Big Lake at a glance
- Population: 73 people, the 837th-largest place among Missouri's 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 72 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 1.4% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: 837th out of 937 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 11% of the places in Missouri (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 40.0727, -95.3504.
- Nearest larger cities: Rulo, NE (4 mi); White Cloud, KS (7 mi); Mound City, MO (8 mi); Craig, MO (8 mi); Forest City, MO (11 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Nearest smaller communities: Fortescue, MO (2 mi); Bigelow, MO (4 mi); Reserve, KS (13 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Big Lake
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
APR, not the simple interest rate, reflects what the loan actually costs once fees are included; the personal loan calculator puts a figure on it.
A longer term reduces what you owe each month and increases the total interest, which is the trade-off to weigh before choosing one.
If you are consolidating debt, the loan only helps if you stop adding to the balances it clears; otherwise the total debt grows.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Big Lake
Each row below is a Missouri rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Big Lake
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Big Lake:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.