Southern Bancorp has announced its opposition to a proposed rule change by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Some consumer advocates say the change would water down the rules that prevent payday loan operators and other predatory lenders from pushing high-interest loans on unwitting borrowers. "As a CDFI, Southern Bancorp focuses our efforts in [the] rural, low-income communities in which we see the devastating effects of predatory loans," said Southern Bancorp CEO Darrin Williams. "We support the original rule and encourage the CFPB to reconsider rescinding it so that families in Arkansas, Mississippi, and beyond can access credit responsibly."