Predatory loans are a malignant outgrowth of the otherwise useful subprime residential mortgage sector. Subprime loans are generally more expensive than prime loans, but they are intended for borrowers who pose a greater risk to lenders, typically because of the lack of credit or previous credit problems. Without the subprime segment, some borrowers would be locked out of the American Dream.

Unfortunately, in numerous documented class action suits, state-filed cases and other claims, too many subprime loans became predatory with exorbitantly high costs, penalties and other financially abusive features often directed at specific groups, including minorities, older, low-income borrowers and others who can least afford the added cost.

Some state-level anti-predatory loan legislation has been thwarted or watered down by mortgage industry lobbying that argued poorly conceived laws reduce the availability of not only predatory loans but also useful subprime loans. The industry also has argued numerous state laws, rather than one federal law, will create a costly regulatory quagmire forcing legitimate subprime lenders out of business.

"We haven't had any lenders leave who have more than a 1 percent share of the market," said Malcolm White, a spokesman for Responsible Lending.

"As for numerous state laws, I'm not saying it would be a simple matter. If there were 50 state laws, it would be a nightmare. But if you are centralized and have to run business from different locations, it's no different than marketing any product in different states. The technology exists for it," White added.

He said North Carolina had a chronic problem with predatory lending because its population mix is heavy in the demographics predators hunt -- rural residents, African-Americans, low-income households and less creditworthy customers not otherwise served by the prime lending sector.

"We have kind of interesting mix and when there's a lack of prime lenders it's pretty well the best place for predatory lending to fester," White said.

When the law was passed in 1999, Responsible Lending estimated 50,000 North Carolinians were already victims of predatory loans. The groups estimates the new law will save consumers $1 billion in home equity over the next five to 10 years.

The first of only a handful of state laws (there is also a handful of city ordinances), North Carolina's law is one of the nation's most powerful.

"Single premium credit insurance is of no value to borrowers and when a $5,000 product is financed over 30 years it's a lot more than $5,000," White said.

"Yes a federal law would solve the problem, but lenders only started to talk that way after states started passing laws. It's tough making federal law. It's not an easy process," said White.