Lenders still have faith in churches.

• Position: Lending services of banks in North Carolina

Expect to see your banker in church Sunday.

Despite a few PTL-like lending disasters, bankers, regulators and industry insiders say most churches remain a godsend when the economy goes to hell.

The issue of church credit became a hot topic in Charlotte last fall because of the money woes of Calvary Church, a $40 million structure built in 1989, when church leaders expected membership to grow to 17,000. Instead, membership stalled at about 3,700, and NationsBank -- which had lent $23 million -- pressed the church for repayment. Crisis was averted when the loan was restructured and an anonymous donor gave $8 million.

But Calvary is an exception. With conservative fiscal policies and community-pillar members, most churches are solid credit risks.

"People pay for what's important in their lives -- homes, automobiles, churches," says Thad Woodard, president of the Alliance of Community Financial Institutions, a Raleigh-based group representing 139 thrifts and banks. "In Shallotte and Graham, lenders are church members. Church leaders are their depositors, customers."

Atlanta's Reliance Trust Co., trustee for 1,200 church bond issues, has only a half-dozen that are 30 days behind on their payments, says President A.J. Braswell. Of 100 or more in North Carolina, "all are in good shape," he says. "A lot of banks have added or shifted personnel literally to call on...