A Call for Fair Lending Practices

All of us have seen the proliferation of payday and auto title lending storefronts in our shopping centers and neighborhoods. We recognize the commercials that promise “easy” and “same-day” cash to entice Texans who may have hit a financial snag and need help paying for groceries, housing, or utilities. The Texas bishops have prioritized stopping this form of usury, making it one of their top public policy goals. There are several ways the public can work with the bishops in this effort to end financial exploitation of the poor and vulnerable.

Most people who use pay day lending products are the working poor.

The facts about the payday lending industry

About one-third of our charitable ministries help individuals with outstanding loans

Pope Francis kisses a baby girl as he arrives to lead his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican May 13. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) See POPE-AUDIENCE May 13, 2015.

Church teaching

I hope that institutions may
intensify their commitment
alongside the victims of usury, a
dramatic social ill. When a family
has nothing to eat, because it
has to make payments to usurers,
this is not Christian, it is not
human! -- Pope Francis

payday_store-sign

How you can help

City by city, awareness raising is making a difference