Installment Loans in Florida
Page last reviewed: March 26, 2026 · Reviewed for accuracy by LendUp
Loan amount and term: Personal installment loans up to $25,000 are made under Florida's Consumer Finance Act (license type: CF). Loan size, term, and payment schedule vary by lender - confirm all three in your offer before you accept.
Rates and fees framework: Florida allows charges above the standard 18% annual rate for licensed Consumer Finance companies. What applies to your offer depends on the loan type and license held.
Licensing: Personal installment lenders in Florida must hold a Consumer Finance Company (CF) license issued by the Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR). Online lenders serving Florida borrowers must hold the same license - there is no exemption for operating remotely.
To qualify:
- Credit: Many installment lenders in Florida check your credit, but some also weigh income and banking history when deciding.
- Basics: You'll typically need to be 18+, have a valid ID, proof of income, and an active checking account for direct deposit and automatic withdrawals.
- Military households: If you're covered by the Military Lending Act, cost is capped at 36% MAPR, which can limit available offers. See Rates & Fees for details.
LendUp isn't a lender - we connect you with providers. Offers aren't guaranteed, and we may earn compensation if a loan is funded.
How to Apply
Steps
- Submit one request through LendUp or contact a licensed lender directly.
- Gather your ID, proof of income, and bank details for direct deposit and repayment.
- Submit only what the application asks for. If you're asked for your bank login credentials, stop and choose a different lender.
- Before you sign, confirm the full payment schedule and total repayment amount, then save a copy of the agreement.
What to expect
- Credit check: You may see a soft check for quoting and a hard check before final approval. Ask which one the lender uses before you accept.
- Total cost: The monthly payment is only part of the picture - ask for the total amount you'll repay over the full term, listed as the finance charge (on your paperwork) plus principal.
- Funding method: Proceeds are commonly sent by direct deposit. Confirm the delivery method and whether a paper check is possible if your bank places holds.
- Florida-required disclosure: Florida-licensed Consumer Finance lenders are required to provide a written loan agreement that includes the full payment schedule and all charges before you sign. If the agreement is missing any of these, pause and ask for the complete document before proceeding.
Verify an Installment Lender in Florida
Before you share personal information, confirm the lender holds an active Florida Consumer Finance Company (CF) license with the OFR.
- Go to the OFR Verify a License page and select Consumer Finance Companies from the license-type list.
- Search by the company's legal name - not just the website or brand name shown in ads.
- Confirm the license status shows Active and that the license type is CF (Consumer Finance Company).
- Match the address and phone number in the record to what appears on the lender's site or your offer documents.
- Save a screenshot of the license record before you apply.
To report an unlicensed lender or a problem with a licensed lender, contact the Florida Office of Financial Regulation at flofr.gov - Submit a Complaint or Tip.
If you found the lender through LendUp, reply to your offer email with the lender name and what happened so we can review the provider listing.
Before You Sign
Your rights in Florida
- Written contract required: Your lender must provide a written agreement that includes the full payment schedule, all fees, and the total amount owed - with no blank spaces - before you sign.
- Prepayment: Florida law allows you to pay off a Consumer Finance loan early. Ask the lender whether any unearned interest or fees will be credited back when you pay ahead of schedule.
- Unlicensed lenders: A loan made by a lender that is not properly licensed in Florida may not be legally enforceable. If you suspect a lender is unlicensed, file a complaint with the OFR before making any payments.
- Complaint right: You have the right to file a complaint with the OFR against any licensed Consumer Finance lender at any time during or after your loan.
Walk away if
- An upfront fee is required before you can receive funds.
- The lender shows only the monthly payment and won't state the total repayment amount in writing.
- Blank spaces appear in the contract or the payment schedule isn't filled in before you sign.
- Automatic withdrawals are required but the lender won't let you choose or confirm the payment date.
- You're pressured to sign without time to read, or threatened for asking questions.
When you're down to one offer, review Rates & Fees to sanity-check charges, and check Alternatives if the payment doesn't fit.
Installment Loan Questions in Florida
What happens if I miss a payment?
You may be charged a late fee and the lender can report the missed payment to credit bureaus. Some contracts also let the lender demand the full remaining balance at once ("acceleration") - check your agreement. See what to do if you can't repay.
Does Florida limit how many times a lender can refinance my loan?
Florida's Consumer Finance Act does not set a specific cap on the number of refinances, but each refinance creates a new loan agreement - confirm the new total cost in writing before agreeing. If refinancing is offered repeatedly, consider whether the total repayment is growing beyond what you can manage.
Are online installment lenders treated the same as storefront lenders in Florida?
Yes - any lender making personal installment loans to Florida residents must hold a Florida Consumer Finance Company (CF) license regardless of where the lender is physically located. If a lender claims tribal or offshore status to avoid Florida rules, verify their CF license in the OFR REAL system before proceeding.
What happens if the lender isn't licensed?
A loan made by an unlicensed lender may not be legally enforceable in Florida, and the lender may be subject to OFR enforcement action. Report it to the Florida Office of Financial Regulation at flofr.gov - Submit a Complaint or Tip.
Can a lender threaten arrest for missed installment payments?
No - failure to repay a consumer installment loan is a civil matter in Florida, not a criminal one. Threats of arrest for nonpayment are a red flag for fraud; document the messages and report them to the OFR and the Florida Attorney General's office.
Does my installment loan report to credit bureaus?
Some lenders report payments - both on-time and late - to one or more credit bureaus. Ask the lender which bureaus they report to before you accept, especially if building credit is a priority.
Official Sources and Update Notes
This page provides general information, not legal advice. For official guidance, visit the Florida OFR - Consumer Finance Companies and use the OFR Verify a License to verify any lender.
For the bigger picture, go back to Florida's lending guide or browse all states to compare rules.