THE BLOG

12
Jan

A Tribal Perspective on the Payday Loan Industry

SaveTheTribe.org offers some compelling commentary regarding why the payday loan tribal (Sovereign Nation ) model is under attack.  Here’s a portion of the Post at their Blog:

“There are over 22,000 payday loan stores in the United States. Regardless of protests from consumer advocates this is clearly a product with high demand. The majority of those stores are operated by a handful of large publicly-traded companies. Those companies are facing competition from online lenders and they are trying to use the political system to protect them. The short-term consumer lending industry is highly regulated. Each state has its own regulations and they vary widely. Loan amounts, terms and rates are different in almost every state. Anyone who can make loans throughout the country following a single set of loan terms can be a very efficient and effective competitor. Tribal lending corporations are that competitor and the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) wants the federal and state governments to ban them from the business.”

Read the entire Article here: http://mynafcc.org/who-is-attacking-tribal-lending/

Thoughts? Comment! Tweet! Like! Get involved!

Jer@TrihouseConsulting.com

 

04
Jan

PDL Convention-CFSA Community Financial Services of America

I’ll be at the March CFSA 2012 so call/text if you want to meet up and buy me a glass of vino :o) If you’re currently in the payday loan space, or you plan to be, you must attend CFSA 2012. Here’s a link to check it out: CFSA Event For the password to enter the site, please contact CFSA’s Annual Meeting Planning Team at AnnualMeeting@CFSAA.com Hurry if you want to save $200 on the registration fee (for both members and non-members)! Offer ends January 13th.

  Jer@TrihouseConsulting.com

04
Jan

Payday Loan Arbitration Agreement Enforceable

Payday loan industry wins again! A binding arbitration provision that barred a Wisconsin consumer from pursuing a class-action lawsuit against a payday loan lender is enforceable. Read the article here: Cottonwood Financial Ltd. v. Estes That’s what the District III Wisconsin Court of Appeals concluded; Federal law preempts state law!

27
Dec

Payday Loans, Tribes, Sovereign Nation and Internet Gambling

Washington D.C. and Nevada will soon be offering Internet gambling. More states are certain to follow if only because state tax coffers are running empty. The FED’s next moves aren’t clear. The DOJ just reversed its interpretation of the 1961Wire Act. Meanwhile, more payday loan Lenders are “partnering” with tribes. The legal “templates” for tribal payday loan “partnerships”  are becoming almost robotic. Since the Tribal Business Expo last March in Las Vegas at the Hilton, we’ve helped initiate more than nine tribal agreements.

So, why all the interest by tribes and payday loan management companies to enter into these relationships? Here are just a few:

  • Many federally recognized tribes are poor. Not all tribes are able to participate in energy, gaming…
  • In spite of what payday loan critics say, the industry is highly regulated. Roughly 17 states simply ban payday loans.
  • Consumers by the millions want and need access to small, short-term, non-collateralizedloans. There are payday loan companies exceeding $120M per month in loans!
  • The Internet offers efficiency, speed, and access to payday loan customers
  • Fixed costs foe Internet payday loan Lenders is less than that for “brick-n-mortars.”
  • Tribe gaming revenues are down as much as 30% because of the poor economy
  • The “payout” expectations of tribes by payday loan Lenders has fallen because of competition for payday loan management teams that can bring expertise and capital sources to the tribe.
  • The cost of state-by-state compliance by payday loan Lenders is rising.
  • Sophisticated “money” is sniffing around the industry. They’re looking for significant returns and they are high-risk players.
  • Creative approaches for offering payday loan type products, such as the offshore model, are becoming harder to “digest.” Continued access to the ACH system and sub-prime consumer data are just two issues that could become a problem for the “exotics.”

Bottom line, the AFS  (Alternative Financial Services) space is quite simply ROARING with opportunity, challenges, technology, capital, DISRUPTION…

I’ve been in this game since 1997 and I’ve never been so EXCITED!

Jer@PaydayLoanIndustryBlog.com 702-208-6736

 

 

20
Dec

How to Start a Pawnshop Business Franchise

If you have any interest in the Pawn Industry, read on. If not, DELETE NOW!

The pawn shop industry is experiencing tremendous growth and prosperity in spite of having an image problem. Reality TV and tough economic times for the US economy during  the next several years promises continued profits for pawn operators.

TV shows like “Pawn Stars” have reminded consumers and entrepreneurs  that the  “world’s oldest profession” – think PAWN – offers opportunities for getting cash for the former and opportunity for the latter.

Still the challenge of getting consumers to take that first step through the pawn shop door can be daunting.
As one Money Mizer pawn shop operator pointed out regarding typical customer perceptions, “They envision a small store with poor lighting,  a shady operation, with pawn operators trying to take advantage of you. That’s just not the situation any longer. Our pawn stores are elegant, well lit, and employ customer oriented, knowledgeable staff. Our goal is to provide our customers with a temporary loan, solve their current financial problem and create a long-term relationship by adding one more financial choice for our customer.

The latest quarterly profits at the three publicly traded pawn store operators reflect the growth the pawn industry is enjoying. Cash America International Inc., Ezcorp Inc. and First Cash Financial Services Inc. each reported net incomes that were up at least 25 percent from a year ago.
Pawn shops have entered the realm of pop culture with the History Channel’s reality TV show Pawn Stars. “We’re experiencing a surge of customers who have never been in a pawn shop before,” Money Mizer said. “They are fascinated by it!”

The average pawn customer is 36 years old with a household income of $29,000. Eighty percent are employed and a third are homeowners, according to figures from the National Pawnbrokers Association. People come into pawn shops from all income levels; from public assistance to wealthy individuals.

So, if you’re like me and are intrigued by the pawn shop industry and want to dig a little deeper into the opportunity, read on. We bring to your attention the Money Mizer Franchise Opportunity. Check out their offering below and follow-up with them directly to explore…
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With financial challenges, increased debt and a lack of banking relations putting the pressure on so many Americans, there has never been a better time to offer your community a full range of pawn, banking and retail services.

The Time Is Right

The Money Mizer franchise program is a tremendous opportunity and it could be just right for you. We provide the support you need to open and operate your Money Mizer business. We assist with everything from site location to store layout and from start-up assistance to specialized software for monitoring business functions. The operations manual is detailed and comprehensive making the Money Mizer franchise program complete and fully functional so that you can grow your business in every way.

Taking Pawn To The Next Level

Since founding our 1st store in 1980, we have broken new ground in the pawn industry by developing unique, high-end stores that offer quality new and used products at bargain prices as well as comprehensive niche banking services. We also use the internet to expand our market reach. This is the business model we build on with all our franchise partners. It’s a winning formula that can work for you, too.

Start Making It Happen Today

Visit us online: http://moneymizerfranchises.com/contact_us.htmll
Or call for immediate info: 855-482-PAWN
franchise@moneymizerfranchises.com

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And if you’re an advertiser or vendor offering solutions to the AFS industry contact us to appear here and in our Newsletter. 702-208-6736 Jer@TrihouseConsulting.com