The report was an honest look at how payday loans have become a responsible and necessary form of lending for millions of Americans that need financial relief between paydays. Completely unbiased, the reporting provided all sides of the story, not merely the unsubstantiated view of payday lenders as ‘loan sharks’, which is a popular, if completely uncredited, viewpoint put forth by several ‘consumer advocacy’ groups.

The report, which you can listen to here, took a look at how consumers in states such as Georgia and North Carolina have fared since regulations forced payday lending out of their state. With few, if any, fast cash or legitimate cash advance solutions, consumers in these states paid nearly $38 million in bounced check and account overdraft penalties last year.

The piece came not only as a fair view of how payday loan and cash advance lenders are providing easy and responsible financial options to American consumers, but also as a warning for states that may be pushing for increased lending restrictions in the near future.

First, the IRS announced that the tax refunds of millions of Americans would be delayed by two months or more - cash that many Americans rely on to cover past debt, pay bills or use to repay the money they borrowed over the holidays.

Now, the government is working fast to enact a new Economic Stimulus package that would send checks of between $300 - $1,200 to the majority of American taxpayers. The act is designed to stimulate the sluggish economy by encouraging consumers to spend the money that they would not have otherwise had. Many financial experts are suggesting that consumers take a smarter approach and use at least a portion to pay down high-rate credit card balances or other outstanding debts.

While the financial future for many taxpayers may be bright, these decisions coming out of Washington do not face one important factor - the immediate need of consumers in the short-term. Like many Americans, you may feel the pressure of delayed tax refunds at the very time that holiday bills and increased winter expenses are coming due.

Luckily, there is a responsible short-term financial solution to hold you over until your refund comes. A next-day cash advance can help you find the money you need for monthly bills or emergency expenses without adding to your credit card debit or risking overdrawn bank penalties. Best of all, they are simple and fast - you can apply for a payday loan online in minutes and get the money in your account by tomorrow. These no-fax cash advances are available to all consumers, regardless of credit or past debt.

The financial decisions that come out of Washington affect us all, whether we have a say in them or not. But with fast and secure online cash advances and payday loans from CashNetUSA, you have the power to Make Anyday Payday.

To add to the financial frustration, the IRS has just announced that as many as 13 million Americans will see a significant delay in their tax return refunds - money that many people earmark to pay off those holiday expenses. Due to a last minute change to the tax code, the IRS estimates that as much as $45 billion in tax refunds could be delayed by seven weeks or more! Learn more.

Luckily, there is a fast and secure financial solution to keep your head above water during this trying time of year. A next-day cash advance from CashNetUSA can help you get the money you need to pay off those seasonal expenses while you wait for your income tax refund. With a five-minute online application, instant approval and money wired directly to your banking account, a payday loan from CashNetUSA is the hassle-free online option.

Feel confident borrowing from one of the leading licensed online lenders - CashNetUSA is approved for lending by the states in which it does business and is a proud member of the CFSA and Better Business Bureau.

If holiday bills have left you anything but merry and you were counting on a fast income tax refund, consider a next-day cash advance from CashNetUSA as a sensible and hassle-free short-term solution.

P.S. Don’t forget to file your taxes as quickly as possible to minimize this unfortunate tax delay. File online now with our premier tax affiliate, Complete Tax, and get your refund faster. Simply click here to get started.

Luckily, following through with that particular resolution is not nearly as hard as shedding fifteen pounds or finding your dream job. A fast, convenient and secure financial solution is only a click away, with a cash advance from CashNetUSA.com. Get up to $1,500 to help you deal with unexpected expenses or monthly bills without relying on high-rate credit cards or risking bounced check and overdrawn account penalties. It only takes five minutes to apply online, get instant approval and qualify for up to $1,500, deposited directly into your account, next day.

Plus, take advantage of CashNetUSA’s industry-latest application acceptance times - apply by 9pm CST during the week for next-day funding or over the weekend by 7pm CST Sunday for Monday funding. And enjoy the convenience of applying online from home or work - nothing to fax, no extra paperwork and no waiting in line. Just the money you need, when you need it most.

It’s easy to start 2008 off right with America’s trusted online lender, CashNetUSA. Simply click here to get started and get your money by tomorrow!

The November report (available here) offers the results of a study of households in Georgia and North Carolina, two states which banned payday loans in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Compared with households in other states, those in both Georgia and North Carolina recorded more bounced checks, made more complaints about lenders to the Federal Trade Commission and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy at a discernibly higher rate. And they did so at a higher rate than before Payday Loans were banned.

The report’s authors attribute this rise in credit risk and penalties to the decrease in responsible credit options available to sub-prime consumers. In the 2-3 years since payday lending was banned, consumers in these states have faced greater financial challenges with far fewer options.

At the time that these laws were enacted, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), a consumer advocacy group, estimated that the law would save consumers $154 million per year in loan fees and interest. What they neglected to take into account is that the fees for bounced checks, late credit card payments and NSF charges far outweighed the fees for responsible payday loans - leading GA and NC residents not to save hundreds of millions of dollars, but instead pay millions more in penalties.

What most financial experts already know - and, unfortunately, more and more consumers and state legislatures are learning the hard way - is that the unwarranted criticism that is incited by so-called ‘consumer advocate groups’ is often based on unfounded, if not downright misleading, evidence.

Companies, such as CashNetUSA, pride themselves on providing a safe, secure and responsible lending option to those in need. This recent report by the Federal Reserve of New York will hopefully go a long way in dispelling much of the slander that is brought upon the industry.

Since being acquired by Cash America International Inc. two years ago, CashNetUSA’s earnings potential and financial reports have been grouped together with its parent company’s brick and mortar cash advance operations. On Friday, with the announcement of Cash America’s third quarter earnings report, this all changed.

For the first time since acquisition, consumers outside the company were able to see how large of a player CashNetUSA is in the online payday loan market. Our stance as not only being the most licensed lender, but also the largest and most trusted by consumers, was finally supported by hard and fast numbers.

For more information about the details of this report, Cash America or CashNetUSA’s innovative programs or other financial news, please click here.

A recent federal court case has once again turned the spotlight on under-licensed or dubious lending practices in the short-term loan industry. The result of the case - which found a specific loan company in violation of offering services in a state where it was not licensed - has brought the case for state-licensed lending to the forefront of news and legislation.

In the payday loan industry, companies can use one of three business practices to offer their services:

1. Offshore - An obviously dishonest practice, some companies set up in foreign countries and use legal loopholes to service customers in the US without any form of regulation or legal recourse for unsatisfied customers.

2. Choice of Law - The majority of payday lenders become licensed in a single state, while offering services to consumers beyond that state’s border. That means you could be a resident of Illinois, but be borrowing money from a company established in Utah that does not have to follow the laws and regulations that your legislature has put in place for your protection. The decision from this latest federal case, however, is spelling out the end of these less-than-honest lenders - forcing them to become licensed in more states or be run out of business in favor of fair and honest lenders.

3. State Licensing - Regarded as the most transparent and consumer-focused business strategy, companies relying on the State Licensing methodology actually apply for and are approved by every state in which they do business. This ensures that their customers are receiving full protection from their own state legislature, that the lender is allowed to charge only acceptable fees and must face repercussions if consumers are unhappy with their services. Though State Licensing is the best strategy for consumers, it’s also beneficial for the lender itself - ensuring a long and happy relationship with customers and permission from the state to serve as an accepted financial service.

As Offshore and Choice Law are slowly but surely being pushed towards State Licensing or out of business, current State-Licensed companies such as CashNetUSA are thriving on the successful and fair lending practices which they stood behind all along. With approval for lending in over 30 states, CashNetUSA has become the leader in online payday lending through safe and secure practices, customer-forward services and smart business decisions.

As always, it’s important to know who your personal lender is and what regulations they follow. When you are in need of emergency cash, rely on the lender that has always been, and will forever be, dedicated to the most fair lending services - CashNetUSA.

Speed - Online lenders, such as CashNetUSA, can get you money quickly with just a few clicks of the mouse. Fill out a short five-minute application, sign your loan agreement electronically and you’ll usually receive your money in the next 24 hours or less.

Ease - Online lending now allows for simple application and funding. No longer do you have to drive to the store, wait in line and fumble around with a lot of papers and forms. Apply in minutes and get instant approval without faxing documents and even if your credit is less than perfect.

Security - We have taken steps to make sure your information is kept completely confidential and secure. Benefit from your own online account - accessible 24 hours a day from your own home or office.

Support - CashNetUSA is dedicated to the highest level of customer support. Contact our friendly representatives 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with any questions you might have.

Finally there’s a better way to get the money you need, without all the hassle. Visit CashNetUSA for more information and Make Anyday Payday???.

But new reports from some of the very sources that have blasted payday lending in the past, show a more complete understanding of the role and benefits of these quick and secure loan options.

In January, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York released a report stating that not only were payday loans not considered predatory lending, but in fact they served to enhance the welfare of thousands of underbanked households (read the article here: “Defining and Detecting Predatory Lending,” by Federal Reserve Bank of New York Research Officer Donald P. Morgan).

A similar study has shown that the actions of several state legislatures, designed to chase off these short-term lenders, has actually led to fewer credit options for their citizens, not to mentioned decreased the amount of competition in the lending arena, thereby increasing the fees passed on to consumers (read: “Payday Lending and Public Policy: What Elected Officials Should Know,” by Tom Lehman of the Indiana Policy Review Foundation).

The lesson is simple: it’s important to understand all sides of a debate before making a decision. It’s also vital to know whether or not the sources of the information you find are credible - Federal Reserve Banks, reputable news gathering agencies or government institutions tend to offer the most unbiased information. The more you know - the more equipped you will be to find an honest and trustworthy loan option.

1. Budget - Most Americans spend above their means by using credit credit cards. Learn how to cut out these expensive debt pits by making a budget of essential spending and sticking to it. Pay for everything in cash - that way you won’t be tempted to break your budget with the swipe of some plastic.

2. Save More - Dedicate a percentage of your paycheck - no matter how small - to a savings account. Shop around for the best deal - while your bank may only offer a 1 or 2% interest rate, new online banking institutions can offer as much as 5%, meaning your money will work harder for you.

3. Invest in Education - Have you ever thought about going back to school? Sure, you may incur extra debt in the form of student loans, but these are usually low interest loans designed to be paid off over an extended period of time. The education you gain, and the monetary successes that will result from that, will reap much higher rewards in the long run.

4. Borrow Smarter - It’s true that sometimes your paycheck just doesn’t quite cut it. In these circumstances, rely on smarter lending options such as a short-term payday loan. Provided that you take out only as much as you can pay back, the interest rate for these emergency cash advances are far lower than bounced check fees, NSF fees or high-rate credit cards.

5. Ask for Help - There are a multitude of resources for those who need help with credit and money issues. Look online for tips on how to save, check out a personal finance book from the library, talk to a credit counselor or discuss your situation with trusted friends or family that have been through the same ordeal.

Americans across all income brackets have the chance to turn their financial lives around and save more money. It’s just knowing how to begin and sticking to your plan that will help lead you to the end of the rainbow.