Payday loans in Tennessee
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates; NCUA June 2026 call report; FDIC BankFind, Oct 2026.
Tennessee payday loan rules at a glance
| Governing law | Deferred Presentment Services Act. No one may offer payday loans in Tennessee, including over the internet, fax or phone, without a TDFI license. A lender that induces a consumer in Tennessee to enter a transaction is doing business in the state. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-101 et seq.) |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan | A lender (and related persons) may hold no more than two of your checks at once, with a total face value of no more than $500. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(o)) |
| Fees / interest cap | The fee may not exceed 15% of the face amount of the check. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(b)) |
| Maximum term | A check may not be held for more than 31 days. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(d)) |
| Rollovers / renewals | Not allowed. A payday loan may not be renewed or consolidated into a new payday loan, and a transaction that violates this is void and unenforceable. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(q)) |
| Loans at one time / database | You may have no more than three payday loans outstanding at once, totalling no more than $500. One lender may hold no more than two of your checks. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(o)-(p)) |
| Returned-payment fee | No handling charge is allowed for a bounced check. The lender may sue for only the face amount of the check plus court costs actually incurred, with no attorney's fees. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(i)) |
| Criminal charges for bounced check | A payday borrower cannot be convicted under Tennessee's worthless-check law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-121). (Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-112(i)) |
How much will I repay?
Tennessee 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Legal | $500 per loan. |
| Arkansas | Not available | — |
| Georgia | Not available | — |
| Kentucky | Legal | You may have at most two payday loans open at once, and the total cash you receive from all open payday loans may not… |
| 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,… |
| Missouri | Legal | Payday loans are loans of $500 or less, and a lender (with its affiliates) may not have more than $500 in payday loans… |
| North Carolina | Not available | — |
| Virginia | Legal | A short-term loan may not exceed $2,500, and a lender may not have you owe it more than $2,500 in principal at any time. |
Payday Loans by city in Tennessee
Counties in Tennessee
Show all 95 counties
Also see: Personal Loans in Tennessee · Title Loans in Tennessee · All Tennessee loan options
Frequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Tennessee?
Payday loans (deferred presentment services) are legal in Tennessee from lenders licensed by TDFI under the Deferred Presentment Services Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 45-17-101 et seq. A license is also required to make these loans online or by phone to consumers located in Tennessee.
How much can you borrow with a payday loan in Tennessee?
A lender (and related persons) may hold no more than two of your checks at once, with a total face value of no more than $500.
How much do payday loans cost in Tennessee?
The fee may not exceed 15% of the face amount of the check.
How many payday loans can you have at once in Tennessee?
You may have no more than three payday loans outstanding at once, totalling no more than $500. One lender may hold no more than two of your checks.
Can you roll over a payday loan in Tennessee?
Not allowed. A payday loan may not be renewed or consolidated into a new payday loan, and a transaction that violates this is void and unenforceable.
Can a payday lender press criminal charges in Tennessee?
A payday borrower cannot be convicted under Tennessee's worthless-check law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-14-121).
Can I get a payday loan online in Tennessee?
Yes. You can request a payday loan online from anywhere in Tennessee, using your phone or computer. Our secure form takes about 3 minutes and connects you with lenders in our network that serve Tennessee residents. If you're approved, funds go straight to your checking account, often by the next business day. There's no cost to apply and no obligation to accept.
How much does a payday loan cost in Tennessee?
The fee may not exceed 15% of the face amount of the 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 Tennessee borrowers in about 3 minutes.
Can I get a payday loan on the weekend in Tennessee?
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. Tennessee residents can start a request now; it takes about 3 minutes.
Do payday loans in Tennessee 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. Tennessee residents can see their options with our 3-minute form.