Midwest · Allowed
Payday loans in Wisconsin
Storefront payday lending is permitted in Wisconsin. State law caps what lenders can charge — the limits below are the legal ceiling, and honest lenders stay under it.
The limits below are the legal ceiling — any offer above them is being made outside the law.
The rules behind the numbers
Payday loans are high-cost credit agreements intended for short-term financial needs and should not be used as a long-term source of borrowing.
In practice: borrow $300 for a standard term and the finance charge is $60 — $360 repaid at the end, about 516% - 574% APR. Every compliant lender in Wisconsin has to fit inside that schedule.
Statute: Wis. Stat. § 138.14
Regulator: Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions · dfi.wi.gov
Questions people ask here
How much can a payday loan cost in Wisconsin?
State law caps fees at No fee cap (set by contract). On a typical $300 loan that works out to about $60 in finance charges — repaying $360 in total. A lender charging more than the cap is operating illegally.
What happens if I can't repay on time in Wisconsin?
This state's rules on rolling the loan over: max 1. If you can't pay, ask the lender for an extended payment plan before you renew — and call the state regulator if the plan is refused.
Are online payday lenders legal in Wisconsin?
Only lenders licensed in Wisconsin may make loans to residents at these terms — the license, not the website, decides what's legal. Out-of-state lenders offering terms above the state cap are operating outside the law.
Who regulates payday lenders in Wisconsin?
Complaints about a licensed lender go to the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (dfi.wi.gov) — keep the loan agreement and every fee disclosure you were given.
147 storefront lender locations listed statewide in the 2022-02-20 public directory snapshot — each city guide carries its local list.