South · Not permitted · Installment regime
Installment loans in Washington, D.C.
Classic payday lending is not permitted in Washington, D.C., but credit is not: credit-union PAL loans (federally capped at 28% APR) and licensed installment products within the state's usury limits are the lawful routes. The table below is computed at that licensed ceiling.
| Amount | Term | Monthly payment | Total repaid | Finance cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,500 | 24 months | $82 | $1,968 | $468 |
| $2,000 | 24 months | $110 | $2,640 | $640 |
| $3,000 | 24 months | $165 | $3,960 | $960 |
| $4,000 | 24 months | $220 | $5,280 | $1,280 |
| $5,000 | 24 months | $274 | $6,576 | $1,576 |
Computed at 28% (federal PAL ceiling — the licensed small-dollar route available here) over 24 months. Same amounts at a credit-union PAL ceiling (28% APR, 24 months): $1,500 → $82/mo, $2,000 → $110/mo, $3,000 → $165/mo. Actual offers vary by lender and credit profile.
Is installment lending legal in Washington, D.C.?
Classic payday lending is not permitted in Washington, D.C., but credit is not: credit-union PAL loans (federally capped at 28% APR) and licensed installment products within the state's usury limits are the lawful routes. The table below is computed at that licensed ceiling.
The state regime sits on top: Washington, D.C. runs a not permitted rulebook (D.C. Code § 28-3301 / D.C. Code § 26-301 et seq.), which shapes what licensed installment lenders can charge. The full rulebook — caps, rollovers, one-loan rules and the complaint path — is on the Washington, D.C. loan laws guide.
What an installment loan costs vs the alternatives
At 28% (federal PAL ceiling — the licensed small-dollar route available here), a $2,000 loan over 24 months costs about $640 in finance charges — real money, which is why the credit-union column above is worth a phone call first. Installment credit wins over payday on breathing room: payments are sized to months, so the rollover treadmill is harder to fall into. It loses on total cost if you would have repaid a payday loan in one shot anyway.
Last verified September 6, 2026 · Regulator: District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking · disb.dc.gov · Not legal advice — offers vary by lender.
Installment guides
Questions about installment loans in Washington, D.C.
How much can I borrow with an installment loan in Washington, D.C.?
Online installment lenders typically offer $1,000–$5,000 over 6–24 months, sized against your income. Washington, D.C. law caps what lenders may charge — check the state law guide for the ceiling.
What APR is legal for installment loans in Washington, D.C.?
The table above uses 28% (federal PAL ceiling — the licensed small-dollar route available here) as the benchmark; better credit prices lower. Any online lender quoting three-digit APRs to Washington, D.C. residents is outside the licensed market, and that is worth reporting to the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
Installment loan vs payday loan in Washington, D.C. — which is cheaper?
Run the totals. A $500 payday loan costs up to the state cap (24% APR Cap) per term and is due in weeks; a $500 installment loan over 6 months at 195% APR costs about $29 in interest — spread out. Installments win on breathing room and rarely roll over; payday wins only if you truly repay in one shot.
Can I get an installment loan in Washington, D.C. with bad credit?
Often yes — that is the core market for online installment lenders, and several underwrite on income and alternative data rather than scores alone. Expect the top of the APR range, and verify any lender's Washington, D.C. license with the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking before you sign.
Where do I report a problem installment lender in Washington, D.C.?
To the District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking (disb.dc.gov), with the loan agreement and payment history. If the lender turns out to be unlicensed, also file with the Washington, D.C. Attorney General and the CFPB.