State reference · NJ
New Jersey lending rules
New Jersey has 323 Census places covered on Paydayloaning, with a combined estimated population of 4,421,422. Payday and small-loan terms in New Jersey 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
Unlicensed payday lending violates New Jersey's civil and criminal usury rates
Source: New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance · as of 2026-09-16
- Maximum rate
- Civil usury: rates above 6% (agreement not in writing) or above 16% (written contract specifying the rate)
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
- Licensing
- Consumer lender license required for loans of $50,000 or less for personal, family, or household purposes
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
- Regulator
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI)
- New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance
Rules are quoted from the cited sources. How payday lending is regulated.
Key rules for borrowers in New Jersey
Quoted from the statute, regulator or agency named in each row.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | Civil usury: rates above 6% (agreement not in writing) or above 16% (written contract specifying the rate) Source says: "the civil usury rate is any interest rate greater than 6 percent for an agreement that is not in writing" |
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Unlicensed payday lending violates New Jersey's civil and criminal usury rates; payday lenders must be licensed Source says: "out-of-state or foreign entities that have not obtained the required New Jersey license and whose payment terms violate New Jersey's civil and criminal usury rates" |
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer lender license required for loans of $50,000 or less for personal, family, or household purposes (N.J.S.A. 17:11C-1 et seq.) Source says: "A consumer lender license is required for the making of a loan that is to be used primarily for personal, family or household purposes" |
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (DOBI); Office of Consumer Finance supervises consumer lenders Source says: "The Office of Consumer Finance regulates 16 types of businesses that provide a variety of consumer financial services." |
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Criminal usury limits | 30% for non-corporate borrowers; 50% for corporations Source says: "the criminal usury limitation is 50 percent for corporations and 30 percent for non-corporate borrowers" |
New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance as of 2026-09-16 |
Cities in New Jersey
All New Jersey citiesWe cover 323 Census places in New Jersey.
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.