty benchmarks against Census tables.
- Confirm lender claims against their own disclosed ranges, noting we label these as "lender's own claim" rather than verified fact.
Found a discrepancy? Our corrections process documents how we handle updates, with timestamps and explanations visible to readers.
Where does peer-reviewed research fit?
Tier-3 sources—Pew Charitable Trusts small-dollar lending project, Center for Responsible Lending, National Consumer Law Center, NBER working papers—provide context and trend analysis. They do not replace Tier-1 or Tier-2 verification for specific dollar claims.
Consider this distinction: a Pew report might show national payday loan usage patterns. But your state's maximum allowable fee? That comes from the statute, not the study.
How do we handle industry data and lender claims?
Original interviews on file at Fenix Loans and industry trade-association data inform our understanding of market practices. Lender-disclosed APR ranges appear when relevant, always labeled as the lender's own claim. We do not present these as verified or typical costs.
This matters because disclosed ranges often reflect ideal conditions—specific loan sizes, repayment terms, or borrower profiles. Your actual cost depends on local rules and your specific situation.
What triggers a content review?
Publication starts a 12-month review clock. Amendments or revisions reset portions of that timeline depending on scope. Major statutory changes—new rate caps, regulator reorganizations, effective date shifts—trigger immediate reassessment outside the standard cycle.
We also review when primary sources relocate. State portals frequently redesign; the OCCC and equivalent state portals migrate documents. We maintain working links or note when source material has moved.
Who owns Fenix Loans and why does that matter?
Our ownership disclosure explains the corporate structure and any relationships that could influence coverage. For a comparison site, this transparency matters: you should know whether editorial decisions face pressure from lending partnerships or affiliate arrangements.
Our local-context-first angle—anchoring everything in specific places, their rules, and their prices—requires independence from the lenders we compare. Ownership clarity supports that independence.
Borrower questions we hear often
How do I know your state fee caps are current?
Check the statute citation we provide—each links to the official state code. We also list the regulator contact for that state. If the statute has changed and we haven't updated, that's a reportable error under our corrections policy.
Why can't I find the APR you mention on the lender's site?
We label lender-disclosed APR ranges as the lender's own claim. These may reflect specific loan products, promotional periods, or qualifying conditions. Your actual APR depends on state rules and your application. We show these ranges for comparison, not as a guarantee of your rate.
What if a regulator link in your state hub is broken?
Contact us immediately. We verify against Tier-2 sources like the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database and FDIC/NCUA call reports, but broken state portal links undermine our 48-hour rule. We remove or correct within that window.
Does your 12-month review catch law changes faster?
Not necessarily. Major statutory changes trigger immediate review outside the standard cycle. The 12-month clock ensures baseline currency for stable rules. If you notice a change we haven't captured, report it through our corrections process.
Can I request the original documents behind your cost math?
Yes. Our topic briefs and state hubs cite specific Tier-1 and Tier-2 sources. Many are public: CFPB databases, Census tables, state statutes. For original interviews on file, we can confirm existence and date but cannot share proprietary interview content that would compromise source relationships.