Bearcreek at a glance
- Population: 99 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 121st-largest of 127 places in Montana.
- 2020 Census base: 87 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 13.8% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 121st of 127 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: about 5% of places in Montana are smaller (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 45.1606, -109.1574 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Red Lodge, MT (5 mi); Bridger, MT (15 mi); Fromberg, MT (20 mi); Joliet, MT (24 mi); Frannie, WY (29 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Smaller places nearby: Manderson, WY (85 mi); Kirby, WY (105 mi), per US Census Bureau estimates.
What a personal loan costs in Bearcreek
A personal loan is an installment loan: you receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly payments over a set term, usually two to seven years.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Montana lending rules that apply in Bearcreek
The table carries the Montana rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Bearcreek.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Bearcreek
Before you commit to a personal loan in Bearcreek, work through these steps:
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run your figures through the personal loan calculator on this site so you know the payment before a lender quotes one.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check that the lender is licensed in Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.