Payday loans in Arkansas
Payday loans are not legal in Arkansas. 17% Usury Cap, effectively prohibiting payday lending. Every figure on this page was checked against Arkansas law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Not allowed
- Rate cap
- 17.0% APR
Arkansas payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Not allowed
- Rate cap
- 17.0% APR
Checked against Arkansas law on November 10, 2026.
The short version
- Payday lending is not allowed in Arkansas.
- A lender that offers you one online is probably unlicensed, and the loan may be unenforceable.
- Credit unions, payment plans and assistance programs are the legal routes to quick money.
- Arkansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Arkansas?
Payday loans are not legal in Arkansas. 17% Usury Cap, effectively prohibiting payday lending.
The governing law is Check Casher Act, Ark. Code Ann. 23-52-101 et. Seq., repealed 2011. Arkansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection licenses lenders and takes complaints.
Why you will not find a licensed payday lender in Arkansas
Payday loans are not legal in Arkansas. 17% Usury Cap, effectively prohibiting payday lending.
A company that advertises payday loans to Arkansas residents is either breaking state law or claiming that the law does not apply to it, as some online and tribal lenders do. Loans made in violation of state law may be void or uncollectable, but getting your money back can still mean a fight.
Before you deal with an online lender
- Look the company up with Arkansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection. No license, no loan.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan. That is the mark of an advance-fee scam.
- Read the agreement for the finance charge, the APR and the due date before you give out bank details.
If you cannot repay a loan in Arkansas
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Arkansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Arkansas
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives or work out a loan’s price with the cost calculator.
How Arkansas got here
The Arkansas Constitution limits interest on consumer loans to 17% a year. After the state Supreme Court struck down the Check-Cashers Act in 2008, the last payday lenders left Arkansas in 2009.
Free help in Arkansas
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Arkansas?
No. Arkansas law does not allow payday lending, including loans offered online to Arkansas residents.
I got a payday loan offer online in Arkansas. Is it safe?
Treat it with caution. A lender must follow Arkansas law to lend to you, and many online offers come from unlicensed companies. Check the license with Arkansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection before sharing bank details.
What can I use instead of a payday loan in Arkansas?
A payday alternative loan from a federal credit union (capped at 28% APR), a payment plan with the company you owe, or local assistance through 211.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Arkansas?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Arkansas?
Contact Arkansas Attorney General, Consumer Protection. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight lend money?
No. Northlight is an information site. We explain the rules and the costs; we do not make loans or credit decisions.
Sources
Keep reading
- CaliforniaPayday loans are legal in California. A $100 two-week loan can cost up to $17.65 (460% APR). See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to com
- ArizonaArizona caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, what it costs and the alternatives.
- ColoradoColorado caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, what it costs and the alternatives.
- AlaskaPayday loans are legal in Alaska. A $100 two-week loan can cost up to $20 (521% APR). See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to complain.
- ConnecticutPayday loans are not legal in Connecticut. Learn what the law says, why online offers are risky and which lower-cost options you can use instead.
- AlabamaPayday loans are legal in Alabama. A $100 two-week loan can cost up to $17.50 (456% APR). See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow and where to compla