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What Iowa law allows
| Product | Status | APR cap | Amount | Term | License | Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payday loans[1][2][3] | Allowed | Fee cap | Up to $500 | Up to 31 days | Delayed Deposit Services license under Iowa Code ch. 533D, issued by the Iowa Division... | Iowa Code ch. 533D |
| Verified against the statute and regulator on September 23, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the regulator before you borrow. | ||||||
The rules in full
Payday loans
- Rate cap
- Iowa's Delayed Deposit Services Act (ch. 533D) does not impose a numeric APR cap; instead it caps fees: a flat fee of $15 per $100 for the first $100 advanced, and $10 per $100 (pro rata) for each additional $100 or portion thereof.
- Fees
- $15 per first $100 advanced; $10 per additional $100 increment (pro rata), no other fees beyond what ch. 533D authorizes.
- License
- Delayed Deposit Services license under Iowa Code ch. 533D, issued by the Iowa Division of Banking (Superintendent of Banking).
Full detail for every loan type: Iowa lending laws.
Help in Iowa
Money snapshot for Iowa
Other options in Iowa
Worth checking whatever your credit: these can cost less than a high-rate loan.
- Emergency loans in Iowa: allowed under Iowa law; see its limits and license rules.
- Installment loans in Iowa: allowed under Iowa law; see its limits and license rules.
- Personal loans in Iowa: allowed under Iowa law; see its limits and license rules.
- Title loans in Iowa: allowed under Iowa law; see its limits and license rules.
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs). Federal credit unions may offer small loans of up to $2,000 with terms of up to 12 months and an APR no higher than 28%, under NCUA rules (12 CFR 701.21). You usually need to be a member.
- Nonprofit credit counseling. A counselor accredited by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling can help you build a budget or a debt management plan.
- Ask your creditor for a payment plan. Utilities, hospitals and many lenders offer hardship or extended payment plans if you ask before you miss a payment.
- Local assistance. Call 211, or visit 211.org, for emergency help with rent, utilities and food in Iowa.
Payday loans in nearby states
Sources
- Justia. Iowa Code ch. 533D. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. law.justia.com/codes/iowa/title-xiii/chapter-533d/section-533d-3. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- idob.iowa.gov. Iowa Division of Banking, Superintendent of Banking. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- National Low Income Housing Coalition. Out of Reach 2026: Iowa. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Vintage 2024 National and State Population Estimates. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS), All States, Seasonally Adjusted. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
Important disclosures
APRs vary by lender and state in Iowa. Each lender sets its own rates and terms and must show you the APR before you sign.
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- Questions about a lender licensed in Iowa? Contact the Iowa Division of Banking, Superintendent of Banking or file a state complaint.
- You can submit a complaint about any lender to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.