Michael Torres, MS
Michael Torres is the senior data analyst at PandaLoanApp.com, where he leads all quantitative research into consumer lending products. With more than a decade of experience in lending data analysis, Michael ensures every rate calculation, APR comparison, and statistical claim published on this site meets a strict standard of mathematical accuracy.
Michael holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Texas at Austin, where his thesis focused on pricing fairness in the subprime consumer credit market. Before joining PandaLoanApp.com, he worked as a quantitative analyst at a national consumer credit research firm, building models that evaluated thousands of lenders across the United States.
Background & Education
Michael began his career as a research assistant at a CFPB-funded fintech accelerator, where he worked on consumer protection studies for small-dollar lending. His early research focused on how APR disclosures actually affect borrower decisions — a topic that shaped his approach to financial journalism today.
After completing his Master's degree in Finance, Michael spent five years at a national consumer credit research firm. There, he built proprietary models that benchmarked lender pricing against industry medians, helping consumer advocacy organizations identify outliers in the subprime market. His models have been referenced in industry publications and academic papers on consumer credit fairness.
Areas of Expertise
APR & Rate Analysis
Forensic analysis of APR calculations, total cost of borrowing, and pricing transparency. Identifies when lenders bury true costs in fee structures.
Lending Statistics
Quantitative analysis of approval rates, default rates, and loan performance data across consumer lending sectors.
Pricing Fairness
Comparative pricing analysis to identify where lenders charge above or below market norms relative to risk-adjusted benchmarks.
Financial Modeling
Building amortization models, repayment projections, and side-by-side cost comparisons readers can trust for major decisions.
Editorial Philosophy
Michael's view is straightforward: numbers should never lie, and they should never hide. He insists that every APR figure on PandaLoanApp.com be traceable to its underlying assumptions, that all comparisons use identical methodology, and that statistical claims include real sample sizes — not vague "industry averages" pulled from thin air.
"A loan is one of the most consequential financial decisions someone can make. They deserve real math, not marketing math. If our calculator says you'll pay $X, that number should be defensible down to the last cent." — Michael Torres