States regulate cash advances and payday loans to keep them safe and fair for both customers who borrow them and lenders who provide them. Some states regulate cash advances more carefully than others, restricting interest rates, rollovers, and cash amounts. Others leave interest and rollovers to the discretion of lenders and borrowers. Knowing the legal status of payday loans and cash advances in your own state will make you a smart and responsible borrower.
Interest Rates Many states that legalize payday loans and cash advances regulate the interest rates that lenders can charge. Secure cash advances tend to have higher interest rates than most other loans due to the fact that they’re offered without a credit check to customers who may have poor credit scores. This means a bigger risk for the lender. In order to make up for this risk, payday lenders usually charge a higher interest rate than banks or other lending institutions that require credit checks and good credit for their customers.
Some lenders are more interested in earning a profit than treating their customers fairly. To protect customers from these predatory lenders, many states cap interest rates at a ceratin percentage for lenders to keep costs fair for consumers. Interest rate caps can range anywhere between 35% to $15 or $20 per $100 borrowed. Online lenders must follow the interest rate laws in states where they offer their lending services. Some lenders will offer cash loans with payment plans.
Cash Amounts Some states also place a limit on how much cash a person can borrow. States like California only allow cash advances up to $300, while other states allow customers to borrow a certain percentage of their paychecks. See how much your state allows before deciding to use a cash advance for your expenses. If you need more than $1,000 for example, you’re probably better off trying to finance your expense through a personal loan rather than a short-term cash advance. Look into all your options and be aware of the cash advance maximums your state imposes.
Knowing the laws in your state makes you an informed and responsible borrower. Familiarize yourself with your state’s cash advance laws before borrowing cash advances online to make sure you select a lender who will follow all the legal requirements.