Julie A. Urban, Ph.D. and Marzeih Bolhassani, Ph.D., both of the University of Wisconsin System, released the findings of their recent payday lending survey today at the 2009 Understanding and Overcoming Poverty in Wisconsin Conference.

CNN Money is reporting Consumer credit falls a record $11.1B, more than three times analysts' estimates. Consumers are borrowing less.

Last night the United States Congress failed to reach agreement on a loan package in support of the US auto industry. Obviously, we're very disappointed in this development.

Bridge Business Bancorp, an operating division of Bridge Finance Group, today announced that it has provided Village Products, Inc. with a $1.5 million revolving line of credit and a $500 thousand SBA 7(a) term loan.

Copper Mesa Mining Corporation (TSX:CUX) today announced that it has negotiated at arms-length a secured bridge loan facility from private investors for up to US$2.3 million . The Loan is due on the first anniversary of the initial advance and bears interest at 6% per annum, payable quarterly. Each advance under the Loan is subject to certain conditions.

ESI Entertainment Systems Inc. (TSX: ESY) is pleased to announce that the Company has completed a loan agreement of USD $2 million bearing interest at the rate of 6% per annum and repayable in two installments with the first due on December 11, 2008 and the second due on June 11, 2009; the loan is secured by first ranking fixed charges on the entire issued share capital of two of the Company's principal subsidiaries, ESI Integrity Inc. and Citadel Commerce UK Limited.

DebtX, the largest marketplace for commercial whole loans, today announced it has been selected by a major U.S. commercial bank to dispose of more than $52 million in commercial and multifamily real estate loans.

First Financial Bankshares, Inc. (Nasdaq: FFIN) today reported the sale of approximately $50 million in student loans in April and May 2008, recognizing a before income tax premium of approximately $1.5 million, similar to amounts recorded in the second quarter of 2007.

Citi released some guideline changes in the wholesale changes that can be described easily as the first big step towards killing stated income loans.

In a lending environment where securing a loan is increasingly out of reach for borrowers, April 16 proved momentous for Hackensack-based Kennedy Funding, Inc. The direct private lending company closed four loans that day, three for land development and one for financial restructuring, totaling almost $40 million.

The Federal Reserve on Friday approved the proposal, released Thursday by the Office of Thrift Supervision and the National Credit Union Administration. The proposal would give reasonable time to make payments and much more.