Quick answer
Portland, ME residents can get loans from licensed lenders regulated by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. Payday loans are restricted. Call (800) 236-7761 or use the form to see which lenders will work with you today.
Loan options for Portland residents
Maine law determines what loans are available, what they cost, and who can lend. Here is how each product stands under current Maine law:
| Loan type | Status in ME | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Payday / cash advance | Restricted | A licensed payday lender may not charge a fee larger than $25 on a payday loan o |
| Cash advance | Restricted | Special limits apply |
| Installment loans | Restricted | Supervised consumer loans are capped by Title 9-A, section 2-401 at the actuaria |
| Bad credit loans | Restricted | Special limits apply |
Want the short list of lenders who will actually say yes?
Tell us the amount and your credit range. Only lenders licensed in Maine see your request.
Maine loan rules at a glance
All loan products in Portland follow Maine law. Licensed lenders are regulated by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. Here are the key provisions for the most common loan types:
Maine loan rules at a glance
- Payday max amount
- Varies
- Payday term
- 14 to 31 days
- Payday cost cap
- A licensed payday lender may not charge a fee larger than $25 on a payday loan of $250 or more (Maine state report, 2016
- Payday licensing
- Supervised lender license from the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection under Maine Consumer Credit Code Title 9-A, sect
- Governing statutes
- Title 9
Regulator: Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection · Phone: 1-800-332-8529 · Statutes: Title 9 · Last verified: 2026-10-08
Cheaper options in Portland
Before you take a high-cost loan, check these local alternatives:
- County, area code(s), nearby cities for Portland (Census / FCC / state sources)
- Maine product statuses restated concisely with regulator link (city inherits state law; never invent city-level law)
- Portland-specific local alternatives: credit unions offering PALs, municipal/state utility hardship programs, Portland 211 entry
- Nearby-city internal links