BEAVERTON, Ore. – Oregon has joined the growing list of statestaking a closer look at payday lending activity and consideringlegislation regulating the practice. On Jan. 11, the Credit UnionAssociation of Oregon along with credit union staff testified at ahearing called by state Rep. Debi Farr who is chair of theBusiness, Labor & Consumer Affairs Subcommittee on PaydayLoans. The daylong hearing included representatives from the Stateof Oregon who regulate the payday loan industry, consumer andreligious advocates, and the payday loan industry. Testifying onbehalf of credit unions and the CUAO were Bob Corwin, chiefoperating officer First Tech CU; Rhonda Heile-Brown, vice presidentof branch services OSU FCU; and Pamela Leavitt, senior vicepresident of governmental affairs & public relations for theCUAO. CUAO and the credit unions testified on the alternativeproducts many Oregon CUs are offering including various short-termloan products. CUAO said legislators on the committee wereparticularly interested in learning about the low fees and APRsoffered by credit unions, as compared to the payday loan industry.According to the Associated Press, Oregon is one of 16 states thatdo not restrict the interest or fees that can be collected bypayday lenders.