Bellwood at a glance
- Population: 1,773 residents, the 458th-largest of 1,013 places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,821 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 2.6% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Pennsylvania places: 458th of the state's 1,013 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 55% of the places in Pennsylvania (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: mapped at 40.6007, -78.3333 by the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Tyrone, PA (7 mi); Altoona, PA (7 mi); Hollidaysburg, PA (12 mi); Huntingdon, PA (19 mi); Roaring Spring, PA (19 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Birmingham, PA (8 mi); Ashville, PA (12 mi); Williamsburg, PA (12 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in Bellwood
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Because the APR includes origination and finance charges, it is the honest comparison number; the personal loan calculator turns an APR and term into a monthly payment.
Choosing a longer term eases the monthly budget but adds interest over the life of the loan; a shorter term costs more per month and less overall.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Pennsylvania lending rules that apply in Bellwood
The table lists the Pennsylvania rules that apply to a loan made in Bellwood, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Bank rate-cap exemption (state-specific rule) | Pennsylvania state-chartered banks are not subject to state interest-rate caps (Banking Code Sections 303/506 supersede the LIPL 6% cap). Source says: "Pennsylvania law does not impose any restrictions on the interest rate that Pennsylvania state-chartered banks may charge to customers." (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 6% per annum maximum for loans of $50,000 or less where no lower rate is contracted (41 P.S. 201(a)). Source says: "the maximum lawful rate of interest for the loan or use of money... shall be six per cent per annum" (Loan Interest and Protection Law, Section 201(a)). | Pennsylvania General Assembly (Laws of Pennsylvania, Act 6 of 1974) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | No separate payday-lending license; non-bank lenders are limited to 6% (unlicensed) or up to 24% (CDCA-licensed), so high-cost payday loans are not permitted. Source says: "if a lender is licensed by the Department in accord with the CDCA, it can charge between 6-24% on loans under $25,000" (DoBS interpretive letter, May 11, 2023). | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Discount Company Act license required for non-mortgage consumer loans above 6%; licensed lenders may charge up to 24% on loans of $25,000 or less. Source says: "A consumer discount company is a business corporation that negotiates or makes non-mortgage loans or advances of money on credit." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities (DoBS) Source says: "The Department of Banking and Securities regulates financial services in Pennsylvania." | Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bellwood
Run through this list before signing anything in Bellwood:
- 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 Pennsylvania using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.