利率最高上限
Maggie and Ted are partners. They are looking for a business loan for their start-up.
梅姬和泰德是合伙人。他們正在尋求創業所需的商業貸款。
Maggie: Does it make sense that this bank charges a much higher interest rate than others?
梅姬：跟其他銀行比起來，這家銀行收取的貸款利率高出這麼多是合理的嗎？
interest rate 利率
Ted: I know that the government imposes usury laws which set caps on the maximum amount of interest that can be levied on loans.
泰德：我知道政府有實施高利貸法規，針對貸款利率訂定了最高上限。
impose(v.)實施、實行impose a ban, tax, fine 實施禁令、徵稅、處以罰款set a cap on sth. 設定某事物的上限maximum(n.)(adj.)最大限度(的)minimum(n.)(adj.)最低限度(的)levy(v.)徵收(稅款或罰金)
Maggie: Do you think this bank is violating the law?
梅姬：你認為這家銀行違法了嗎？
violate(v.)違反
Ted: Not necessarily. Although the laws are designed to protect loan applicants, they can vary from state to state as individual states are entitled to setting their own usury laws.
泰德：那倒不一定。雖然制定高利貸法規是為了保障貸款申請者，但各州的相關法規都不盡相同，因為各州有權制定各自的高利貸法規。
vary(v.)呈現差異be entitled to (doing) sth. 享有(做)某事的權利
Maggie: So that means the loan interest rate can be significantly higher or lower from one state to the other.
梅姬：所以這表示某個州的貸款利率可能遠高於或遠低於其他州囉。
Ted: It’s possible since usury laws are mostly regulated and enforced by the states.
泰德：有可能喔，因為多數高利貸法規都是由各州管制與實施。
regulate(v.)管制、管控、調節enforce(v.)執行、實行
Maggie: If that is the case, why don’t we apply for a loan from a different state where the loan interest is limited to a lower rate?
梅姬：若真是如此，那我們何不在貸款利率上限較低的另一個州申請貸款呢？
be limited to 限制於～之內
Ted: That might work in our favor, but we still need to go through the terms and conditions first before we make our decision.
泰德：那可能對我們更有利，但我們還是得先詳閱條款與條規後再作決定。
terms and conditions 條款與條規