North Carolina lending rules
North Carolina has 549 Census places covered on Loansloth, with a combined estimated population of 6,264,391. Personal-loan terms in North Carolina are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
Key rules for borrowers in North Carolina
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | For loans of $25,000 or less: greater of the 6-month U.S. Treasury bill rate + 6% or 16% (G.S. 24-1.1(c)); any agreed rate above $25,000 Source says: "plus six percent (6%), rounded upward or downward ... or sixteen percent (16%), whichever is greater" |
North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Payday lenders shut down in North Carolina; online payday lending remains an enforcement target Source says: "Payday Lenders: Shut Down In NC, But Still Victimizing Borrowers Online" |
North Carolina Department of Justice (Office of the Attorney General) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Finance Act license from the Commissioner of Banks required for loans of $25,000 or less charging more than Chapter 24 rates Source says: "Direct lenders seeking to charge rates higher than allowed under Chapter 24 on consumer term loans of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) or less" |
North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks (NCCOB) Source says: "Lenders operating under the CFA must be licensed by and are subject to regulation by the NCCOB." |
North Carolina Office of the Commissioner of Banks as of 2026-09-16 |
| Consumer Finance Act installment loan rates (G.S. 53-176) | 33% per annum on unpaid balance up to $4,000; 24% on $4,000-$8,000; 18% on the remainder (loans up to $12,000); 18% for loans above $12,000 Source says: "thirty-three percent (33%) per annum on that part of the unpaid principal balance not exceeding four thousand dollars ($4,000)" |
North Carolina General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in North Carolina
We cover 549 Census places in North Carolina.
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Frequently asked questions
What interest rate can a lender charge in North Carolina?
It depends on the product and the statute that governs it. The sourced table on this page lists North Carolina's usury cap and the licensing rules, each with its publisher and a link to the primary source.
Are payday loans legal in North Carolina?
Payday lending is regulated state by state; some states permit it, some cap it, and some prohibit it outright. See the sourced figure on this page for the current position.
Do I need a license to lend money in North Carolina?
Most consumer lenders must be licensed by the state regulator named on this page. You can verify a lender's license with that regulator before you sign anything.