Maine lending rules
Personalloaner covers 23 Census places in Maine, which together hold an estimated 390,874 people. Licensed lenders set personal-loan terms here under Maine law, and the sourced rules below reach every borrower in the state.
Key rules for borrowers in Maine
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 30% per year on unpaid balances up to $2,000; 24% on $2,000–$4,000; 18% above $4,000 (9-A M.R.S. § 2-401(2)) Source says: "30% per year on that part of the unpaid balances of the amount financed that is $2,000 or less" |
Maine Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Payday lenders are licensed as supervised lenders by the BCCP and subject to the 9-A § 2-401 finance-charge caps Source says: "Supervised Lenders Including Mortgage Lenders and Servicers, Non-Mortgage Supervised Lenders, Payday Lenders, and Insurance Premium Finance Companies" |
Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Supervised lender license required when the finance charge exceeds 12 1/4% per year (or the loan is secured by real estate); applications via NMLS Source says: "Anyone who makes, takes assignment of, or services consumer loans in which the rate of the finance charge ... exceeds 12 1/4% per year" |
Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection (Department of Professional and Financial Regulation) Source says: "The Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection licenses and registers the following business entities" |
Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection as of 2026-09-16 |
| Minimum finance charge for supervised lenders | $5 (loans ≤$75), $15 ($75–<$250), $25 (≥$250) — 9-A M.R.S. § 2-401(7) Source says: "the lender may contract for and receive a minimum charge of not more than ... Twenty-five dollars when the amount financed is $250 or more" |
Maine Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
Places we cover in Maine
The Census Bureau counts 23 places in Maine, and the largest are linked below.
Common questions
How high can interest rates legally go in Maine?
The answer turns on the product and on which statute applies to it. This page's table sets out Maine's usury cap and licensing rules, and each row carries its publisher and a link to the primary source.
What is Maine'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 Maine's current position.
How do I know a lender is licensed in Maine?
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.