Loans in Maryland: payday, personal & title loan laws (2026)
Payday Loans Not available
Payday loans are effectively illegal in Maryland: anyone lending $25,000 or less may not charge more than the state's rate caps (33% a year on the first $1,000 of small loans), which rules out typical payday pricing.
Personal Loans
33% APR on first $1,000 (loans to $2,000); 24% otherwise.
Title Loans Not available
Car title loans are subject to Maryland's consumer lending laws, licensing and rate caps (33%/24%), so high-cost title loans are not allowed.
Maryland at a glance
Counties in Maryland
Cities in Maryland
Frequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Maryland?
Payday loans are effectively illegal in Maryland: anyone lending $25,000 or less may not charge more than the state's rate caps (33% a year on the first $1,000 of small loans), which rules out typical payday pricing.
How much do payday loans cost in Maryland?
Interest on loans of $2,000 or less is capped at 2.75% a month (33% a year) on the first $1,000 and 2% a month (24% a year) on the rest; loans over $2,000 are capped at 2% a month (24% a year) on the whole loan.
Are title loans legal in Maryland?
Car title loans are subject to Maryland's consumer lending laws, licensing and rate caps (33%/24%), so high-cost title loans are not allowed. The Commissioner has said a title loan is not a pawn transaction.
What interest can title lenders charge in Maryland?
Same caps as other consumer loans: Interest on loans of $2,000 or less is capped at 2.75% a month (33% a year) on the first $1,000 and 2% a month (24% a year) on the rest; loans over $2,000 are capped at 2% a month (24% a year) on the whole loan.
Is there a cap on personal loan interest rates in Maryland?
33% APR on first $1,000 (loans to $2,000); 24% otherwise.
Do personal loan lenders need a license in Maryland?
Most consumer lenders must be licensed by the Commissioner of Financial Regulation; licenses can be checked on NMLS Consumer Access.