State reference · NH
New Hampshire lending rules
New Hampshire has 13 Census places covered on Paydayloaning, with a combined estimated population of 439,796. Payday and small-loan terms in New Hampshire are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.
The verdict
Legal
Source: New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) · as of 2026-09-16
- Maximum rate
- 10% per year in business transactions absent a written agreement
- New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
- Licensing
- Small loan, payday, and title loan lenders must be licensed by the banking department (RSA 399-A:2)
- New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
- Regulator
- New Hampshire Banking Department
- New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
Rules are quoted from the cited sources. How payday lending is regulated.
Key rules for borrowers in New Hampshire
Quoted from the statute, regulator or agency named in each row.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per year in business transactions absent a written agreement; consumer credit transactions excluded Source says: "The annual rate of interest in all business transactions in which interest is paid or secured, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, shall equal 10 percent." |
New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal; annual percentage rate capped at 36% (RSA 399-A:17) Source says: "The annual percentage rate for payday loans shall not exceed 36 percent." |
New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Small loan, payday, and title loan lenders must be licensed by the banking department (RSA 399-A:2) Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a small loan lender in this state ... without first obtaining a license from the commissioner" |
New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | New Hampshire Banking Department Source says: ""Department" means the banking department." |
New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small loan APR cap (RSA 399-A:16) | Small loans other than payday or title loans: annual percentage rate capped at 36% Source says: "The annual percentage rate for small loans shall not exceed 36 percent." |
New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated) as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in New Hampshire
All New Hampshire citiesWe cover 13 Census places in New Hampshire.
Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.