An analysis by the Center for American Progress (an organization founded by the same folks who founded the Center for Responsible Lending), Who Borrows From Payday Lenders?,  looks at the demographics of payday lending customers and concludes ”these findings largely echo figures available on payday lending industry websites and studies published by private researchers.”  Turns out (surprise!) that payday lenders have a good idea of who actually uses their service.   

Of even more importance is their concluding paragraph:

Restrictions on payday loans, though, will have to be considered carefully. Only a minority of payday borrowers indicated that these were loans taken out for convenience reasons. The majority of these loans were borrowed for several reasons: no other options were available, a family had to cover basic consumption needs, and for emergency purposes. Restrictions on payday loans thus will have to be balanced with more savings opportunities and other, lower-cost credit opportunities for families who now rely on payday loans.

Well said. They may want to talk to their friends over at CRL and let them know that flat-out banning payday loans may not be in the best interest of families.