Tribal loans in Ohio: availability, state law, and better options

Ohio rewrote its short-term lending law in 2018. State-licensed short-term loans now have a hard cap on total cost, which makes the gap between a licensed Ohio loan and a tribal loan unusually large.

Written and fact-checked by the Tribal Loans Apply Editorial Team. Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Facts checked against lender disclosures, independent reviews, and public records.

APR Range Disclosure. Most tribal loans cost between 200% and 800% APR; a few products start lower and some go higher. Actual rates depend on the lender, the product, your state, loan amount, repayment term, and underwriting. These are high-cost loans — read the full terms before accepting any offer. For comparison, federal credit union payday alternative loans cap at 28% APR.

Can you get a tribal loan in Ohio?

Most of the tribal lenders we track accept applications from Ohio residents. Each lender keeps its own list of states, so confirm on the lender's site before you apply. Tribal lenders say tribal law governs their loans, which means Ohio's rate limits do not apply to them in the same way they apply to state-licensed lenders. See how Ohio compares with every other state in our state guide.

Ohio short-term lending law

Under Ohio's Short-Term Loan Act as amended by House Bill 123, which applies to loans made since April 2019:

Loans are capped at $1,000, with terms of 91 days to one year. Shorter terms are allowed only if payments stay under 6% of gross or 7% of net monthly income.
Interest is capped at 28% a year, plus a monthly maintenance fee of the lesser of 10% of principal or $30.
Total fees and interest cannot exceed 60% of the original loan amount.
Borrowers have three business days to cancel a loan without interest.
Total short-term loan balances across lenders cannot exceed $2,500.

Summary of state law checked October 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm current rules with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions.

Tribal loan vs a Ohio-licensed loan

The 60% cap is the number to remember. On a $1,000 Ohio short-term loan, a licensed lender can collect at most $600 in fees and interest over the life of the loan. A tribal installment loan of $1,000 at 400% APR over 12 months costs $3,131 in interest, more than five times the Ohio cap. If you qualify for a licensed Ohio loan, it is almost certainly the cheaper option.

Tribal lenders that may serve Ohio

Lender	Loan amount	APR	Term	Product	Notes
Plain Green Loans	$200–$4,500	About 199%–699%	6–26 months	Installment	Lends in about 26 states; first-time limits are lower. Settled with Minnesota's Attorney General in September 2026 over rates near 700%.
Big Picture Loans	$200–$3,500	About 250%–789%	4–18 months	Installment	Published APR figures vary widely by source, loan size, and term.
Spotloan	$300–$800	Up to 490%	Up to 10 months	Installment	Smallest maximum loan on this list. Some sources report a credit check at application.
MaxLend	$100–$3,750	471%–841%	Up to 9 months	Installment	Highest published APR range on this list. Does not lend to active-duty service members.
Uprova	$300–$5,000	From 34.5% to over 700%	9–36 months	Installment	Two products: a personal loan near 35% APR for stronger applicants and a tribal installment loan that can exceed 700% APR.
Mobiloans	$500–$3,000 limit	73.7%–405%	Revolving	Line of credit	Charges a cash advance fee per $20 drawn plus a fixed finance charge each billing cycle.

Figures are lender-published or reported by independent reviewers, checked October 12, 2026. Lenders change terms often, so confirm the APR and total cost in your loan agreement before you sign.

Lower-cost options in Ohio

Ohio credit unions offer Payday Alternative Loans capped at 28% APR, and several app-based lenders entered Ohio under the 2018 law. 211 Ohio connects residents with emergency assistance.

See every option in our alternatives to tribal loans section.

Where to get help or file a complaint

For a state-licensed lender, contact the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Financial Institutions. For any lender, including tribal lenders, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Ohio Attorney General's office.

Other state guides: Texas · Florida · California · Missouri

Frequently asked questions

Are tribal loans legal in Ohio?

Tribal lenders accept Ohio applicants and say tribal law governs their loans. Ohio's 28% interest cap and 60% total-cost cap apply to state-licensed lenders.

What is the most an Ohio short-term loan can cost?

Fees and interest are capped at 60% of the original loan, so a $1,000 loan can cost no more than $600 in total charges.

How much can I borrow with an Ohio short-term loan?

Up to $1,000 per loan, with no more than $2,500 outstanding across all short-term lenders.

Where do I complain about a lender in Ohio?

The Ohio Division of Financial Institutions handles licensed lenders. The CFPB accepts complaints about any lender.

See your tribal loan options

One short application, a decision in minutes, and no obligation to accept an offer.

Check your offer