Payday loans in Louisiana
Under the Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act, licensed lenders in Louisiana can provide payday loans through deferred presentment transactions and small loans.
- Payday lending
- Allowed
- Max cost
- $20.12 per $100 borrowed
- Top amount
- $700 is the deferred presentment amount paid to the borrower, and $350 is the small loan amount. For September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, OFI's CPI-adjusted maximum for outstanding principal is $740 and $370 respectively.
At that cap, a $100 loan over 14 days can carry $20.12 in fees: $120.12 back in total, close to 525% APR.
Are payday loans legal in Louisiana?
Yes, the Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act makes payday loans legal in Louisiana. A licensed lender provides cash in a deferred presentment loan and keeps your personal check for a maximum of 30 days. You have the option to borrow up to $700 this way, or choose a small loan lasting 60 days or less with a limit of $350. For every $100 you borrow, the fee limit of 16.75 percent of the check total comes to about $20.12.
To qualify for a Louisiana license, a lender must keep a physical store in Louisiana, and each loan must originate there. Websites based outside Louisiana cannot get a state payday license, so before you apply, check the license list from the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions. Request an extended payment plan from your lender if you are unable to repay a licensed loan on time. You may use this option once every 12 months to pay in at least four equal installments without extra fees, added interest, or negative credit reporting.
- Capping the fee at 16.75% of the face amount on the borrower's check results in about $20.12 per $100 advanced.
- The deferred presentment amount rose from $350 to $700 under Act 510 of 2025, effective August 1, 2025, which also removed the old $45 fee ceiling.
- Every September OFI must publish a CPI-adjusted cap on outstanding principal; the one running from September 2026 through August 2027 sets $740 on deferred presentment and $370 on a small loan.
- Payday licensees have been barred from reporting negative customer information to credit bureaus since Act 510.
- A physical Louisiana location is required for lenders to qualify for a licence, and that same location is the only place loans may be made.
- Lenders may apply a 36% annual rate for up to one year on loans unpaid at maturity, dropping to no more than 18% a year thereafter.
Louisiana payday loan laws
- Law in force
- Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act
- Cited as
- La. R.S. 9:3578.1 through 9:3578.8
- Fees under the law
- Issued checks carry a fee cap of sixteen and seventy-five one hundredths percent based on their face amount.
- Most you can borrow
- $700 is the deferred presentment amount paid to the borrower, and $350 is the small loan amount. For September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, OFI's CPI-adjusted maximum for outstanding principal is $740 and $370 respectively.
- How long a loan runs
- thirty days is the maximum hold time for a check in deferred presentment; small loans allow sixty days or less
- Rollovers
- This is not allowed, but you may make a new transaction for the remaining balance after paying 25% of the amount advanced plus fees.
- Repayment plan
- You may use this plan once in any twelve-month period to pay at least four substantially equal installments with no interest or added fees.
- Installment lending limits
- Louisiana Consumer Credit Law (La. Revised Statutes 9:3519): Unpaid principal up to $1,400 carries 36% per year, followed by 27% to $4,000, 24% to $7,000, and 21% on amounts above that.
Also checked against ofi.la.gov. Full statute text.
Online lenders that list Louisiana
Ten companies we track say they lend in Louisiana: 3 online installment lenders, 1 store and online lender, 5 tribal lenders and 1 loan broker.
| Lender | Kind | Posted APR |
|---|---|---|
 NetCredit | Installment | 34.99% to 99.99% |
 OppLoans | Installment | 99% to 195% |
 Rise Credit | Installment | 60% to 299% |
 ACE Cash Express | Store and online | 122.4% to 769.1% |
 Viva Payday Loans | Broker | Partner lenders quote 4.99% to 1,386% |
Tribal loans in Louisiana
OFI states that a licence goes only to consumer lenders with a physical Louisiana location, and loans must come from there, so no out-of-state online lender can hold a Louisiana payday licence.
On the immunity claim tribal lenders make, see are tribal loans legal.
Five tribal lenders we track list Louisiana as a state they lend in. Two of the five publish an APR, from 99% to 725%.
| Lender | Posted APR |
|---|---|
 Spotloan | 99% to 490% |
 BrightLending | 325% to 725% |
 MaxLend | Not published |
 Minto Money | Not published |
| American Web Loan | Not published |
Need cash in Louisiana? Ask about cheaper routes
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Louisiana and the states around it
| State | Payday lending | Max cost | Top amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | Allowed | $20.12 per $100 borrowed | $700 is the deferred presentment amount paid to the borrower, and $350 is the small loan amount. For September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, OFI's CPI-adjusted maximum for outstanding principal is $740 and $370 respectively. |
| Arkansas | Banned | 17% APR | None allowed |
| Mississippi | Allowed | $20.00 per $100 borrowed | Per customer at any time, the most you can get is $500 including fees. |
| Texas | Allowed | None in the law | State law sets no limit, though city rules can (Houston: 20% of gross monthly income per loan). |
Louisiana loans with no credit check
Installment loan rates: Louisiana Consumer Credit Law (La. Revised Statutes 9:3519): Unpaid principal up to $1,400 carries 36% per year, followed by 27% to $4,000, 24% to $7,000, and 21% on amounts above that.
See no credit check loans: the checks lenders still run, and the price.
Verify a lender's license in Louisiana
- Look the lender up on the license list before you hand over any bank details.
- Lenders here answer to the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (OFI), Non-Depository Division.
- Had trouble with a lender? Report the lender.
Sources for Louisiana
- The Act sets out to regulate deferred presentment and small loan transactions.law.justia.com
- A cap of 16.75% of the check face amount applies to the fee.; For up to one year, an unpaid loan after maturity may carry 36% a year, then 18% after that.; Fees beyond those allowed by the Act may not be charged.law.justia.com
- On a deferred presentment transaction, the amount paid to the borrower may not exceed $700.; The check may be held by the lender for no more than 30 days.; A term of 60 days or less and an amount of $350 or less define a small loan.law.justia.com
- OFI sets the maximum outstanding principal at $740 (deferred presentment) and $370 (small loan) for September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027ofi.la.gov
- Prohibited actions include renewing or rolling over a loan.; A new transaction for the rest may be made after a 25% partial payment plus fees.; Reporting negative customer information to credit bureaus is prohibited for licensees.legis.la.gov
- An extended payment plan may be chosen once in any twelve months by a borrower who cannot repay.; At least four substantially equal installments make up the plan.; During the plan, no interest or fees may be charged.legis.la.gov
- Under Act 510 of 2025, the deferred presentment limit went up from $350 to $700.; The $45 cap on fees or interest was eliminated by Act 510.; Act 510 became effective on August 1, 2025.ofi.la.gov
- Licensed lenders can charge 36% yearly on the first $1,400 of principal for consumer loans, with reduced rates for higher balances.law.justia.com
- Starting August 1, 2026, Act 402 lets licensed lenders add an origination fee of up to $75 to a consumer loan.; Without the Governor's signature, Act 402 took effect August 1, 2026; the prior limit on the origination fee was $50.; The origination fee was capped at $50 before Act 402.ofi.la.gov
- A consumer lender needs a physical location in Louisiana to qualify for a licence.ofi.la.gov
- The licensed physical location is the only place where loans may be made.ofi.la.gov
- OFI makes an NMLS list of active licensed lender licensees available for search.ofi.la.gov
- You must send complaints to OFI in writing using its complaint form by mail or fax.ofi.la.gov