## US-LA interest rules

This source-backed guide covers US-LA interest authority (La. R.S. 13:4202; La. Civ. Code art. 2000). It certifies only the quoted source-backed rules below; related interest categories remain outside this page unless they are expressly listed in the receipt.

## La. R.S. 13:4202; La. Civ. Code art. 2000

US-LA interest controlling authority under La. R.S. 13:4202; La. Civ. Code art. 2000.

> **13.** Judicial Interest Rates | Legal Division | LAOFI --> Depository Record Requests Custodian of Record Banks

## Use the calculator

DocketMath's interest calculator can model interest scenarios once you identify the controlling jurisdiction, amount, rate type, and accrual date. Use the source panel for the verified source-backed rule.

[Open the Interest calculator](/tools/interest)

## Sources

- [13 — La. R.S. 13:4202; La. Civ. Code art. 2000](https://ofi.la.gov/legal/statutes-rules-policies-opinions/judicial-interest-rates/)

All sources are official primary law published by `ofi.la.gov`.

**Corroboration method:** government_primary_source_direct_fetch.


DocketMath’s Judgment Interest Calculator (interest) helps you estimate interest on a Louisiana money judgment using a date range and interest-rate inpu...

Judgment Interest Calculator Guide for Louisiana

Louisiana 2026 rate of 7.5% is 17-year high. Was 9.5% for portions of 2024, now settled at 7.5%.

ERISA does not specify a prejudgment interest rate. Federal courts in their discretion typically apply 28 U.S.C. § 1961 (post-judgment T-bill formula) or IRC § 6621 (underpayment rate) by analogy.

Interest shall be allowed on any money judgment in a civil case recovered in a district court ... at a rate equal to the weekly average 1-year constant maturity Treasury yield ... compounded annually.

Louisiana has no general statute mandating interest on escrow accounts. La. R.S. 9:3251 covers lessee security deposits (return within one month) but does not require interest.

Any advance or deposit of money furnished by a tenant or lessee ... shall be returned to the tenant or lessee ... within one month after the lease shall terminate.

On and after January 1, 2002, the rate shall be equal to the rate as published annually by the commissioner of financial institutions. The effective judicial interest rate for the calendar year following the calculation date shall be three and one-quarter percentage points above the Federal Reserve discount rate as ascertained by the commissioner.

Legal interest shall attach from date of judicial demand, on all judgments, sounding in damages, ex delicto, which may be rendered by any of the courts.

Interest is either legal or conventional. Legal interest is fixed at the rate fixed pursuant to La. R.S. 9:3500.

When the object of the performance is a sum of money, damages for delay in performance are measured by the interest on that sum from the time it is due, at the rate agreed by the parties or, in the absence of agreement, at the rate of legal interest as fixed by La. R.S. 9:3500.

The rate of judicial interest resulting from a loan and all other forms of indebtedness shall be equal to the rate as set forth in La. R.S. 13:4202.

Penalty/post-judgment interest accrues at the legal/judicial rate set by La. R.S. 13:4202 and La. R.S. 9:3500. Louisiana lacks a generic standalone civil penalty interest statute; the judicial rate governs unless a specific statute provides otherwise.

La. R.S. 9:3251: Lessee deposit must be returned within one month after lease terminates, less lawful deductions with itemized statement. Statute does not require interest.

Failure to comply with La. R.S. 9:3251 entitles the tenant to actual damages or $300, whichever is greater, plus reasonable attorney fees.

La. R.S. 13:4202 sets Louisiana judicial interest through an annual rate published by the commissioner of financial institutions. La. Civ. Code art. 2000 measures delay damages for sums of money by interest from the time due at the agreed rate, or absent agreement, at the legal interest rate fixed by R.S. 9:3500.

For Louisiana interest pages, use La. R.S. 13:4202 for the judicial-interest rate formula and publication requirement, the Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions rate table for the 2026 judicial interest rate, and La. Civil Code art. 2000 for interest as delay damages when performance owed is a sum of money.

interest in US-LA is governed by La. R.S. 13:4202; La. Civ. Code art. 2000.