Check Cashing, Payday Loans, Pawn Shops Trade Associations

American Financial Services Association (AFSA)

Oldest U.S. consumer credit trade group; represents companies across installment lending, vehicle finance, mortgages, cards, and more; active on federal/state policy and compliance resources.

https://afsaonline.org/about-afsa/afsa-membership/ Membership: 410

California Financial Service Providers (CFSP)

California statewide association for check cashers and small‑dollar lenders; members include companies with check‑cashing permits and payday/CFL licenses; focuses on advocacy, best practices, and compliance.

https://www.cfsponline.com/about-cfsp.html Membership: 35

California Financial Services Association (CFSA — California)

Statewide trade group for consumer finance companies in California (installment, auto, retail, mortgage); provides lobbying, legal/compliance updates, and member education.

https://cfsa.com/association/ Membership: 0

California Pawnbrokers Association (CAPA)

Only statewide association for California pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers; provides education, legal resources, industry programs, and legislative advocacy.

https://www.californiapawnbrokers.org/about-us Membership: 0

Community Currency Exchange Association of Illinois (CCEA)

Trade association for Illinois currency exchanges (check cashers); represents the industry before regulators and offers programs such as cooperative advertising. Illinois licenses 375+ community currency exchanges.

https://idfpr.illinois.gov/dfi/ced/ced-main.html Membership: 384

Community Financial Services Association of America (CFSA)

National association for small‑dollar, short‑term lenders; promotes best practices and engagement with federal and state policymakers.

https://www.cfsaa.com/about-cfsa Membership: 0

Financial Service Centers of New York (FSCNY)

State trade association for licensed check cashers in New York; organizes compliance training and advocacy. New York’s industry operated about 520 locations (2018) and DFS caps most fees at 2.2%/1.5% (2023).

https://www.fscnyconference.org/ and https://www.dfs.ny.gov/apps_and_licensing/check_cashers Membership: 520

Florida Community Financial Services Association (FCFSA)

Florida statewide association for retail financial service centers (check cashing, money transfer, cash advance); focuses on consumer protection standards and advocacy; member companies operate 700+ locations.

https://fcfsa.org/ Membership: 700

Georgia Pawnbrokers Association (GPA)

Professional trade association for Georgia’s traditional pawnbrokers; provides networking, education, and state‑level advocacy.

https://www.georgiapawnbrokers.org/ Membership: 0

Illinois Pawnbrokers Association (IPA)

State association serving Illinois pawnbrokers; offers legislative advocacy, training, and public education.

https://www.illinoispawn.org/ Membership: 0

INFiN – A Financial Services Alliance

Leading national alliance for consumer financial service centers (check cashing, bill pay, money transfer, small‑dollar loans); formed from FiSCA and CFSA members; 350+ companies operating ~8,000 locations.

https://infinalliance.org/Dev/Dev/Content/About.aspx Membership: 350

Louisiana Pawnbrokers Association (LPBA)

Only statewide association for Louisiana pawnbrokers; founded 1986; advances ethics, provides education, and advocates on pawn law and regulation.

https://www.lapawnbrokersassociation.net/ Membership: 0

Money Services Business Association (MSBA)

National trade group for the non‑bank money services industry (transmitters, bill pay, exchange, etc.); provides compliance education and regulatory engagement; network of 100+ members.

https://www.msbassociation.org/ Membership: 100

National Pawnbrokers Association (NPA)

National trade association for U.S. pawnbrokers; provides advocacy, compliance education, data/insights, and the annual Pawn Expo. Public sources place membership at 1,500+ businesses.

https://www.nationalpawnbrokers.org/about/ Membership: 1,500

New Jersey Financial Service Centers (NJFSC)

State trade association for licensed check cashers across New Jersey; advocacy and compliance support. NJ has ~300 licensed check cashing/financial service centers statewide.

https://njfsc.org/ Membership: 300

Ohio Financial Services Association (OFSA)

Trade association for community‑based consumer installment lenders in Ohio; provides policy advocacy and member services.

https://www.ohfsa.org/aboutofsa Membership: 0

Ohio Pawnbrokers Association (OPA)

Statewide association serving Ohio pawnbrokers; focuses on ethics, industry standards, and engagement with regulators and law enforcement.

https://ohiopawn.org/ Membership: 0

Online Lenders Alliance (OLA)

U.S. industry association for online lenders and service providers; sets best practices, runs an online compliance monitoring program, and advocates on federal/state fintech credit policy.

https://onlinelendersalliance.org/about/about-ola/ Membership: 0

Texas Association of Pawnbrokers (TAP)

Texas statewide association representing pawnshops; provides lobbying, compliance updates, events, and a quarterly newsletter; represents 200+ shops.

https://www.texasassociationofpawnbrokers.com/membership Membership: 200

Washington State Pawnbrokers Association (WSPA)

State association for Washington pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers; offers legislative advocacy, annual conference, and compliance resources.

https://waspa.net/ Membership: 0