Payday loans in Louisiana
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates; NCUA June 2026 call report; FDIC BankFind, Oct 2026.
Louisiana payday loan rules at a glance
| Governing law | Louisiana Deferred Presentment and Small Loan Act, La. R.S. 9:3578.1-3578.8. Lenders must be licensed by OFI. (La. R.S. 9:3578.3-3578.6) |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan | 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. (La. R.S. 9:3578.3(3),(7); 9:3578.4(D)) |
| Fees / interest cap | 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). (La. R.S. 9:3578.4(A)(1),(C)) |
| Maximum term | The lender may hold your check for no more than 30 days. A 'small loan' may be made for a term of 60 days or less. (La. R.S. 9:3578.3(3)(b),(7)) |
| Rollovers / renewals | Renewals and rollovers are banned. The one exception: if you pay 25% of the amount advanced plus fees, the lender may make a new loan for the remaining balance. Once a loan is paid in full you may take a new one. (La. R.S. 9:3578.6(A)(7)) |
| Extended payment plan | Once in any 12-month period, if you can't repay, you may ask in writing before the due date (or within 72 hours after a hospital discharge) for an extended payment plan: at least four roughly equal installments, no added interest or fees, first payment no sooner than 30 days unless you agree otherwise. You can't take a new payday loan until the plan is paid. Lenders must post a notice of this right. (La. R.S. 9:3578.4.1) |
| Returned-payment fee | If your check bounces, the lender may be reimbursed only the actual fee its own bank charged, once per check no matter how many times it was returned (plus any fees allowed under R.S. 9:3529/3530(C)). (La. R.S. 9:3578.4(B),(C)) |
| Criminal charges for bounced check | A lender may not threaten you with prosecution or refer for prosecution a payday check returned for insufficient funds. Lenders also may not report negative information about customers to any credit bureau. (La. R.S. 9:3578.6(A)(5),(9)) |
How much will I repay?
Louisiana does not set a single per-$100 fee cap for this product; check the lender's disclosure. $15 per $100 is shown as an example.
Estimate only. Your lender shows your exact cost before you sign.
Compare neighboring states
Lenders must follow the law of the state where you live, not where you visit.
| State | Status | Max loan |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Not available | — |
| Mississippi | Legal | Your check (loan plus fee) may not be for more than $500, and you may not have more than $500 in total outstanding,… |
| Texas | Legal via CSO/CAB | — |
Payday Loans by city in Louisiana
Counties in Louisiana
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Also see: Personal Loans in Louisiana · Title Loans in Louisiana · All Louisiana loan options
Frequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Louisiana?
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.
How much can you borrow with a payday loan in Louisiana?
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.
How much do payday loans cost in Louisiana?
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).
Can you roll over a payday loan in Louisiana?
Renewals and rollovers are banned. The one exception: if you pay 25% of the amount advanced plus fees, the lender may make a new loan for the remaining balance. Once a loan is paid in full you may take a new one.
Do Louisiana payday lenders have to offer a payment plan?
Once in any 12-month period, if you can't repay, you may ask in writing before the due date (or within 72 hours after a hospital discharge) for an extended payment plan: at least four roughly equal installments, no added interest or fees, first payment no sooner than 30 days unless you agree otherwise. You can't take a new payday loan until the plan is paid. Lenders must post a notice of this right.
Can a payday lender press criminal charges in Louisiana?
A lender may not threaten you with prosecution or refer for prosecution a payday check returned for insufficient funds. Lenders also may not report negative information about customers to any credit bureau.
What do I need to get a payday loan in Louisiana?
Most lenders ask for a few basics: you must be a legal adult, with a valid government-issued ID, a steady source of income, an active checking account in your name, and a phone number and email. Some lenders also ask for recent pay stubs or bank statements. Having these ready makes our 3-minute form quick, and many Louisiana applicants get a decision in minutes.
Can I get a payday loan on the weekend in Louisiana?
You can submit our online form any time, including nights and weekends, and some lenders review requests right away. Funding depends on banking days, though, so money requested on a Saturday or Sunday typically arrives the next business day. Submitting early helps you get in line for the first available deposit. Louisiana residents can start a request now; it takes about 3 minutes.
Do payday loans in Louisiana affect your credit score?
Usually only a little, if at all. Because many payday lenders don't use a traditional hard credit pull and often don't report to the major bureaus, a payday loan repaid on time typically has little effect on your score. A balance that goes unpaid and reaches collections could hurt it, so borrow an amount you can repay on your due date. Louisiana residents can see their options with our 3-minute form.
How much does a payday loan cost in Louisiana?
The fee may not be more than 16.75% of the face amount of your check. Your lender shows the exact fee, total amount to repay, due date and APR before you sign, so you know the full cost upfront. There's no charge to use our form, and you're never obligated to accept an offer. Compare what lenders offer Louisiana borrowers in about 3 minutes.