Menlo at a glance
- Population: 343, the 534th-largest community in Iowa out of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 344 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 0.3% lower than the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 534th by size among 940 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 43% of Iowa's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 41.5221 / -94.4038, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Stuart, IA (5 mi); Casey, IA (6 mi); Dexter, IA (9 mi); Redfield, IA (12 mi); Guthrie Center, IA (12 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Smaller places close by: Linden, IA (11 mi); Yale, IA (18 mi); Bagley, IA (22 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Menlo
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.
The offer you receive reflects the lender's read of your credit, income and debts, and the term controls the balance between payment size and total interest.
A payment that strains the budget is a warning sign; a smaller loan or a little more saving time is the safer route.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Menlo
The table lists the Iowa rules that apply to a loan made in Menlo, each with the regulator that published it.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Regulated Loan Act license required (superintendent of banking) Source says: "shall not engage in the business of making loans ... without first obtaining a license from the superintendent of banking". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Iowa Division of Banking (IDOB), Iowa Department of Insurance and Financial Services Source says: "As part of the 2023 state government realignment, the IDOB became part of a new Department of Insurance and Financial Services". | Iowa Division of Banking as of 2026-09-16 |
| Delayed deposit fee cap | Fee cap: $15 on first $100 of check face amount; $10 on subsequent $100 increments Source says: "fifteen dollars on the first one hundred dollars ... or more than ten dollars on subsequent one hundred dollar increments". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 2 percentage points above the monthly average 10-year U.S. Treasury constant maturity rate (written agreements) Source says: "The maximum lawful rate of interest ... in any written agreement ... shall be two percentage points above the monthly average ten-year constant maturity interest rate". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Permitted under license (delayed deposit services; must be physically located in Iowa) Source says: "A person shall not operate a delayed deposit services business in this state unless the person is physically located in this state and licensed by the superintendent". | Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code) as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Menlo
Before you commit to a personal loan in Menlo, work through these steps:
- 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 Iowa using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.