Van Wert at a glance
- Population: 179, the 692nd-largest community in Iowa out of 940 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- 2020 Census base: 178 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: an increase of about 0.6% since the 2020 count (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 692nd of 940 by population (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023).
- Size percentile: it exceeds roughly 26% of Iowa's Census places by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: 40.8707, -93.7922 (Census Gazetteer, US Census Bureau).
- Nearest larger cities (within 120 miles): Leon, IA (9 mi); Grand River, IA (10 mi); Osceola, IA (11 mi); Murray, IA (14 mi); Humeston, IA (15 mi) (US Census Bureau populations).
- Nearest smaller communities: Weldon, IA (4 mi); Decatur, IA (9 mi); Garden Grove, IA (10 mi), each a US Census place.
What a personal loan costs in Van Wert
The defining feature of a personal loan is the fixed installment: the same payment every month until the term ends.
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.
A lender weighs your credit profile, income and debts when setting the rate, and a longer term lowers the payment at the cost of more interest overall.
Most lenders offer pre-qualification with a soft credit pull, so you can see an estimated rate and amount without affecting your credit score.
Iowa lending rules that apply in Van Wert
The Iowa rate caps and licensing rules that reach Van Wert are listed below, each with its source and retrieval date.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in Van Wert
Run through this list before signing anything in Van Wert:
- 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.