Faith-based group to host event targeting pay-day loans

Monday, January 9, 2012

“An Interfaith Call to Action: Fair Lending for Mid-Missouri Families” will be held 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday at the Catholic Pastoral Center, 2207 W. Main St.

Concerned citizens from a variety of faith backgrounds have joined together in the Jefferson City Communities Uniting, which is hosting the event, to provide awareness and motivation to the community.

In Mid-Missouri, the average pay-day loan is $307 and the average percentage rate to pay it off is 445 percent.

“As Christians, we call this predatory lending or stealing from those struggling economically,” said spokesman Carolyn Saucier.

Clergy and religious leaders across the state have been invited to a statewide convening noon-3:15 p.m. Thursday.

The Jefferson City Communities Unity has partnered with other, similar organizations through the Missouri Faith Voices Network to launch the 2012 Economic Dignity Campaign.

After meeting together, the clergy will visit their respective elected officials at the Capitol and join in prayer there.

Call Carolyn Saucier at 635-9127 ext. 232 for more information.

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JCLifer 4 months, 2 weeks ago

How is it predatory or stealing when the writing is clear on the agreement that these people readily sign?

I'm not in favor of payday loan places, and I will never use one, but then again I ACCEPT PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY and don't enter into agreements like this.

Seems these groups should be spending their energy educating the people who are getting these loans, not targeting the payday loan places that are legally operating.

I'll bet these are the same groups of people who voted down the RIVERBOAT.

karaokequeen 4 months, 2 weeks ago

I agree jc...in todays trying times I for one am gratefull to have these businesses. I always was able to keep my head above water and went to banks for loans if I needed one. After spending two yrs on unemployment then going on disability at 60 yrs old, my lifestyle changed dramatically.I had lost my job,home,car,savings and am now in a subsidized apt and thank God for that however being on a fixed income of under $800. a month I find banks laugh at you and I sometimes just need a few days or week loan just to get by. If I was to write a check and bounced it for $100. it would cost me $35.00 and a bad mark on my credit. I can go to my friendly payday loans and not beg for a loan and only pay $5 to $10 for a week or two.... If there are people abusing this privlidge(and there are thousands) it is their fault and good for the biz making money off them because I'm sure most is used for booze or drugs but so are a lot of paychecks. Leave them alone and find another cause to fight for like deadbeat dads or drug companies or hey how bout the real crooks, politicians, banks and mortgage companies!!!!!!!!!

eileen10 4 months, 2 weeks ago

these so called do gooders are forcing their beliefs on others. seems to me they belong in govt. offices where they can do exactly that. take away our freedom such as we HAVE to wear a seat belt in our own vehicle etc etc etc.

Graceful 4 months, 2 weeks ago

These people are simply exercising their right to participate in society.

tonto_goldberg 4 months, 2 weeks ago

Do you really want to defend some business that charges 445 percent money someone might need to buy groceries? Those so-called do-gooders are probably friends of mine.

JMO 4 months, 2 weeks ago

I agree with you tonto. The law used to protect people against usery, and that's all this is. I'm all for interest on loans, but 445%? Now I'm aware that's annual, and the effective rate, since it's intended to be paid off sooner, is smaller, but really?

JCLifer 4 months, 2 weeks ago

They are providing a service to voluntary customers. No one forces them to be customers.
I don't think buying a new car every year is a very good deal, but there are some people who buy one every year anyway.

You seem to have a very low opinion of your fellow human beings to think that they are too dumb to take care of themselves. The government ruins nearly everything it touches. We certainly don't need a bigger government putting its thumb on people trying to protect them from themselves.

hkchas 4 months, 2 weeks ago

423%, isn't that what mob guys charge for loans ?

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