Licensed Lenders in Delaware are required to cap short-term installment loans at $1,000. These loans of less than 60 days are “not secured by the title to a motor vehicle.” However, the state does not regulate APRs. Finalized rates are negotiable and determined by the lender and the borrower.
In 2012, Delaware’s state legislature passed House Bill 289, which increased the limit on short-term loans from $500 to $1,000. To protect consumers from falling into a cycle of debt, the bill also restricts borrowers from taking out more than 5 loans over a 12-month period.
Before issuance, licensed lenders are also required to search Delaware’s Consumer Loan Database to assess:
How many short-term loans a borrower currently has.
Whether a borrower is eligible for the loan in question.
Other relevant information is required to comply with regulations.
If the screen is passed and a borrower is eligible for a loan, licensed lenders are also required to:
Enter the borrower’s name, address, social security or employment authorization number, and gross monthly income into the database.
Enter the loan amount.
Enter the APR.
Enter the transaction date.
Enter the expected repayment date.
Also, licensed lenders need to update the database when a loan is paid in full or if a borrower defaults.
The maximum amount is $1,000, and as we mentioned above, APRs are determined by the lender and the borrower. Through its research, the Center for Responsible Lending found that a typical $300 payday loan issued in Delaware has an average APR of 521%. The high cost of borrowing makes Delaware residents more likely to fall into a debt trap.
To that point, borrowers are allowed 4 rollovers per loan. However, they can’t take out more than 5 loans over a 12 month period. Non-sufficient funds (NSF) fees also can’t exceed $25.
Payday Loan Laws in Delaware by Country of January 2025
ElitePersonalFinance analysis of payday loan laws by countries in the State of Delaware.
We haven’t found a significant difference between the payday loan laws in Delaware. If you are with bad credit, here are the laws in Delaware by country.
City:
Amount Allowed:
APR Allowed:
Status:
Wilmington
$1,000
521%
Legal
Dover
$1,000
521%
Legal
Newark
$1,000
521%
Legal
Bear
$1,000
521%
Legal
Middletown
$1,000
521%
Legal
Glasgow
$1,000
521%
Legal
Hockessin
$1,000
521%
Legal
Brookside
$1,000
521%
Legal
Smyrna
$1,000
521%
Legal
Milford
$1,000
521%
Legal
Pike Creek Valley
$1,000
521%
Legal
Claymont
$1,000
521%
Legal
Pike Creek
$1,000
521%
Legal
Wilmington Manor
$1,000
521%
Legal
Seaford
$1,000
521%
Legal
North Star
$1,000
521%
Legal
Georgetown
$1,000
521%
Legal
Edgemoor
$1,000
521%
Legal
Elsmere
$1,000
521%
Legal
New Castle
$1,000
521%
Legal
Rising Sun-Lebanon
$1,000
521%
Legal
Millsboro
$1,000
521%
Legal
Laurel
$1,000
521%
Legal
Harrington
$1,000
521%
Legal
Highland Acres
$1,000
521%
Legal
Camden
$1,000
521%
Legal
Dover Base Housing
$1,000
521%
Legal
Clayton
$1,000
521%
Legal
Lewes
$1,000
521%
Legal
Car Title Loans in Delaware of January 2025
Car title loans are legal in Delaware.
But like other short-term loans in the state, APRs are determined by the lender and the borrower.
As an added protection, licensed lenders must provide borrowers with 7 disclosures – in writing – before a car title loan is issued:
The loan you are considering is short-term cash and is not a solution for long-term financial problems.
You are not compelled to complete the loan agreement merely because you have received any disclosures as a borrower.
If you sign the title loan agreement, the title loan lender will obtain a security interest in your motor vehicle. If you fail to meet the title loan agreement’s obligations, the lender can possess your motor vehicle and sell it.
If the lender takes possession of your motor vehicle, you may lose equity in that vehicle.
You have a right to rescind the title loan agreement for any reason, at no cost to you, at any time up to the end of the business day following the day in which the loan proceeds of the title loan were disbursed to you by returning the full amount of the loan proceeds to the title lender.
You have the right to receive information about credit counseling services from the Office of the State Bank Commissioner.
You may file a complaint with the Office of the State Bank Commissioner if you believe your lender has violated any law regarding your title loan.
Borrowers can also cancel their loan for any reason – without penalty – before the end of the first business day. If the lender fails to disclose any of the 7 tenants above, borrowers have the right to void the loan at any time within the first year. All fees, interest, and charges are negated.
Regarding rollovers, terms cannot extend beyond 180 days (or 6 months) from the original issue date. If the loan is not repaid by then, the borrower is in default.
However, to protect consumers, Delaware requires a ‘workout agreement.’ When a borrower defaults, the lender cannot immediately seize the vehicle. Instead, it has to put forward a plan to reduce “at least 10% of the outstanding and unpaid indebtedness on loan every month.” Borrowers also have at least 10 days to accept the agreement before the lender can proceed with repossession.
When a vehicle seizure and sale occurs, borrowers are not liable for any shortfall between the selling price and the leftover balance on the loan. For example, if your loan is $2,000 and your car is seized and sold for $1,500, you don’t need to make up the additional $500. However, if the situation is reversed and your $1,500 loan nets the lender $2,000 from the vehicle sale, the lender is required to return the $500 excess to you.
Alternative Payday Loans in Delaware of January 2025
OppLoans is one of the best alternative lenders in Delaware.
The company provides financing solutions to borrowers who don’t qualify for personal loans but want to avoid the high APRs of traditional payday loans.
The company is licensed through the Delaware State Bank Commissioner (License No. 013016). Typical installment loans range from $500 to $4,000, APRs average 160%, and terms usually range from 9 to 18 months.
Best Auto Loans for Bad Credit in Delaware of January 2025
Whatever Loans allow you to borrow anywhere from $500 to $7,500 with terms ranging from 12 to 48 months.
Lifestyle Loans allow you to borrow anywhere from $1,000 to $25,000 with terms ranging from 12 to 60 months.
Auto Repair Loans offer anywhere from $2,000 to $5,000 with terms up to 36 months.
DEXSTA also offers travel, medical, pet, and secured loans; however, it doesn’t specify amounts or terms.
APRs also vary by duration:
Loans 36 months or less: As low as 6.99%.
Loans 37 to 60 months: As low as 9.99%.
Loans 61 to 72 months: As low as 10.24%.
Secured Loans: As low as 2.40%.
DEXSTA operates 6 branches across Delaware, located in Middletown, New Castle, Newark, Wilmington, etc.
Tidemark Federal Credit Union
Tidemark Federal Credit Union provides loans for nearly every occasion. Whether its tuition, furniture, vacations, holidays, or home improvements, Tidemark has your covered:
Signature Installment Loans allow you to borrow anywhere from $500 to $15,000, and APRs range from 8.74% to 18%. Terms also extend up to 72 months.
Signature Credit Lines offer funding up to $25,000. APRs are as low as 8.74%, and terms are revolving.
Tidemark operates 6 branches across Delaware, located in Lewes, Millsboro, Milford, Seaford, and others.
All Licensed Credit Unions in Delaware of January 2025
Name:
City:
Size (Millions):
Members:
DOVER FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Dover
$347.21
37468
DEL-ONE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Dover
$290.66
35408
DEXSTA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$181.59
28812
SUSSEX COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Seaford
$227.31
17860
LOUVIERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Newark
$216.41
10907
AMERICAN SPIRIT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Newark
$59.17
10661
DELAWARE STATE POLICE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Georgetown
$117.03
9472
CHESTNUT RUN FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$58.67
9049
COMMUNITY POWERED FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Newark
$114.84
8912
NEW CASTLE COUNTY SCHOOL EMP FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$40.53
8380
SEAFORD FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Seaford
$18.47
5980
DELAWARE ALLIANCE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$19.97
5445
DELAWARE FIRST FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$27.29
4358
WILMINGTON POLICE & FIRE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$14.97
2721
NEW CASTLE COUNTY DELAWARE EM FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$18.10
2566
U-DEL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Newark
$14.81
2069
WILMINGTON POSTAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$14.31
1893
PROVIDENT FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Dover
$10.79
1587
E W O D FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$5.39
1387
PREFERRED FINANCIAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$5.84
1010
NEWPORT SITE EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Newport
$6.86
1008
MILFORD MEMORIAL FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Milford
$2.88
1006
DELAWARE RIVER & BAY AUTH EMP FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$6.58
621
FIRST STATE REFINERY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$7.19
600
ICI AMERICA FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
New Castle
$3.03
600
EDGE MOOR DUPONT EMPLOYEES FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$2.47
530
STEPPING STONES COMMUNITY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Wilmington
$0.03
8
Student Loans in Delaware of January 2025
Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship
Open to legal residents enrolled full-time at the University of Delaware, the B. Bradford Barnes Memorial Scholarship awards full tuition, fees, books, and room and board to eligible students.
To qualify, you need a high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a 1290 SAT or equivalent ACT score. The application deadline is March 4 of each year, and you can apply through the Delaware Higher Education Office’s Student Account website.
Delaware Diamond State Scholarship
The Delaware Diamond State Scholarship is open to Delaware’s legal residents enrolled full-time at a non-profit, regionally accredited institution.
To qualify, you also need a high school GPA of at least 3.0 and a 1290 SAT or equivalent ACT score. The application deadline is also March 4 of each year.
The scholarship awards $1,250 per academic year and hands out roughly 50 grants annually.
Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans in Delaware of January 2025
3 counties in Delaware qualify for FHA loans. The lowest loan amount of $314,827 is offered in Kent, and the highest of $774,050 is in New Castle.
County:
Single Unit Limit (lowest):
Four-Plex Limit (highest):
Kent County
$331,760
$638,100
New Castle County
$408,250
$785,100
Sussex County
$345,000
$663,450
For a local alternative, you can also consult True Access Capital:
True Access Capital
True Access Capital is a non-profit, federally certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). Its goal is to stimulate growth across Delaware and Pennsylvania, and the company has lent nearly $27 million to over 1,100 small businesses and organizations.
Micro Loans allow you to borrow anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000 and are designed to help start-ups expand and grow their operations. Loans can be used for general business purposes, including working capital, inventory, and equipment.
Business Growth Loans allow you to borrow anywhere from $51,000 to $250,000 and are typically used by businesses that have been in operations for at least two years. Typical uses include working capital, inventory, equipment, leasehold/capital improvements, and real estate purchases.
Community Development Loans offer upwards of $500,000 and are designed for community-based projects like childcare centers and community centers.
SBA 504 Loans allow you to borrow up to $5 million, and loans can be used to purchase land, buildings, fund leasehold improvements, or purchase fixed assets and equipment. True Access partners with local banks to provide funding.
You can contact True Access by visiting its headquarters at:
100 W. 10th Street, Suite 300
Wilmington, DE 19801.
You can also call them at (302) 652-6774 or (800) 652-4779 or inquire using their website’s contact page.
Installment and payday loan laws are quite lax in the state of Delaware. While licensed lenders are required to cap short-term loans at $1,000, APRs are determined by the lender and the borrower. And with APRs unregulated, borrowers are in vulnerable positions when seeking funds to cover emergencies. To help offset the effect, Delaware limits consumers to 5 payday loans per 12-month period. Licensed lenders also need to ensure eligibility by searching the state database. When it comes to car title loans, legislation is slightly more forceful. APRs are still unregulated, but the state does require licensed lenders to disclose all material information before providing funding. If they fail to do so, the borrower can exit the agreement penalty-free within one year. Licensed lenders have to put together a ‘workout agreement’ if a default occurs before seizing the vehicle. If a seizure and sale occur, borrowers are not liable for any shortfall, while lenders have to return the surplus.