Belt at a glance
- Population: 523 people, the 81st-largest place among Montana's 127 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 511 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: population rose about 2.3% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 81st-largest of 127 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 estimate).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 36% of Montana's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 47.3872, -110.9277.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Great Falls, MT (19 mi); Fort Benton, MT (33 mi); Cascade, MT (37 mi); Fairfield, MT (52 mi); White Sulphur Springs, MT (58 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller communities: Neihart, MT (33 mi); Geraldine, MT (34 mi); Stanford, MT (37 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Belt
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The APR is the comparable price of a loan since it folds in fees; model any offer with the personal loan calculator first.
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.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Montana lending rules that apply in Belt
The table carries the Montana rate and licensing rules that apply to consumer loans made in Belt.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Belt
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Belt:
- 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.