Preston at a glance
- Population: 676, the 114th-largest community in Maryland out of 157 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 676 residents at the 2020 Census (US Census Bureau, 2020 count).
- 2020 to 2023 change: essentially flat from the 2020 Census base to the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Maryland places: 114th out of 157 Census places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: it is larger than about 27% of the places in Maryland (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 38.7102 / -75.9075, per the US Census Bureau Gazetteer.
- Nearest larger cities: Hurlock, MD (6 mi); Federalsburg, MD (7 mi); Trappe, MD (8 mi); Easton, MD (10 mi); Denton, MD (13 mi); each population is a US Census Bureau estimate.
- Nearest smaller communities: Secretary, MD (7 mi); East New Market, MD (8 mi); Eldorado, MD (11 mi) (Census populations).
What a personal loan costs in Preston
Personal loans are installment credit — one lump sum, repaid in equal monthly installments across a fixed term you agree to up front.
The number to compare is the APR, not the interest rate, because the APR folds in origination fees and other charges; our personal loan calculator will show what a given amount and term would cost.
A longer repayment period spreads the cost and increases the interest paid, so compare total cost, not just the monthly figure.
Pre-qualifying with several lenders takes minutes, uses a soft pull, and gives you real numbers to compare before any hard inquiry.
Maryland lending rules that apply in Preston
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 24% per year effective simple interest for qualifying loans (Md. Code Com. Law § 12-103(c)); otherwise 8% (written agreement) or 18% Source says: "a lender may charge an effective rate of simple interest not in excess of 24 percent per year on the unpaid principal balance" | Maryland General Assembly as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Regulated as consumer loans: licensing and statutory interest-rate limits apply to payday-style loans (OFR) Source says: "they are prohibited from charging or receiving an interest rate that is greater than authorized by the laws of this State" | Maryland Department of Labor, Office of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer Lender license required to make loans under the Maryland Consumer Loan Law (Com. Law § 12-301 et seq.) Source says: "A Consumer Lender is a business that makes any loan or advance of money or credit under the Maryland Consumer Loan Law" | Maryland Department of Labor, Office of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Office of Financial Regulation; Commissioner of Financial Regulation (Maryland Department of Labor) Source says: "is Maryland's consumer financial protection agency and financial services regulator" | Maryland Department of Labor as of 2026-09-16 |
| OFR consumer-loan interest-rate limits | 2.75%/month (33%/yr) on the first $1,000 of a loan ≤$2,000; 2%/month (24%/yr) thereafter and on loans over $2,000 Source says: "Maximum interest rate allowed by law is 2.75% per month or an annual interest rate of 33%" | Maryland Department of Labor, Office of Financial Regulation as of 2026-09-16 |
How to compare offers in Preston
Here is a short checklist for comparing personal loans in Preston:
- 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 Maryland using the regulator named above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.