Variety of options available for short-term financing

One of the most popular ways for people to receive alternative financing in times of economic distress is through pawn shops. People searching for nontraditional credit often find that getting a temporary loan by pawning items is a way to get their hands on some quick cash while they work out budgetary issues. More and more, shops in the sector have been taking their business to Mexico, where the regulations for businesses are less stringent. According to many within the industry, many Mexicans are less reliant on traditional banks when it comes to obtaining loans, giving pawn store owners a large market to work with. "The economics are better in Mexico," said David Burtzlaff, a financial analyst with Stephens in Dallas, in an interview with the Dallas Morning News. "You've got a population base that is very unbanked, and some people use pawn shops almost as their banks." The trend toward pawn stars can also be seen in popular television shows. On the History Channel, viewers can watch Pawn Stars, featuring a Las Vegas-based store or click over to TruTV, where they can watched the more outlandish alternative, Hardcore Pawn.