North Carolina § 53-173 - Computation of interest; application of payments; limitation on interest after judgment; limitation on interest after maturity of the loan.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 53-173 — Computation of interest; application of payments; limitation on interest after judgment; limitation on interest after maturity of the loan., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 53-173. Computation of interest; application of payments; limitation on interest after judgment; limitation on interest after maturity of the loan.
, (a1) Repealed by Session Laws 2013-162, s. 3, effective July 1, 2013. Computation of Interest. - Interest on loans made pursuant to this section shall not be paid, deducted, or received in advance. Such interest shall not be compounded but interest on loans shall (i) be computed and paid only as a percentage of the unpaid principal balance or portion thereof and (ii) computed on the basis of the number of days actually elapsed; provided, however, if part or all of the consideration for a loan contract is the unpaid principal balance of a prior loan, then the principal amount payable under the loan contract may include any unpaid interest on the prior loan which have accrued within 90 days before the making of the new loan contract. For the purpose of computing interest, a day shall equal 1/365th of a year. Application of Payments. - Any payment made on a loan shall be applied first to late charges and other permissible charges under this Article, then to any accrued interest, and then to principal. Any portion or all of the principal balance may be prepaid at any time without penalty. Limitation on Interest after Judgment. - If a money judgment is obtained against any party on any loan made under the provisions of this section neither the judgment nor the loan shall carry, from the date of the judgment, any interest in excess of eight percent (8%) per annum. Limitation of Interest after Maturity of Loan. - After the maturity date of any loan contract made under the provisions of this section and until the loan contract is paid in full by cash, new loan, refinancing or otherwise, no charges other than interest at eight percent (8%) per annum shall be computed or collected from any party to the loan upon the unpaid principal balance of the loan. Repealed by Session Laws 1989, c. 17, s. 3. Repealed by Session Laws 2001-519, s. 3, effective January 1, 2002. History (1961, c. 1053, s. 1; 1969, c. 1303, ss. 13, 17-22; 1973, c. 1042, s. 3; 1975, c. 110, s. 1; 1979, c. 33, s. 2; 1981, c. 561, ss. 1-3; 1983, c. 68, s. 1; c. 126, s. 13; 1989, c. 17, s. 3; 2001-519, s. 3; 2013-162, s. 3.) Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2013-162, s. 3, effective July 1, 2013, substituted "Computation of interest; application of payments" for "Maximum rate of interest and fee; computation of interest" in the section heading; deleted subsections (a) and (a1); deleted the last sentence in subsection (b) which read: "Any payment made on a loan shall be applied first to any accrued interest and then to principal, and any portion or all of the principal balance may be prepaid at any time without penalty."; and added subsection (b1). Legal Periodicals. - For comment on usury law in North Carolina, see 47 N.C.L. Rev. 76 (1969). For note on choice of law rules in North Carolina, see 48 N.C.L. Rev. 343 (1970). For note discussing the appropriate disclosure of inconsistent federal and state requirements with regard to credit terms, see 15 Wake Forest L. Rev. 793 (1979).
Source: official North Carolina text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 53-173
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 53-173 cover?
Section 53-173 ("Computation of interest; application of payments; limitation on interest after judgment; limitation on interest after maturity of the loan.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 53-173?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 53-173" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 53-173 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.