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Advance America in Johnson City, TN

2.4/5

Johnson City, TN's Advance America at 509 N State of Franklin Rd offers payday and title loans with quick approval.

Data compiled from public sources · Rating from CreditDoc methodology

Advance America Review

Located at 509 N State of Franklin Rd #1 in Johnson City, TN, Advance America is a standalone storefront offering quick financial services to the East Tennessee community. The location operates Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday mornings from 10 AM to 2 PM, making it convenient for working adults in Johnson City who need to access loans during standard business hours.

This Johnson City branch specializes in payday loans and title loans, designed for residents needing fast cash without lengthy approval processes. You can reach the location directly at 423-926-7413 to discuss your loan options, ask about eligibility requirements, or schedule an appointment with the local team.

When visiting the Johnson City Advance America, bring a valid government ID, proof of income, and information about your vehicle if applying for a title loan. The storefront serves residents across Johnson City and surrounding areas in TN with straightforward lending options tailored to short-term financial needs.

Services & Features

Bilingual (English/Spanish) in-store service
In-store loan processing
Installment Loans ($100–$1,000, multi-payment schedule, online or in-store)
Online loan applications
Payday Loans ($100–$500, 2–4 week term, online or in-store)
Phone pre-qualification
Referral rewards program
Title Loans ($2,000–$25,000 online, via LoanCenter partnership)
Western Union money transfers

Feature Checklist

Mobile App
Online Portal
Score Tracking
Credit Education
Personal Advisor
Identity Theft Protection

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • 4.9/5 star rating across 125,401 customer reviews — unusually high and consistent satisfaction for the short-term lending category
  • Three loan types under one roof: payday, installment, and title loans covering $100 to $25,000
  • Title loans up to $25,000 via LoanCenter partnership — substantially higher ceiling than payday-only lenders
  • Bilingual English/Spanish staff available in-store for Spanish-speaking customers
  • Multiple application channels: online, phone pre-qualification, and in-store walk-in
  • Western Union money transfer services available at this location
  • Saturday hours (9am–4pm) for customers unable to visit on weekdays

Cons

  • Payday loan maximum of $500 is insufficient for larger emergency expenses
  • Title loans require a fully paid-off vehicle with clear title in the applicant's name — excludes most borrowers
  • Closed on Sundays, limiting access for true weekend emergencies
  • Checking account required to qualify — excludes unbanked consumers from payday and installment products
  • Short-term loan APRs are consistent with the broader payday lending industry, meaning triple-digit annualized rates that make repeated borrowing expensive

Rating Breakdown

Value
2.0
Effectiveness
1.5
Customer Service
2.5
Transparency
2.3
Ease of Use
3.9

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Advance America legitimate?

Yes. Advance America is a registered company, headquartered in 509 N State of Franklin Rd #1, Johnson City, TN 37604.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
509 N State of Franklin Rd #1, Johnson City, TN 37604
BBB Accredited
No
Starting Price
Contact provider
Setup Fee
None
Money-Back Guarantee
No
Visit Advance America

CreditDoc Diagnosis

Doctor's Verdict on Advance America

Best for consumers with immediate, short-term cash needs up to $1,000 who have exhausted lower-cost options such as credit union PALs or employer advances, or for vehicle owners who need larger sums through title lending. The primary caveat is cost: payday and installment loan APRs are high by industry standard, and title loans carry real repossession risk — these products should only be used for genuine one-time emergencies with a clear repayment path already in place.

CFPB Transparency Report

Public data from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

Issues Resolved
99.8%
Timely Responses
97.5%

Source: consumerfinance.gov | Last checked 2026-03-26

Best For

  • Consumers needing $100–$500 quickly to bridge a gap until their next paycheck
  • Borrowers who need up to $1,000 and prefer spreading repayment across multiple installments rather than a lump-sum payoff
  • Vehicle owners with a fully paid-off car who need $2,000–$25,000 and understand the collateral risk
  • Spanish-speaking customers seeking bilingual loan service in the Jacksonville area
Updated 2026-04-29

More Emergency Cash

Financial Wellness Guides

Financial Terms Explained (10 terms)

New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.

Interest & Rates

APR — Annual Percentage Rate

The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.

Why it matters

Lenders must show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the cheapest loan.

Example

You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.

Compound Interest

Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.

Why it matters

Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.

Example

You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.

MAPR — Military Annual Percentage Rate

A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.

Why it matters

The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from predatory lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.

Example

A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.

Usury Rate — Usury Rate (Interest Rate Cap)

The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.

Why it matters

Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.

Example

New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.

How Loans Work

Collateral — Loan Collateral

An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.

Why it matters

Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.

Example

A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.

Fees & Costs

Late Fee — Late Payment Fee

A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.

Why it matters

The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.

Example

Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.

NSF Fee — Non-Sufficient Funds Fee

A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'

Why it matters

NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.

Example

Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.

Legal Terms

Usury — Usury (Illegal Interest)

The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.

Why it matters

If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.

Example

Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you might only need to repay the principal — no interest or fees.

Credit Cards

Cash Advance — Credit Card Cash Advance

Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.

Why it matters

Cash advances are a debt trap: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.

Example

You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.

Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.

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