Legal
Rates & Fees
Last updated · September 2026
This page explains what lending rates and fees mean on LendMap USA: the state-by-state legal caps we publish, the APR ranges you may see when you complete our application form, the fee types that appear in short-term credit, and a worked example of what a small-dollar loan can cost. Nothing on this page is an offer of credit — every number is either a legal ceiling from state law or a range that independent lenders may or may not offer you.
1. The legal caps we publish
Every state sets its own ceiling on small-dollar lending — some cap the dollar fee, some cap the APR, some ban classic payday pricing outright. The table below is generated from the same statute data used across the site, refreshed September 6, 2026. It shows the most a compliant lender may charge — not a price anyone is offering you.
| State | Regime | Max loan | Fee cap | $300 borrowed → repaid | ≈ APR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | Allowed | $300 | 15% of face value ($17.65 per $100 advanced) | $300 → $345 | ≈ 460% |
| Texas | CSO model | No fixed dollar cap | No state fee cap ($20-$25 per $100 typical CSO fee + 10% interest cap) | $300 → $360 | ≈ 400% - 600% |
| Mississippi | Allowed | $500 | $20 per $100 advanced | $300 → $360 | ≈ 521% |
| Wisconsin | Allowed | 1 loan at a time | No fee cap (set by contract) | $300 → $360 | ≈ 516% - 574% |
| New York | Not permitted | — | 16% APR Cap | — | — |
| Washington, D.C. | Not permitted | — | 24% APR Cap | — | — |
Full limits, statute references and regulator contacts for all 51 jurisdictions are on each state page.
2. What determines what you actually pay
- State law first. Where you live sets the ceiling: allowed fee per $100, APR cap, maximum term, and whether storefront payday lending is permitted at all.
- The lender's price under that ceiling. Two licensed lenders in the same state can charge different rates up to the legal maximum.
- Amount and term. A fixed fee spread over a shorter term produces a much higher APR — a two-week loan and a six-month installment loan with the same fee are very different products.
- Your application. Income, existing obligations and credit history affect which lenders respond and at what price, to the extent state law lets price vary.
3. APR ranges through our application form
Our application form is operated by an independent third party. When you submit a request, independent lenders and lending partners in that network may review it and present their own offers. Consumers who complete credit applications through networks like this are commonly connected to lenders offering products in the following ranges:
| Product type | Typical amount | Typical term | APR range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term cash advance | $100 – $1,000 | 7 – 31 days | 200% – 1,386% |
| Installment loan | $100 – $5,000 | 3 – 24 months | 6.63% – 225% |
| Personal loan | $100 – $35,000 | 1 – 5 years | 4.99% – 450% |
These ranges describe the networks, not a price available to you. Many states cap pricing far below the top of these ranges; some prohibit the short-term products entirely. Your actual APR depends entirely on the lender that chooses to make you an offer, and you are never obligated to accept one.
4. Fee types you may encounter
- Finance fee / flat fee — the core payday pricing unit, usually quoted per $100 borrowed (for example $15 per $100).
- Origination fee — a one-time charge on some installment and personal loans, often deducted from proceeds.
- Late fee — charged when a scheduled payment is missed; amounts are set by your agreement and state law.
- Returned-payment (NSF) fee — charged when a debit or check fails.
- Rollover or renewal fee — some states allow extending a balance for a new fee. This is the single fastest way small loans become expensive; several states ban it.
5. A worked example
Take a $300 advance in a state that permits a $15-per-$100 fee on a two-week term: you would repay $345 on your next payday. That $45 fee over 14 days annualizes to an APR of roughly 391% — legal in that state, and expensive compared to nearly every other form of credit. Borrow $300 for the same two weeks in a state that allows $17.65 per $100 and the repayment becomes $352.95. In states where payday pricing is banned, no compliant storefront lender will make that loan at all — which is why our state pages lead with the regime, not the rate.
6. How to compare offers before you accept
- Ask for the total dollar amount you will repay, not just the APR or the periodic fee.
- Check the payment dates against your pay schedule — a due date you will miss is the expensive part.
- Read the renewal policy: what happens if you cannot pay on the due date.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in your state (your state regulator link is on every state page here).
- Compare against alternatives — a credit-union small-dollar loan (PAL), a payment plan with the bill you are trying to cover, or an employer advance are usually cheaper.
7. Questions about rates or fees
If a figure on this site appears out of date or wrong for your state, tell us at hello@lendmapusa.net — see our Editorial Policy for how corrections are handled.