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Moneytree in San Diego, CA

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Moneytree is a California-licensed check cashing and payday loan storefront offering same-day cash access, bill payment services, and short-term consumer loans up to $255.

Data compiled from public sources

Moneytree Review

Moneytree is a licensed financial services company operating physical branch locations in California, including the Northpark branch in San Diego. The company is licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation under the CA Deferred Deposit Transaction Law to provide consumer loans and check cashing services. With extended business hours (8 AM–8 PM weekdays, 9 AM–7 PM Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM Sunday), Moneytree positions itself as an accessible alternative to traditional banking.

Moneytree's primary service offerings include check cashing (accepting payroll, government, personal, insurance, and tax checks with no bank holds), payday loans up to $255 with listed funding timing via cash, ACH transfer, or instant debit card deposit, prepaid cards, wire transfers, and consumer loans. The company charges listed, itemized fees: payroll and government checks cost 1.99%, personal checks 6.99%, and other checks 4.99%, plus a $1.99 fee on transactions over $20. Payday loans cost approximately $17.65 per $100 borrowed (460.16% APR on a 14-day loan).

Moneytree distinguishes itself through immediate check processing without bank holds, multiple fund delivery options (cash, ACH, or instant debit card funding), and extended operating hours that accommodate working-hour schedules. The company explicitly discloses loan costs upfront, provides sample loan fee documentation, and displays its state licensing information prominently. It also declines to serve military members covered under the Military Lending Act, indicating regulatory compliance.

However, Moneytree's primary revenue model depends on high-cost short-term lending. The 460% APR on payday loans and reliance on repeat borrowing for small-dollar amounts creates genuine financial risk for cash-strapped consumers. The company's own customer notice warns that "small-dollar loans used over a long period of time can be expensive." While check cashing fees are listed, they remain above what traditional banks charge, making the service best suited for unbanked or underbanked consumers without better alternatives rather than as a preferred financial option.

Services & Features

ACH bank transfers for loan disbursement
Business check cashing
Check cashing (payroll, government, personal, insurance, tax refunds, cashier's checks, money orders)
Consumer loans
Instant debit card funding (approximately 30–45 minutes)
Online and in-branch loan applications
Payday loans up to $255 with same-day or next-day funding
Payment processing for existing loans
Prepaid card services
Wire transfers

Feature Checklist

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

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Same-day check cashing with no bank holds—immediate access to funds for payroll, government, and other checks
  • Multiple payout options for loans: cash, ACH bank transfer, or instant debit card deposit (30-45 minutes)
  • Extended business hours: 8 AM–8 PM on weekdays, 9 AM–7 PM Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM Sunday
  • listed, itemized fee structure with sample loan documentation available on-site
  • Wide range of accepted checks: payroll, government, personal, insurance, settlement, tax refunds, money orders, and more
  • Licensed and regulated by California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation
  • No minimum check amount; accepts checks of any size
  • Physical branch locations enabling in-person transactions and short-term cash access

Cons

  • Extremely high APR (460.16% on 14-day payday loans) creates unsustainable repeat-borrowing cycles for repeat borrowers
  • Payday loan maximum of $255 is often insufficient for genuine emergencies, encouraging repeat borrowing
  • Check cashing fees (1.99%–6.99% plus transaction fees) significantly exceed traditional bank rates
  • Company explicitly warns customers that small-dollar loans used long-term are expensive, yet this is their core business model
  • Does not serve military members under Military Lending Act, limiting accessibility for some borrowers

State Consumer Finance Context

This is state-level context for Check Cashing & Money Services consumers in San Diego, CA. It does not confirm that Moneytree or this specific location is licensed.

State regulator

California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI)

Money services context in California

Short-term lending status: Legal

General rate context: 10% for personal/consumer loans (Article XV, CA Constitution); payday loans capped at $15 per $100

California regulates payday loans at a maximum of $300 with a $45 fee cap. The DFPI oversees all consumer lending and enforces the California Consumer Financial Protection Law. Consumers have strong rights under the state's comprehensive lending regulations, including the ability to file complaints online with the DFPI.

Key state rules to check

  • Payday loans capped at $300 with maximum fee of $15 per $100 (459% APR equivalent).
  • The California Consumer Financial Protection Law grants DFPI broad enforcement authority.
  • Licensed finance lenders under the California Financing Law can charge rates above usury for loans under $10,000.

Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Moneytree offer?

Moneytree offers 10 services including Payday loans up to $255 with same-day or next-day funding, Check cashing (payroll, government, personal, insurance, tax refunds, cashier's checks, money orders), ACH bank transfers for loan disbursement, Instant debit card funding (approximately 30–45 minutes), Prepaid card services, and 5 more.

What profile signals are listed for Moneytree?

Moneytree has profile signals associated with Unbanked or underbanked individuals needing immediate check cashing without bank account requirements, Workers with irregular paychecks who need same-day cash access and cannot wait for bank processing, Consumers in genuine short-term emergencies ($100–$255) who lack other financing options, People without traditional banking relationships seeking wire transfers or money order services.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Moneytree?

Key strengths: Same-day check cashing with no bank holds—immediate access to funds for payroll, government, and other checks; Multiple payout options for loans: cash, ACH bank transfer, or instant debit card deposit (30-45 minutes); Extended business hours: 8 AM–8 PM on weekdays, 9 AM–7 PM Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM Sunday. Areas to consider: Extremely high APR (460.16% on 14-day payday loans) creates unsustainable repeat-borrowing cycles for repeat borrowers; Payday loan maximum of $255 is often insufficient for genuine emergencies, encouraging repeat borrowing.

How does Moneytree compare to similar companies?

In the Check Cashing & Money Services category, comparable providers include Macro International Cargo, 47th & Pulaski Currency Exchange, Productos Colombianos | Envios de Paqueteria a Colombia | Cambio de Cheques | en San Jose CA | Elite Multiservice. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.

Quick Facts

Headquarters
2702 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
BBB Accredited
No
Visit Moneytree

CreditDoc Profile Note

Research Note on Moneytree

Moneytree is profile signals for unbanked or underbanked consumers needing immediate same-day check cashing or emergency cash access without alternatives. The critical caveat is that payday loans at 460% APR and small-dollar lending create serious debt risk; customers should exhaust lower-cost alternatives (credit unions, credit card cash advances, employer advances, food banks, nonprofit assistance) before using Moneytree's loan products.

Profile Signals

  • Unbanked or underbanked individuals needing immediate check cashing without bank account requirements
  • Workers with irregular paychecks who need same-day cash access and cannot wait for bank processing
  • Consumers in genuine short-term emergencies ($100–$255) who lack other financing options
  • People without traditional banking relationships seeking wire transfers or money order services
Updated 2026-04-29

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Quick Summary

  • Moneytree is listed as a Check Cashing & Money Services provider in San Diego, CA on CreditDoc.
  • Use this page to check contact details, location, listed services, review signals, FAQs, and similar providers before deciding what to do next.
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