Chinook at a glance
- Population: a Census-estimated 1,160, placing it 51st among Montana's 127 places (Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: 1,182 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 1.9% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 51st in population of 127 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 60% of Montana places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 48.5901, longitude -109.2318 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Havre, MT (21 mi); Malta, MT (64 mi); Fort Benton, MT (84 mi); Lewistown, MT (107 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller places: Harlem, MT (21 mi); Dodson, MT (47 mi); Big Sandy, MT (49 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Chinook
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
A useful rule is to keep the new payment inside the room your budget already has, so the loan eases pressure instead of adding to it.
Montana lending rules that apply in Chinook
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Chinook
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Chinook:
- 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.