Bernice at a glance
- Population: 1,310 — 139th in Louisiana, which has 302 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,357 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: roughly 3.5% fewer residents than at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Louisiana places: 139th in population of 302 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 54% of places in Louisiana rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 32.8277, -92.6585 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Farmerville, LA (15 mi); Ruston, LA (20 mi); Grambling, LA (21 mi); Homer, LA (23 mi); Arcadia, LA (24 mi) — straight-line distances, US Census Bureau populations.
- Smaller places close by: Lillie, LA (6 mi); Spearsville, LA (8 mi); Dubach, LA (9 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Bernice
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
Compare offers on APR rather than the headline rate — the APR includes most fees, and you can model the total with our personal loan calculator.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Louisiana lending rules that apply in Bernice
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed-lender consumer loan finance charge caps | 36% first $1,400; 27% to $4,000; 24% to $7,000; 21% above (R.S. 9:3519(A)) Source says: "Thirty-six percent per year for that portion of the unpaid principal amount of the loan not exceeding one thousand four hundred dollars" | Louisiana State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 12% per annum maximum conventional interest (La. R.S. 9:3500(C)(1)) Source says: "The amount of the conventional interest cannot exceed twelve percent per annum." | Louisiana State Legislature as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — deferred presentment and small loans ($350 or less, 60 days or less) under OFI-issued licenses Source says: "Persons who make loans of $350 or less for a term of 60 days or less." | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer loan license required from OFI before making consumer loans Source says: "Persons who wish to engage in the business of making consumer loans must hold a consumer loan license issued by this Office" | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions (OFI), Non-Depository Division Source says: "OFI is responsible for the supervision of various entities which provide financial services to the citizens of the State of Louisiana." | Louisiana Office of Financial Institutions as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Bernice
These steps are the ones that most affect the offer you receive in Bernice:
- 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 Louisiana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.