Belle at a glance
- Population: 1,381 — 289th in Missouri, which has 937 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,382 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 0.1% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Missouri places: the 289th-largest of 937 (US Census Bureau, 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 69% of Missouri places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.2851, -91.7215 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Owensville, MO (13 mi); Linn, MO (15 mi); St. James, MO (20 mi); Cuba, MO (23 mi); Rolla, MO (24 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Bland, MO (5 mi); Freeburg, MO (11 mi); Vienna, MO (14 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Belle
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Because interest accrues for longer, a longer term means a lower installment and a higher total cost — decide which matters more to you.
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.
Missouri lending rules that apply in Belle
Every figure in the table below is sourced to a publisher with a date; where a state does not publish a number, we say so rather than estimate.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Belle
Run through this list before signing anything in Belle:
- 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 Missouri using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.