This updated analysis by Marketdata examines a little-researched service sector — the $6.56 billion loosely regulated check cashing, payday loan, and money transfer services (serving 35% of the US population). Many companies are happy to accept the business of consumers with spotty credit records who have been rejected by traditional banks, or the “unbanked” that choose not to maintain checking accounts. Explosive growth has taken place in the young payday advance business, which has come under heavy scrutiny. In addition, many workers in southern California, Texas and other areas wire an estimated $10-12 billion to relatives at home, contributing to a booming business growing 15-20% per year. There are 13,000 check cashing outlets, 14,000 pawn shops, 10,000 payday loan stores and 154,000+ money transfer agents competing for this business today. Many stores/services overlap—providing multiple services at the same site. This unique new study by Marketdata examines the nature of the business, national receipts/growth from 1987 to 2005 forecast, average store revenues/expenses, customer demographics, key industry trends, industry regulation/fee caps, self-service ATM check cashing machines, profit margins, reasons for the industry’s negative image, and more. Findings of 2000-2001 research studies by the Fannie Mae Foundation, PriceWaterhouseCoopers, Georgetown University and others are analyzed, as well as interviews with consultants/experts, and with FISCA and the CFSA, the industry’s leading trade groups. This 68 page study is believed to be one of the few in-depth publicly available business analyses that exists of this market. Company profiles are provided for: ACE Cash Express, Dollar Financial, First Data, Viad, Advance America, Check ‘n Go, Moneytree, Check Into Cash, Innoventry, Wells Fargo, Banco Popular, First Cash Financial, and more.

$1792.50