Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Compare your loan options in North Carolina

Laws may cap interest at 36%, but there are state-funded options for when you're in need of help.

When you have unplanned expenses and are on a tight budget, a payday loan could be helpful. Payday loans, a type of short-term loan, give you quick access to money when you need it. Read on to find out about the laws in North Carolina and everything else you should know about how payday advances work.

Name Product USFSL Filter Values Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Chime SpotMe®
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Chime SpotMe®
Up to $200
Instant
Qualifying $200 direct deposits into Chime checking account each month. Chime debit or Credit Builder card.
Access fee-free overdrafts up to $200 when eligible. Plus get your paycheck up to 2 days early with direct deposit. See Chime terms and conditions.
EarnIn
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
EarnIn
Up to $750 per pay period, but only $150 per day
1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Direct deposit sent to a checking account, a regular pay schedule, a fixed work location or an online timekeeping system at work
No mandatory fees, no interest and no credit checks. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
OppLoans Installment Loans
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
OppLoans Installment Loans
$500 to $4,000
As soon as the same business day
+18 years old, Receive paychecks through direct deposit, $1,500 minimum monthly income, Live in eligible state
Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Cleo
Finder Score: 4.1 / 5: ★★★★★
Cleo
Up to $250
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Not stated
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
Sorbet
Not rated yet
Sorbet
Based partially on the amount of your accrued & unused PTO
Up to 5 business days for approval and 5 business days for funding, or faster for a fee
18 years old or age of majority in your home state, annual income $30,000 a year, proof of income may be required, have a bank account supported by Sorbet
Tap your unused PTO for a cash advance so you can access that money early. Loans made by Lead Bank. Select Go to site for more info.
Dave ExtraCash
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Dave ExtraCash
Up to $500
Up to 3 business days or instant for a fee
At least two direct deposit paychecks to your bank account from your employer, extra money in your bank account
Borrow up to $100 to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
LendYou Short-term Loans
Finder Score: 2.5 / 5: ★★★★★
LendYou Short-term Loans
Up to $1,000 for payday loans and up to $5,000 for installment loans
1 business day
$1,000+ monthly income, direct deposit, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+
Get offers from potential lenders in minutes by filling out just one online form.
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
Finder Score: 0.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
$100 to $35,000
As soon as the next business day
Regular source of income, Verifiable bank account, US citizen, Ages 18+
Get connected with multiple lenders you might qualify with — even if you have bad credit.
Go to site
loading

North Carolina doesn’t allow payday loans and some other forms of short-term lending. However, there are a few programs you should know of before you stop your search.

No, payday loans are illegal in North Carolina.
North Carolina General Statutes 53-281 and the North Carolina Consumer Finance Act N.C. Gen. Stat. 53-173 prohibit payday lending since 2001, and more recent amendments make it nearly impossible for payday lenders to squeeze in through loopholes.
All lenders in North Carolina are required to comply with the small loan interest cap of 36% APR.

What other short-term options are available in North Carolina?

North Carolina has a number of programs that can help you make your everyday bills and expenses more affordable. Here are a few that may be able to offer assistance:

  • Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)
  • Emergency Assistance Program
  • Food and Nutrition Services (FNS)
  • Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)
  • Work First Cash Assistance
  • Medication Assistance Program (MAP)
  • Medicaid and NC MedAssist

You can find out more about these programs in our guide to payday loan alternatives.

What are the typical costs of a loan in North Carolina?

North Carolina law bans small-dollar lenders from offering loans with an APR higher than 36%. However, this doesn’t limit the fees you can be charged, so you’ll need to go over your loan contract carefully before you sign to be sure you can afford the total cost — principal and interest — of your loan.

Frequently asked questions

Elizabeth Barry's headshot
Senior editor

Elizabeth Barry is Digital Managing Editor for Entertainment at Are Media and formerly the lead editor for Finder's global financial niches which includes banking, crypto and investments. She has written about finance for 10 years and specialises in personal finance, including new and emerging areas of banking in Australia and globally. Elizabeth is regularly featured in a range of publications and media including Seven News, the ABC, MSN, the Irish Times and Singapore Business Review. See full bio

More guides on Finder

Ask a question

Finder.com provides guides and information on a range of products and services. Because our content is not financial advice, we suggest talking with a professional before you make any decision.

By submitting your comment or question, you agree to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and finder.com Terms of Use.

Questions and responses on finder.com are not provided, paid for or otherwise endorsed by any bank or brand. These banks and brands are not responsible for ensuring that comments are answered or accurate.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

8 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    Ms.AdamsMarch 6, 2019

    I have been getting threatening calls about a loan from check in go about taking me to court. They are also saying the loan was more then the balance i believe i owned. I also learned that loans are illegal in my state as to the loan i received. The live in NC but got a loan from SC or VA not sure but they not giving me much info on the loan. What do i need to do and how can i resolve the matter.

      AvatarFinder
      johnbasanesMarch 7, 2019Finder

      Hi Ms. Adams,

      Thank you for reaching out to Finder.

      The first step is to get as much documentation on the loan that this loan company is saying you applied for. Once you have these, reach out to your local police department for them to be aware of this and protect your interest as much as possible. Hope this helps!

      Cheers,
      Reggie

    Default Gravatar
    zachSeptember 5, 2018

    if i need a loan of 2800$ and my back olny does auto loans for 5000$ and up can i get the loan use the money and return the rest?

      AvatarFinder
      JoshuaSeptember 5, 2018Finder

      Hi Zach,

      Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)

      Generally, the interest rate is charged to the total amount you borrowed and not the money you only used. For this reason, you can use the excess of your borrowed money to pay off your balance. However, you will still need to pay the interest that you incurred from the total amount of money you borrowed.

      Just in case, you might also want to check our car loans for used cars and car loans for new cars.

      I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.

      Have a wonderful day!

      Cheers,
      Joshua

    Default Gravatar
    ShellyAugust 9, 2018

    I got a bigpicture loan. I’m reading all the bad stuff about the company now. What happens if I don’t pay them back? I didn’t know it was illegal

      Default Gravatar
      joelmarceloAugust 9, 2018

      Hi Shelly,

      Thanks for leaving a question on Finder.

      As the lender tries to collect your debt, they continue to try withdrawing from your bank account, using the information you provided. If the money isn’t there, they continue trying, sometime breaking up the loan into smaller parts. This won’t only get you into trouble with the lender, but your bank may also charge you overdraft fees every time your balance is insufficient when the lender attempts to withdraw money.

      And this is when the phone calls start. Lenders and collection representatives will use all of the information you provided — phone numbers at your job, email addresses, and even family members or friends — to contact you for payments.

      For more information about this matter, check our guide called “What could happen if you don’t pay back your payday loan”.

      Cheers,
      Joel

    Default Gravatar
    TammyJune 21, 2017

    How do I apply for a loan?

      AvatarFinder
      JasonJune 21, 2017Finder

      Hi Tammy,

      Thank you for your enquiry.

      Please compare your loan options above and click the name of your preferred lender to find out the details and the minimum eligibility of the lender. You may then click the green “Go to Site” button of your preferred lender or loan option to submit your loan application online.

      Please ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements of the loan option or lender and make sure to read the details, as well as the relevant PDS/ T&Cs of the loan option before making a decision and consider whether the product or option is right for you.

      Kind regards,
      Jason

Go to site