Payday Loans & Cash Advances in Maine
ME · no fixed dollar cap — max fee 36%- Max loan: No fixed dollar cap
- Max fee: 36% of the loan's face value
- Term: N/A
- Statute: Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 9-A, § 2-308
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What a payday loan costs in Maine
A cash advance, a payday advance, a payroll advance — whatever the storefront sign says, it's the same product with the same legal ceiling in Maine.
The Maine fee of $108 per $300 borrowed ranks 20th of 29 fixed-fee states — one of the more expensive states for short-term credit.
| Loan amount | Max fee | Total repaid | Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | $72 | $272 | N/A |
| $300 | $108 | $408 | N/A |
| $500 | $180 | $680 | N/A |
The same fee over 14 vs 30 days — why APR looks scary
Maine caps the dollar fee, not the APR — so the same fee annualizes differently depending on how long you hold the loan. This is the honest math for a $500 loan:
| Term | Fee | Total repaid | APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 days | $180 | $680 | ≈939% |
| 30 days | $180 | $680 | ≈438% |
The rulebook in Maine
| Legal cap | No fixed dollar cap |
| Fee ceiling | 36% APR Cap |
| Term | N/A |
| Rollovers | Forbidden |
| Cooling-off / rescind | N/A |
| Typical APR | Max 36% |
| Statute | Me. Rev. Stat. tit. 9-A, § 2-308 |
| Regulator | Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection |
High-cost payday lending is prohibited under Maine law, which subjects consumer loans to interest rate caps.
Payday vs PAL vs installment in Maine
The payday loan is the fastest tool, rarely the cheapest. Before signing, compare it with the two structured alternatives:
| Payday loan | Credit-union PAL | Online installment | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical amount | $100–market-set | $200–$2,000 | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Cost | 36% flat fee (~400% APR) | APR capped at 28% federally | APR ≈36%–200% |
| Term | N/A | 1–6 months | 6–24 months |
| Credit check | No hard pull — income-based | Soft pull, credit unions only | Soft-check prequalification common |
| Best for | A one-paycheck gap | Bigger gap, credit-union members | Multi-month shortfalls |
Repaying — and what happens if you can't
- Repayment is a single automatic debit from the account the money went into, due n/a after signing.
- Rollover rules: Forbidden. A "renewal" that adds a fresh fee to the same balance is the classic payday debt spiral — state law is the line between a rollover and a legal new loan.
- Cancellation: Maine gives you a rescind window of n/a — return the principal within it and you owe no fee.
- High-cost payday lending is prohibited under Maine law, which subjects consumer loans to interest rate caps.
- If a debit bounces, the bank charges its own NSF fee and the lender may charge the contract late fee — then may sell the debt to a collector. Complaints go to the state regulator, and an unlicensed lender may have no enforceable claim at all.
Four things to try before borrowing
- A payment plan from the bill issuer. Utilities, hospitals, and many landlords must offer hardship payment plans on request — it costs nothing and beats any loan.
- Credit-union PAL. Federal credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans (PALs): $200–$2,000 at APRs capped at 28% with terms of 1–6 months — several times cheaper than any payday fee, if you can join a credit union.
- Earned-wage access. Employer-connected advance apps let you draw already-worked hours for little or no fee. Slower than a payday loan, far cheaper.
- Local assistance. Community action agencies and charity programs cover one-time bills (rent, utilities, medication) in most metro areas.
31 Maine cities covered
Local guides with cost tables and requirements for the biggest Maine cities — the law is statewide, but fees hit differently in every local budget.
- Portland 67k
- Lewiston 36k
- Brunswick 36k
- Bangor 32k
- South Portland 26k
- Scarborough 25k
- Gorham 24k
- Auburn 23k
- Biddeford 21k
- Sanford 21k
- Orono 21k
- Saco 19k
- Augusta 18k
- Westbrook 18k
- Windham 18k
- Old Orchard Beach 17k
- Kennebunk 17k
- Waterville 16k
- Winslow 15k
- Topsham 15k
- Skowhegan 15k
- Kittery 14k
- Falmouth 14k
- Yarmouth 14k
- York 13k
- Farmington 12k
- Hampden 11k
- Houlton 11k
- Standish 11k
- Wells 10k
- Rumford 10k
What are the requirements for obtaining a Payday Loan in Maine?
To get a payday loan in Maine, you need to meet some criteria. If you do not qualify for any of them, you will not be able to get a payday loan. Review the main ones and make sure you have everything needed to get a loan:
- 18 is the minimum age
- US citizens and permanent residents
- a resident of Maine
- contact number and email address
- permanent source of income
- an active bank account
Need more than a payday loan?
An installment loan in Maine spreads $1,000–$5,000 over fixed monthly payments. For lenders operating outside the ME-licensed system, see our honest guide to tribal loans in Maine. For the full picture of short-term rules, see payday loans by state.
Maine payday loan FAQ
How much can I borrow with a payday loan in Maine?
Maine sets no fixed dollar cap rather than a single dollar cap, so the amount depends on your income and the lender's underwriting.
Is a cash advance different from a payday loan in Maine?
No — cash advance, payday advance, and payroll advance are different names for the same short-term product. Maine's cap, fee ceiling, and term rules apply identically, whatever the lender calls it.
What does a $300 payday loan cost in Maine?
$108 in fees — 36% of the loan's face value — repaid n/a later. Total repayment: $408.
I need money immediately — how fast can I get a payday loan in Maine?
Apply online in the morning: decisions arrive in minutes, and applications approved before the lender's daily cutoff are funded the same business day. After the cutoff or on weekends, funding lands the next business morning.
Do Maine payday lenders check credit?
No hard credit check in the traditional sense: approval runs on verifiable income and an active checking account, so weak or thin credit files still get funded. Some lenders record a soft inquiry, which leaves your score untouched.
What happens if I can't repay a payday loan in Maine?
State rule: forbidden. A missed debit adds the bank NSF fee and the contract late fee, and the debt may go to a collector. Ask the lender for an extended payment plan before the due date — and escalate to the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection if the lender refuses to work with you.
How many payday loans can I have at once in Maine?
State law says: Forbidden. Your credit history with other lenders is checked through the state database.
Where do I complain about a Maine lender?
To the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection (https://www.maine.gov/pfr/consumercredit) — it licenses and polices every payday lender serving Maine residents.
Ready to check offers in Maine?
One short form, several licensed lenders, and the legal cost of your state shown before you commit to anything.
Check My Eligibility →Online Payday Loan Alternatives in Maine
If a two-week payday isn't the right fit, these Maine options cover the other common situations — bigger amounts, longer terms, and no-credit-check routes:
Payday Loan Calculator
The legal ceiling computed from state statute — the most a licensed lender may charge. It is the law, not a quote.
Get Payday Loans in Maine with All City Payday Loan
Every figure on this page is the legal ceiling computed from state law — the most a licensed lender may charge you. All City Payday Loan matches you with licensed lenders and shows the cost before you commit.
Start with All City Payday Loans →Disclosure. All City Payday Loan is not a lender, not a broker, and does not make credit decisions. Rates and terms are set by third-party lenders and depend on state law and the lender's underwriting; short-term loans carry APRs that may range from 35.99% to 359.99%. A payday loan is a short-term tool for a temporary cash gap — it is not a solution for long-term debt problems. Late or missed payments may result in additional fees and collection activity. Check your lender's license with your state regulator before you sign.