KRS 360.010: Legal interest rate -- Agreement for higher rate -- Contract or obligation --

Interest after default -- Minimum charge for negotiated bank loan.

(1) Except as provided in KRS 360.040, the legal rate of interest is eight percent (8%)

per annum, but any party or parties may agree, in writing, for the payment of

interest in excess of that rate as follows:

(a) At a per annum rate not to exceed four percent (4%) in excess of the discount

rate on ninety (90) day commercial paper in effect at the Feder al Reserve

Bank in the Federal Reserve District where the transaction is consummated or

nineteen percent (19%), whichever is less, on money due or to become due

upon any contract or other obligation in writing where the original principal

amount is fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) or less; and

(b) At any rate on money due or to become due upon any contract or other

obligation in writing where the original principal amount is in excess of

fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000).

(2) Any party or parties to a co ntract or obligation described in subsection (1) of this

section, and any party or parties who may assume or guarantee the contract or

obligation, shall be bound, subject to KRS 371.190, for the rate of interest as is

expressed in the contract, obligation, assumption, or guaranty, and no law of this

state prescribing or limiting interest rates shall apply to the agreement or to any

charges which pertain thereto or in connection therewith.

(3) The party entitled to be paid in any written contract or obligati on specifying a rate

of interest shall be entitled to recover interest after default at the rate of interest as is

expressed in the contract or obligation prior to the default and that interest rate shall

be the interest rate for the purpose of KRS 360.040 (3). If the interest rate expressed

in the contract or obligation is a variable rate, the interest rate after default and until

judgment shall be calculated and adjusted as provided in the contract or obligation

prior to the default.

(4) The party entitled to be paid in any written contract or obligation not specifying a

rate of interest or to which no interest rate otherwise applies shall be entitled to

recover interest after default and until judgment at the legal rate of interest.

(5) Nothing in this sec tion shall be construed to amend, repeal, or abrogate any other

law of this state pertaining to any particular types of transactions for which the

maximum rate of interest is specifically prescribed or provided.

(6) Any state or national bank may charge te n dollars ($10) for any loan negotiated at

the bank in this state, even if the legal interest does not amount to that sum.