Louisiana maximum interest rate is the answer to “maximum interest rate allowed by law in Louisiana”. This guide gives the Louisiana figures in a dated table, explains in plain words what they mean, walks through the steps, and points to the official forms and free help.
The Louisiana maximum interest rate figures on this page were verified against a dated 50-state compilation and Louisiana sources as of October 2026; the statute named here is where to check them yourself.
Louisiana maximum interest rate at a Glance
| Legal rate when no rate is agreed | 12% per year |
| Statute | La. R.S. 9:3500 |
In This Louisiana maximum interest rate Guide:
What the Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate Means
In Louisiana, usury means charging more interest than state law allows. The legal rate is the default that applies when a contract sets no rate. The conventional (contract) rate is the most that parties can agree to in writing. Many loans fall under separate laws that allow higher rates, so the general cap mostly applies to private loans made by unlicensed lenders.
The Louisiana maximum interest rate Figures
| Rule | Bonus Bank Daily verified figure |
|---|---|
| Legal rate when no rate is agreed | 12% per yearcompilation / agency — verified Oct 2026 |
| Statute | La. R.S. 9:3500compilation / agency — verified Oct 2026 |
The Louisiana maximum interest rate figures on this page were verified against a dated 50-state compilation and Louisiana sources as of October 2026; the statute named here is where to check them yourself.
Who the Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate Applies To
The general cap mainly covers loans between private parties and lenders that hold no special license. Licensed lenders under the Louisiana Consumer Credit Law follow their own tiered caps instead: R.S. 9:3519 allows up to 36% per year on principal up to $1,400, 27% from $1,400 to $4,000, 24% from $4,000 to $7,000, and 21% above $7,000.
Business, commercial and agricultural loans are excluded from the Consumer Credit Law, and R.S. 9:3509 sets separate rules for commercial loans. National banks and banks chartered in other states may charge the rate their home state allows. Payday (deferred presentment) lenders follow a separate act, and its current fee and loan limits should be confirmed with the Office of Financial Institutions (OFI).
Credit Cards and the Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate
Federal law (12 U.S.C. § 85) lets a national bank charge the interest rate its home state allows, even when the borrower lives in Louisiana. Many card issuers are based in states with high or no rate limits. That is why a card rate above the Louisiana cap is usually legal.
What Happens When a Lender Breaks the Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate
When a loan breaks the cap, the borrower may be able to recover the excess interest or more, depending on the statute, and charging above a criminal threshold can be a crime.
How to Check a Loan Against the Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate
1) Find the APR or interest rate on your loan agreement or Truth in Lending disclosure. 2) Note what kind of lender it is (bank, licensed consumer lender, payday lender, private person) and whether the loan was for personal or business use. 3) Look up that lender’s license on the OFI website. 4) Compare the rate with the cap that fits that type of loan.
5) Confirm with the statute, the court clerk or an attorney.
Where to Report a Loan Above the Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate
The Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders and takes written complaints (8660 United Plaza Blvd., Baton Rouge; 225-925-4660). Complaints about national banks go to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and you can also file with the CFPB at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.
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Common Mistakes With Louisiana maximum interest rate
The most common mistake is missing a deadline: court and creditor deadlines run whether or not you have read the papers, and a missed one usually cannot be undone. The second is relying on an old article or a friend’s experience in another state — the rules on this page differ from state to state and change often, which is why every figure here is dated.
The third is not keeping copies: every letter, form, receipt and bank statement may matter later, so keep them together and note the date you received each one.
Free Help With Louisiana maximum interest rate in Louisiana
You do not have to handle this alone or pay to get answers. The Louisiana court self-help center explains the forms and the steps, and court clerks can tell you where and how to file, although they cannot give legal advice.
Legal aid organizations represent many people at no cost when income is limited, and the Louisiana bar’s lawyer referral service can connect you with a lawyer for a low-cost first consultation. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints about lenders, banks and debt collectors nationwide.
How We Verify the Louisiana maximum interest rate Figures
Every figure in the table above comes from our 50-state data file, built by reading the Louisiana statute or an official compilation of it, and each one carries the month we last checked it. Our writers do not change those figures; they explain them. When the law changes, the figure is updated and the date moves.
If something on this page no longer matches the statute, the statute controls — and we want to hear about it.
Next rung: the Louisiana payday loan page covers the short-term loans that have their own caps.
Louisiana — the bottom line
- Louisiana maximum interest rate rules set two numbers — the legal rate and the written-contract cap — both in the table above.
- Many lenders sit outside the Louisiana maximum interest rate cap by license or charter, so check which rule covers your loan.
- If a loan breaks the Louisiana maximum interest rate rules, keep the agreement and report it to the state regulator.
Louisiana Maximum Interest Rate FAQ
What is the maximum interest rate allowed by law in Louisiana?
Without an agreement: 12% per year.
Official Louisiana Sources & Resources
- Statute and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors 50-state usury survey (verified by each state regulator) — maximum legal interest rate: https://www.csbs.org/50-state-survey-consumer-finance-laws
- Statute and the Conference of State Bank Supervisors 50-state usury survey (verified by each state regulator) — maximum legal interest rate: https://facts.csbs.org/consumer-finance-law/dev
- Louisiana statute / opinion: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=107579
- Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions – Licensed Lenders FAQs: https://ofi.la.gov/non-depository/licensed-lenders/faqs/
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumerfinance.gov
This Louisiana maximum interest rate guide was last verified against official Louisiana sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current rule with the statute or a licensed attorney.
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Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Bonus Bank Daily is an independent educational resource — not a law firm, not a bank, not a debt collector and not a government agency. Judgment, levy, interest-rate and debt rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it.
Confirm the current rule with the statute, the court clerk or a licensed attorney in your state before you act.