Athens, AL · South · Allowed
Payday loans in Athens
Athens is governed by Alabama's statewide lending law — cities don't set their own loan rules. Storefront payday lending is permitted in Alabama. State law caps what lenders can charge — the limits below are the legal ceiling, and honest lenders stay under it.
The limits below are the legal ceiling — any offer above them is being made outside the law.
Lending storefronts in Athens
25,393 residents · Limestone County Median household income is $47,542 — below the Alabama median of $48,973.
9 storefront locations of 9 companies listed in the public directory snapshot below. Categories are the directory's own — verify a store's license with the state regulator before borrowing.
| Lender | Address | Phone | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always Money Gold Buyers, Check Cashing/Pay-day Loans | 220 French Farms Blvd Ste A, 35611 | (256) 232-9793 | Mon 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM · hours vary |
| Approved Cash Title Loans, Check Cashing/Pay-day Loans, Installment Loans | 630C S Jefferson St, 35611 | (256) 230-0787 | Mon 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM · hours vary |
| Athens Finance Installment Loans | 709 Hobbs St E, 35611 | (256) 230-6764 | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Sat–Sun Closed |
| Athens Finance Company Installment Loans | 924 US Hwy 72 E, 35611 | (256) 230-6764 | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Sat–Sun Closed |
| Cash Express Title Loans, Check Cashing/Pay-day Loans, Installment Loans | 1513 Grace Ave, 35611 | (256) 216-9015 | Mon 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM · hours vary |
| Liberty Finance Of Athens Installment Loans | 885 US Hwy 72 W, 35611 | (256) 232-6323 | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM · Sat–Sun Closed |
| Security Finance Installment Loans, Tax Services | 600 S Jefferson St Ste G, 35611 | (256) 771-2903 | Mon–Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM · Sat–Sun Closed |
| Sun Loan Company Tax Services, Installment Loans | 800 US Hwy 72 W Ste I, 35611 | (256) 771-7999 | Mon 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM · hours vary |
| Tower Loan Installment Loans | 639 Highway 72 W, 35611 | (256) 262-6838 | Mon 8:30 AM - 6:30 PM · hours vary |
Listing data: public business directory, collected 2022-02-20. Stores close and relocate — confirm with the regulator's license lookup on the Alabama page before visiting. Spot an error? Report it.
The online route in Athens
A parallel market lends entirely online — application, decision and funding on a website, no storefront. Lenders licensed in Alabama follow the state schedule anywhere in the state, but bank-partner and tribal loans are structured outside state rate limits, and regulators dispute that model.
From the online lenders directory — terms each lender publishes about itself, checked September 2026. Directory only: we are not affiliated and make no availability promises — verify with the lender and the Alabama regulator.
The rules behind the numbers
A payday loan is a short-term, high-cost loan designed to meet immediate cash needs and is not intended for long-term financial solutions.
In practice: borrow $300 for a standard term and the finance charge is $52.5 — $352.5 repaid at the end, about 456% APR. Every compliant lender in Athens has to fit inside that schedule.
Statute: Ala. Code § 5-18A-1 et seq.
Regulator: Alabama State Banking Department · banking.alabama.gov
Questions people ask in Athens
Are payday loans legal in Athens, AL?
Yes. Storefront payday lending is permitted across Alabama, and Athens runs under the same state rules: maximum loan $500, fees capped at 17.5% of loan amount ($17.50 per $100). A store charging above the cap is operating illegally.
How much would a $300 loan cost me in Athens?
The same as anywhere in Alabama: state law sets the schedule. On a typical $300 loan the finance charge is about $52.5 — $352.5 repaid at the end of the standard term.
Which lenders have stores in Athens?
9 storefronts are listed in Athens in our 2022-02-20 directory snapshot (9 different companies). The full list with addresses, phones and hours is in the table above.
Who regulates lenders in Athens?
Complaints about a lender go to the Alabama State Banking Department (banking.alabama.gov) — keep the loan agreement and every fee disclosure you were given.