money lender
[/ˈmʌni ˌlɛndər/]
nounpl: money lenders
agiota
1. A person who lends money to others in exchange for interest payments, often at high rates
The money lender charged exorbitant interest rates on the loan.
O agiota cobrava taxas de juros exorbitantes no empréstimo.
2. A professional or institutional entity that provides loans as a business
She went to a licensed money lender to secure a personal loan.
Ela recorreu a um agiota licenciado para obter um empréstimo pessoal.
3. An unlicensed or illegal lender, typically associated with loan sharking
He borrowed from a money lender and fell into debt when he couldn't repay.
Ele pegou emprestado de um agiota e se viu endividado quando não conseguiu pagar.
In Brazil, the term 'agiota' carries strong negative connotations and is frequently associated with illegal lending practices, high interest rates, and organized crime. The practice of agiotagem (loan sharking) is illegal in Brazil. In the USA, while 'money lender' can refer to legitimate financial institutions, 'loan shark' is the more colloquial term for illegal or predatory lenders. Historically, both cultures have struggled with predatory lending practices targeting vulnerable populations.
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