DE state reference
Delaware lending rules
Delaware has 57 Census places covered on Personalloaned, with a combined estimated population of 292,301. Personal-loan terms in Delaware are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
Advertising disclosure: Personalloaned may receive a referral fee if you apply through a link on this page. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.
- Usury cap 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate; no rate limit for loans over $100,000 (licensed lenders may set rates by agreement under 5 Del. C. § 2229)
- Payday lending Permitted as 'short-term consumer loans' (≤$1,000, stated term under 60 days); max 5 per borrower per 12 months; max 4 rollovers
- State regulator Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC)
Sourced rules
Key rules for borrowers in Delaware
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate; no rate limit for loans over $100,000 (licensed lenders may set rates by agreement under 5 Del. C. § 2229) Source says: "interest at any rate agreed upon in writing not in excess of 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate"; "there shall be no limitation on the rate of interest which may be legally charged for the loan or use of money". |
Delaware General Assembly — 6 Del. C. § 2301 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted as 'short-term consumer loans' (≤$1,000, stated term under 60 days); max 5 per borrower per 12 months; max 4 rollovers Source says: "a short-term consumer loan that would cause the borrower to have more than 5 short-term consumer loans from all licensees in any 12-month period"; "No licensee shall make more than 4 rollovers of an existing short-term consumer loan". |
Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. §§ 2227, 2235A as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the State Bank Commissioner; making more than 5 loans in any 12-month period is deemed 'transacting the business of lending' Source says: "Every person desiring to transact the business of lending money in this State shall be required to obtain a license under this chapter". |
Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2202 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner is responsible for regulating and examining State-chartered banks and trust companies and licensed financial services businesses". |
Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Title loans (5 Del. C. ch. 22, subch. V) | Title loans permitted: secured by motor vehicle title, original repayment period of 180 days or less; borrower has a right to rescind until the end of the next business day Source says: "“Title loan” means a loan made to one or more natural persons by a licensee and secured by the title to a motor vehicle". |
Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2250 as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in Delaware
We cover 57 Census places in Delaware. The count and the combined population figures are summed from the US Census Bureau's Vintage 2023 subcounty population estimates (retrieved 2026-09-17).
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
What interest rate can a lender charge in Delaware?
It depends on the product and the statute that governs it. The sourced table on this page lists Delaware's usury cap and the licensing rules, each with its publisher and a link to the primary source.
Are payday loans legal in Delaware?
Payday lending is regulated state by state; some states permit it, some cap it, and some prohibit it outright. See the sourced figure on this page for the current position.
Do I need a license to lend money in Delaware?
Most consumer lenders must be licensed by the state regulator named on this page. You can verify a lender's license with that regulator before you sign anything.