Delaware lending rules
Personalloaner covers 57 Census places in Delaware, which together hold an estimated 292,301 people. Licensed lenders set personal-loan terms here under Delaware law, and the sourced rules below reach every borrower in the state.
Key rules for borrowers in Delaware
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate; no rate limit for loans over $100,000 (licensed lenders may set rates by agreement under 5 Del. C. § 2229) Source says: "interest at any rate agreed upon in writing not in excess of 5% over the Federal Reserve discount rate"; "there shall be no limitation on the rate of interest which may be legally charged for the loan or use of money". |
Delaware General Assembly — 6 Del. C. § 2301 as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted as 'short-term consumer loans' (≤$1,000, stated term under 60 days); max 5 per borrower per 12 months; max 4 rollovers Source says: "a short-term consumer loan that would cause the borrower to have more than 5 short-term consumer loans from all licensees in any 12-month period"; "No licensee shall make more than 4 rollovers of an existing short-term consumer loan". |
Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. §§ 2227, 2235A as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Licensed lender license required from the State Bank Commissioner; making more than 5 loans in any 12-month period is deemed 'transacting the business of lending' Source says: "Every person desiring to transact the business of lending money in this State shall be required to obtain a license under this chapter". |
Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2202 as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner (OSBC) Source says: "The Office of the State Bank Commissioner is responsible for regulating and examining State-chartered banks and trust companies and licensed financial services businesses". |
Delaware Office of the State Bank Commissioner as of 2026-09-16 |
| Title loans (5 Del. C. ch. 22, subch. V) | Title loans permitted: secured by motor vehicle title, original repayment period of 180 days or less; borrower has a right to rescind until the end of the next business day Source says: "“Title loan” means a loan made to one or more natural persons by a licensee and secured by the title to a motor vehicle". |
Delaware General Assembly — 5 Del. C. § 2250 as of 2026-09-16 |
Places we cover in Delaware
The Census Bureau counts 57 places in Delaware, and the largest are linked below.
Common questions
How high can interest rates legally go in Delaware?
The answer turns on the product and on which statute applies to it. This page's table sets out Delaware's usury cap and licensing rules, and each row carries its publisher and a link to the primary source.
What is Delaware's position on payday lending?
Each state handles payday lending on its own: some permit it, some cap it, some prohibit it. The sourced row on this page gives Delaware's current position.
How do I know a lender is licensed in Delaware?
Consumer lenders generally need a licence issued by the state regulator identified on this page. Verify that licence with the regulator before you commit to anything.