535.5 Penalty for usury.
If it is ascertained in an action brought on a contract that a rate of interest has been contracted for, directly or indirectly, in money or in property, greater than is authorized by this chapter, the rate shall work a forfeiture of eight cents on the hundred by the year upon the amount of the principal remaining unpaid upon the contract at the time judgment is rendered, and the court shall enter final judgment in favor of the plaintiff and against the defendant for the principal sum remaining unpaid without costs, and also against the defendant and in favor of the state, to be paid to the treasurer of state for deposit in the general fund of the state, for the amount of the forfeiture. If unlawful interest is contracted for the plaintiff shall not have judgment for more than the principal sum, whether the unlawful interest is incorporated with the principal or not.
[R60, §1791; C73, §2080; C97, §3041; C24, 27, 31, 35, 39, §9407; C46, 50, 54, 58, 62, 66, 71, 73, 75, 77, 79, S79, C81, §535.5]
83 Acts, ch 185, §52, 62; 83 Acts, ch 186, §10109, 10201, 10204
Structure Iowa Code
Chapter 535 - MONEY AND INTEREST
Section 535.1 - Denominations of money.
Section 535.2 - Rate of interest.
Section 535.3 - Interest rate — judgments and decrees — periodic compensation payments.
Section 535.4 - Illegal rate prohibited — usury.
Section 535.5 - Penalty for usury.
Section 535.7 - Assignee of usurious contract.
Section 535.8 - Loan charges limited.
Section 535.9 - Prepayment penalties on loans secured by real estate mortgages prohibited.
Section 535.10 - Home equity line of credit.
Section 535.11 - Finance charge on accounts receivable.
Section 535.12 - Loans by agricultural credit corporation.
Section 535.14 - Prompt crediting of payment on loans secured by residential real property.
Section 535.15 - Open-end credit and credit card disclosure.
Section 535.16 - Delivery of copies of debt documents.
Section 535.17 - Requirements of credit agreements — statute of frauds — modifications.
Section 535.18 - Consumer credit terms for service members — enforcement.