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Is My Rate Legal? NCA Maximum Interest Rate Checker

Compare a quoted interest rate against the maximum prescribed rate set out in National Credit Act Regulation 42(1) Table A, for each of the seven credit categories.

Repo-rate linked — the maximum moves when SARB adjusts the repo rate
For mortgages, credit facilities, unsecured credit, developmental credit, and other credit agreements, the maximum is the SARB repo rate plus a fixed margin, so it changes whenever the repo rate does. Short-term and incidental credit have flat monthly-rate maximums instead.

Your Credit Agreement

Not sure which applies? Check your credit agreement or ask your lender.

%

Within the legal maximum

24% vs 28% maximum

Quoted rate compared against the Unsecured credit maximum (per year)

Quoted Rate vs Legal Maximum

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Numeric comparison of the quoted rate against the NCA legal maximum for the selected credit type
Figure Rate (per year)
Your quoted rate 24%
Legal maximum (Unsecured credit) 28%

Maximum = SARB (7%) + 21 percentage points, per Regulation 42(1) Table A. This checks against today's maximum — for a loan you already signed, the cap that applied on your signing date governs, which may differ if the repo rate has moved since.

If you have concerns about a quoted or charged rate, you can verify the applicable maximum and your lender's registration status via the National Credit Regulator (NCR).

Check a specific credit type

Each of the seven NCA credit categories has its own dedicated page with the formula, current maximum, and FAQs for that category.

Frequently asked questions

This is an estimate only, not financial or tax advice, and we are not a financial services provider (FSP). Your actual figures depend on your lender or provider, and your personal circumstances. These are the published National Credit Act maximums — they don't tell you whether your specific agreement is otherwise lawful.