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City · Alberta
Payday loans in Calgary are governed by Alberta law: a maximum cost of $14 per $100 borrowed, a $1,500 limit, and repayment in instalments over 42 to 62 days. Lenders must hold an Alberta licence. Public Cash Services does not lend; we list licensed options and show what each one costs.
Last reviewed by the Public Cash Services editorial team
The provincial rules apply across the city, from the Beltline to the deep southeast. A $700 loan carries a maximum fee of $98 and must be split into instalments, so a borrower paid twice a month would typically see three or four payments rather than one withdrawal of $798.
Storefronts are concentrated along International Avenue (17 Avenue SE), Macleod Trail and in the northeast around Marlborough, while online lenders cover the whole city and surrounding communities such as Airdrie and Okotoks. Calgary is also home to several non-profits that offer practical alternatives, listed below.
| Maximum cost of borrowing | $14 per $100 borrowed, all fees included |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan amount | $1,500 |
| Income-based limit | No fixed percentage of pay in the regulation; the lender must still assess what you can repay. |
| Loan term | 42 to 62 days, repaid in instalments rather than one lump sum. |
| Right to cancel | 2 business days |
| Rollovers | Not allowed. A lender cannot extend or renew a payday loan for an extra fee, or issue a new loan to pay off the old one. |
| Dishonoured payment | A one-time fee (commonly up to $20) if a cheque or pre-authorized debit is dishonoured. |
| Licence required | Yes — storefront and online lenders |
| Regulator | Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction · 1-877-427-4088 |
| Legislation | Consumer Protection Act and Payday Loans Regulation (Alberta) |
Sources: Service Alberta and Red Tape Reduction; Financial Consumer Agency of Canada; Criminal Interest Rate Regulations. Last reviewed November 14, 2026.
Check a lender’s licence with the regulator (opens in a new tab)
Full Alberta payday-loan rules →
Cashco Financial is an Edmonton-based lender with branches across western Canada, offering payday loans and a longer-term Flex Loan.
“Get Started Now” opens our personal-loan request, handled by our lending partner — it is not an application to Cashco Financial.
easyfinancial, part of goeasy, offers instalment loans from $500 to $20,000 unsecured through about 400 branches and online in every province.
“Get Started Now” opens our personal-loan request, handled by our lending partner — it is not an application to easyfinancial.
Fairstone is a national instalment lender with more than 250 branches, offering unsecured loans up to $25,000 and larger secured loans for homeowners.
“Get Started Now” opens our personal-loan request, handled by our lending partner — it is not an application to Fairstone.
Fig is an online personal-loan lender for borrowers with good credit, offering $2,000 to $35,000 at rates from 8.99% APR.
“Get Started Now” opens our personal-loan request, handled by our lending partner — it is not an application to Fig.
Focus Cash Loans (Focus Financial) offers online payday loans in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.
“Get Started Now” opens our personal-loan request, handled by our lending partner — it is not an application to Focus Cash Loans.
GoDay is a Toronto-based online payday lender licensed in eight provinces, from British Columbia to Prince Edward Island.
“Get Started Now” opens our personal-loan request, handled by our lending partner — it is not an application to GoDay.
The map is provided by Google and loads only when you ask for it. A pin on the map is not proof of a licence.
Calgary non-profit with money-management courses and matched-savings programs
Visit site for Momentum (opens in a new tab) →Calgary-based non-profit credit counselling; free consultations
Visit site for Money Mentors (opens in a new tab) →Provincial help with urgent food, shelter and utility costs
Visit site for Alberta Supports — emergency financial assistance (opens in a new tab) →Free referral line for local supports, open 24 hours
Visit site for 211 Alberta (opens in a new tab) →$1,500, the limit across Alberta.
It depends on your pay schedule. The term must be 42 to 62 days, so most borrowers have between two and four instalments.
No. Alberta’s rules restrict who a payday lender can contact about a debt, and when.
Yes. Money Mentors and Momentum both offer free services, and 211 can refer you to others.