A high concentration of payday-lending businesses leads to higher violent crime rates, according to researchers at Cal State Northridge and The George Washington University.
The study was released Monday and focused on Seattle, "a city that has seen a typical increase in the number of payday lenders," according to the study.
Even after accounting for other factors, there was still a statistically relevant link between higher rates of violent crime and the concentration of payday-lending businesses, according to the study.
Researchers offered several policy recommendations as part of the study, which has been posted online.
