PALS Predatory Lending Presentations Posted

ALEXANDRIA, Va.-The presentations given at the latest Partnering and Leadership Successes workshop have been posted to the PALS Web site. The workshop focused on innovative ideas to trump predatory lenders and other fringe financial services providers. The site features success stories shared by credit union leaders during the Jan. 26 PALS workshop, hosted by NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz and others in Dallas. "By sharing best practices from this workshop, we hope to inspire many more credit unions to offer services that will attract new members and provide them with alternatives to the insidious and pervasive predatory lenders who are taking billions of dollars out of their communities," Matz commented. "The ideas in these presentations are intended to help break the cycle of predatory lending, poverty and despair for people who need credit unions the most." The presentations cover initiatives such as risk-based lending, payday loan alternatives, low-cost check cashing, wire services, and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. To access the presentations online, visit NCUA's home page (www.ncua.gov), click PALS, then Workshop Presentations. CDs of the presentations are also available free of charge from Matz' office at (703) 518-6318. The next PALS workshop is slated for March 25 in San Francisco and will focus on member business lending. The agenda, registration, and hotel reservation information is available in the `Schedules' portion of the PALS Web site.