Loans - DFPI
Source: https://dfpi.ca.gov/consumers/loans
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:34
Loans - DFPI
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Loans
In the world of finance, loans are like the air we breathe. Like air, loans are all around us, so we sometimes forget just how essential they are to our nation’s economy and to our aspirations for comfort and security.
Consumer loans come in all shapes and sizes. As you might imagine, they form an enormous sector of the economy that grifters and scammers can find irresistible. In California, DFPI is central in ensuring lenders operate fairly, transparently, and in compliance with state laws and regulations. And that’s something that can help every Californian breathe easier.
Featured Resources
Checking Your Credit – What You Need to Know
Reviewing your credit report can help protect your credit history from mistakes, errors, or signs of identity theft. The DFPI strongly encourages you to pull your report annually, so there are no surprises when you need to open a new account or use your credit for an important purchase, such as a car or home.
Automobile Title Loans: What Consumers Need to Know
Exercise caution before borrowing money through an automobile title loan. Read this first.
New Year, New Financial Goals
Follow these eight tips to help you set your financial goals for the coming year and create a plan for successfully achieving them
Useful Terms
Amortization
Amortization allows you to pay off a loan via regular payments that are applied to both the principal and interest. Make sure you have your loan’s amortization schedule so you know how each payment contributes to reducing the loan balance.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is your total yearly cost of borrowing. Your APR includes both interest payments and any additional fees or charges associated with the loan.
Grace Period
The grace period is a stretch of time when you can pay your balance in full without incurring any interest charges.
Interest Rate
Your interest rate represents the cost a lender charges you for letting you use its money. It is the annual percentage of the total loan amount that you have to pay to the lender on the money you’ve borrowed, in addition to repayment of the principal.
Principal
Your principal is the original amount of money borrowed, separate from interest and fees. As you pay down your loan, part of each payment goes toward your principal and another part goes toward interest.
Other Useful Links:
Protect your money. Know your rights:
This resource should be your first stop when it comes to protecting your money and knowing your rights in California. Find numerous educational resources and important contacts in the event you think you’ve been taken advantage of.
Bureau of Consumer Protection:
The Bureau of Consumer Protection collects and investigates reports from consumers of unfair and fraudulent business practices, suing companies and people who break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
Industries Regulated by DFPI:
What may sound like an impossibly dry and boring web page is actually a valuable and even fascinating guide where you can learn about how the financial industry in California actually works.
Debt: A Guide for New Americans
:
If you come from a culture where cash is king, debt may sound forbidding, but managed correctly, debt can help you achieve your American dreams. If you need more guidance in understanding credit, check out
Consumer Financial Education: Credit and Credit Reports
or check out our
CalMoneySmart grantees
that specialize in financial education and empowerment.
Other Recent Consumer Alerts and Insights
Consumer Insights
Automobile Title Loans: What Consumers Need to Know
Jan 29, 2026
Exercise caution before borrowing money through an automobile title loan. Few assets are more vital to Californians’ financial security than their automobiles. Using your automobile title as collateral puts that asset at risk.
Consumer Insights
The New Era of Tech-Enabled Scams
Feb 27, 2026
It may seem daunting to keep up with technology these days. As it evolves, it seems to create more opportunities for criminals to exploit consumers. The scale of the problem is huge, and it will take us all working together to turn the tide.
Alerts
WhatsApp Investment Group called “Sofi Investment Group” Posing as a California-licensed Investment Adviser
Mar 9, 2026
The DFPI has received information that individuals are using the WhatsApp group “Sofi Investment Group” to falsely present themselves as licensed investment advisers.
Alerts
WhatsApp Investment Group called “VIP Guidance Group” Posing as a California-licensed Investment Adviser
Feb 18, 2026
An individual calling himself Professor Jake Civiello is falsely posing as a licensed investment adviser. He runs a WhatsApp group called VIP Guidance Group, which is NOT connected to any licensed investment adviser or broker-dealer in CA.
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Subscribe
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YouTube
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Resources and Publications
News
Consumer Alerts
Press Releases
Events
Reports
Regulated Industries
Actions & Orders
Laws & Regulations
Industries we regulate
Commercial Banks
Industrial Banks
Public Banks
Credit Unions
Trust Services
Securities
Franchises
Capital for Businesses
Broker-Dealers & Investment Advisers
Money Transmitters
Debt Collectors
Check Sellers, Bill Payers & Proraters
Consumer & Commercial Loans
Payday Lenders
Insurance Premium Finance
Residential Mortgage Lenders
Mortgage Loan Originators
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
Escrow
Student Loan Servicers
Skip to Main Content
Loans
In the world of finance, loans are like the air we breathe. Like air, loans are all around us, so we sometimes forget just how essential they are to our nation’s economy and to our aspirations for comfort and security.
Consumer loans come in all shapes and sizes. As you might imagine, they form an enormous sector of the economy that grifters and scammers can find irresistible. In California, DFPI is central in ensuring lenders operate fairly, transparently, and in compliance with state laws and regulations. And that’s something that can help every Californian breathe easier.
Featured Resources
Checking Your Credit – What You Need to Know
Reviewing your credit report can help protect your credit history from mistakes, errors, or signs of identity theft. The DFPI strongly encourages you to pull your report annually, so there are no surprises when you need to open a new account or use your credit for an important purchase, such as a car or home.
Automobile Title Loans: What Consumers Need to Know
Exercise caution before borrowing money through an automobile title loan. Read this first.
New Year, New Financial Goals
Follow these eight tips to help you set your financial goals for the coming year and create a plan for successfully achieving them
Useful Terms
Amortization
Amortization allows you to pay off a loan via regular payments that are applied to both the principal and interest. Make sure you have your loan’s amortization schedule so you know how each payment contributes to reducing the loan balance.
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is your total yearly cost of borrowing. Your APR includes both interest payments and any additional fees or charges associated with the loan.
Grace Period
The grace period is a stretch of time when you can pay your balance in full without incurring any interest charges.
Interest Rate
Your interest rate represents the cost a lender charges you for letting you use its money. It is the annual percentage of the total loan amount that you have to pay to the lender on the money you’ve borrowed, in addition to repayment of the principal.
Principal
Your principal is the original amount of money borrowed, separate from interest and fees. As you pay down your loan, part of each payment goes toward your principal and another part goes toward interest.
Other Useful Links:
Protect your money. Know your rights:
This resource should be your first stop when it comes to protecting your money and knowing your rights in California. Find numerous educational resources and important contacts in the event you think you’ve been taken advantage of.
Bureau of Consumer Protection:
The Bureau of Consumer Protection collects and investigates reports from consumers of unfair and fraudulent business practices, suing companies and people who break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
Industries Regulated by DFPI:
What may sound like an impossibly dry and boring web page is actually a valuable and even fascinating guide where you can learn about how the financial industry in California actually works.
Debt: A Guide for New Americans
:
If you come from a culture where cash is king, debt may sound forbidding, but managed correctly, debt can help you achieve your American dreams. If you need more guidance in understanding credit, check out
Consumer Financial Education: Credit and Credit Reports
or check out our
CalMoneySmart grantees
that specialize in financial education and empowerment.
Other Recent Consumer Alerts and Insights
Consumer Insights
Automobile Title Loans: What Consumers Need to Know
Jan 29, 2026
Exercise caution before borrowing money through an automobile title loan. Few assets are more vital to Californians’ financial security than their automobiles. Using your automobile title as collateral puts that asset at risk.
Consumer Insights
The New Era of Tech-Enabled Scams
Feb 27, 2026
It may seem daunting to keep up with technology these days. As it evolves, it seems to create more opportunities for criminals to exploit consumers. The scale of the problem is huge, and it will take us all working together to turn the tide.
Alerts
WhatsApp Investment Group called “Sofi Investment Group” Posing as a California-licensed Investment Adviser
Mar 9, 2026
The DFPI has received information that individuals are using the WhatsApp group “Sofi Investment Group” to falsely present themselves as licensed investment advisers.
Alerts
WhatsApp Investment Group called “VIP Guidance Group” Posing as a California-licensed Investment Adviser
Feb 18, 2026
An individual calling himself Professor Jake Civiello is falsely posing as a licensed investment adviser. He runs a WhatsApp group called VIP Guidance Group, which is NOT connected to any licensed investment adviser or broker-dealer in CA.
Stay Connected
Subscribe
Linked In
YouTube
Resources and Publications
News
Consumer Alerts
Press Releases
Events
Reports
Regulated Industries
Actions & Orders
Laws & Regulations
Industries we regulate
Commercial Banks
Industrial Banks
Public Banks
Credit Unions
Trust Services
Securities
Franchises
Capital for Businesses
Broker-Dealers & Investment Advisers
Money Transmitters
Debt Collectors
Check Sellers, Bill Payers & Proraters
Consumer & Commercial Loans
Payday Lenders
Insurance Premium Finance
Residential Mortgage Lenders
Mortgage Loan Originators
Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE)
Escrow
Student Loan Servicers