Payday loans in Maryland
Payday loans are not legal in Maryland. 33% APR Cap Every figure on this page was checked against Maryland law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Not allowed
Maryland payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Not allowed
- Governing law
- Md. Code Com. Law § 12-306
Checked against Maryland law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Payday lending is not allowed in Maryland.
- A lender that offers you one online is probably unlicensed, and the loan may be unenforceable.
- Credit unions, payment plans and assistance programs are the legal routes to quick money.
- Maryland Office of Financial Regulation handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Maryland?
Payday loans are not legal in Maryland. 33% APR Cap
The governing law is Md. Code Com. Law § 12-306. Maryland Office of Financial Regulation licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
Why you will not find a licensed payday lender in Maryland
Payday loans are not legal in Maryland. 33% APR Cap
A company that advertises payday loans to Maryland residents is either breaking state law or claiming that the law does not apply to it, as some online and tribal lenders do. Loans made in violation of state law may be void or uncollectable, but getting your money back can still mean a fight.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. Maryland does not allow payday lending. Installment loans from lenders licensed in the state remain legal within its rate limits.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in Maryland
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Maryland Office of Financial Regulation and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Maryland
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
How Maryland got here
Maryland’s consumer loan law caps interest at 33% a year on the smallest loans, and loans made by unlicensed lenders can be unenforceable.
Free help in Maryland
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Maryland?
No. Maryland law does not allow payday lending, including loans offered online to Maryland residents.
I got a payday loan offer online in Maryland. Is it safe?
Treat it with caution. A lender must follow Maryland law to lend to you, and many online offers come from unlicensed companies. Check the license with Maryland Office of Financial Regulation before sharing bank details.
What can I use instead of a payday loan in Maryland?
A payday alternative loan from a federal credit union (capped at 28% APR), a payment plan with the company you owe, or local assistance through 211.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Maryland?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Maryland?
Contact Maryland Office of Financial Regulation. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Maryland?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- MassachusettsPayday loans are not legal in Massachusetts. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- MainePayday loans are legal in Maine. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- MichiganPayday loans are legal in Michigan. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- LouisianaPayday loans are legal in Louisiana. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- MinnesotaMinnesota caps small loans at 50% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- KentuckyPayday loans are legal in Kentucky. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.