payday loan terms and definitions

The Essential List Of Payday Loan Terms Every Borrower Should Know

If you’re considering a payday loan as a short-term financial solution to tough times, you’ll need to know these top payday loan terms before deciding if one is right for you. You’ll likely see these words in your chosen lender’s fine print, so it’s important to know what you’re agreeing to before you choose to sign on the dotted line.

Before diving in, know the definition of payday loan: a short-term loan usually for less than $500 generally paid back on your next payday. This definition may change depending on your lender of choice, but the principal terms to know will remain the same. Let’s dive in.

Top Payday Terms to Know

Here are the 26 payday loan terms you’ll likely run into when investigating and applying for a payday loan.

ACH Transfer

The Automated Clearing House (ACH) is an authorized electronic payment system. Whenever you give a lender or company permission to take money out of your bank account – like when you set up automatic bill pay – this is done through the ACH.

APR vs. APY

APR is the interest you pay on loans and other credit lines, whereas APY is the interest that’s paid to you when you keep your money in things like high-yield savings accounts.

Cash Advance Loan

This is another name for a payday loan.

payday loan terms

Check Advance Loan

This is another name for a payday loan.

Collateral

Collateral is any asset you offer as a promise to repay a loan. If you stop making the predetermined payments on the loan, the lender has a right to claim your collateral. Our payday loans do not require any collateral.

Collections

If the borrower stops repaying their loan, the account is usually sent to a collections department or company that is in charge of collecting the amount owed.

Credit

Credit can refer to your ability to obtain goods and pay for them in the future – such as with credit cards – or it can refer to your credit score, which is a number used to describe your ability to repay debt. Traditional lenders require a high credit score to qualify for a loan, but payday loans from Utah Title Loans, Inc. do not share this requirement.

Default

When you stop paying back a loan, you default on it.

Deferred Deposit

If you write a check with a future date, it cannot be deposited until the said date. It is a deferred deposit.

Direct Payday Lender vs. Indirect Payday Lender

A direct lender can provide a payday loan directly to the borrower, such as here at Utah Title Loans, Inc.

Indirect lenders are middlemen who direct the borrower to direct lender options.

Insufficient Funds

When a bank account does not have enough money to cover a check, transfer, withdrawal, or bill pay, it has insufficient funds.

Loan Fees

Loan fees are any fees the direct lender charges apart from the interest.

Long-Term Payday Loan Installments

Certain lenders allow for these longer payday loans which are paid off in installments.

Maturity Date

The maturity date is the date the last payment of a loan is due. Payday loan maturity dates are usually at the end of your next pay period.

Maximum Loan Amount

Lenders decide how much money you qualify for, which means your maximum loan amount for one of our payday loans could be anywhere from $100 to $500. This depends on your application and needs.

Moneylender

Moneylenders are anyone who lends money and charges interest. This could be a bank, legal entity, or person.

Payday Fee

Most payday loans charge a small fee that is paid upfront or added to the total loan amount.

Principal

The principal is the initial amount you borrow. Our maximum principal is $500.

Proof of Income

Proof of income is one of our payday loan terms, as well as a term you will see on applications for government assistance, insurance, scholarships, and any other loan. You’ll need to show how much you make through official pay stubs, bank statements, work contracts, or official company/government forms.

Secured Loan vs. Unsecured Loan

Secured loans required collateral whereas unsecured loans, like our payday loans, do not.

Short-Term Loan

Short-term loans are usually paid back within a few weeks or months.

man counting payday loan money

Simple Interest vs. Compound Interest

Simple interest is only gained from the principal loan, whereas compound interest is charged on the loan plus any accumulated past interest.

Verification Of Employment

You can verify your employment through an employment verification letter from your company’s human resources department.

How To Get Your Payday Loan

Knowing these payday loan terms will help to speed up your request and approval process. If you’re ready to get started, head to our homepage and fill out the inquiry form to begin.

The rest of the payday loan process will happen over the phone, followed by a short meeting at one of our Utah Title Loans, Inc. offices near you. You’ll need your I.D., most recent pay stub, and a blank check in your name to complete the process.

Apply Today!

Now that you know the essential payday loan terms and the definition of payday loans, you are ready to apply for your own payday loan to take care of that looming bill before your next payday. We value your time, and our loan process can take less than half an hour.

Could you benefit from a few extra bucks to address life's challenges over the next couple of weeks? If so, submit our online form to find out quickly if you qualify for a Utah Title Loans, Inc. payday loan. Your emergency cash is ready and waiting for you today!

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

Emma Frost

Emma Frost is a lifestyle and finance blogger with a talent for communication and a passion for financial literacy. She uses her writing talents to explore topics that help her readers gain financial stability and growth.