Forsyth at a glance
- Population: 1,616 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 44th-largest of 127 places in Montana.
- 2020 Census base: 1,654 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.3% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 44th largest of 127 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 65% of Montana's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 46.2679, -106.6726 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Colstrip, MT (26 mi); Miles City, MT (41 mi); Hardin, MT (58 mi); Roundup, MT (90 mi); Billings, MT (96 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Hysham, MT (27 mi); Melstone, MT (61 mi); Jordan, MT (74 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Forsyth
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
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.
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 Forsyth
Each row below is a Montana rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| 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 Forsyth
Before you commit to a personal loan in Forsyth, 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.