Bridger at a glance
- Population: 714 — 71st in Montana, which has 127 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 662 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 7.9% more residents than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 71st in population of 127 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 44% of places in Montana rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 45.2949, -108.9165 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities: Red Lodge, MT (18 mi); Laurel, MT (27 mi); Columbus, MT (29 mi); Cowley, WY (36 mi); Powell, WY (38 mi), each a US Census place with its estimated population.
- Nearest smaller towns: Fromberg, MT (7 mi); Joliet, MT (13 mi); Bearcreek, MT (15 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Bridger
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.
Stretching the term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay, so the smallest payment is not automatically the cheapest loan.
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 Bridger
The table carries the Montana rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Bridger.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Bridger
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Bridger:
- 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.