Installment Loans in Houston, TX

When the car needs a $1,800 repair or an urgent household expense comes up in Houston, an installment loan lets you borrow a fixed amount and repay it in equal monthly payments over several months or years. Our local directory lists 150 licensed branch offices operated by 15 lending companies in Houston, TX. The largest networks in Texas are TitleMax, ACE Cash Express and Security Finance. Every licensed installment lender in Houston must follow the Texas Finance Code Chapter 342 (Consumer Loans), which is enforced by the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) and caps the all-in APR on a $2,000 loan at 36% or less. Specifically, the maximum all-in APR on a $2,000, 24-month installment loan in Texas is 35%.

Your CU Partner is a free, independent educational resource, not a lender or loan broker, and we do not make loan decisions. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual household income in Houston is $69,860. Typical renters in Houston also face a median monthly rent of $1,340. Even with Texas's rate cap protecting Houston borrowers, upfront origination fees and optional credit insurance can still increase your monthly bill, so always read the Truth in Lending disclosure box before signing and compare local finance company offers with credit unions serving Houston. 44 credit unions are headquartered in Houston.

The table below shows the addresses, phone numbers, business hours, and Google ratings for licensed lenders in Houston, TX. We list these licensed businesses neutrally for your convenience and do not endorse, rank, or recommend any company. Before visiting a Houston branch, call ahead to confirm office hours and required documents, and verify the lender's license with the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC) or on NMLS Consumer Access (nmlsconsumeraccess.org).

Understanding how a monthly loan payment fits into a Houston budget starts with looking at dollars rather than percentages alone. At the Texas maximum APR of 35%, a $2,000 installment loan repaid over 24 months has a monthly payment of $117. Over the full 24-month schedule, the total interest and mandatory fees on that loan equal $809. Based on U.S. Census Bureau figures, the median annual household income in Houston is $69,860. A monthly loan payment of $117 equals 2.0% of a typical Houston household's gross monthly income. That payment must fit alongside a median monthly rent in Houston of $1,340. For other loan sizes in Texas, the maximum all-in APR is 116% on a $500, 6-month loan and 26% on a $10,000, 60-month loan. By comparison, a federal credit union Payday Alternative Loan (PAL) under NCUA rules lets eligible members borrow $200 to $2,000 for 1 to 12 months at no more than 28% APR plus a maximum $20 application fee, and many federal credit unions are capped at 18% APR on most other personal loans ($100 per month and $396 in total interest on $2,000 over 24 months).

1. Government-issued photo ID and minimum age of 18. To apply for an installment loan at a licensed branch in Houston, you must be at least 18 years old, which is the minimum legal borrowing age in Texas. Bring an unexpired state driver's license, state ID card, or U.S. passport so the staff can verify your identity.
2. Proof of income and proof of Houston residence. Branch underwriters check your ability to repay by reviewing recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit award letters along with a utility bill or lease agreement showing your Houston address.
3. Active bank account information and credit check questions. Bring a voided check or bank statement showing your account and routing numbers if you want loan proceeds deposited electronically or plan to set up monthly payments. Ask the loan officer whether the lender reports on-time payments to the major credit bureaus, as many licensed installment lenders report payment history.
4. Reviewing the Truth in Lending disclosure box and optional add-ons. Before you sign, federal Regulation Z requires the lender to hand you a written disclosure box showing the APR, Finance Charge in dollars, Amount Financed, and Total of Payments. Check whether optional credit life or disability insurance was added—for example, if the offer shows a $2,000 loan but the amount financed is $2,250 because insurance was added—and remember that under Regulation Z, optional insurance cannot be left out of the APR unless it is voluntary, disclosed as optional, and signed for separately. In Texas, optional credit insurance is allowed. Under the Texas Finance Code Chapter 342 (Consumer Loans), the permitted origination fee is under Subchapter F: acquisition charge up to 12.5% of cash advance (or $125). Under Subchapter E: administrative fee up to $100.
5. Signing the contract, receiving funds, and confirming your first payment date. Once you confirm that any unwanted add-ons are removed and the APR complies with the Texas cap, you sign the loan agreement and receive your funds by check, prepaid card, or bank deposit. Make sure you leave the Houston office with a complete paper copy of your contract showing the exact dollar amount of each monthly payment, your first payment due date, and confirmation that you can prepay early without penalty.