Credit
Usury rate in Colombia: what it is and how much it is today
What Colombia's usury rate is, how the Superintendencia Financiera calculates it monthly, and why it caps the legal interest on cards and loans.
The usury rate (tasa de usura) is the highest interest rate a bank, credit card, or any regulated financial entity can legally charge you in Colombia. Charging above that limit is a crime (usury, article 305 of the Criminal Code), so this number isn't just a reference point — it's a legal ceiling.
This figure changes every month — what you see here is the August 2026 number, the highest since August 2024. Before making any decision, confirm the current value on the Superintendencia Financiera's official site. These are Colombian figures, in Colombian pesos (COP), set by a Colombian regulator — they don't apply outside Colombia and shouldn't be confused with usury limits in your own country.
How it's calculated
The starting point is the Interés Bancario Corriente (IBC): an average of what banks and other regulated entities actually charge on consumer loans, calculated by the Superintendencia from the data those entities report. By law (Decreto 2555 de 2010, Colombia's financial regulation decree), the usury rate is 1.5 times that IBC.
In other words: when the IBC goes up, the usury rate follows a month later. That's why in 2026, with generally higher rates, the usury rate has also climbed month over month — from 28.17% in May to 29.66% in August.
Why this should matter to you
- Credit cards: no credit card can charge interest above the usury rate in effect during the month the interest is charged.
- Free-investment and consumer loans: the same limit applies.
- Informal or "gota a gota" loans: these almost always far exceed the usury rate — which makes them illegal, not just expensive.
What the usury rate is NOT
It isn't the rate you'll actually be charged — it's the maximum allowed ceiling. Most formal loans (from a bank, with a good credit history) are offered well below that limit. The usury rate matters mainly for spotting abusive or illegal loans, not as a benchmark for "what's normal."
This is general financial information, not personalized financial or tax advice for your situation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the usury rate the same for every type of credit?
No. There are different usury rates depending on the type of credit (consumer and ordinary, microcredit, etc.); the Superintendencia certifies each one separately.
What happens if I'm charged more than the usury rate?
It's a crime (usury, article 305 of the Criminal Code) and also a violation you can report to the Superintendencia Financiera. Keep your loan documents as evidence.
How often does the usury rate change?
It's certified and can change every month, based on how the Interés Bancario Corriente moves. That's why it's worth checking the current month's figure rather than relying on an older one.
Where can I check the official, up-to-date usury rate?
On the Superintendencia Financiera de Colombia's website, in the Interés Bancario Corriente and usury rate section.
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