WV state reference
West Virginia lending rules
West Virginia has 230 Census places covered on Personalloaned, with a combined estimated population of 602,231. Personal-loan terms in West Virginia 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 31% per year on unsecured loans of $3,500 or less; 27% on $3,500–$15,000; 18% above $15,000 (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-107)
- Payday lending Traditional payday lending is generally prohibited; check cashers are regulated under W. Va. Code ch. 32A
- State regulator West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI)
Sourced rules
Key rules for borrowers in West Virginia
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 31% per year on unsecured loans of $3,500 or less; 27% on $3,500–$15,000; 18% above $15,000 (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-107) Source says: the loan finance charge, calculated according to the actuarial method, may not exceed 31 percent per year |
West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Traditional payday lending is generally prohibited; check cashers are regulated under W. Va. Code ch. 32A Source says: Traditional "Payday Lenders" are generally prohibited within this state. |
West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated consumer lender license required from the Commissioner (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-101) Source says: Unless a person has first obtained a license from the commissioner authorizing the person to make regulated consumer loans |
West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) Source says: The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is charged with the regulation and supervision of financial institutions chartered by the State of West Virginia. |
West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in West Virginia
We cover 230 Census places in West Virginia. 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