News About the Ever-Changing Payday Advance Industry
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Yes — payday loans are legal in Wisconsin, and the state sets no cap on interest or APR. Loans are limited to the lesser of $1,500 or 35% of your gross monthly income, run up to 90 days, and may be rolled over once. A statewide database and a 24-hour right to cancel apply. Wisconsin's own regulator notes some lenders charge APRs up to roughly 850%.
| Status | Legal — permissive, no rate cap |
|---|---|
| Interest / APR cap | None — DFI notes rates up to ~850% |
| Loan size limit | $1,500 or 35% of gross monthly income, whichever is less |
| Loan term | Up to 90 days |
| Rollovers | One rollover/refinance allowed |
| Cooling-off | 24-hour right to cancel at no cost |
| Statewide database | Yes — tracks loans and enforces the size limit |
| Repayment plan | On default: 4 equal installments at 2.75% per month |
| Regulator | Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) |
| Law | Wis. Stat. § 138.14 |
Payday lenders in Wisconsin are licensed by the Department of Financial Institutions. To report a violation or an illegal lender, use the online complaint form.
Because Wisconsin sets no rate cap, the cost can be steep — weigh a credit-union payday-alternative loan, an employer paycheck advance, or nonprofit credit counseling first. See our guide to payday loans and alternatives.
A lender can garnish wages in Wisconsin only after it sues and wins a court judgment, and federal law then caps how much can be taken. Wisconsin operates a real-time payday-loan database, so state limits on how many loans you can hold at once are enforced across all lenders. Your rights when you cannot repay are set by a mix of federal and state law — these guides explain how they work:
Disclaimer: general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws change — verify the current rules with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) before borrowing. Last reviewed 2026.
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Yes. They are legal under Wis. Stat. 138.14, overseen by the Department of Financial Institutions. Wisconsin sets no cap on the interest rate.
The lesser of $1,500 or 35% of your gross monthly income.
There is no cap. The state's regulator has noted some lenders charge APRs up to roughly 850%.
Once. After that, if you default at the end of the term, the lender must offer a repayment plan of four equal installments at 2.75% per month.
Wisconsin
A bipartisan group of Wisconsin lawmakers introduced bills in early December 2025 that would cap the annual percentage rate on payday and installment loans at 36% — a state where…
Everest Metro Police in Wisconsin confirmed that someone has robbed the Payday Loans store in Weston on Friday morning.
Wisconsin
State Rep. Josh Zepnick (D-Milwaukee), a member of the Assembly Committee on Financial Institutions, has introduced two consumer protection bills designed to help citizens who utilize relatively new and emerging financial services of cash…
Wisconsin
The payday cash advance lending industry should provide more information to borrowers than they currently do, Rep. Andy Jorgensen (D-Fort Atkinson) said this week.
Wisconsin
The end of the month approaches and, with it, come the bills. The combination of rent, cell phone bill, credit card payment and other expenses can start to become an overwhelming prospect for young people with little financial experience.
Wisconsin
Democrats who control the state Senate promised today to put new limits fast payday advance lenders, which they called a growing industry that preys on the poor by charging interest rates that can amount to 500% or more.
Wisconsin
Grace Jones is executive director of Couleecap, a private nonprofit 501(c)3 charitable organization created in 1966. She recently wrote in to The La Crosse Tribune. It’s paraphrased here:
Wisconsin
Despite interest rates that can range close to 400 percent, thousands of Washington state residents are flocking to instant payday loan outlets for quick cash.
Wisconsin
How does Dave Zweifel of The Capital Times feel about payday loans? Let’s paraphase his recent editorial and find out:
Wisconsin
A financial conference this Saturday aims not to draw people with plenty of money to invest, but low- and moderate-income people who could use a hand with faxless payday loans and other aspects of their finances.
Wisconsin
Earlier this week, Prospera Credit Union received the Northeast Wisconsin Chapter Association of Fundraising Professionals’ first Corporate Social Responsibility Award for helping hundreds of people invest in healthier financial futures.