What is it called when a lender charges a borrower more than the highest allowable interest rate?

When a lender charges a borrower more than the highest allowable interest rate, it is referred to as usury. This term specifically denotes the practice of charging excessively high interest rates that exceed the legal limits established by state law. Usury laws are designed to protect consumers from predatory lending practices and ensure fair lending standards.

In the context of the other concepts, a discount point is a fee paid upfront to lower the interest rate on a mortgage, while a note generally refers to a legal document that outlines the terms of a loan, including the borrower's promise to repay. Interest, on the other hand, is the cost of borrowing money, expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed, but does not encompass the idea of exceeding lawful limits. Thus, usury uniquely captures the essence of illegal lending practices by emphasizing the violation of statutory interest rate caps.