As an alternative to the charges authorized by Section 22303, a licensee may contract for and receive charges at the greater of the following:
(a) A rate not exceeding 1.6 percent per month on the unpaid principal balance.
(b) A rate not exceeding five-sixths of 1 percent per month plus a percentage per month equal to one-twelfth of the annual rate prevailing on the 25th day of the second month of the quarter preceding the quarter in which the loan is made, as established by the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, on advances to member banks under Sections 13 and 13a of the Federal Reserve Act, as now in effect or hereafter from time to time amended, or if there is no single determinable rate for advances, the closest counterpart of this rate as shall be determined by the Commissioner of Financial Institutions. Charges shall be calculated on the unpaid principal balance.
(c) This section does not apply to any loan of a bona fide principal amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) or more as determined in accordance with Section 22251.
(Amended by Stats. 2006, Ch. 538, Sec. 176. Effective January 1, 2007.)