Montana lending rules
Personalloaner covers 127 Census places in Montana, which together hold an estimated 582,601 people. Licensed lenders set personal-loan terms here under Montana law, and the sourced rules below reach every borrower in the state.
Key rules for borrowers in Montana
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
Places we cover in Montana
The Census Bureau counts 127 places in Montana, and the largest are linked below.
Common questions
How high can interest rates legally go in Montana?
The answer turns on the product and on which statute applies to it. This page's table sets out Montana's usury cap and licensing rules, and each row carries its publisher and a link to the primary source.
What is Montana's position on payday lending?
Each state handles payday lending on its own: some permit it, some cap it, some prohibit it. The sourced row on this page gives Montana's current position.
How do I know a lender is licensed in Montana?
Consumer lenders generally need a licence issued by the state regulator identified on this page. Verify that licence with the regulator before you commit to anything.