Payday lenders dropping like flies

This post comes from Stacy Johnson at partner site Money Talks News.

We are disappointed that we will be unable to continue serving consumers in Arizona. Our customers have consistently told us that they are highly satisfied with our services. Advance America strongly believes that a regulated, competitive and transparent financial environment benefits consumers. We believe that consumers are best served when they can choose the financial service that best suits their needs, and in many cases, that may be a cash advance. We regret that we can no longer serve the interests of many Arizonans. -- Ken Compton, CEO, Advance America

This isn't a good time to be in the payday lending business.

Arizona recently became the 16th state to pass a law (or in some cases, allow enabling legislation to expire) that wrecks the business model of payday lenders -- businesses that offer two-week loans at annualized interest rates that can reach 400% or more. 

McClatchy Newspapers reports:

Right now 16 states and the District of Columbia have passed limits on interest rates for short-term loans. They range from 17% to 60%.

The states are Arkansas, Arizona, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont and West Virginia. Together, they include about a third of the U.S. population.

Montana, Mississippi and Colorado are also considering changes to their lending laws that would severely curtail the profitability of these lenders.

Despite the CEO's lament that his company "will be unable to continue serving consumers in Arizona," Advance America wasn't forced to close its 47 locations in the state. It just had to limit the interest it charged to an annualized 36%. But apparently that wouldn't have been profitable enough for the company.

• Bing: Payday loan horror stories

According to the company's press release announcing the closings, for the first three months of 2010 in Arizona alone, Advance America brought in just under $4 million and reported a profit of $1.5 million.

In response to Advance America's press release, Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard issued one of his own, saying "Advance America made millions in Arizona off a business model that preyed on vulnerable borrowers and charged them unconscionable interest rates and fees. They could have amended their business practices like other companies and charge lawful rates, but they chose to fold their tent here."

• Find an interest checking account

Even in those states that haven't set limits, times could soon be getting tougher for payday lenders. The new financial regulatory reform law forms a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau within the Federal Reserve that will have sweeping authority to police all types of lenders and loans.

• Video: Obama signs financial reform act

Proponents of payday loans claim that forcing them out of business will hurt those who need help and have no other place to turn for short-term lending solutions. They also argue that payday loans aren't as onerous as opponents charge. One trade association, for example, points to this list of "Myths vs. reality of payday loans."

Whether or not these loans have a place in American society, they're certainly becoming less popular. The Center for Responsible Lending offers these alternatives to payday loans.

• Working out a payment plan with creditors.
• Asking for an advance at work.
• Finding a community-based emergency assistance program.
• Getting a loan from a credit union.
• Getting a cash advance from a credit card.
• Turning to small consumer finance companies, where rates average between 25% and 60%.
• Compare rates on personal loans

You can read about these potential solutions in more detail at this page of the Center for Responsible Lending's website.

More from Money Talks News and MSN Money:

• 5 ways you'll profit from financial reform
• 10 things people buy they should get free
• Stop paying for cable TV
• How payday loans became big business
• Borrow $325, pay back $793
• Loans with triple-digit interest