WI state reference
Wisconsin lending rules
Wisconsin has 605 Census places covered on Personalloaned, with a combined estimated population of 4,311,076. Personal-loan terms in Wisconsin 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 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a))
- Payday lending Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14)
- State regulator Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking
Sourced rules
Key rules for borrowers in Wisconsin
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per year maximum ($12 per $100) on the declining principal balance, except as authorized by other statutes (Wis. Stat. § 138.05(1)(a)) Source says: At the rate of $12 upon $100 for one year computed upon the declining principal balance of the loan or forbearance |
Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed by the DFI Division of Banking; statewide database tracking (Wis. Stat. § 138.14) Source says: "Licensee" means a person holding a license issued by the division under sub. (5) |
Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the Division of Banking (Wis. Stat. § 138.09) Source says: Before any person may do business under this section, that person shall first obtain a license from the division. |
Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), Division of Banking Source says: "Department" means the department of financial institutions |
Wisconsin State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in Wisconsin
We cover 605 Census places in Wisconsin. 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