High Interest, Lost Opportunity
Mapping the cost of payday lending in Washington State

January 31, 2007 - Basic financial services available to lower income families such as cashing checks and short-term loans often come with interest rates that soar well above 300 percent. Analyzing data compiled by the Brookings Institution, the Budget & Policy Center’s new policy brief offers information that can guide policymakers considering comprehensive reforms designed to allow lower income families greater access to reasonably priced financial services.

Read our analysis - PDF

• Click on your legislative district above to find data on the location of payday lenders, check cashers, and pawn shops as well as banks and credit unions. Information on the cost of payday lending and the amount that could have been saved under an alternate product is also available.

• Statewide data is available here.

• The state legislature website (click on the “Find Your District” tab) allows you to find your district by typing in your address.