Virginia bay town turns away payday lender

By the Associated Press

March 18, 2008

KILMARNOCK, Va. - There's no welcome mat for payday lenders in the town of Kilmarnock.

The town council voted down a request Monday night to allow payday-lending company Advance America to open an office in the Northern Neck community.

The council voted after a short public hearing at which ministers, business owners and social advocates spoke against allowing cash-advance businesses in commercial zones.

The district manager for Advance America–which runs a cash advance business in nearby Warsaw–said the company wanted to open an office in Kilmarnock to meet local demand.

Virginia's General Assembly this session passed legislation capping the fees and interest rates that payday lenders can charge.