Loans in Louisiana: payday, personal & title loan laws (2026)

Payday loans (deferred presentment transactions and small loans) are legal in Louisiana from lenders licensed by the Office of Financial Institutions under the Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act, La. R.S. 9:3578.1 et seq. A 2025 law (Act 510) doubled the loan limit and removed the old $45 fee ceiling.

For September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027, the most a lender may pay you on a payday loan (deferred presentment) is $740; a 'small loan' is limited to $370. The statute set these at $700 and $350, and OFI adjusts them for inflation every September 1.

The fee may not be more than 16.75% of the face amount of your check. No other fees are allowed except court-awarded attorney fees/costs, a returned-check bank-fee reimbursement, and fees allowed under R.S. 9:3529 and 9:3530(C).

Louisiana has no separate title-loan act. OFI treats title loans as consumer installment loans made by licensed lenders under the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law (La. R.S. 9:3510 et seq.), so they are subject to that law's rate limits.

The general consumer-loan finance charge limits apply: 36% a year on the first $1,400 of principal, 27% on $1,400-$4,000, 24% on $4,000-$7,000 and 21% above $7,000.

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 the licensed location.