Noll’s Langley Federal Credit Union is one of a growing number of credit unions, churches and nonprofit organizations that are providing low-cost cash advances as states like Virginia grapple with a growing payday loan industry and those left drowning in debt because of it. Langley Federal Credit Union was one of the first in the state to offer payday loan alternatives. Unlike in some other states that have had legislative faceoffs over payday lending, the Virginia Credit Union League has not taken a side on the issue and does not plan to, said Lewis Wood, a spokesman for the organization that represents nearly all of the state’s more than 200 credit unions. Until recently, the chief lobbyist for the credit unions also lobbied for the trade group representing most of the nation’s payday lenders. Like churches, credit unions require borrowers to be a member _ usually for several months–before lending them money, which payday lenders argue doesn’t help when the car breaks down and rent is due the next day. read more