CDFI banks--including Southern Bancorp, Spring Bank and Sunrise Banks--are innovating with new payroll lending programs. These small-dollar loan programs provide credit as a workplace benefit akin to health insurance. The programs serve as low-cost alternatives to payday loans, but they could also give small banks a chance to compete in the market for online consumer loans. Spring Bank began offering the loans last summer at two nonprofits in the Bronx. "It's good for the employer, it's good for the employee, and it's good for us because we anticipate it will reduce delinquencies because everyone is paying through payroll," said Melanie Stern, Spring Bank's director of consumer lending.