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Maryland · Through 2026-01-01

Md. Code, Commercial Law § 12–114.1

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  1. Article - Commercial Law

(a) (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

(2) (i) “Covered loan” means a loan subject to § 12–103(a)(3) or (c) of this subtitle, made for personal, family, or household purposes, regardless of whether the loan is or purports to be made under this subtitle.

(ii) “Covered loan” does not include:

1. A loan or an advance of money or credit subject to Subtitle 3 of this title, unless a written election is made under § 12–101.1 of this subtitle;

2. A plan or loan for which a written election has been made under Subtitle 3, Subtitle 4, Subtitle 9, or Subtitle 10 of this title; or

3. An installment sale agreement as defined in § 12–601 of this title.

(3) “Unlicensed person” means a person who is not:

(i) Licensed in the State to make a covered loan; and

(ii) Exempt from licensing in the State.

(b) This section applies to a covered loan made to any person.

(c) (1) An unlicensed person may not make a covered loan.

(2) A person may not make a covered loan if the person directly or indirectly contracts for, charges, or receives a rate of interest, charge, discount, or other consideration that is greater than the amount authorized under State law.

(3) A person may not make a covered loan that violates the federal Military Lending Act.

(d) (1) A covered loan made by an unlicensed person is void and unenforceable.

(2) (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, a covered loan is void and unenforceable if a person contracts for a covered loan that has a rate of interest, charge, discount, or other consideration greater than the amount authorized under State law.

(ii) A covered loan is not void and unenforceable if:

1. A clerical error or mistake resulted in the rate of interest, charge, discount, or other consideration being greater than the amount authorized under State law; and

2. A person corrects the error or mistake before the first payment is due under the loan.

(3) A covered loan that violates the federal Military Lending Act is void and unenforceable.

(4) With respect to a loan that is void and unenforceable under this section, a person may not:

(i) Collect or attempt to collect, directly or indirectly, any amount from the borrower;

(ii) Enforce or attempt to enforce the contract against any property securing the loan; or

(iii) Sell, assign, or otherwise transfer the loan to another person.

Collected 2026-09-14T19:56:33Z. Source file · JSON

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