Missouri at a glance
- Personal loansAllowed No numeric cap
- Installment loansAllowed No numeric cap
- Emergency loansAllowed No numeric cap
- Payday loansAllowed Fee cap
- Title loansAllowed No numeric cap
Loan options in Missouri
Every loan type we cover is listed, including the ones Missouri law does not allow, so you can see why and what else can work.
- Personal loansAllowedA lump sum you repay in fixed monthly payments. See what your state allows and what a loan can cost.
- Installment loansAllowedFixed payments over months, not weeks. See your state's rate limits and a worked cost example.
- Emergency loansAllowedMoney for an urgent bill, usually a smaller installment loan. Check your state's limits before you borrow.
- Payday loansAllowedA short loan usually due in one payment on your next payday. Allowed in fewer states, so read the fee limits first.
- Title loansAllowedA loan secured by your car title. Allowed in fewer states, and your car is at risk if you cannot repay.
Other ways to borrow
- Credit union payday alternative loans: small loans from federal credit unions with an APR capped at 28% under NCUA rules. (12 CFR 701.21)
- Credit-builder loans: a small loan held in savings while you pay it off, which can help build a payment history.
- Secured credit cards: a card backed by a deposit you make, which can help build credit when you pay on time.
- Payment plans: many utilities, hospitals and lenders offer hardship plans if you ask before you miss a payment.
What a loan can cost in Missouri
Worked examples at an illustrative rate, never above Missouri's rate cap for that loan amount where the law sets one. They are examples, not quotes.
Representative example
- Amount borrowed
- $500
- Annual percentage rate (APR)
- 29.99%
- Repayment
- 12 monthly payments
- Payment
- $48.74
- Finance charge
- $84.88
- Total of payments
- $584.88
Example: a $500 installment loan at 29.99% APR repaid in 12 monthly payments of $48.74 costs $584.88 in total, including a finance charge of $84.88. Illustration only; your lender will disclose your actual APR, payment schedule and total cost before you accept a loan.
Representative example
- Amount borrowed
- $1,000
- Annual percentage rate (APR)
- 29.99%
- Repayment
- 12 monthly payments
- Payment
- $97.48
- Finance charge
- $169.76
- Total of payments
- $1,169.76
Example: a $1,000 installment loan at 29.99% APR repaid in 12 monthly payments of $97.48 costs $1,169.76 in total, including a finance charge of $169.76. Illustration only; your lender will disclose your actual APR, payment schedule and total cost before you accept a loan.
Representative example
- Amount borrowed
- $3,000
- Annual percentage rate (APR)
- 29.99%
- Repayment
- 12 monthly payments
- Payment
- $292.45
- Finance charge
- $509.40
- Total of payments
- $3,509.40
Example: a $3,000 installment loan at 29.99% APR repaid in 12 monthly payments of $292.45 costs $3,509.40 in total, including a finance charge of $509.40. Illustration only; your lender will disclose your actual APR, payment schedule and total cost before you accept a loan.
Resources in Missouri
Free and low-cost places to turn in Missouri, each linked to its official source and dated when we last checked it.
Lending regulator and complaints
Missouri Division of Finance licenses lenders in Missouri. Check a lender's license here, and file a complaint if something goes wrong.
Check a lender's license File a complaint
finance.mo.gov Checked September 23, 2026
Attorney general consumer protection
The attorney general's consumer protection office takes complaints about scams, unfair debt collection and other business practices.
ago.mo.gov Checked September 23, 2026
211
Call 211 or visit your local 211 site to reach help with rent, utilities, food and other urgent bills.
search.211helps.org Checked September 23, 2026
Legal aid
Free civil legal help for people with low incomes, including debt collection, repossession and eviction problems. Income limits vary.
lsem.org Checked September 23, 2026
Nonprofit credit counseling
Nonprofit counselors can help you build a budget or set up a debt management plan. Look for an NFCC or FCAA member agency.
nfcc.org Checked September 23, 2026
Benefits portal
The official site for checking whether you qualify for food, cash or other benefits in Missouri, and for signing up.
mydss.mo.gov Checked September 23, 2026
Federal complaints
Submit a complaint about any lender to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Submit a complaint to the CFPB
consumerfinance.gov Checked September 23, 2026 Available in Spanish
Cheaper options to try first
Worth checking whatever your credit: these can cost less than a high-rate loan.
- 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 Missouri.
The rules lenders follow in Missouri
These rules protect you as a borrower and explain the labels above. Each one links to the source we took it from. How we research state rules.
Allowed in Missouri: installment and personal loans, title loans and payday loans.
| Product | Status | APR cap | Amount | Term | License | Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Installment and personal loans[1][2][3] | Allowed | No numeric cap | Not set by statute | At least 4 months | Consumer Installment Lender license under Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.510-408.512, issued by... | Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.510, 408.512, cross-referencing 408.100, 408.140, and 408.170 for rate/fee ceilings; consumer protections at... |
| Title loans[4][5][6][7][8] | Allowed | No numeric cap | Up to $5,000 | At least 30 days | Title Loan license under Mo. Rev. Stat. 367.500-367.533, issued by the Missouri... | Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 367, sections 367.500 to 367.533; licensing qualifications at 367.506 and 367.509; interest and fees at 367.515 |
| Payday loans[9][10][11] | Allowed | Fee cap | Up to $500 | 14 days to 31 days | Payday Lender license under Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.500-408.505, issued by the Missouri... | Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.500-408.505 |
| Verified against the statute and regulator on September 23, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the regulator before you borrow. | ||||||
Bars place each APR cap on a 0 to 400% scale; the pin marks the cap. A striped bar means the statute sets no numeric cap.
Rate, fee and license rules in Missouri
Installment and personal loans
- Rate cap
- Consumer installment loans (at least four substantially equal installments over at least 120 days) carry interest and fees per 408.100, 408.140 and 408.170 (408.510). Section 408.100 permits interest "at rates agreed to by the parties," so there is no numeric APR ceiling.
- License
- Consumer Installment Lender license under Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.510-408.512, issued by the Missouri Division of Finance.
Title loans
- Rate cap
- Title lenders contract for simple interest and fees under 408.100 and 408.140 (367.515); 408.100 allows interest at rates agreed to by the parties, so there is no numeric APR cap. On the third and later renewals the borrower must reduce principal by 10%.
- License
- Title Loan license under Mo. Rev. Stat. 367.500-367.533, issued by the Missouri Division of Finance; applicant must maintain at least $75,000 in capital and post a $20,000 surety bond per location.
Payday loans
- Rate cap
- No flat APR cap.
- Fees
- Interest and fees capped at 75% of principal across the initial loan plus renewals; renewals limited to a maximum of six; NSF fee up to $25; late fee up to 5% of the amount due if delinquent more than 15 days; loan term limited to 14-31 days.
- License
- Payday Lender license under Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.500-408.505, issued by the Missouri Division of Finance.
Money snapshot for Missouri
Guides for Missouri borrowers
Check your options in Missouri
Missouri questions
Does Missouri law allow payday loans?
Missouri law allows payday loans. State law caps the fee rather than the APR. Source: Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.500-408.505.
What is the most a lender can charge in Missouri?
By loan type in Missouri: Installment and personal loans: No numeric cap. Title loans: No numeric cap. Payday loans: Fee cap.
Where can I file a complaint about a lender in Missouri?
You can file a complaint with Missouri Division of Finance, and you can also submit one to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Both links are under Resources in Missouri on this page.
How do I check a lender's license in Missouri?
Missouri Division of Finance licenses lenders in Missouri. Use the license link under Resources in Missouri on this page to check a lender before you share your information.
Is there free help paying bills in Missouri?
Yes. Resources in Missouri on this page lists free help, including 211, legal aid, nonprofit credit counseling and benefits portal.
Can I get a loan in Missouri with a 500 credit score?
Lenders look at more than your score, such as income and existing debts, and each sets its own rules. BadCreditMD cannot tell you whether a lender will approve you.
Nearby states
Sources
- finance.mo.gov. Missouri Division of Finance. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.510, 408.512, cross-referencing 408.100, 408.140, and 408.170 for rate/fee ceilings. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. law.justia.com/codes/missouri/title-xxvi/chapter-408/section-408-512. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. law.justia.com/codes/missouri/title-xxiv/chapter-367/section-367-506. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. law.justia.com/codes/missouri/title-xxiv/chapter-367/section-367-509. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. Mo. Rev. Stat. Chapter 367, sections 367.500 to 367.533. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- finance.mo.gov. Missouri Division of Finance. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- columbiamissourian.com/news/state_news/missouri-lawmakers-pass-changes-to-payday-loans/article_c1b8ff11-9b85-5775-83ca-ccc249c7bd52.html. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- finance.mo.gov. Missouri Division of Finance. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- Justia. Mo. Rev. Stat. 408.500-408.505. Retrieved September 23, 2026.
- National Low Income Housing Coalition. Out of Reach 2026: Missouri. 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
Illustrative range for installment loans in Missouri: APRs from 5.99% to 35.99%. This range is not a quote; each lender sets its own rates. Your APR depends on your credit, income, state and the lender.
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- Questions about a lender licensed in Missouri? Contact the Missouri Division of Finance or file a state complaint.
- You can submit a complaint about any lender to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov/complaint.