West Bend at a glance
- Population: 775 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate), the 336th-largest of 940 places in Iowa.
- 2020 Census base: 792 residents (US Census Bureau, 2020 Census).
- 2020 to 2023 change: a decline of roughly 2.1% between the 2020 count and the 2023 estimate (US Census Bureau).
- Rank among Iowa places: 336th in population of 940 places (US Census Bureau).
- Size percentile: roughly 64% of places in Iowa rank below it by population (US Census Bureau).
- Coordinates: the Census Gazetteer places it at 42.9600, -94.4456.
- Nearest larger cities within 120 miles: Algona, IA (13 mi); Emmetsburg, IA (16 mi); Pocahontas, IA (19 mi); Humboldt, IA (20 mi); Laurens, IA (22 mi) (US Census Bureau).
- Nearest smaller towns: Ottosen, IA (6 mi); Rodman, IA (6 mi); Whittemore, IA (7 mi) — US Census Bureau populations.
What a personal loan costs in West Bend
Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged, and they are repaid in equal installments over a fixed term.
Compare every quote on APR because it includes the fees the interest rate hides, and check the payment with our personal loan calculator.
Lenders weigh your credit history, income and debts when they set the rate, and the term you choose then determines how that rate compounds into total cost.
Work out the payment you can comfortably carry each month first, then borrow no more than that figure supports.
Iowa lending rules that apply in West Bend
Where a figure is not published by the state, the row points to the source instead of guessing.
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How to compare offers in West Bend
Run through this list before signing anything in West Bend:
- 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.