Loans in North Dakota: Payday and Installment Options
Page last reviewed: October 28, 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy by Betty Walsh
In North Dakota you can get a payday loan of up to $500, with a fee of no more than 20% of the cash, or a larger installment loan from a licensed money broker at no more than 36% a year, origination fees included.
| Payday loans | Up to $500 cash, fee up to 20%; $600 owed to all lenders at most |
| Installment | Money broker loans: 36% a year, origination fees included |
| Example | $1,000 over 12 months at 36%: $100.46 a month |
| Regulator | Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), 701-328-9933 |
| You need | ID, proof of income and a bank account |
North Dakota Loan Costs Under the 20% Fee and 36% Rate Limits
| Loan | You repay | Fee or interest |
|---|---|---|
| $300 payday, 14 days | 1 × $360 | $60 |
| $500 payday, 14 days | 1 × $600 | $100 |
| $1,000, 12 mo | 12 × $100.46 | $205.52 |
| $3,000, 24 mo | 24 × $177.14 | $1,251.36 |
| $5,000, 36 mo | 36 × $229.02 | $3,244.72 |
Worked out from North Dakota law, not offers from lenders in our network; a lender can charge less.
The payday fee works out to about 521% APR over 14 days. The 36% money broker cap counts every charge for the credit made at origination; late charges come on top but are limited to 5% of the payment and, on loans of $50,000 or less, $20.
Money Broker Loans: North Dakota's 36% All-In Rule
Non-bank installment lenders in North Dakota are licensed as money brokers by DFI, and one rule covers what they charge: no more than 36% a year, including all charges and fees needed to get the credit.
- Loans under $2,000 must be repaid in equal installments over 36 months or less, with no balloon payment.
- On those small loans, refinance fees plus the original loan's fees can't top $100 a calendar year, and extensions or deferments $100 a year.
- A money broker can't take a fee before the loan is funded unless it's licensed in North Dakota.
- Banks, credit unions and lenders licensed under other North Dakota laws are exempt from the money broker act.
Payday Advance or Money Broker Loan: Which North Dakota Option Fits?
- You need $500 or less
- You can repay within 60 days, one renewal included
- You accept a fee of up to 20% of the cash
- You need more than $500, or more time
- You want equal payments you can plan around
- You want the 36% cap with fees included
For the payday limits, renewals and the workout option, see North Dakota payday loan rules.
From Request to Offer: Three North Dakota Steps
- Pick the loan type, and have your ID, proof of income and bank account details ready.
- Submit one request through LendUp. Lenders in our network review it, and any offer shows the APR, payments and total cost before you sign.
- Before you sign, check that the lender holds the right North Dakota license and that the APR fits the caps above.
Checking a North Dakota DFI License in NMLS
- Search NMLS Consumer Access by the company's legal name or NMLS number; DFI points consumers there.
- Look for a North Dakota Money Broker license for an installment loan, or a Deferred Presentment Service Provider license for a payday loan.
- Each payday location needs its own license, so match the address on the record to the one you're dealing with.
Licensing questions: DFI at 701-328-9933. NMLS record questions: the NMLS call center, (855) 665-7123.
- No title or property as security. A payday lender can't take a vehicle title, other property or a mortgage to make or collect the loan.
- No criminal threats. A payday customer can't face a criminal penalty over the check unless the account was already closed when the loan was made.
- Unlicensed payday lending is a felony. Willfully providing payday loans without a license is a class C felony.
- Military borrowers. Federal law caps most loans to active-duty servicemembers and covered family members at a 36% Military APR.
Common Questions
Can I get a loan in North Dakota with bad credit?
You can apply; each lender sets its own credit standards, and approval isn't guaranteed. If a licensed money broker makes the loan, it can't charge more than 36% a year, fees included.
Are payday loans legal in North Dakota?
Yes, from lenders licensed by DFI. You can get up to $500 in cash, the fee can't exceed 20% of it, and you can't owe more than $600 to all payday lenders at once.
What is the interest rate cap on North Dakota installment loans?
36% a year for licensed money brokers, including all charges and fees made at origination. Late charges are separate: up to 5% of the payment, and no more than $20 on loans of $50,000 or less.
How much is a $3,000 loan in North Dakota each month?
At the 36% cap, $3,000 over 24 months is about $177.14 a month, or $1,251.36 in interest. A lender can charge less.
Are title loans legal in North Dakota?
Not from payday lenders: DFI says a deferred presentment licensee can't take a vehicle title or other property as a condition of the loan.
Where do I complain about a North Dakota lender?
To the Department of Financial Institutions, through the complaint form on its website or by phone at 701-328-9933.
Official Sources
General information, not legal advice. Facts on this page were checked against these sources on October 28, 2026.
LendUp isn't a lender. We pass your request to lenders in our network; offers aren't guaranteed, and we may earn compensation if a loan is funded.