Fort Benton at a glance
- Population: 1,425 — 47th in Montana, which has 127 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,460 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 2.4% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 47th-largest of 127 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 63% of Montana's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 47.8290 / -110.6558, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Great Falls, MT (38 mi); Conrad, MT (64 mi); Havre, MT (67 mi); Choteau, MT (71 mi); Shelby, MT (72 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Geraldine, MT (24 mi); Belt, MT (33 mi); Big Sandy, MT (35 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Fort Benton
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
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.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Shop with more than one lender and treat pre-qualification as an estimate, since the final terms follow a full application.
Montana lending rules that apply in Fort Benton
The table lists the Montana rules that apply to a loan made in Fort Benton, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Fort Benton
Run through this list before signing anything in Fort Benton:
- 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.