Mermentau at a glance
- Population: 497 residents, the 211th-largest of 302 places in Louisiana (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 518 people at the 2020 Census, the baseline for the trend below (US Census Bureau).
- 2020 to 2023 change: about 4.1% below the 2020 Census base (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Louisiana places: 211th by size among 302 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 30% of places in Louisiana rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 30.1880 / -92.5838, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Jennings, LA (5 mi); Morse, LA (7 mi); Estherwood, LA (7 mi); Lake Arthur, LA (9 mi); Iota, LA (11 mi) (Census populations, approximate straight-line distance).
- Nearest smaller towns: Fenton, LA (23 mi); Chataignier, LA (31 mi); Reeves, LA (35 mi) (US Census Bureau).
What a personal loan costs in Mermentau
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The advertised interest rate leaves out fees that the APR captures, which is why APR is the number to weigh; try the personal loan calculator before you apply.
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.
Set the loan amount from the expense itself rather than the maximum you are approved for, and keep the payment within your existing budget.
Louisiana lending rules that apply in Mermentau
Each row below is a Louisiana rule with its publisher and the date it was retrieved.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Mermentau
The steps below are worth completing first when you borrow in Mermentau:
- 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.