Browning at a glance
- Population: 1,005 — 55th in Montana, which has 127 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 1,017 people (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: population fell about 1.2% (US Census Bureau Vintage 2023 estimate vs 2020 Census).
- Rank among Montana places: 55th out of 127 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 57% of Montana places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 48.5564, longitude -113.0151 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Cut Bank, MT (32 mi); Shelby, MT (53 mi); Columbia Falls, MT (55 mi); Conrad, MT (56 mi); Whitefish, MT (62 mi); US Census Bureau population estimates.
- Nearest smaller communities: Valier, MT (39 mi); Kevin, MT (50 mi); Sunburst, MT (55 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Browning
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Montana lending rules that apply in Browning
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Browning: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Browning
The order below is a sensible way to approach a loan in Browning:
- 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.