Community Financial Services Association: Spending Millions to Influence Congress and Protect the Interests of Payday Lenders

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Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) is the payday lending industry’s primary special interest trade association. This well-funded organization, spends millions of dollars lobbying and contributing to powerful politicians and currying favor with other powerful interests. The organization is led by Dennis Shaul who previously worked for the House Financial Services Committee before making a bee line to the revolving door for his current job, which pays him more than $500,000 a year to shill for the industry he once helped to oversee.

Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) is the Payday Lending Industry’s Well-Funded Special Interest Trade Association

  • CFSA Works to Bend Laws and Regulations to the Will of Payday Lenders. “The Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA) is the national organization dedicated to advancing financial empowerment for consumers through small dollar, short-term loans. Now in its 14th year, CFSA was established to promote laws and regulations that protect consumers, while preserving their access to credit options, and to support and encourage responsible payday advance industry practices.” [CFSA Website, Accessed 6/30/16]

CFSA Is Led by the Human Embodiment of Washington’s Revolving Door Culture of Influence, a Former Staffer of the House Financial Services Committee

Dennis Shaul Is the CEO of Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA)

  • Dennis Shaul Is The CEO of Community Financial Services Association of America. “Dennis Shaul is the chief executive officer for the Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA). Established in 1999, CFSA is the national organization for small dollar, short-term lending, representing the majority of nonbank storefront lenders across the United States.” [Dennis Shaul Bio, American Banker]

Shaul Previously Worked for the House Financial Services Committee

  • Shaul Worked for the House Financial Services Committee. “Shaul became CFSA’s CEO in October 2012, following a total of more than ten years in the U.S. Congress. Most recently, he served as senior advisor to Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) on the House Financial Services Committee where he worked on the Dodd-Frank Bill and the development of practices regarding anti-money laundering.” [Dennis Shaul Bio, American Banker] 

Shaul Was Paid Over Half a Million Dollars in 2014 and 2013 by CFSA

  • 2014: $572,208 [CFSA’s 2014 IRS Form 990]
  • 2013: $525,547 [CFSA’s 2013 IRS Form 990]
  • 2012: $124,336 [CFSA’s 2012 IRS Form 990] 

CFSA Receives Millions of Dollars in Funding Each Year from Payday Lenders

  • 2014: CFSA Received $7,389,384 In Funding. [2013 IRS Form 990]
  • 2013: CFSA Received $6,589,096 In Funding. [2013 IRS Form 990]
  • 2012: CFSA Received $6,960,431 In Funding. [2012 IRS Form 990]
  • 2011: CFSA Received $6,636,637 In Funding. [2011 IRS Form 990]
  • 2010: CFSA Received $6,464,712 In Funding. [2010 IRS Form 990]

CFSA Has Spent at Least $19,950,253 Lobbying Congress Over the Years

  • 2015: CFSA Spent $597,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2014: CFSA Spent $577,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2013: CFSA Spent $973,101 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2012: CFSA Spent $2,545,652 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2011: CFSA Spent $2,275,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2010: CFSA Spent $2,437,500 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2009: CFSA Spent $2,560,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2008: CFSA Spent $1,465,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2007: CFSA Spent $1,560,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2006: CFSA Spent $1,280,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2005: CFSA Spent $1,080,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2004: CFSA Spent $780,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2003: CFSA Spent $740,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2002: CFSA Spent $520,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2001: CFSA Spent $320,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 2000: CFSA Spent $120,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • 1999: CFSA Spent $120,000 On Federal Lobbying. [Center for Responsive Politics]
  • Total: $19,950,253

Facing Criticism that Payday Lenders Specifically Target Communities of Color, CFSA Has Donated Hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to Minority Groups

Payday Lenders “Overwhelmingly Locate in African-American and Latino Neighborhoods, Even After Controlling for Income and Other Factors”

  • Payday Lenders Overwhelmingly Locate in Communities of Color and These Communities “Make Up a Disproportionate Share of Payday Loan Borrowers.”  “Our analysis reveals that payday lending storefronts are most heavily concentrated in African American and Latino communities in California, even when controlling for other factors which may influence a payday lender’s location such as household income. In addition, we find that the racial and ethnic composition of a neighborhood is the primary predictor of payday lending locations. This finding differs with an analysis of mainstream financial institutions such as banks, where the primary explanatory factors of location are not tied to race or ethnicity.” [Center for Responsible Lending, “Predatory Profiling,” 3/26/09]

From 2010-2014, CFSA Donated at Least $375,000 to African-American Groups

  • In 2014, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To African-American Groups.  In 2014, CFSA donated $50,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2014 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2013, CFSA Donated at Least $85,000 To African-American Groups.  In 2013, CFSA donated $50,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $35,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2013 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2012, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To African-American Groups.  In 2012, CFSA donated $50,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2012 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2011, CFSA Donated at Least $110,000 To African-American Groups.  In 2011, CFSA donated $100,000 to the United States Black Chambers and $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation. [2011 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2010, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To African-American Groups.  In 2010, CFSA donated $10,000 to the United States Black Chambers, $10,000 to the National Black Caucus of State Legislation, $10,000 to the Congress of Racial Equality, and $30,000 to the National Alliance of African American Chambers. [2010 CFSA Form 990]

From 2010-2014, CFSA Donated at Least $575,000 to Hispanic Groups

  • In 2014, CFSA Donated at Least $110,000 To Hispanic Groups.  In 2014, CFSA donated $110,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2014 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2013, CFSA Donated at Least $110,000 To Hispanic Groups.  In 2013, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $25,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, and $75,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2013 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2012, CFSA Donated at Least $135,000 To Hispanic Groups.  In 2012, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $25,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, and $100,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2012 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2011, CFSA Donated at Least $160,000 To Hispanic Groups.  In 2011, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $40,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, $10,000 to LULAC, and $100,000 to the US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. [2011 CFSA Form 990]
  • In 2010, CFSA Donated at Least $60,000 To Hispanic Groups.  In 2010, CFSA donated $10,000 to the Board of Hispanic Caucus Chairs, $40,000 TO The NALEO Education Fund, and $10,000 to LULAC. [2010 CFSA Form 990]

Meanwhile, CFSA Has No Minorities on Its Board of Directors (and Only Three Women)…

  • No Minorities, Only 3 Women on CFSA Board. Of the CFSA’s fourteen board members, there are only three women and no minorities.  [CFSA Website, Accessed 6/30/16]

…And Contributed Heavily to Right-Wing Group That Works to Make It Harder for African-americans and Hispanics to Vote

CFSA Has Contributed Tens-of-Thousands of Dollars to ALEC Over the Years

  • CFSA Donated $9,500 To Right-Wing Organization ALEC. [2013 CFSA Form 990]
  • CFSA Donated $9,500 To Right-Wing Organization ALEC. [2012 CFSA Form 990]
  • CFSA Donated $9,500 To Right-Wing Organization ALEC. [2011 CFSA Form 990]
  • CFSA Donated $9,500 To Right-Wing Organization ALEC. [2010 CFSA Form 990]

ALEC Pushes Voter ID Laws that Disenfranchise African-Americans, Hispanics, Others.

  • Flurry of Voter Id Laws Tied to Conservative Group ALEC. “A growing number of conservative Republican state legislators worked fervently during the past two years to enact laws requiring voters to show photo identification at the polls. Lawmakers proposed 62 photo ID bills in 37 states in the 2011 and 2012 sessions, with multiple bills introduced in some states. Ten states have passed strict photo ID laws since 2008, though several may not be in effect in November because of legal challenges. A News21 analysis found that more than half of the 62 bills were sponsored by members or conference attendees of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), a Washington, D.C., tax-exempt organization.” [NBC News Investigations, “Flurry of Voter Id Laws Tied to Conservative Group ALEC,” 8/21/12]

CFSA’s Political Action Committee Has Contributed at Least $688,671 to the Campaigns of Candidates for U.S. Congress and Senate from 2008-2014. [Center for Responsive Politics]

  • Wasserman Schultz, Debbie (FL) – $17,000
  • Hastings, Alcee (FL) – $15,000
  • Luetkemeyer, Blaine (MO) – $15,000
  • Meek, Kendrick (FL) – $14,600
  • Meeks, Gregory (NY) – $13,000
  • McConnell, Mitch (KY) – $12,000
  • McHenry, Patrick (NC) – $10,999
  • Shelby, Richard (AL) – $10,600
  • Toomey, Pat (PA) – $10,100
  • Clay Jr., William (MO) – $10,000
  • Stivers, Steve (OH) – $10,000
  • Reid, Harry (NV) – $8,800
  • Davis, Lincoln (TN) – $8,000
  • Kanjorski, Paul (PA) – $8,000
  • Schmidt, Jean (OH) – $8,000
  • Crapo, Mike (ID) – $7,500
  • Hensarling, Jeb (TX) – $7,000
  • Sherman, Brad (CA) – $7,000
  • Vitter, David (LA) – $7,000
  • Westmoreland, Lynn (GA) – $7,000
  • Corker, Bob (TN) – $6,500
  • Capito, Shelley Moore (WV) – $6,000
  • Cuellar, Henry (TX)      6000
  • Fincher, Steve (TN) – $6,000
  • Garrett, Scott (NJ) – $6,000
  • Murphy, Patrick (PA) – $6,000
  • Price, Tom (GA) – $6,000
  • Ross, Dennis (FL) – $6,000
  • Scott, Tim (SC) – $6,000
  • Sessions, Pete (TX) – $6,000
  • Shuler, Heath (NC) – $6,000
  • Warner, Mark (VA) – $5,500
  • Murkowski, Lisa (I-AK) – $5,300
  • Thune, John (SD) – $5,300
  • Barrasso, John (WY) – $5,000
  • Barrow, John (GA) – $5,000
  • Canseco, Francisco (TX) – $5,000
  • Cardenas, Tony (CA) – $5,000
  • Carney, John (DE) – $5,000
  • Chabot, Steve (OH) – $5,000
  • Cornyn, John (TX) – $5,000
  • Costa, Jim (CA) – $5,000
  • DeMint, Jim (SC) – $5,000
  • Garcia, Joe (FL) – $5,000
  • Grassley, Chuck (IA) – $5,000
  • Heck, Dennis (WA) – $5,000
  • Heller, Dean (NV) – $5,000
  • Herrera Beutler, Jaime (WA) – $5,000
  • Johanns, Mike (NE) – $5,000
  • Johnson, Tim (SD) – $5,000
  • King, Steven A (IA) – $5,000
  • Manchin, Joe (WV) – $5,000
  • McCarthy, Kevin (CA) – $5,000
  • McMorris Rodgers, Cathy (WA) – $5,000
  • Mulvaney, Mick (SC) – $5,000
  • Nelson, Bill (FL) – $5,000
  • Neugebauer, Randy (TX) – $5,000
  • Paton, Jonathan (AZ) – $5,000
  • Perlmutter, Edwin G (CO) – $5,000
  • Rogers, Hayden (NC) – $5,000
  • Royce, Ed (CA) – $5,000
  • Strickland, Tony (CA) – $5,000
  • Towns, Edolphus (NY) – $5,000
  • Wagner, Ann L (MO) – $5,000
  • Wilson, Heather A (NM) – $5,000
  • Yoder, Kevin (KS) – $5,000
  • Pierluisi, Pedro (3-PR) – $4,800
  • Sires, Albio (NJ) – $4,600
  • Hall, John (NY) – $4,500
  • Bachus, Spencer (AL) – $4,000
  • Brown, Sherrod (OH) – $4,000
  • Ross, Mike (AR) – $4,000
  • Bachmann, Michele (MN) – $3,500
  • Bean, Melissa (IL) – $3,500
  • Donnelly, Joe (IN) – $3,500
  • Wittman, Rob (VA) – $3,500
  • Frank, Barney (MA) – $3,300
  • Boswell, Leonard (IA) – $3,000
  • Butterfield, G K (NC) – $3,000
  • Cardoza, Dennis (CA) – $3,000
  • Conway, Jack (KY) – $3,000
  • Davis, Geoff (KY) – $3,000
  • Gowdy, Trey (SC) – $3,000
  • Klein, Ron (FL) – $3,000
  • Kuhl, John R Jr (NY) – $3,000
  • Maloney, Carolyn B (NY) – $3,000
  • Noem, Kristi (SD) – $3,000
  • Renacci, Jim (OH) – $3,000
  • Roskam, Peter (IL) – $3,000
  • Altmire, Jason (PA) – $2,500
  • Barr, Andy (KY) – $2,500
  • Bayh, Evan (IN) – $2,500
  • Davis, Danny K (IL) – $2,500
  • Fleischmann, Chuck (TN) – $2,500
  • Gerlach, Jim (PA) – $2,500
  • Hagan, Kay R (NC) – $2,500
  • Landrieu, Mary L (LA) – $2,500
  • Neal, Richard E (MA) – $2,500
  • Spratt, John M Jr (SC) – $2,500
  • Udall, Tom (NM) – $2,500
  • Ryan, Tim (OH) – $2,300
  • Ackerman, Gary (NY) – $2,000
  • Ayotte, Kelly (NH) – $2,000
  • Barletta, Lou (PA) – $2,000
  • Barrett, Gresham (SC) – $2,000
  • Blackburn, Marsha (TN) – $2,000
  • Boozman, John (AR) – $2,000
  • Cantor, Eric (VA) – $2,000
  • Carter, John (TX) – $2,000
  • Coats, Dan (IN) – $2,000
  • Feeney, Tom (FL) – $2,000
  • Foster, Bill (IL) – $2,000
  • Garamendi, John (CA) – $2,000
  • Gillibrand, Kirsten (NY) – $2,000
  • Graham, Lindsey (SC) – $2,000
  • Haridopolos, Mike (FL) – $2,000
  • Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie (SD) – $2,000
  • Lincoln, Blanche (AR) – $2,000
  • McCotter, Thaddeus G (MI) – $2,000
  • Melancon, Charles (LA) – $2,000
  • Michaud, Mike (ME) – $2,000
  • Miller, Jeff (FL) – $2,000
  • Miller, Joe (AK) – $2,000
  • Moore, Dennis (KS) – $2,000
  • Moore, Gwen (WI) – $2,000
  • Murray, Patty (WA) – $2,000
  • Rogers, Mike D (AL) – $2,000
  • Rubio, Marco (FL) – $2,000
  • Schiff, Adam (CA) – $2,000
  • Scott, David (GA) – $2,000
  • Carney, Chris (PA) – $1,500
  • Jones, Walter B Jr (NC) – $1,500
  • Arcuri, Mike (NY) – $1,000
  • Barton, Joe (TX) – $1,000
  • Bishop, Sanford (GA) – $1,000
  • Boren, Dan (OK) – $1,000
  • Brown, Scott (MA) – $1,000
  • Burr, Richard (NC) – $1,000
  • Buyer, Steve (IN) – $1,000
  • Calvert, Ken (CA) – $1,000
  • Casey, Bob (PA) – $1,000
  • Castle, Michael N (DE) – $1,000
  • Cazayoux, Don (LA) – $1,000
  • Chambliss, Saxby (GA) – $1,000
  • Cramer, Bud (AL) – $1,000
  • Culberson, John (TX) – $1,000
  • Dent, Charlie (PA) – $1,000
  • Diaz-Balart, Lincoln (FL) – $1,000
  • Dodd, Chris (CT) – $1,000
  • Dorgan, Byron L (ND) – $1,000
  • Ellsworth, Brad (IN) – $1,000
  • Enzi, Mike (WY) – $1,000
  • Fitzgerald, Jeff (WI) – $1,000
  • Griffin, Tim (AR) – $1,000
  • Guthrie, Brett (KY) – $1,000
  • Halvorson, Deborah (IL) – $1,000
  • Harris, Andy (MD) – $1,000
  • Hill, Baron (IN) – $1,000
  • Horsford, Steven (NV) – $1,000
  • Inhofe, James M (OK) – $1,000
  • Isakson, Johnny (GA) – $1,000
  • Johnson, Hank (GA) – $1,000
  • Jones, Stephanie Tubbs (OH) – $1,000
  • King, Pete (NY) – $1,000
  • Kissell, Larry (NC) – $1,000
  • Kosmas, Suzanne (FL) – $1,000
  • Kratovil, Frank (MD) – $1,000
  • Lamborn, Douglas L (CO) – $1,000
  • Larson, John B (CT) – $1,000
  • Latta, Robert E (OH) – $1,000
  • Lee, Christopher J (NY) – $1,000
  • Levin, Sander (MI) – $1,000
  • Lipinski, Daniel (IL) – $1,000
  • Mahoney, Tim (FL) – $1,000
  • Marchant, Kenny (TX) – $1,000
  • McCaul, Michael (TX) – $1,000
  • Meehan, Patrick (PA) – $1,000
  • Minnick, Walt (ID) – $1,000
  • Murphy, Tim (PA) – $1,000
  • Nelson, Ben (NE) – $1,000
  • Owens, Bill (NY) – $1,000
  • Perry, Jeff (MA) – $1,000
  • Pryor, Mark (AR) – $1,000
  • Rehberg, Denny (MT) – $1,000
  • Reichert, Dave (WA) – $1,000
  • Rush, Bobby L (IL) – $1,000
  • Ryun, Jim (KS) – $1,000
  • Scalise, Steve (LA) – $1,000
  • Schock, Aaron (IL) – $1,000
  • Sink, Alex (FL) – $1,000
  • Smith, Lamar (TX) – $1,000
  • Speier, Jackie (CA) – $1,000
  • Tanner, John (TN) – $1,000
  • Thompson, Glenn (PA) – $1,000
  • Udall, Mark (CO) – $1,000
  • Vela, Filemon (TX) – $1,000
  • Walberg, Tim (MI) – $1,000
  • Webster, Daniel (FL) – $1,000
  • Wicker, Roger (MS) – $1,000
  • Wilson, Charlie (OH) – $1,000
  • Fallin, Mary (OK) – $500
  • Thurmond, Paul (SC) – $500
  • Mandel, Josh (OH) – $472
  • TOTAL – $688,671

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