The Middle Peninsula League of Voters took a look at consumer credit last Thursday night—from home mortgages and small business loans to credit cards and short-term payday loans—during a forum at the Mathews Memorial Library.

Robert L. Bailey, CEO and president of Colonial Virginia Bank, and Mike Poole, senior mortgage banker with Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, participated in the forum, which was moderated by retired Del. Harvey B. Morgan. League member Eunice Hyer organized the event. Representatives from several other institutions—including a check cashing/payday loan office and a credit union—were also invited, but did not attend.

The forum began with Bailey and Poole introducing themselves to the audience and explaining the changes they have seen in the financial industry in the past few years.

Bailey assured potential borrowers that, in spite of the recent tightening of credit as a result of the downturn in the economy, "the loan window is still open...