Personal loans in Dana, IA
For a borrower in Dana, Iowa, a personal loan can be a reasonable tool or a costly one, and the terms decide which. The Census puts Dana's population at about 34, which ranks it 920th among the 940 places in Iowa. From the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate, the population declined by about 2.9%. Consumer lending in Iowa is governed by state statute; no city ordinance changes it. Judge offers on total cost, not on how quickly the money arrives. The next larger city is Paton, IA about 4 miles away.
Borrowing in Dana: the local picture
Two layers matter for a Dana borrower: the local population picture and Iowa's consumer-lending statutes.
- Population: 34 — Dana ranks 920th of 940 communities in Iowa (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Population trend: About 2.9% below the 2020 Census base.
- Size percentile: about 2% of Iowa communities are smaller.
- Location: latitude 42.1072, longitude -94.2383 (Census Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Paton (4 mi); Grand Junction (5 mi); Beaver (7 mi); Boxholm (8 mi); Jefferson (10 mi). A bigger neighbour may offer more branches; the rate you see still follows your credit, not your address.
- Nearest smaller places: Berkley (13 mi); Yetter (34 mi); Jolley (36 mi).
What Iowa law requires in Dana
This table holds the Iowa rate and licensing rules for consumer loans made in Dana.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
What a Dana personal loan looks like
Because a personal loan payment is fixed, the total cost is knowable in advance — the main difference from a credit card, where the balance revolves. The familiar mistake is to move a card balance into a personal loan and then run the cards back up, which doubles the debt instead of clearing it. If the payment would strain your budget, a smaller loan or a longer saving period is the safer route.
A pre-application checklist for Dana
Before you apply in Dana, complete these steps:
- Order your free credit reports and dispute anything inaccurate — it is the cheapest way to move the rate you are offered.
- Price the payment first with our personal loan calculator before any lender quotes you.
- Pre-qualify with three or more lenders, then compare the APR rather than the interest rate.
- Confirm the lender holds a Iowa licence by checking the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for an origination fee and any prepayment penalty before signing.
Common questions
What are my options in Dana if my credit is poor?
What loan size can I expect in Dana?
Do I have to pledge anything to borrow in Dana?
Does comparing loans in Dana cost me credit score points?
Nearby places
- Paton, IA — population 218
- Grand Junction, IA — population 708
- Beaver, IA — population 44
- Boxholm, IA — population 173
- Harcourt, IA — population 255
- Jefferson, IA — population 4,100
- Rippey, IA — population 214
- Gowrie, IA — population 935