Payday loans in Montana
Montana caps the cost of small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost single-payment payday loans are not offered by licensed lenders there. Every figure on this page was checked against Montana law on November 10, 2026.
- Status
- Capped at 36% APR
- Rate cap
- 36% APR
Montana payday loan rules at a glance
- Legal status
- Capped at 36% APR
- Rate cap
- 36% APR
- Governing law
- Mont. Code Ann. 31-1-701
Checked against Montana law on November 10, 2026.
The Northlight standard
- Highest APR
- 35.99%
- Time to repay
- 3 to 36 months
- Amounts
- $100 to $5,000
Example: $1,000 over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, $1,205.52 in total. Rates and terms
Key points
- Montana limits the cost of small loans to 36% APR.
- High-cost single-payment payday loans are not legal there.
- Licensed lenders, credit unions and assistance programs remain available.
- Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions handles licensing questions and complaints.
On this page
Are payday loans legal in Montana?
Montana caps the cost of small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost single-payment payday loans are not offered by licensed lenders there.
The governing law is Mont. Code Ann. 31-1-701. Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions licenses lenders and takes complaints. Check a lender’s license there before you share bank details; how to tell if a lender is legitimate lists the other checks.
What the 36% cap means
A lender licensed in Montana cannot charge more than 36% APR on a small loan. At that price the two-week payday loan is not a viable product, so storefront payday lenders do not operate in Montana. Longer installment loans from licensed lenders and credit unions are the legal options.
A loan that meets the Northlight standard
Northlight works only with loans that carry an APR of 35.99% or less, fees included, and give you at least 3 months to repay. Montana’s own cap draws nearly the same line.
For example, $1,000 repaid over 12 months at 35.99% APR is 12 payments of $100.46, or $1,205.52 in total. The calculator prices other amounts and terms.
If you cannot repay a loan in Montana
Contact the lender before the due date and ask for a payment plan in writing. If a lender or collector breaks the rules, file a complaint with Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions and with the CFPB. Our guide to what happens if you don’t pay covers each step.
Lower-cost options in Montana
- Credit union payday alternative loans (PALs): $200 to $2,000 at no more than 28% APR.
- A payment plan with the landlord, utility or hospital you owe often costs nothing.
- Local assistance: dial 211 for rent, utility and food programs near you.
See all payday loan alternatives.
How Montana got here
Voters passed Initiative 164 in November 2010 with about 72% support, capping payday, title and installment loans at 36% APR.
Free help in Montana
- 211Free, confidential referrals to local help with rent, utilities and food. Call 211.
- USA.gov: help paying billsGovernment programs for rent, energy, phone and medical bills.
- National Foundation for Credit CounselingNonprofit credit counselors who can set up a debt management plan. Call 800-388-2227.
- CFPB complaint portalFile a federal complaint about a lender or a debt collector.
Common questions
Are payday loans legal in Montana?
Only at low rates. Montana caps small loans at 36% APR, which rules out traditional payday loans.
I got a payday loan offer online in Montana. Is it safe?
Treat it with caution. A lender must follow Montana law to lend to you, and many online offers come from unlicensed companies. Check the license with Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions before sharing bank details.
What can I use instead of a payday loan in Montana?
A payday alternative loan from a federal credit union (capped at 28% APR), a payment plan with the company you owe, or local assistance through 211.
Can I be arrested for not repaying a payday loan in Montana?
No. Not paying a loan is a civil matter, not a crime. A lender can still sue you in civil court, so never ignore a court summons.
Where do I complain about a lender in Montana?
Contact Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions. You can also file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Does Northlight offer payday loans in Montana?
No. Northlight is not a lender, and the loans we work with must carry an APR of 35.99% or less and run for at least 3 months. Single-payment payday loans do not meet that standard.
See the payment before you apply
Pick an amount and a term. The calculator shows the monthly payment, the total and the cost of credit at the highest APR we allow.
Sources
Keep reading
- NebraskaNebraska caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- MissouriPayday loans are legal in Missouri. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- NevadaPayday loans are legal in Nevada. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- MississippiPayday loans are legal in Mississippi. See the loan limits, the rules lenders must follow, where to complain, and how a loan capped at 35.99% APR compares.
- New HampshireNew Hampshire caps small loans at 36% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.
- MinnesotaMinnesota caps small loans at 50% APR, so high-cost payday loans are not offered. See what is allowed, who regulates lenders and what a loan costs.