LENDERS COULD RAISE INTEREST RATES.

Gov. Roy Cooper will get two bills that raise caps on the interest rates lenders can charge for some types of loans.

Senate Bill 329, which applies to consumer credit installment sale contracts and motor-vehicle loans, received a 93-22 vote on second reading and cleared the chamber on a subsequent voice vote. The dissenters were all Democrats, but 24 of their colleagues voted with Republicans to pass the changes.

The bill raises the caps on installment sale loan rates, allowing lenders to charge as much as 24% a year for amounts under $3,000, and 21% for loans of $3,000 and up.

Caps on motor-vehicle loan rates would go up to 20% a year for vehicles one to three model years old, 26% for vehicles four to five model years old, and 30% for vehicles six models years old and up.

The other bill, Senate Bill 331, amends the state's...