Loan Options in Arizona
Page last reviewed: March 30, 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy by LendUp
Arizona Loan Options at a Glance
| Payday loans | Not allowed - Arizona's payday lending law expired July 1, 2010. Voters rejected bringing it back. |
| Installment loans | Allowed - licensed consumer lenders can offer installment loans under Arizona's Consumer Lenders Act (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5) |
| Primary regulator | Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) |
| What to check first | Confirm the lender has an active Arizona consumer lender license. Get the total repayment cost in writing before you sign. |
LendUp is not a lender. We operate a lead-generation and matching service. If you use LendUp to connect with a lender, a loan offer is not guaranteed and final terms depend entirely on the lender. We may earn compensation if you take out and repay a loan through a matched lender.
What's Legal in Arizona
Payday loans
Arizona banned payday lending in 2010 when the state let its Deferred Presentment Companies Act expire. Voters had the chance to bring payday loans back through a 2008 ballot measure (Proposition 200) but rejected it.
No lender can legally offer a traditional payday loan in Arizona today. If a company claims otherwise, verify its license with DIFI before sharing any personal information.
Installment loans
Installment loans are legal when made by lenders licensed under the Arizona Consumer Lenders Act (A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5). You repay these loans over time in scheduled payments.
The state sets interest rate caps and fee limits that depend on the loan amount and term. For current pricing rules, see the Arizona Rates & Fees page. If a high-cost loan isn't your best option, explore alternatives available in Arizona.
Borrower Protections That Matter in Arizona
Arizona provides several concrete protections for borrowers working with licensed consumer lenders. Each one gives you a specific way to protect yourself:
- Lender licensing required - Any company making consumer loans in Arizona must hold a license issued by DIFI under A.R.S. Title 6, Chapter 5. You can verify a lender is legitimate before applying, and you have a clear path to file a complaint if something goes wrong. Use the DIFI consumer lending page to confirm a license is active.
- Rate and fee caps - Arizona sets maximum interest rates and limits certain fees for licensed consumer lenders based on loan size. These caps give you a benchmark to compare against any offer you receive.
- Written disclosure required - Licensed lenders must provide clear written agreements showing the total cost of the loan, including the annual percentage rate, finance charges, and repayment schedule. You can compare offers side by side and spot hidden charges before you sign.
- Payday lending prohibition - The sunset of the payday lending statute means no lender may legally offer deferred-deposit products in Arizona. If anyone offers you a "payday loan" in Arizona, it's likely unlicensed or illegal, and you should report it to DIFI.
Before sharing personal information with any lender, review the LendUp scams and safety guide and verify the lender through DIFI's consumer lending program page.
Official Sources and Update Notes
General information, not legal advice - we update this page when Arizona's lending rules change materially.
- Arizona Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions (DIFI) - the primary state regulator for consumer lending (rules, guidance, and contact information)
- DIFI Consumer Lending Program - licensing information and resources for verifying a lender
- Arizona Revised Statutes, Title 6 (Banks and Financial Institutions) - primary legal text covering consumer lender licensing and requirements
- DIFI Complaint Portal - file a complaint or report an unlicensed lender
Pick a path below to continue, or return to the states directory to compare rules across states.