North Dakota · West North Central
Debt consolidation in North Dakota
Only 9.02% of card balances in North Dakota are seriously late, one of the lowest rates of 51. Borrowers in good standing can shop harder for a low rate.
- $3,970
- card debt per adult, 28th of 51
- 9.02%
- of card balances 90+ days late (US 12.36%)
- +24.1%
- card debt growth since 2019 (US +28.3%)
What North Dakota households owe
Card balances per adult are up 24.1% since 2019, slower than the national +28.3% (33rd fastest of 51). Balances fell from $3,200 in 2019 to $2,970 in 2020, when spending dropped and stimulus paid down cards, then climbed back to $3,970 by 2025.
Card debt is the most expensive balance most households carry, which is why it is usually the first target for consolidation. In North Dakota, cards, auto loans and student loans add up to $15,490 per adult, about the same as the national $15,470.
| Type | ND | US | ND change vs 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | $3,970 | $4,350 | +3.1% |
| Auto loans | $6,640 | $5,660 | +0.2% |
| Student loans | $4,880 | $5,460 | -5.8% |
| Mortgages | $34,410 | $44,300 | +2.4% |
| All household debt | $53,300 | $63,200 | +1.8% |
Personal loan rules in North Dakota
North Dakota caps loans from licensed non-bank lenders at 36% a year, including fees charged at origination. Small loans under $2,000 must be repaid in equal installments over no more than 36 months.
- Loans by licensed money brokers (non-bank lenders): 36% annual rate, including all charges and fees needed to get the loan at origination (N.D. Cent. Code § 13-04.1-09.3(1))
- Small loans under $2,000: Same 36% cap; max term 36 months, no balloon payment, refinance fees capped at $100 per year (N.D. Cent. Code § 13-04.1-09.3(4))
The National Consumer Law Center puts the highest APR allowed in North Dakota at 36% on a $500, six-month loan and 36% on a $2,000, two-year loan (State Annual Percentage Rate (APR) Caps For $500, $2,000 and $10,000 Installment Loans (NCLC fact sheet, December 2025; figures current as of September 2025)).
Non-bank lenders need a state license to make these loans. License: Money Broker license, issued by the ND Department of Financial Institutions (N.D. Cent. Code § 13-04.1-02).
Late charges are limited to 5% of the payment, and no more than $20 on loans of $50,000 or less.
Compare rate caps in every state. Checked 2026-09-30. Summary for general information, not legal advice. Laws change, and banks chartered in other states may follow different rules. Sources: N.D. Cent. Code ch. 13-04.1, Money Brokers (ND Legislature); NCLC, State APR Caps for $500, $2,000 and $10,000 Installment Loans, December 2025.
Using good standing to get a lower rate
With delinquency in North Dakota at 9.02% against 12.36% nationally, many borrowers here have the payment history lenders reward. Compare at least three offers on APR, origination fee and term rather than monthly payment alone, and check whether a 0% balance transfer would clear your balance before the promo ends. How to compare loan offers.
What consolidating could save at ND numbers
Take the North Dakota average of $3,970 and pay it off in 36 months. At a 24% card APR the payment is about $156 a month and the interest about $1,637. With a 12% consolidation loan the payment drops to about $132 and the interest to about $777, a difference of $860.
People who carry a balance usually owe more than the per-adult average. On $10,000 the same comparison is $4,124 of card interest against $1,957 on the loan. These rates are examples, not offers. Your APR depends on your credit, income and the lender, and an origination fee reduces the savings. See what lenders look for.
Your options in North Dakota
- Debt consolidation loan: one fixed payment and end date, worth it when the APR is clearly below your card rates. How to compare offers.
- Balance transfer card: a 0% introductory APR can beat a loan if you can clear the balance before the promo ends. Balance transfer vs personal loan.
- Debt management plan: a nonprofit credit counseling agency negotiates lower rates with your card issuers. Useful if you cannot qualify for a loan. DMP vs consolidation.
North Dakota next to its neighbors
Among the 7 West North Central states, North Dakota has the 2nd highest card debt per adult.
- Minnesota: $3,990 per adult, 8.55% 90+ days late
- North Dakota: $3,970 per adult, 9.02% 90+ days late
- Kansas: $3,670 per adult, 10.74% 90+ days late
- Nebraska: $3,650 per adult, 9.75% 90+ days late
- Missouri: $3,550 per adult, 11.35% 90+ days late
- South Dakota: $3,530 per adult, 9.14% 90+ days late
- Iowa: $3,250 per adult, 10.26% 90+ days late
How many North Dakota borrowers are behind
9.02% of credit card balances in North Dakota were seriously delinquent (90+ days) at the end of 2025. That is 3.3 points below the national rate of 12.36%, placing North Dakota 48th of 51 for card delinquency (1st is the highest). The rate rose 0.9 points in the past year, from 8.09% in 2024. In 2019 the share was 5.58%.
Auto loan delinquency in North Dakota stood at 2.92% (US 5.18%), and student loan delinquency at 7.34% (US 8.25%). If your payments are current, you are in a better position to qualify for a lower rate. If not, read our guide to consolidation loans with bad credit .
Checking a lender in North Dakota
Non-bank consumer lenders in North Dakota are licensed by the North Dakota Department of Financial Institutions (DFI). Before you accept an offer, look up the lender's license. To report a problem, file with the North Dakota Attorney General, Consumer Protection Division or the CFPB. Never pay upfront fees for debt relief.
North Dakota debt consolidation FAQ
How much credit card debt does the average person in North Dakota have?
$3,970 per adult with a credit file at the end of 2025, according to New York Fed Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax data. That is 9% below the US figure of $4,350 and ranks 28th of 51. The figure includes people with no card balance, so people who do carry a balance typically owe more.
Are more people in North Dakota falling behind on credit cards?
9.02% of card balances in North Dakota were 90 or more days past due in 2025, compared with 5.58% in 2019 (up 3.4 points). The national rate was 12.36%.
Can a consolidation loan lower what borrowers in North Dakota pay in interest?
It can if the loan APR is well below your card APRs. On a $3,970 balance paid off over 36 months, a 24% card APR costs about $1,637 in interest and a 12% loan about $777. Rates depend on your credit and the lender, loans are not available in every state, and fees can shrink the savings.
What rate can a borrower in good standing in North Dakota expect?
Rates depend mostly on your score, income and debt-to-income ratio, and state rules can cap what lenders charge. Borrowers with strong credit are offered the lowest APRs, so compare several lenders and look at the fee as well as the rate.
Source: Federal Reserve Bank of New York Consumer Credit Panel/Equifax, State Level Household Debt Statistics 2003-2025 (February 2026), Q4 figures per adult with a credit file. Ranks and changes computed by Smart Debt Relief across 50 states and DC. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Full state table and CSV.