Personalloaner

New Hampshire lending rules

Personalloaner covers 13 Census places in New Hampshire, which together hold an estimated 439,796 people. Licensed lenders set personal-loan terms here under New Hampshire law, and the sourced rules below reach every borrower in the state.

By the Personalloaner Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

Compare loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Key rules for borrowers in New Hampshire

RuleDetailSource
Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) 10% per year in business transactions absent a written agreement; consumer credit transactions excluded
Source says: "The annual rate of interest in all business transactions in which interest is paid or secured, unless otherwise agreed upon in writing, shall equal 10 percent."		 New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
as of 2026-09-16
Payday lending status Legal; annual percentage rate capped at 36% (RSA 399-A:17)
Source says: "The annual percentage rate for payday loans shall not exceed 36 percent."		 New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
as of 2026-09-16
Small-loan / installment lender licensing Small loan, payday, and title loan lenders must be licensed by the banking department (RSA 399-A:2)
Source says: "No person shall engage in the business of a small loan lender in this state ... without first obtaining a license from the commissioner"		 New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
as of 2026-09-16
State lending regulator New Hampshire Banking Department
Source says: ""Department" means the banking department."		 New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
as of 2026-09-16
Small loan APR cap (RSA 399-A:16) Small loans other than payday or title loans: annual percentage rate capped at 36%
Source says: "The annual percentage rate for small loans shall not exceed 36 percent."		 New Hampshire General Court (New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated)
as of 2026-09-16

Places we cover in New Hampshire

The Census Bureau counts 13 places in New Hampshire, and the largest are linked below.

Compare personal loan offers Run the numbers first

How we get paid: if you apply through the link above, a lending partner may send us a referral fee. It never changes the rate you are offered or what we publish. We are not a lender and we do not process applications. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Full disclosure.

Common questions

How high can interest rates legally go in New Hampshire?
The answer turns on the product and on which statute applies to it. This page's table sets out New Hampshire's usury cap and licensing rules, and each row carries its publisher and a link to the primary source.
What is New Hampshire'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 New Hampshire's current position.
How do I know a lender is licensed in New Hampshire?
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.

Related