Payday hearing at Music Hall Thursday morning

The public is invited to testify Thursday on payday loans at a government hearing in Kansas City.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is holding its session at 10 a.m. at the Music Hall in Municipal Auditorium, 301 W. 13th St.

Richard Cordray, director of the consumer agency and a panel of consumer advocates and representatives from the payday lending industry will discuss payday lending issues.

Members of the public are also invited to provide testimony and can sign up to speak in advance or on Thursday. At a similar event last year in Richmond, Va., the consumer agency heard testimony from about 40 people.

The payday lending industry has come under increased regulatory scrutiny in recent years over some of its lending practices that leave borrowers with excessively high interest rates and a never-ending cycle of debt. Industry representatives generally have denied alleged abuses and have fought efforts for tighter regulations, saying the industry provides much-needed services.

For more information about the event, including registering to attend, go to the bureau’s website at consumerfinance.gov or send email to cfpb.events@cfpb.gov.

This story was originally published June 1, 2016 at 3:06 PM with the headline "Payday hearing at Music Hall Thursday morning."