Payday Loans in Kennewick, WA: Rates, Rules & Calculator

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Payday lending Licensed Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)

Rate cap 12% per annum, or four points above the Federal… Washington State Legislature (RCW)

Licensing Consumer Loan Company license required… Washington State Legislature (RCW)

Regulator Washington State Department of Financial… Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI)

By the Paydayloaning Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Payday lending in Washington

Licensed

Full Washington lending rules

The local picture

Payday loan rules that apply in Kennewick

Every figure below is published by the state or the regulator that sets it, with a link to the primary source. These rules apply to any lender serving Kennewick — Washington's fee cap is not adjusted city by city.

Rule	Detail	Source
Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap)	12% per annum, or four points above the Federal Reserve bill rate, whichever is higher (RCW 19.52.020) Source quote Source says: any rate of interest shall be legal so long as the rate of interest does not exceed the higher of: (a) Twelve percent per annum	Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16
Payday lending status	Licensed; small loans capped at $700 or 30% of monthly income, max 45 days, fees 15% on first $500 and 10% above (RCW 31.45) Source quote Source says: Payday lenders must be licensed by DFI — including online lenders that do business with Washington residents.	Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16
Small-loan / installment lender licensing	Consumer Loan Company license required (Consumer Loan Act, RCW 31.04.035) Source quote Source says: No person may engage in any activity subject to this chapter without first obtaining and maintaining a license in accordance with this chapter.	Washington State Legislature (RCW) as of 2026-09-16
State lending regulator	Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) Source quote Source says: DFI licenses and regulates financial institutions and service providers in Washington.	Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) as of 2026-09-16

What borrowing costs in Kennewick

Washington caps the cost of a payday-style loan low enough that the classic two-week payday advance largely does not operate here. What licensed lenders can offer is a small installment loan at the capped rate — a different product, with a longer repayment window and a fixed monthly payment. Compare the APR on any offer against the cap in the sourced table above, and confirm the lender is licensed before you sign. The alternatives below are usually cheaper still.

Cheaper alternatives in Kennewick

Ranked by what they usually cost: a payment plan with the creditor (often 0%), a credit-union payday alternative loan, a small personal installment loan, and a cash-advance app — which is often a payday loan in different clothing and carries a similar APR. See the full comparison of alternatives to payday loans before you borrow in Kennewick.

About Kennewick

Population: 85,158 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
Size in Washington: the 14th-largest of 281 Census places in the state.
Population trend: Its population grew about 1.5% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
Nearest larger cities: Yakima, WA (71 mi). Bigger markets often have more lenders, but a lender licensed in Washington serves Kennewick under the same state rules.

Before you borrow in Kennewick

Check the APR on any offer against the Washington cap in the table above.
Confirm the lender is licensed in Washington with the regulator listed above.
Compare the APR of a licensed installment loan against the alternatives below.
Run the numbers with our loan payment calculator before you commit.
Never give a lender remote access to your bank account beyond the amount you actually owe.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a payday loan in Kennewick?

Only if payday lending is permitted in Washington. Payday lending is regulated state by state, so whether a licensed lender may offer one in Kennewick depends on Washington law rather than on any local ordinance. See the sourced figure on our Washington lending reference page.

How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Kennewick?

State law sets the maximum advance, and many states cap payday loans at a few hundred dollars. The sourced limit for Washington is listed with its publisher on our state reference page, so you can see the current figure rather than an estimate.

How much does a payday loan cost in Kennewick?

Lenders charge a fee per $100 borrowed rather than a monthly interest rate, and Washington law sets the maximum fee. Because the term is only a couple of weeks, that fee produces a very high APR. Our state reference page lists the sourced fee cap, and our APR calculator shows the math.

Will a payday loan in Kennewick hurt my credit?

Many payday lenders do not report on-time payments to the major credit bureaus, so a payday loan usually will not build your credit. An unpaid balance that is sent to collections can still be reported and damage your score, which is why the repayment plan matters more than the application.

Nearby places

All Washington cities

Nearest Census places by distance.

Payday loans in Kennewick, WA