Quick answer
North Charleston, SC residents can get loans from licensed lenders regulated by the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions - Office of the Commissioner of Consumer Finance. Payday loans are legal. Call (800) 236-7761 or use the form to see which lenders will work with you today.
Loan options for North Charleston residents
South Carolina law determines what loans are available, what they cost, and who can lend. Here is how each product stands under current South Carolina law:
| Loan type | Status in SC | Key limits |
|---|---|---|
| Payday / cash advance | Legal | Fee or consideration may not exceed 15% of the principal amount, imposed only on |
| Cash advance | Legal | Licensed lenders |
| Installment loans | Restricted | Supervised lender regime in Title 37, Chapter 2 applies; rate caps were not capt |
| Bad credit loans | Restricted | Special limits apply |
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South Carolina loan rules at a glance
All loan products in North Charleston follow South Carolina law. Licensed lenders are regulated by the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions - Office of the Commissioner of Consumer Finance. Here are the key provisions for the most common loan types:
South Carolina loan rules at a glance
- Payday max amount
- $550 per transaction, exclusive of allowed fees (S.C. Code 34-39-180(B))
- Payday term
- Up to 31 days (S.C. Code 34-39-180(A))
- Payday cost cap
- Fee or consideration may not exceed 15% of the principal amount, imposed only once per written agreement (34-39-180(E))
- Payday licensing
- Deferred Presentment license required; a separate license for each location (Consumer Finance Division)
- Governing statutes
- Code ch. 34-39, Deferred Presentment Act, S.C. Code 34-39-180(A)-(B, S.C. Code 34-39-180(E
Regulator: South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions - Office of the Commissioner of Consumer Finance · Phone: (803) 734-2020 · Statutes: Code ch. 34-39, Deferred Presentment Act, S.C. Code 34-39-180(A)-(B, S.C. Code 34-39-180(E · Last verified: 2026-10-08
Cheaper options in North Charleston
Before you take a high-cost loan, check these local alternatives:
- County, area code(s), nearby cities for North Charleston (Census / FCC / state sources)
- South Carolina product statuses restated concisely with regulator link (city inherits state law; never invent city-level law)
- North Charleston-specific local alternatives: credit unions offering PALs, municipal/state utility hardship programs, North Charleston 211 entry
- Nearby-city internal links