Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for integrating a payday loan with a preconfigured repayment mechanism via contractual relationships between a lender and at least one of an employer or a payroll processing company. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a mechanism for a worker to take a payroll “advance” against hours worked or hours to be worked, with the repayment of the payroll advance being automatically deducted from one or more subsequently issued paychecks by the payroll processing company or the employer. The most preferred embodiments of the present invention further comprise a series of software and/or hardware components that facilitate the automation of the payday loan process. The automation of the process makes the issuance of payday advances and the repayment of payday advances as streamlined and efficient as reasonably possible, thereby reducing the costs of participation for all parties involved.