Installment Loans From Direct Lenders: What to Know
| Direct lender | Approves, funds and services the loan |
|---|---|
| Matching service (us) | Connects you with lenders; not a lender |
| Repayment | Fixed payments over months |
| “Guaranteed approval” | No legitimate lender can promise it |
| Our network | $100–$5,000, by state and lender |
| Form time | About 3 minutes |
What “direct lender” means
A direct lender is the company that actually lends you money. It makes the credit decision, sends the funds, and you make your payments to it (or its servicer). Some people prefer direct lenders because they want to know exactly who they're dealing with.
A matching service, like Zebra Finance, isn't a lender. We take one application and share it with lenders in our network that serve your state. If one makes an offer, your loan is with that direct lender, and its name, terms and contact details are in the agreement you sign. You get the reach of many lenders with one form.
Direct lender vs. matching service
| Applying to one direct lender | Applying through our network | |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes the loan | That lender | A direct lender in our network |
| Number of lenders reviewing | One | Multiple, in one step |
| If declined | Start over somewhere else | Other lenders may still respond |
| Cost to apply | Free at legitimate lenders | Free |
| Who you repay | That lender | The lender whose offer you accept |
See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes. Start your free request. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
The truth about “guaranteed” and “no denial” installment loans
Searches like guaranteed installment loans for bad credit direct lenders only and no denial installment loans direct lenders only are common, and understandable when you need money. But no legitimate lender can guarantee approval before reviewing your application. Licensed lenders must check basics such as identity and ability to repay.
What you can find are lenders with flexible standards: many work with bad credit, focus on income and bank history, and may use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull. That's what improves your odds, not a promise.
Be careful with anyone who guarantees approval and then asks for a fee up front. The FTC warns that legitimate lenders don't require upfront fees to give you a loan. See guaranteed approval loans and loan scams.
How installment loans from direct lenders work
- Apply with ID, income and checking account details.
- The lender reviews income, bank activity and credit data.
- You get an offer with amount, APR, number of payments and total of payments.
- E-sign, and funds are often deposited by the next business day.
- Repay in fixed installments, usually monthly or every payday.
Example at assumed rates (not quotes): $2,000 over 18 months at 30% APR is about $139.34 a month; $4,000 over 36 months at 25% APR is about $159.04 a month. Your lender shows the exact numbers before you sign.
Direct installment lenders by state
Installment lending is licensed state by state, and each state sets its own limits on amounts, terms and rates. That's why the lenders and offers available to you depend on where you live. Our network only shares your request with lenders that serve your state. Check your state's rules: Texas, California, Ohio, Illinois, Florida, or see personal loan rates by state.
| State | Rate cap on consumer installment loans | License required |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Tiered caps. | Yes. |
| Alaska | Licensed small lenders: 3%/month on the first $850, 2%/month on the part up to $10,000, and any agreed rate on the part from $10,000 to $25,000. | Yes, to make loans of $25,000 or less at more than the rate an unlicensed lender may charge. |
| Arizona | 36% a year up to $3,000; 24% on the part above $3,000 (consumer loans up to $10,000). | Yes. |
| Arkansas | 17% a year maximum for non-bank lenders, set by the state constitution. | — |
| California | Under $2,500: tiered 12%-30%/yr. | Yes. |
| Colorado | Supervised lenders: 21%, or tiered 36%/21%/15%; unlicensed lenders capped at 12%. | Yes. |
| Connecticut | 36% APR under $5,000; 25% APR $5,000-$50,000; all-in MLA-style APR. | Yes. |
| Delaware | No cap; licensed lenders may charge any rate the agreement states. | Yes. |
| District of Columbia | 24% a year cap; licensed money lenders must include all fees. | Yes. |
| Florida | Licensed consumer finance lenders: 36% a year on the first $10,000, lower tiers above, for loans up to $25,000. | Yes. |
| Georgia | Loans $3,000 or less need an installment lender license; above $3,000, any written rate. | Yes for loans of $3,000 or less. |
| Hawaii | Installment loans up to $1,500: 36% interest plus monthly fee; 12%/24% otherwise. | Yes. |
| Idaho | No rate cap; licensed lenders may charge any rate agreed in the contract. | Yes. |
| Illinois | 36% APR all-in cap on consumer loans; installment lenders up to $40,000. | Yes. |
| Indiana | Supervised loans: 36% to $2,600, 21% to $5,200, 15% above (or 25%). | Yes. |
| Iowa | Regulated lenders: rates set by Banking Superintendent rule; 2026 rule rewrite unclear. | Yes. |
| Kansas | 36% a year cap on closed-end consumer loans; open-end credit uncapped. | Yes. |
| Kentucky | Tiered monthly caps: 3% to $5,000, 2.42% to $10,000, 2.25% to $15,000. | Consumer loan companies must be licensed by DFI; applications go through NMLS. |
| Louisiana | Blended tiers: 36% to $1,400, 27% to $4,000, 24% to $7,000, 21% above. | Anyone in the business of making consumer loans must hold a consumer loan license from OFI before making loans; loans may be made only from… |
| Maine | Tiered: 30% to $2,000, 24% to $4,000, 18% above; 18% if over $8,000. | Non-bank lenders must hold a supervised lender license from the Bureau to make or service supervised loans (loans with a rate above… |
| Maryland | 33% APR on first $1,000 (loans to $2,000); 24% otherwise. | Most consumer lenders must be licensed by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation; licenses can be checked on NMLS Consumer Access. |
| Massachusetts | 23% APR plus $20 fee on loans up to $6,000; 20% usury above. | Yes. |
| Michigan | 25% APR cap for licensed lenders, plus processing fee up to 5%. | Lenders making loans under the Regulatory Loan Act must be licensed (the Act refers to 'licensees'). |
| Minnesota | Greater of 21.75% APR or 33% to $1,425/19% above; small loans 50%. | Yes. |
| Mississippi | Tiered 36%-14% APR; 59% to $5,330; credit availability 25%/month to $3,320. | Yes. |
| Missouri | No rate cap: licensed lenders may charge rates agreed by the parties. | Yes. |
| Montana | Licensed consumer lenders may charge no more than 36% a year interest, plus limited deferral and late fees. | No one may be in the business of making consumer loans in any amount unless the Consumer Loan Act authorizes it. |
| Nebraska | Licensed installment lenders: 24% on first $1,000, 21% above; loans up to $25,000. | Anyone in the business of making installment loans needs a Nebraska installment loan license, as does anyone who holds, services or deals… |
| Nevada | No general rate cap; loans above 40% APR need a 604A high-interest license. | Anyone in the business of lending in Nevada needs a license from the Commissioner, for each office. |
| New Hampshire | 36% APR cap on small loans up to $10,000, excluding two $100 yearly fees. | No one may be in the business of a small loan lender in New Hampshire, or with New Hampshire consumers, without a license. |
| New Jersey | Licensed lenders set agreed rates; criminal usury caps loans to individuals at 30%. | A consumer lender license is required to make personal, family or household loans of $50,000 or less, repayable in installments, at rates… |
| New Mexico | 36% APR all-in cap on loans up to $10,000 (raised from 175%). | No one may be in the business of lending $10,000 or less without a license from the director. |
| New York | Licensed lenders may exceed 16% civil cap; 25% criminal usury applies. | A license is needed to be in the business of making personal, family, household or investment loans of $25,000 or less (or business loans… |
| North Carolina | Tiered caps: 33% on first $4,000, 24% to $8,000, 18% above. | Anyone in the business of lending or servicing loans of $25,000 or less at charges above what Chapter 24 allows needs a license from the… |
| North Dakota | 36% APR cap (including origination charges) for licensed lenders; loans under $2,000 limited to 36 months with equal payments. | A money broker license from the Department of Financial Institutions is required to arrange or make loans to North Dakota residents, unless… |
| Ohio | Licensed lenders capped at 21%-28% a year depending on license; Consumer Installment Loan Act 25%. | Yes. |
| Oklahoma | Supervised loans: about 32% plus fed funds rate (tiered); small loans: 17% monthly. | Yes. |
| Oregon | 36% APR (or discount rate plus 30 points) on licensed loans up to $50,000. | Yes. |
| Pennsylvania | Licensed consumer discount companies: $9.50 per $100 yearly add-on plus fees; unlicensed: 6%. | Yes. |
| Rhode Island | Small loans up to $5,000: 2%-3% per month (24%-36% a year) by size. | Yes. |
| South Carolina | No cap over $600 (filed and posted rates); Consumer Finance Act schedule up to $7,500. | Yes. |
| South Dakota | 36% APR cap, all fees included, for every licensed money lender. | Yes. |
| Tennessee | 36% effective rate for industrial loan and thrift loans of $100+ (since July 2025); flex loans 24% plus fee. | Yes. |
| Texas | Tiered caps for licensed Chapter 342 lenders: up to 30% a year on the first $4,600, 24% on the part from $4,600 to $9,660, and 18% on the part up to $23,000 (amounts for loans made July 1, 2026 to… | A Chapter 342 license is required to make, transact or negotiate loans that charge more than other law allows. |
| Utah | No rate cap: parties may agree to any finance charge; lenders must notify DFI. | Not a license as such: a creditor subject to the Consumer Credit Code must file a notification with DFI at least 30 days before starting… |
| Vermont | 24% on first $1,000, 12% above (or 18% APR if higher). | Yes. |
| Virginia | 36% simple annual interest on licensed $300-$35,000 installment loans. | Yes. |
| Washington | 25% simple annual interest cap plus up to 4% origination fee (Consumer Loan Act). | Yes. |
| West Virginia | 31% up to $3,500; 27% to $15,000; 18% above. | Yes. |
| Wisconsin | No rate cap for DFI-licensed lenders; license needed above 18%. | A DFI license is required to make a consumer loan with a finance charge above 18% a year, to take an assignment of such a loan, or to… |
| Wyoming | 36% on first $1,000, 21% above, for loans up to $75,000. | Yes. |
Verified against state statutes and regulators; click a state for citations. Last verified 2026-10-25.
How to compare direct lender offers
- Total of payments: the full dollar cost.
- APR: for comparing loans of similar length.
- Payment amount and schedule: does it fit your budget?
- Fees: origination, late fees and prepayment rules.
- Credit reporting: helpful if you're rebuilding credit.
- Lender identity: the lender's legal name should appear clearly in your agreement.
More: direct lender loans, bad credit installment loans.
Signs you're dealing with a legitimate direct lender
- Its legal name and contact details appear clearly on the site and in the agreement.
- It serves your state and says so.
- It shows APR, fees and total of payments before you sign, as federal law requires.
- It takes fees from the loan or the payments, never as an upfront “release” fee.
- It explains how it reviews credit and how it collects payments.
Every lender in our network shows its terms in your offer, and you can decline any offer without cost.
Reach multiple direct lenders with one form
Our free form takes about 3 minutes. We share it with direct lenders in our network that serve your state, for requests from $100 to $5,000. If approved, the lender shows the amount, APR, payments and total before you sign, and funds often arrive by the next business day. Zebra Finance is a matching service, not a lender, and approval isn't guaranteed. You're never obligated to accept an offer.
See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes. Start your free request. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a direct lender for installment loans?
It's the company that approves, funds and services your installment loan. You repay it directly in fixed payments. A matching service, by contrast, connects you with direct lenders but doesn't lend itself.
Are there guaranteed installment loans for bad credit from direct lenders?
No legitimate lender can guarantee approval before reviewing your application. Many direct lenders do work with bad credit and focus on income, which can improve your odds. Avoid anyone who guarantees approval and asks for a fee first.
Are there no denial installment loans from direct lenders only?
“No denial” isn't something a licensed lender can promise. What helps is applying to lenders with flexible standards, requesting an amount your income supports and providing accurate details.
Is it better to use a direct lender or a matching service?
A direct lender gives you one decision. A matching service sends one form to several direct lenders, which can save time and help if one lender declines. Either way, your loan is with a direct lender.
How fast do direct lenders fund installment loans?
Many fund by the next business day after you e-sign, and some can fund the same day if you sign before their cutoff. Weekends and holidays delay bank transfers.
Is Zebra Finance a direct lender?
No. We're a free matching service. We share your request with direct lenders in our network that serve your state. If you accept an offer, your loan is with that lender, and its name and terms appear in your agreement.
Can I get an installment loan from a direct lender with bad credit?
Many direct installment lenders work with fair and bad credit and focus on income, debt-to-income and bank history. Bad credit may mean a smaller amount or higher APR, which is shown before you sign.