• The legal interest rate is the highest interest rate that can be legally charged on any type of debt.

  • Certain types of debt may carry a higher legal rate than others.
  • Restrictions are set to prevent lenders from charging borrowers excessive interest rates.
  • An interest rate that exceeds the statutory interest rate is classified as ordinary, which is heavily sanctioned in most states.
  • Each state sets the legal interest rate and regular rates in accordance with its own laws.