Personal loans in Poplar, MT

Poplar, Montana is a small community, and the lending rules its residents live under are written at the state level, not by the city. With an estimated 727 residents, Poplar is the 69th-largest of 127 places in Montana. A 2020-to-2023 comparison shows Poplar down by about 4.6%. Which products a lender may offer locally in Montana follows from the state's consumer-lending framework. Compare APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in most fees. For a bigger market, look to Wolf Point, MT about 21 miles away.

By the Personalloaner Editorial Team · Last updated 2026-09-16

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Borrowing in Poplar: the local picture

Most of what governs a Poplar loan is written in Montana law rather than in the city; the sourced notes below make that split concrete.

Population: about 727 people live here, which puts Poplar 69th of 127 Census places in Montana (Vintage 2023).
Population trend: The 2020-to-2023 change is negative, near 4.6%.
Size percentile: roughly 46% of Montana places rank below it.
Location: coordinates 48.1105, -105.1969 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
Nearest larger cities: Wolf Point (21 mi); Scobey (48 mi); Plentywood (55 mi); Sidney (55 mi); Fairview (56 mi). Lenders licensed in the state serve Poplar whether or not they keep a local branch.
Nearest smaller towns: Culbertson (31 mi); Richey (33 mi); Froid (36 mi).

What Montana law requires in Poplar

Read the table as a lender's compliance picture for Poplar: the rule, the sourced figure, the publisher and the date.

Rule	Detail	Source
Deferred deposit loan license requirement (MCA 31-1-705)	A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department Source says: "A person may not engage in or offer to engage in the business of making deferred deposit loans unless licensed by the department."	Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16
Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap)	Greater of 15% or prime rate + 6 percentage points per year (written agreement); regulated lenders exempt Source says: "Parties may agree in writing to the payment of any rate of interest that does not exceed the greater of 15%"	Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16
Payday lending status	Legal; deferred deposit lenders must be licensed; fee capped at 36% per annum Source says: "A licensee may not charge a fee for making or carrying each deferred deposit loan authorized by this part that exceeds 36% per annum"	Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) as of 2026-09-16
Small-loan / installment lender licensing	Consumer loan license required under the Montana Consumer Loan Act (32-5-101); licensing through NMLS Source says: "A consumer loan license is needed to engage in business as defined in the Montana Consumer Loan Act"	Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16
State lending regulator	Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (BFID), Department of Administration Source says: "The Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (Division) does all of its licensing through the Nationwide Multistate Licensing System (NMLS)."	Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16

What a Poplar 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. A lender who will not put the terms in writing is a reason to walk away. If the numbers do not work at a comfortable payment, the right answer may be not to borrow at all.

A pre-application checklist for Poplar

Work through this short checklist before committing to a personal loan in Poplar:

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 Montana licence by checking the regulator named above.
Do not borrow more than the expense calls for, even if a lender approves a larger amount.

Compare personal loan offers Run the numbers first

Common questions

What are my options in Poplar if my credit is poor?

Borrowing is still possible, but expect a higher APR and a smaller approved amount. Lenders that accept lower scores hold statewide licences, so what is open to you in Poplar is the same as anywhere in Montana.

What loan size can I expect in Poplar?

Most personal loans sit somewhere between $1,000 and $50,000, though the figure you are approved for turns on the lender, your income and your credit. Model the monthly payment first with our personal loan calculator.

Do I have to pledge anything to borrow in Poplar?

For an unsecured personal loan, no — there is nothing to pledge. A secured loan, such as home equity or one secured by a vehicle, does require collateral, and default puts that asset at risk.

Does comparing loans in Poplar cost me credit score points?

Not during pre-qualification, which normally uses a soft pull and leaves your score alone. Submitting a full application triggers a hard inquiry, which can trim a few points briefly.

Nearby places

Wolf Point, MT — population 2,517
Richey, MT — population 164
Culbertson, MT — population 718
Flaxville, MT — population 60
Scobey, MT — population 983
Froid, MT — population 186
Circle, MT — population 572
Medicine Lake, MT — population 244