"Christ's command, 'Do to others as you would have them do to you' has been forgotten."

-   Martin Luther, "Trade and Usury" (1524), commenting on merchants and bankers charging exorbitant fees and interest

PAYDAY LOANS are an abusive form of lending that traps financially vulnerable borrowers into a long term cycle of debt. These loans provide short term cash advances with extraordinarily high fees and interest.

Pennsylvania has well-established policies that prohibit usurious lending. The recently introduced House Bill 2191 seeks to end that, by allowing a 419% annual percentage rate (APR) on borrowers. This bill comes at the same time as many state programs are being cut or eliminated, so its outcomes are sure to include more persons trapped in poverty and unmanageable debt.

In the spirit of Martin Luther, who wrote vehemently against usury in his day, LAMPa has signed on to a letter in opposition to HB 2191, and will let you know about opportunities to defeat it. In the meantime, we will do well to not forget 'Do to others as you would have them do to you,' and we will do well to pray fervently: "Give us this day our daily bread."