Backgrounder on Predatory Banking & Payday Lending: Learn more about predatory banking and payday lending and what the Church is doing to combat their devastating effects.

Payday Lending: What Catholics Are Doing to Combat Financial Exploitation Webinar recording and PowerPoint presentation October 8, 2014

Faith for Just Lending Coalition Support Challenge to Rule Overriding State Usury Laws and Legalizing Predatory Lending
On June 16, 2021, Archbishop Paul S. Coakley and the Faith for Just Lending Coalition write to Congress to express support for the Congressional Review Act (CRA) challenge to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s (OCC) “National Banks and Federal Savings Associations as Lenders” rule. The OCC rule overrides state usury laws, legalizing predatory lending even in states that have outlawed it.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
On December 14, 2020, Faith for Just Lending writes to the Consumer Financial Protection Agency Review Team to request a meeting to discuss the work of the coalition can support the efforts of the bureau.

Payday Lending Rule Exposes the Poor and Vulnerable to Predatory and Abusive Lending Practices
Archbishop Paul S. Coakley of Oklahoma City, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee on Domestic Justice and Human Development, issues a statement in response to the Consumer Protection Bureau's July 7, 2020 final rule on Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Installment Loans.

Faith Leaders Call for Borrower Protections During COVID-19 Crisis
In May of 2020, Faith for Just Lending issues a statement calling on government and civil society to act to prevent a major spike in predatory debt traps that could undo, for many low-income families, much of the positive impact of the CARES Act.

Faith for Just Lending Letter to Congress in Support of the Veterans and Consumer Fair Credit Act
On January 10, 2020, Faith for Just Lending, a coalition of organizations and denominations representing millions of Christians across the country, writes to the House of Representatives to urge support for the Veterans and Consumer Fair Credit Act and by so doing establishing an interest rate cap of 36% and taking an important step toward preventing harm caused by predatory lending practices.

Faith for Just Lending:  Comments on Proposal to Rescind Ability-to-Repay Requirements Governing Payday, Vehicle Title, and Certain High-Cost Installment Loans
On May 13, 2019, the Faith for Just Lending coalition submits comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau expressing support for the 2017 rules to curb predatory payday and car title lending practices.

Faith for Just Lending Letter to the Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
On February 13, 2019, a coalition of Christian churches and organizations, writes to Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Kathleen Kraninger, to express concern over the reopening of the small dollar lending rule.

Faith For Just Lending
On December 4, 2018, an ecumenical coalition of Christian leaders writes to Secretary of Defense Mattis and to Acting Director for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mulvaney urging the reversal of the recent decision to suspend the supervision of payday, car title, and other lenders for violations of the Military Lending Act.

Faith For Just Lending Calls for End of Predatory Payday Loans
On May 16, 2016, Faith for Just Lending , a non-partisan group of religious leaders, practitioners, and social service providers, working together to end the debt trap caused by predatory payday loans, writes to Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Cordray to support efforts of the Bureau to draft a payday lending rule.

Letter on Payday Lending
On November 13, 2013, Bishop Stephen E. Blaire writes to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding payday lending.