California has some pretty stringent consumer protection laws, but no current laws or regulations prevent online lenders from making loans. However, the state does have some progressive laws designed to prevent usury — or unfair profiting from loan interest — and another bill that may soon change the lending environment in California is working its way through the legislature. California Assembly Bill 539 was designed to put a limit of 36% interest on all loans between $2,500 and $10,000 — including personal installment and car title loans. While loans made in amounts lower than $2,500 won’t be affected by this new rule, other measures to protect consumers using these products already exist. Online loans in California are legal, but regulations cap the interest rates that can be charged. Short-term cash advance loans are also covered by some pretty strict regulations in California, namely the Civil Code 1789, which regulates check cashing and payday lending operations. This regulation caps the amount of a short-term loan at $300, and the maximum time to repay at 31 days. It also caps the fees that can be charged for such loans at 15%.