Melstone at a glance
- Population: 145 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 114th-largest of 127 places in Montana.
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 Census recorded 130 residents here (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: up about 11.5% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 114th-largest of 127 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: roughly 10% of Montana's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: it sits at 46.5987, -107.8683 in the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Roundup, MT (34 mi); Winnett, MT (36 mi); Hysham, MT (37 mi); Hardin, MT (60 mi); Forsyth, MT (61 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Grass Range, MT (53 mi); Lavina, MT (55 mi); Broadview, MT (59 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Melstone
A personal loan hands you a single sum and a repayment schedule of equal monthly installments over an agreed term.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
The term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Pre-qualification is a good first filter: it shows the rate and amount a lender may offer before you agree to a full application and a hard inquiry.
Montana lending rules that apply in Melstone
Each row below is a Montana rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Melstone
Run through this list before signing anything in Melstone:
- 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.