In the US, usury laws do apply to credit cards and payday loans. Most credit card issuers are located in South Dakota or Delaware, states that do not have usury laws. The Supreme Court ruled in 1978 that national banks are generally subject to the laws of the state in which the bank is incorporated rather than the state in which a customer is located. read more
Note: If credit card issuers comply with RCW 63.14.167, which covers lender credit card agreements, they do not have to comply with the general usury law (see RCW 19.52.115, which redirects you to RCW 63.14.165). This is how credit card issuers can charge higher rates than the usury law allows. read more