Tennessee Interest Rates Laws

The amount of interest a creditor may charge is limited by state laws, but there’s a big catch: consumers often agree to pay a higher interest rate by agreeing to the terms offered, thus waiting any statutory limits. Additionally, most state laws limiting interest rates have exceptions. In Tennessee, for instance, the legal amount of interest a creditor may charge is 10 percent — however, this does not apply to loans under $1,000. And if you agree to a credit card with an 18 percent APR, for example, statutory limits don’t apply.

Additional details about Tennessee’s laws limiting interest rates, and links to relevant code sections, can be found in the following table.

Note: State laws are constantly changing — contact a Tennessee consumer protection attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.

What Are Usury Laws?

Laws that limit interest rates or even prohibit the charging of interest altogether have historically been referred to as usury laws. The term "usury" dates back to the Middle Ages, where it was used in negatively to refer to any kind of interest-bearing loan. Gradually, as interest became more accepted, the term usury was just used in reference to excessively high interest rates. In the U.S., federal law generally does not focus on usury, leaving it largely to the states.

How Do I File a Complaint in Tennessee?

If you have reason to believe a financial institution in Tennessee has violated state law with respect to interest rates, you may file a complaint with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions.

Research the Law

• Tennessee Law
  
• Official State Codes – Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.

Tennessee Interest Rate Laws: Related Resources

• Avoiding Credit Card Debt
• Truth in Lending Disclosure Statements
• Filing a Consumer Complaint About a Bank
• Usury Laws and Limits on Credit Card Interest Rates
  
• Find a Consumer Protection Attorney