Bayard at a glance
- Population: about 193 residents, ranking 204th of 230 Census places in West Virginia (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate).
- 2020 Census base: the 2020 count put the population at 199 (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 3.0% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among West Virginia places: 204th largest of 230 (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 11% of West Virginia places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 39.2711 / -79.3662, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Loch Lynn Heights, MD (8 mi); Mountain Lake Park, MD (9 mi); Oakland, MD (10 mi); Thomas, WV (11 mi); Deer Park, MD (11 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Smaller places close by: Luke, MD (22 mi); Harman, WV (26 mi); Montrose, WV (28 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Bayard
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
Judge an offer by its APR, which blends the interest rate with fees, and use the personal loan calculator to see the total cost.
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.
West Virginia lending rules that apply in Bayard
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Bayard: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 31% per year on unsecured loans of $3,500 or less; 27% on $3,500–$15,000; 18% above $15,000 (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-107) Source says: the loan finance charge, calculated according to the actuarial method, may not exceed 31 percent per year | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Traditional payday lending is generally prohibited; check cashers are regulated under W. Va. Code ch. 32A Source says: Traditional "Payday Lenders" are generally prohibited within this state. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated consumer lender license required from the Commissioner (W. Va. Code § 46A-4-101) Source says: Unless a person has first obtained a license from the commissioner authorizing the person to make regulated consumer loans | West Virginia Legislature (West Virginia Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) Source says: The West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions is charged with the regulation and supervision of financial institutions chartered by the State of West Virginia. | West Virginia Division of Financial Institutions (WV DFI) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bayard
Before you share your details with a lender in Bayard:
- 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 West Virginia using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.