Stanford at a glance
- Population: 410 people, the 87th-largest place among Montana's 127 Census places (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 395 residents in the 2020 Census, per the US Census Bureau.
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 3.8% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Montana places: 87th by size among 127 communities (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 31% of Montana's places have fewer residents (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: latitude 47.1521, longitude -110.2190 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities (120-mile radius): Lewistown, MT (37 mi); Belt, MT (37 mi); Fort Benton, MT (51 mi); Harlowton, MT (53 mi); White Sulphur Springs, MT (53 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller places: Denton, MT (17 mi); Hobson, MT (19 mi); Moore, MT (28 mi) (US Census Bureau estimates).
What a personal loan costs in Stanford
Unlike a revolving credit card, a personal loan is closed-end: the balance falls on a fixed schedule and the payment does not change.
APR is the figure that lets you compare like with like, since it wraps fees into the rate; run your own numbers with the personal loan calculator.
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.
Before you borrow, decide what the loan is for and whether the monthly payment fits a budget you can already meet without taking on new debt.
Montana lending rules that apply in Stanford
The table lists the Montana rules that apply to a loan made in Stanford, each with the regulator that published it.
| 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 Stanford
Before you share your details with a lender in Stanford:
- 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.