BALTIMORE-NCUA Board Member Debbie Matz is combining the lure of anti-predatory lending efforts and baseball to draw credit unions to her recently announced Baltimore Partnering and Leadership Successes workshop on July 7. Panelists at the workshop will focus on sharing their secrets to "Knock Out Predatory Lenders and Improve Your Bottom Line." At the workshop, credit union leaders will explain how they attract members who previously relied on check-cashers, payday lenders, pawnshops and other predatory lenders to meet their cash needs. "There are many shining examples of credit unions providing emergency loans, financial education, and other needed services to help new members break free from the grip of predatory lenders," Matz said. "These credit unions have found that it's not only the right thing to do – it's good business." To register for the Summer PALS workshop, visit http://www.ncua.gov and click "PALS Workshop Registration, July 7, 2005." The workshop will take place from 10 AM – 3:30 PM at the Hyatt Regency on Baltimore's Inner Harbor, just a few blocks from Oriole Park at Camden Yards, which will be hosting a four-game series between the Orioles and 2004 World Series-winning Boston Red Sox. Matz pointed out that Red Sox players will be staying at the Hyatt Regency on Baltimore's Inner Harbor where the conference is being held. The Maryland, Virginia, D.C., Delaware and Massachusetts Credit Union Leagues, Pennsylvania Credit Union Association, NAFCU, and National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions are co-hosting the workshop.