Texas Installment Loan Laws and Credit Score

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As far as installment loans are concerned, laws and regulations in the state of Texas are quite relaxed. This is why many subprime lenders have set up shop in the state, and business is flourishing. But this also means that such lenders charge high-interest rates.

If you are interested in getting an installment loan in Texas then you should be aware of laws that govern installment loans. This will not only give you a fair idea of what you can expect but also prevent you from being exploited.

The laws that apply to lenders depends on how they are licensed. The loans offered by lenders can either come under the purview of consumer loans that are governed by the Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner or lenders can be licensed as Credit Access Businesses (CAB).

Can you get an installment loan with bad credit in Houston?

You may qualify for an installment loan in Houston or anywhere in Texas, even if you have bad credit. Even if you have some blemishes on your credit score, with an installment loan, you can take out a certain amount of money at once and repay an installment loan over time via fixed monthly payments.

In Texas, lenders consider your current debt and available income, not just your credit history or credit score, before approving you for an installment loan.

Do installment loans require a credit check in Texas?

Although there are installment loans for bad credit in Texas, you need to do your homework before you get one. Before getting an installment loan, it’s best to compare several options and shop around. Check with each lender about their eligibility requirements. And find out if you qualify for an installment loan with bad credit. Unfortunately, your installment loan will have a higher interest rate if you have poor credit. In addition, there may be additional origination fees or loan fees.

What is the easiest loan to get approved for in Texas?

A secured loan is the easiest to get approved for in Texas. This type of secured loan can be a pawn loan, a credit card cash advance, an equity loan, or a personal secured loan. But, the easiest to loan is to get a loan from family or friends, if you can get it.

Equity loans in Texas

If you live in Texas and own a car or a house, you might be able to qualify for an equity loan. Equity loans are secured loans, and they are secured by your property.

People with bad credit sometimes get bad credit loans. The loan amount is based on the equity in your boat, vehicle or airplane. As a car owner, you can pledge it to secure a title loan.

The biggest drawback of an equity loan is that you can lose your property if you fail to repay the loan. In addition, if you default, losing your car can have a devastating effect on your ability to commute to work.

Secured personal loans in Texas

Unlike most personal loans, secured personal loans in Texas require collateral. Lenders want collateral if a borrower would not otherwise qualify for a loan.

The collateral can take many forms, including cash, personal property, and securities. This collateral remains with the lender until you pay the loan back. Once you have repaid the loan, the collateral is returned to you.

You could try to get a secured personal loan from your credit union or bank, although several online lenders may be able to help.

What do you need to qualify for an installment loan in Texas?

You need a valid ID to prove that you meet the minimum age requirement, a steady source of income, a valid checking account, and a working phone number (and perhaps more, depending on the lender) to qualify for an installment loan. If you need a fast solution to cover unexpected expenses, you may want to look to find out if you qualify for an installment loan.

Before you take an installment loan, understand the repayment requirements and period. To determine if you qualify for an installment loan, lenders will assess your credit score, monthly income, and the maximum loan amount available in Texas.

Installment loans can come under the jurisdiction of both types of regulations.

Consumer Loans

Consumer loans come under the purview of Title 4 Subtitle B Chapter 342 and have a maximum loan term limit mandated by the state. The maximum limit for loan terms are:

37 months for loans less than $1,500
49 months for amounts that fall between the range of $1,500 and $3,000
60 months for all amounts greater than $3,000

Interest Rate Allowed

It is pertinent to note that consumer loans do have a maximum cap on their interest rates. If loans are not collateralized by the property, then there are three types of interest rates that can be charged.

The first is add-on interest rates:

On the first $2,010 of a loan, the APR (Annual Percentage Return) must be 18% or lower
On amounts between $2,010 and $16,750, the APR must be 8% or lower

Secondly, simple interest rates that have a cap between the range of 18% to 24% APR.

Thirdly, Texas also has split simple income rates, these are also known as three-tiered interest or graduated rates. The cap on these rates are:

On the first $3,350, the APR must be 30% or lower
On amounts between $3,350 and $7,035, the APR must be 24% or lower
On amounts between $3,350 and $16,750, the APR must be 18% or lower

Fees

Administrative fees allowed by Texas laws are $100 over 180 days or once in 365 days if the lender charges split interest rates mentioned above. All other fees are prohibited.

Other Laws

Irregular payment structures are allowed for consumer loans. Secondly, according to the statutes, lenders can charge prepayment penalties. However, you can easily find a trustworthy lender that doesn’t charge such penalties. Loan splitting is also prohibited under this statute.

Furthermore, for consumer loans, the administrative rule requires lenders to consider the financial condition of borrowers and their ability to repay the loan.

Credit Access Business

Under Texas Laws, lenders can also register themselves as Credit Access Business, and most probably this is how most installment loans and payday loans will be registered. The maximum limit allowed under this statute is:

Less than or equal to $1,340

The maximum tenure allowed is:

For loan amounts less than or equal to $100, one month for every multiple of $10 or six months (whichever is less)
For loan amounts greater than $100, one month per every multiple of $20.

Interest Rates Allowed

There is No Limit on interest rates under this statute, however, acquisition charges allowed are:

If the loan amount is less than $30 then 20% of the loan amount
If the loan amount is between $30 and $100, 10% of the loan amount can be charged.
If the loan amount is between $100 and $1,340 then 10% of the loan amount or $100 (whichever is less)

Fees

Fees allowed under this statute depend on the loan amount. The loan amount and respective fees are:

Less than or equal to $35 = $3
Between $35 and $70 = $3.50
Between $70 and $100 = $4
Greater than $100 = $4 per month for each $100

All other fees are prohibited.

Other Laws

Under this statute, balloon payments or irregular payments are not allowed. Single payment, weekly, biweekly or semimonthly installments are allowed.
Prepayment is allowed and penalties on prepayments cannot be charged. Furthermore, all fees that are not earned as a result of prepayment must be returned by the lender.

Furthermore, like consumer loans, the administrative rule requires the lender to consider the financial condition of borrowers and their ability to repay the loan. Loan splitting is disallowed as well.

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George Meszaros

George Meszaros is the editor and co-founder of Success Harbor where entrepreneurs learn about building successful companies. Success Harbor is dedicated to document the entrepreneurial journey through interviews, original research, and unique content. George Meszaros is also co-founder of Webene, a web design and digital marketing agency.