DC state reference
District of Columbia lending rules
District of Columbia has 1 Census places covered on Personalloaned, with a combined estimated population of 678,972. Personal-loan terms in District of Columbia are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
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- Usury cap 24% per annum (exemptions apply, including certain loans over $2,500 and mortgage-secured loans)
- Payday lending Not permitted — check cashers may not advance money on post-dated checks; the 24% usury ceiling applies to loans
- State regulator District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB)
Sourced rules
Key rules for borrowers in District of Columbia
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 24% per annum (exemptions apply, including certain loans over $2,500 and mortgage-secured loans) Source says: "may contract therein for the payment of interest on the principal amount thereof at a rate not exceeding 24% per annum". |
Council of the District of Columbia — D.C. Code § 28-3301 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Not permitted — check cashers may not advance money on post-dated checks; the 24% usury ceiling applies to loans Source says: "No licensee shall at any time cash or advance any monies on a post dated check". |
Council of the District of Columbia — D.C. Code § 26-319 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Money lender license required to lend at more than 6% per annum; $500 annual license tax; issued as a financial services endorsement Source says: "loaning money upon which a rate of interest greater than 6% per annum is charged on any security of any kind"; "without procuring license". |
Council of the District of Columbia — D.C. Code § 26-901 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (DISB) Source says: "DISB regulates the following financial services entities"; including "check cashers, money transmitters, consumer sales finance companies, money lenders". |
District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in District of Columbia
We cover 1 Census places in District of Columbia. 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