Installment loans in Maine.
Maine is one of the more protective states for installment-loan borrowers — it caps what licensed lenders can charge. Below is how a loan works here, what that 30% ceiling means for your cost, and how to request $500–$5,000 from a licensed lender.
Maine offers a $2,000 APR cap of 30% — among the more protective states.
Our rating, derived from the National Consumer Law Center's state cap data. It reflects whether the state caps APR, licenses lenders, and limits high-cost terms. See the NCLC source →
How installment loans work in Maine
Borrowers in Maine get more protection than in most states. Installment lenders must be licensed by Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection, and state law caps the APR on a $2,000 loan at 30% — which keeps the cost of a Maine loan comparatively predictable.
Maine's $2,000 APR cap of 30% sits below the widely-cited 36% benchmark and is stricter than 30 of the 43 states that cap a loan this size.
In dollars: a $2,000 one-year loan at Maine's 30% cap costs about $2,600 in total, versus about $2,340 in the strictest state (Arkansas, 17%).
Maximum APR caps in Maine
According to the National Consumer Law Center, the highest APR (including fees) a licensed lender may charge in Maine:
| Loan size | Max APR in Maine |
|---|---|
| $500 6-month loan | 30% |
| $2,000 2-year loan | 30% |
| $10,000 5-year loan | 18% |
Requesting a loan in Maine
The request is fully online: pick an amount and term, share basic income and bank details, and review offers from lenders licensed in Maine. Popular with Portland residents and borrowers statewide, with funds often arriving as soon as the next business day. Some Maine lenders weigh income over credit score — see bad credit installment loans and no-credit-check options.
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database — payday, title & personal loans. A real-world signal of what to watch for in Maine.
A $2,500 loan: Maine's cap vs. a no-cap state.
| 12-month $2,500 loan | Example APR | Monthly | Total repaid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maine (strong) | 30% | $271 | $3,250 |
| A state with no APR cap | 99% | $415 | $4,975 |
What Maine actually searches for.
Average U.S. monthly searches. We build this page around what Maine borrowers really look for.
Straight answers.
Are installment loans legal in Maine?
Yes. They're legal and regulated by Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection; lenders must be licensed to operate in Maine.
What's the APR cap in Maine?
Per NCLC, the maximum APR is 30% on a $500 loan, 30% on a $2,000 loan, and 18% on a $10,000 loan. Confirm current limits with Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection.
How much can I borrow in Maine?
Online installment loans here typically range $500–$5,000 over 3–24 months, depending on the lender and your income.
How fast is funding in Maine?
Many lenders fund approved loans as soon as the next business day after you sign.
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