Open-ended Issue Set
IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE FACING
NORTH CAROLINA TODAY?
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Concerns over the economy and unemployment continue to dominate what North
Carolina voters are most concerned with today.
Need for Short-term Credit
“HAVE YOU OR ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY HAD A NEED FOR SMALL DOLLAR
SHORT-TERM CREDIT IN THE PAST YEAR”
90.0%
Dk/Refus
N= Yes No
80.0% ed
600 11.3% 86.2% 2.5%
70.0%
Republican 191 6.8% 91.6% 1.6%
60.0% Democrat 254 15.4% 82.7% 2.0%
Unaffiliated 144 9.7% 87.5% 2.8%
50.0%
White "D" 151 9.3% 88.7% 2.0%
40.0% Non-White "D" 100 25.0% 73.0% 2.0%
White Male 222 9.5% 88.3% 2.3%
30.0%
Black Male 54 22.2% 75.9% 1.9%
20.0% White Female 232 8.2% 89.2% 2.6%
Black Female 69 18.8% 79.7% 1.4%
10.0%
0.0%
Yes No Dk/Refused
Access to Credit Services
“OVERALL, DO YOU BELIEVE PEOPLE LIVING IN NORTH CAROLINA HAVE ENOUGH
ACCESS TO CREDIT SERVICES FOR SMALL-UNSECURED LOANS OR DO YOU
BELIEVE THAT MORE ACCESS TO SUCH CREDIT SERVICES IS NEEDED”
Enough More Access Dk/Refus
N= Undecided
Access Needed ed
600 35.0% 38.2% 11.5% 15.3%
40.0%
GSO 110 37.2% 32.7% 10.0% 20.0%
35.0% CLT 161 31.1% 41.6% 11.8% 15.5%
RDU 185 37.8% 35.1% 11.4% 15.7%
30.0%
Republican 191 46.6% 22.5% 13.1% 17.8%
25.0% Democrat 254 27.6% 49.6% 9.1% 13.8%
Unaffiliated 144 31.9% 40.3% 13.2% 14.6%
20.0% Had Need for
short-term Loan 68 19.1% 55.9% 7.4% 17.6%
Didn’t have
15.0% 517 37.1% 35.8% 12.0% 15.1%
need for loan
10.0% Urban 117 29.9% 44.4% 10.3% 15.4%
Suburban 246 32.9% 38.2% 13.4% 15.4%
5.0% Rural 231 39.8% 35.1% 10.0% 15.2%
<55 yrs old 258 36.0% 36.0% 11.2% 16.7%
0.0%
>55 yrs old 34 34.0% 40.4% 11.1% 14.5%
Enough More Access Undecided Dk/Refused
Access Needed Male 324 32.6% 39.6% 12.2% 15.6%
Female 69 37.2% 36.9% 10.9% 15.1%
While the public is divided over the need for greater access to credit services, over half
of those who said they had financial crisis in the past year believe that more access to
credit services is needed
Which Option Would You Choose in a Crisis
“IF YOU WERE FACED WITH A FINANCIAL CRISIS AND NEEDED 500 DOLLARS
OR LESS, WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS WOULD YOU CHOOSE”
50.0%
45.0%
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Family/Friend Bank Pay Late Fee Pawn Item On-line Bounce Check Dk/Refused
North Carolina voters are more likely to turn to a family or friend when in need of a
small loan amount. Lending institutions were a close second.
Priority Set for Those Who had a Financial Crisis
For those who said they had a financial crisis in the past year placed on-line
lending as their third option
40.0%
35.0%
30.0%
25.0%
20.0%
15.0%
10.0%
5.0%
0.0%
Family/Friend Bank On-line Pay Late Fee Pawn Item Bounce Check DK/Refused
While the on-line lending option was fifth with all voters, the on-line option was third
with those who said they had faced a financial crisis in the past year.
N=68
High Risk Consumers
"CONSUMERS WHO POSE A GREATER RISK OF DEFAULTING ON A LOAN
SHOULD PAY MORE THAN A CONSUMER THAT IS A LOW RISK"
60.0%
N= Agree Disagree DK/Refused
50.0% 600 58.0% 29.7% 12.3%
Republican 191 66.0% 21.5% 12.6%
40.0% Democrat 254 46.9% 40.2% 13.0%
Unaffiliated 144 70.1% 20.1% 9.7%
30.0% Liberal 119 42.9% 42.9% 14.3%
Moderate 198 58.1% 30.8% 11.1%
Conservative 248 65.7% 23.4% 10.9%
20.0%
White 454 62.1% 26.0% 11.9%
Non-White 132 47.2% 38.2% 14.6%
10.0%
Male 288 63.2% 24.2% 12.5%
Female 312 53.2% 34.6% 12.2%
0.0%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused
Conservative voters agreed almost 3 to 1 that high risk loans should have higher fees
while Liberals were split, 42.9% to 42.9%
Fair Fee for High-Risk Loans
"SHORT-TERM LOANS OF 30 DAYS OR LESS, THAT COST 15 DOLLARS PER
$100 WITH A LIMIT OF $500 IS A FAIR FEE FOR HIGH-RISK LOANS"
50.0%
45.0% DK/Refuse
N= Agree Disagree
d
40.0% 600 45.2% 37.0% 17.8%
35.0% Republican 191 51.8% 30.4% 17.8%
Democrat 254 38.2% 43.3% 18.5%
30.0%
Unaffiliated 144 49.3% 35.4% 15.3%
25.0% 119
Liberal 30.3% 45.4% 24.4%
20.0% Moderate 198 39.4% 44.9% 15.7%
Conservative 248 57.3% 27.0% 15.7%
15.0%
White 454 46.0% 34.6% 19.4%
10.0% 132
Non-White 42.4% 44.7% 12.9%
5.0% Male 288 49.7% 34.4% 16.0%
Female 312 41.0% 39.4% 19.6%
0.0%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused
The Marketplace and Private Lending
"THE STATE SHOULD ALLOW LENDING COMPANIES THAT MEET STATE AND
FEDERAL REGULATIONS TO COMPETE FOR NORTH CAROLINA CUSTOMERS IN
ORDER TO PROVIDE MORE MARKET CHOICES FOR CONSUMERS"
DK/Refus
N= Agree Disagree
80.0% ed
600 75.2% 9.5% 15.3%
70.0%
Republican 191 76.4% 8.4% 15.2%
60.0% Democrat 254 72.8% 11.0% 16.1%
Unaffiliated 144 79.2% 9.0% 11.8%
50.0% Liberal 119 68.1% 8.4% 23.5%
Moderate 198 74.2% 15.7% 10.1%
40.0%
Conservative 248 80.2% 5.2% 14.5%
Had Need for Short-
30.0%
term Loan 68 76.5% 8.8% 14.7%
Didn't have need for
20.0% Loan 517 75.4% 9.3% 15.3%
$15 Uufair 222 73.9% 16.2% 9.9%
10.0%
$15 Fair 271 86.7% 6.6% 6.6%
0.0% Male 288 77.8% 8.0% 14.2%
Agree Disagree DK/Refused Female 312 72.8% 10.9% 16.3%
Both those who have had a need for a short-term loan and those who have not, agree
that state should allow more market choices for consumers.
Short-Term Loan verses Not Pay the Bill
A RECENT STUDY BY THE CONSUMER FEDERATION OF AMERICA STATED THAT NEARLY 40% OF AMERICAN
FAMILIES ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. SOME STUDIES HAVE PUT THE NUMBER HIGHER. MANY
OF THESE FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO TRADITIONAL LINES OF CREDIT. IF YOUR FAMILY WERE..
1. A SHORT-TERM LOAN CHARGING A 15 DOLLAR FEE FOR EACH 100 DOLLARS BORROWED PAYABLE ON
YOUR NEXT PAYDAY OR,
2. SIMPLY NOT PAY THE BILL AND INCUR A LATE FEE OR PENALTY OF APPROXIMATELY $30?
50.0%
Short Term DK/Refus
45.0% N= Not Pay Bill
Loan ed
40.0% 600 48.5% 29.2% 22.3%
Republican 191 45.0% 33.0% 22.0%
35.0%
Democrat 254 50.4% 27.2% 27.8%
30.0% Unaffiliated 144 49.2% 27.8% 22.9%
25.0% Liberal 119 44.5% 30.2% 25.2%
Moderate 198 43.2% 29.3% 27.3%
20.0%
Conservative 248 55.6% 27.4% 16.9%
Had Need for
15.0%
Short-term Loan 68 57.4% 27.9% 14.7%
10.0% Didn't have
need for Loan 517 47.0% 30.0% 23.0%
5.0% Male 288 48.6% 31.9% 19.4%
Female 312 48.4% 26.6% 25.0%
0.0%
Short Term Loan Not Pay Bill DK/Refused
Short-Term Loan verses Pay the Overdraft Fee
AGAIN, IF YOUR FAMILY WERE FACED WITH A SHORT-TERM FINANCIAL CRISIS AND UNABLE TO PAY ALL
THE BILLS THAT MONTH,WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
1. A SHORT-TERM LOAN CHARGING A 15 DOLLARS FEE FOR EACH 100 DOLLARS
BORROWED PAYABLE ON THE YOUR NEXT PAYDAY OR,
2. WRITE A CHECK AND PAY THE OVERDRAFT FEE OF APPROXIMATELY $35 FROM YOUR BANK?
45.0% Short Term CK/Overdraf DK/Refus
N=
Loan t ed
40.0% 600 44.3% 31.0% 24.7%
35.0% Republican 191 42.4% 33.0% 24.6%
Democrat 254 43.3% 31.9% 24.8%
30.0%
Unaffiliated 144 47.9% 28.5% 23.6%
25.0% Liberal 119 36.1% 38.7% 25.2%
Moderate 198 39.4% 30.8% 29.8%
20.0%
Conservative 248 54.0% 26.6% 19.4%
15.0% Had Need for
Short-term Loan 68 51.5% 32.4% 16.2%
10.0% Didn't have need
for Loan 517 43.1% 31.3% 25.5%
5.0% 288
Male 41.7% 32.3% 26.0%
0.0% Female 312 46.8% 29.8% 23.4%
Short Term Loan CK/Overdraft DK/Refused
Should North Carolina Adjust State
Regulations
“Do you think North Carolina should adjust state regulations to allow for new
companies to locate in North Carolina where they can be regulated by the state or
should we keep the current system that encourages customers to travel to other
states or use a less regulated often illegal on-line loan services?”
Allow Short Keep DK/Refu
70.0% N= Undecided
Term Regulations sed
600 62.5% 20.2% 5.7% 11.7%
60.0%
Republican 191 55.5% 27.7% 5.8% 11.0%
50.0% Democrat 254 63.0% 16.9% 5.9% 14.2%
Unaffiliated 144 70.1% 16.7% 5.6% 7.6%
40.0%
Liberal 119 61.3% 21.0% 4.2% 13.4%
Moderate 198 68.2% 15.2% 5.6% 11.1%
30.0%
Conservative 248 59.3% 22.6% 6.9% 11.3%
20.0% Had Need for
68 77.9% 11.8% 0.0% 10.3%
Short-term Loan
Didn't have need
10.0% 517 60.5% 21.5% 6.4% 11.6%
for Loan
$15 Uufair 222 60.8% 23.0% 5.9% 10.4%
0.0%
$15 Fair 271 66.4% 18.5% 5.9% 9.2%
Allow Short Keep Undecided DK/Refused
Term Regulations Male 288 63.2% 19.8% 6.3% 10.8%
Female 312 61.9% 20.5% 5.1% 12.5%
Should North Carolina Allow Short-term Loans
Currently most states allow for short term loans that are typically less than $500 dollars and
are taken out for about a two weeks period. The loan is an unsecured loan and the fee
charged for the loan is about $15 for each one hundred dollars. However, North Carolina
currently restricts such loans.
“Would you favor or oppose the state legislature modifying state banking rules to allow for
such loans, provided that they were regulated by the state?”
DK/Refu
N= Favor Oppose
sed
600 57.2% 26.7% 16.2%
60.0% 191
Republican 60.7% 21.5% 17.8%
Democrat 254 57.1% 26.4% 16.5%
50.0%
Unaffiliated 144 54.2% 32.6% 13.2%
Liberal 119 52.9% 31.9% 15.1%
40.0%
Moderate 198 51.0% 31.8% 17.2%
Conservative 248 67.7% 16.5% 15.7%
30.0%
Had Need for
68 76.5% 13.2% 10.3%
Short-term Loan
20.0% Didn't have need
517 54.4% 28.8% 16.6%
for Loan
$15 Uufair 222 45.9% 41.9% 12.2%
10.0%
$15 Fair 271 72.3% 17.0% 10.7%
White 454 56.6% 27.5% 15.9%
0.0%
Non-White 132 58.3% 24.2% 17.4%
Favor Oppose DK/Refused
Male 288 57.3% 26.4% 16.3%
Female 312 57.1% 26.9% 16.0%
Should NC have Regulated Pay-day Lending
Given the nature of short-term loans, they have been called payday loans since
the lender has to prove employment and the loan is typically due on the next
payday. With payday loans, the companies, not taxpayers, take all the risk in
lending the money to their customers.
“Would you favor or oppose state regulated payday lending in North Carolina?”
N= Favor Oppose DK/Refused
60.0% 600 54.3% 29.3% 16.3%
Republican 191 55.5% 26.2% 18.3%
50.0% Democrat 254 55.5% 29.1% 15.4%
Unaffiliated 144 51.4% 34.0% 14.6%
40.0% Liberal 119 52.9% 36.1% 10.9%
Moderate 198 49.5% 33.8% 16.7%
30.0% Conservative 248 61.3% 20.2% 18.5%
Had Need for
68 63.2% 26.5% 10.3%
Short-term Loan
20.0% Didn't have need
517 52.8% 30.2% 17.0%
for Loan
$15 Uufair 222 45.0% 41.9% 13.1%
10.0%
$15 Fair 271 66.8% 22.9% 10.3%
White 454 53.7% 30.0% 16.3%
0.0% 132 56.1% 28.0% 15.9%
Non-White
Favor Oppose DK/Refused 288
Male 52.4% 33.0% 14.6%
Female 312 56.1% 26.0% 17.9%
Favor/Oppose Regulated Pay-day Lending
“Would you be more likely to favor or oppose payday lending in North Carolina if
you knew the Wall Street Journal recently cited a staff study from the Federal
Reserve that concluded “nearly all payday loan customers were aware of finance
charges and were satisfied or somewhat satisfied with the product?”
N= Favor Oppose DK/Refused
60.0% 600 51.5% 26.5% 22.0%
Republican 191 55.0% 22.0% 23.0%
50.0% Democrat 254 52.4% 28.0% 19.7%
Unaffiliated 144 45.8% 30.6% 23.6%
40.0% Liberal 119 51.3% 31.1% 17.6%
Moderate 198 45.5% 33.3% 21.2%
30.0% Conservative 248 59.3% 19.0% 21.8%
$15 Unfair 222 44.1% 39.1% 16.7%
20.0% $15 Fair 271 65.7% 19.2% 15.1%
Favor Payday 326 81.0% 7.7% 11.3%
10.0% 176
Oppose Payday 14.2% 72.2% 13.6%
White 454 50.9% 27.3% 21.8%
0.0%
Non-White 132 53.8% 23.5% 22.7%
Favor Oppose DK/Refused
Male 288 49.7% 32.6% 17.7%
Female 312 53.2% 20.8% 26.0%
Favor/Oppose Regulated Pay-day Lending
“Would you be more likely to favor or oppose payday lending in North Carolina if you
knew North Carolina residents are traveling across state lines to obtain a payday loan?“
60.0% DK/Refuse
N= Favor Oppose
d
600 52.3% 28.7% 19.0%
50.0%
Republican 191 56.0% 28.3% 15.7%
Democrat 254 51.2% 29.1% 19.7%
40.0% Unaffiliated 144 50.0% 29.2% 20.8%
Liberal 119 53.8% 28.6% 17.6%
30.0% Moderate 198 50.5% 31.3% 18.2%
Conservative 248 56.0% 25.4% 18.5%
$15 Unfair 222 45.5% 39.6% 14.9%
20.0%
$15 Fair 271 64.9% 21.8% 13.3%
Favor Payday 326 77.0% 11.7% 11.3%
10.0% Oppose Payday 176 21.0% 67.6% 11.4%
White 454 51.8% 30.2% 18.1%
0.0% Non-White 132 54.5% 22.7% 22.7%
Favor Oppose DK/Refused Male 288 49.3% 31.9% 18.8%
Female 312 55.1% 25.6% 19.2%
Favor/Oppose Regulated Pay-day Lending
“Would you be more likely to favor or oppose payday lending in North Carolina if
you knew the industry would create new private sector jobs and contribute to the
tax base in communities across North Carolina?”
DK/Refuse
N= Favor Oppose
d
70.0% 600 62.5% 22.5% 15.0%
Republican 191 67.5% 18.8% 13.6%
60.0% 254
Democrat 60.6% 23.6% 15.7%
Unaffiliated 144 60.4% 24.3% 15.3%
50.0%
Liberal 119 56.3% 28.6% 15.1%
40.0% Moderate 198 63.1% 21.7% 15.2%
Conservative 248 68.1% 18.1% 13.7%
30.0%
$15 Unfair 222 52.3% 35.6% 12.2%
$15 Fair 271 74.2% 14.4% 11.4%
20.0%
Favor Payday 326 88.0% 5.2% 6.7%
10.0% Oppose Payday 176 30.1% 61.9% 8.0%
White 454 59.9% 25.1% 15.0%
0.0%
Non-White 132 72.0% 12.9% 15.2%
Favor Oppose DK/Refused
Male 288 60.4% 25.7% 13.9%
Female 312 64.4% 19.6% 16.0%
Favor/Oppose Regulated Pay-day Lending
“Would you be more likely to favor or oppose payday lending in North Carolina if
you knew fees for these unsecured loans are reasonable compared to late fees on
credit card payments, bounced check fee, and bank overdraft fees?”
DK/Refus
N= Favor Oppose
ed
60.0% 600 57.5% 23.5% 19.0%
Republican 191 64.4% 17.8% 17.8%
50.0% Democrat 254 53.9% 25.2% 20.9%
Unaffiliated 144 56.3% 27.1% 16.7%
40.0% Liberal 119 51.3% 31.1% 17.6%
Moderate 198 54.0% 25.8% 20.2%
30.0% Conservative 248 66.1% 16.1% 17.7%
$15 Unfair 222 50.5% 35.1% 14.4%
20.0% $15 Fair 271 69.4% 17.0% 13.7%
Favor Payday 326 82.5% 7.4% 10.1%
Oppose
10.0% 176
Payday 27.3% 61.4% 11.4%
White 454 56.6% 24.9% 18.5%
0.0% Non-White 132 60.6% 18.2% 21.2%
Favor Oppose DK/Refused Male 288 55.5% 25.0% 19.4%
Female 312 59.3% 22.1% 18.6%
NC Voters Prefer Short-term Loan Options
Which of the following would you prefer in North Carolina: A state regulated
system that includes small dollar, short-term loan products that are
simple, transparent and cost competitive or the current system where people who
are seeking small loans rely upon on-line lenders that are usually located off-
shore as a means to escape federal and state banking regulations?
State
80.0% Regulated Current DK/Refus
N=
System with System ed
70.0% Short Term
60.0% 600 74.7% 9.5% 16.0%
Republican 191 78.5% 9.4% 12.0%
50.0%
Democrat 254 70.1% 9.8% 20.1%
40.0% 144
Unaffiliated 76.4% 8.3% 15.3%
30.0% Liberal 119 68.1% 16.0% 16.0%
Moderate 198 74.7% 6.6% 18.7%
20.0% 248
Conservative 79.0% 8.1% 12.9%
10.0% White 454 76.2% 8.8% 15.0%
Non-White 132 69.7% 11.4% 18.9%
0.0%
Male 288 74.3% 7.3% 18.4%
State Regulated Current System DK/Refused
System with Female 312 74.7% 11.5% 13.8%
Short Term
Voters clearly prefer a state regulated system with a regulated short-term loan product to
the current system where limited choice encourages those in need of a short-term loan to
the less regulated on-line lending options.
Important Characteristics
“The Cost of payday loans are often described in terms of both the fee ($15 per $100) and an
implied Annual Percentage rate of 390% - reflecting the interest rate if a customer took out
the same loan every two weeks for an entire year. When considering taking out a payday
loan, which characteristic is more important to you”
45.0%
One-Time Implied DK/Ref
40.0% N= Undecided
Fee APR used
35.0% 600 43.7% 24.3% 9.7% 22.3%
Republican 191 48.2% 18.8% 9.9% 23.0%
30.0%
Democrat 254 42.5% 25.2% 7.1% 25.2%
25.0% Unaffiliated 144 38.9% 29.9% 13.9% 17.4%
Liberal 119 37.0% 27.7% 7.6% 27.7%
20.0% Moderate 198 42.4% 23.7% 11.1% 22.7%
15.0% Conservative 248 47.6% 23.8% 10.1% 18.5%
Favor Payday 326 50.9% 24.5% 9.8% 14.7%
10.0% Oppose
176
Payday 39.2% 25.6% 9.1% 26.1%
5.0%
Male 288 46.2% 20.1% 11.1% 22.6%
0.0% Female 312 41.3% 28.2% 8.3% 22.1%
One-Time Implied APR Undecided DK/Refused
Fee
Demographic Overview
• 19.5% - Urban Based Voters • 33.5% Registered Democratic
• 41.0% - Suburban Based Voters • 44.0% Registered Republican
• 38.5% - Rural Based Voters • 20.8% Registered Unaffiliated
• 18.3% - Greensboro
• 52.2% - Lived in NC entire Life • 26.8% - Charlotte
• 20.3% - > 20years • 7.5% - Greenville/New Bern
• 11.0% - 11-20 years • 7.7% Asheville
• 15.0% - < 10 years • 5.0% Wilmington
• 30.8% - Raleigh/Durham
• 27.8% ----65 or older
• 47.8% - Are College Graduates • 26.2% ---55-64 years old
• 22.3% - Received some College • 22.0% ---41-54 years old
• 24.2% - High School Degree • 18.0% ---26-40 years old
• 3.2% - Some High School or Less • 3.0% ---18-25 years old
• 52.0% Female • 75.7% White
• 48.0% Male • 22.0% non-White
• 20.5% Black