Loans in Wisconsin: Payday & Installment Loan Options

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You can get a loan in Wisconsin from a lender licensed by the Department of Financial Institutions (DFI): a payday loan of up to $1,500 or 35% of your gross monthly income, whichever is less, or a larger installment loan. Wisconsin sets no interest rate cap on either, so the APR is the number to compare.

Check Your Options

Payday loans	Up to $1,500 or 35% of gross monthly income; 90 days or less
Installment loans	From DFI-licensed loan companies; no state rate cap
Example	$1,000 over a year at 36%: $100.46 a month, $206 interest
You need	ID, proof of income and a bank account
Title loans	Up to $25,000 for 6 months or less, secured by your vehicle

See Example Costs Bad Credit?

Example Costs When There's No Rate Cap

Loan	Rate	Payments	Interest
$400 payday, 14 days	599.51%*	1 × $491.98	$91.98
$1,000, 12 mo	18%	12 × $91.68	$100
$1,000, 12 mo	36%	12 × $100.46	$206
$5,000, 36 mo	18%	36 × $180.76	$1,507
$5,000, 36 mo	36%	36 × $229.02	$3,245

Worked out from Wisconsin law and DFI figures, not offers from lenders in our network. Wisconsin sets no rate cap, so a lender can charge less, or more.

*The average APR lenders reported to DFI for 2025 payday loans. 18% is the rate above which a lender needs a DFI loan company license, and 36% is the federal limit for servicemembers. Neither caps what other borrowers pay.

Returned payment: $15 at most, on payday loans and other closed-end consumer loans.
Prepaid finance charge: on loans made after December 31, 2024, loan companies can charge one, non-refundable, within limits in Wis. Stat. 138.09.
From January 1, 2027: the Wisconsin Consumer Act covers credit up to $50,000, up from $25,000.

Can You Borrow With Bad Credit in Wisconsin?

You can apply. Each lender sets its own credit standards, so approval isn't guaranteed. And with no rate cap, the law won't hold the price down, so read the APR on any offer before you sign.

Payday loans are limited by size, not price. In 2025 they averaged 599.51% APR, DFI reports.
Loan company loans have fewer guardrails. No limit on refinancing, no required repayment plan and no ban on wage garnishment.
Servicemembers get a 36% limit. Federal law caps most loans to active-duty members and covered family at a 36% Military APR.

Payday, Installment or Title: Three Choices

Loan	Size and term	Main rule
Payday	Up to $1,500, 90 days max	Refinance once; no garnishment
Installment	Usually over 90 days	No rate or refinance limit
Title	Up to $25,000, 6 months max	Your vehicle secures it

A title lender needs a separate DFI title loan authorization, and because your car is on the line, compare its APR with an unsecured loan first. For the details, see Wisconsin payday loan rules and Wisconsin installment loan rules.

Sending One Request for a Wisconsin Loan

Have your ID, proof of income and bank account details ready. A payday lender will also ask you to sign a statement about other payday loans you have.
Submit one request through LendUp. Lenders in our network review it, and any offer shows the APR, payments and total cost before you sign.
Compare the APR on every offer. With no rate cap in Wisconsin, it's how you spot the cheaper loan.

Check Your Options

Look Up the License in NMLS or DFI's Search

Official lookup tool NMLS Consumer Access

Search by the company's legal name or NMLS number. Wisconsin payday lenders and loan companies apply for licenses through NMLS.
Check for an active Wisconsin Payday Lender or Loan Company license.
Or use DFI's licensee search, and match the name and address to your agreement.

Problems? Contact the lender first, then file with DFI's Licensed Financial Services section online, by email or by mail, or call (608) 261-7578.

Cancel a payday loan free by returning the money before the close of business on the next business day.
If a payday loan breaks Wis. Stat. 138.14, you can sue for $250 or the loan amount, whichever is greater, plus costs and attorney fees.

Common Questions

Can I get a loan with bad credit in Wisconsin?

You can apply; each lender decides whom to approve. Wisconsin doesn't cap interest, so the law won't limit the rate you're offered. Compare the APR on every offer.

What is the easiest loan to get approved for in Wisconsin?

No loan is guaranteed. Payday loans are smaller, capped at $1,500 or 35% of your gross monthly income, but averaged 599.51% APR in 2025.

Where can I borrow $5,000 in Wisconsin?

Not from a payday lender, since payday loans stop at $1,500. A $5,000 loan is an installment loan, and a lender charging over 18% a year needs a DFI loan company license. At 36%, 36 payments would be about $229.02 a month.

Is there an interest rate cap on loans in Wisconsin?

No. A lender needs a DFI loan company license to charge more than 18% a year, but the law sets no ceiling. After a payday loan's due date, interest is limited to 2.75% a month.

Are title loans legal in Wisconsin?

Yes, from licensed loan companies with a DFI title loan authorization, for $25,000 or less with an original term of up to 6 months.

Where do I complain about a Wisconsin lender?

Contact the lender first, then DFI's Licensed Financial Services section online, by email or by mail on Form BCA500, or call (608) 261-7578.

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.

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Loans in Wisconsin: Payday and Installment Options