Wucherverbot

Wucherverbot, literally "usury prohibition," refers to the legal and normative prohibition on charging excessively high or exploitative interest and lending terms. The concept arises from concerns that lending can become predatory when borrowers are in a weak position or when lenders exploit desperation or power imbalances.

Historically, Wucher emerged in medieval and early modern Europe as part of church and civil regulation of economic life. Many jurisdictions sought to limit or condemn usury, defined as charging more than acceptable interest or terms, and to protect borrowers from predatory practices. The term Wucherverbot appears in legal writings and local ordinances describing the legal boundaries against such exploitation.

In modern German-speaking jurisdictions, the idea persists in both civil and criminal contexts. The notion of usury is treated as a serious form of exploitation in some legal systems, and there are mechanisms intended to curb predatory lending, including caps on interest and fees, or remedies in contract law to address unreasonably onerous terms. In Germany, discussions of Wucher and related concepts are encountered in the context of consumer protection and financial regulation, where authorities and courts aim to deter and sanction grossly exploitative lending arrangements.

Usage and relevance today vary by country and era, but Wucherverbot remains a reference point for those arguing that lending should be conducted fairly and transparently. It is often cited in debates about payday loans, credit markets, and consumer protection, where the balance between legitimate credit provision and predatory practices is contested.