Outlook at a glance
- Population: 82, the 123rd-largest community in Montana out of 127 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 83 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: down about 1.2% from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 123rd in population of 127 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: ahead of around 3% of Montana places in population terms (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 48.8888, -104.7849 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Plentywood, MT (13 mi); Medicine Lake, MT (30 mi); Scobey, MT (30 mi); Westby, MT (33 mi); Froid, MT (40 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller communities: Flaxville, MT (19 mi); Fortuna, ND (46 mi); Ambrose, ND (59 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Outlook
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
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 term is the lever: extend it and the payment falls while total interest climbs; shorten it and the reverse happens.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Montana lending rules that apply in Outlook
Read the table as the compliance picture for a lender serving Outlook: label, sourced figure, publisher and date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Outlook
Before you commit to a personal loan in Outlook, 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 Montana using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.