Oregon lending rules

Personalloaner covers 240 Census places in Oregon, which together hold an estimated 2,996,209 people. Licensed lenders set personal-loan terms here under Oregon law, and the sourced rules below reach every borrower in the state.

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

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 Oregon

RuleDetailSource
Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) 9% per annum default legal rate where the parties have not agreed to a rate.
Source says: "The rate of interest for the following transactions, if the parties have not otherwise agreed to a rate of interest, is nine percent per annum" (ORS 82.010(1)).
Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes)
as of 2026-09-16
Payday lending status Legal for licensed payday/title lenders; term 31-60 days; one-time 10% origination fee capped at $30; interest limited to 36%/yr; max APR 153.77%.
Source says: "Interest rates are limited to 36 percent annually. The maximum APR (interest and fees) is 153.77 percent"; "A one-time 10 percent loan origination fee, up to a maximum of $30 for a new loan"; "The payday or title loan must be for at least 31 days and not longer than 60 days."
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
as of 2026-09-16
Small-loan / installment lender licensing Consumer finance license required to make consumer finance loans of $50,000 or less; license issued by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
Source says: "a consumer finance loan of $50,000 or less... unless the person first obtains a license under this chapter" (ORS 725.045).
Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes)
as of 2026-09-16
State lending regulator Oregon Division of Financial Regulation (Department of Consumer and Business Services)
Source says: "Protecting Oregonians' access to fair products and services through education, regulation, and consumer assistance."
Oregon Division of Financial Regulation
as of 2026-09-16
Unlicensed lending consequence (state-specific rule) Unlicensed consumer finance loans are void and uncollectible (principal, interest, fees).
Source says: "the consumer finance loan is void... may not... collect, receive or retain principal, interest, a fee or a charge related to... the consumer finance loan" (ORS 725.045(1)(b)).
Oregon Legislative Assembly (Oregon Revised Statutes)
as of 2026-09-16

Places we cover in Oregon

The Census Bureau counts 240 places in Oregon, and the largest are linked below.

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

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