Personal loans in Benton City, MO
Benton City is a small community in Missouri, home to roughly 105 people and larger than about 16% of the places in the state. Its population grew about 1.9% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate. Personal loans taken out in Benton City are governed by Missouri's lending law rather than by any local ordinance, which is why two neighbors with different credit histories can be quoted very different rates.
What is specific to borrowing in Benton City
- Population: 105 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate) — the 785th-largest place of 937 in Missouri.
- Population trend: Its population grew about 1.9% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
- Size percentile: larger than about 16% of the Census places in Missouri.
- Location: 39.1345, -91.7649 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Mexico (6 mi); Martinsburg (7 mi); Laddonia (10 mi); Auxvasse (11 mi); Wellsville (11 mi). Larger metros often have more walk-in branches, but online lenders serve Benton City on the same terms.
- Nearest smaller towns: Vandiver (5 mi); Rush Hill (6 mi); Stoutsville (29 mi).
Missouri lending rules that apply in Benton City
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum legal interest rate (usury cap) | 10% per annum, or the higher published 'market rate' (RSMo § 408.030) Source says: "a rate of interest not exceeding ten percent per annum on money due or to become due upon any contract" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Payday lending status | Legal and licensed — unsecured loans of $500 or less require a license from the Director of the Division of Finance (RSMo § 408.500) Source says: "in the business of making unsecured loans of five hundred dollars or less shall obtain a license from the director of the division of finance" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
| Small-loan / installment lender licensing | Consumer credit lenders licensed and regulated by the Division of Finance's consumer credit section (Chapters 367 and 408, RSMo) Source says: "The consumer credit section of the Missouri Division of Finance is responsible for licensing and regulating various types of consumer finance companies" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| State lending regulator | Missouri Division of Finance (Department of Commerce and Insurance) Source says: "We regulate state-chartered banks, trust companies, consumer credit facilities, mortgage brokers, and savings and loan institutions" | Missouri Division of Finance as of 2026-09-16 |
| Additional loan fee cap (30+ day loans) | Up to 10% of principal, capped at $100 (RSMo § 408.140) Source says: "a fee, not to exceed ten percent of the principal amount loaned not to exceed one hundred dollars may be charged by the lender" | Missouri Revisor of Statutes as of 2026-09-16 |
How a personal loan works in Benton City
When you apply for a personal loan in Benton City, most lenders start with pre-qualification, which uses a soft credit pull and does not affect your score. That lets you see estimated rates from several lenders before committing. Only when you accept an offer and complete a full application does the lender run a hard inquiry, which may ding your score by a few points for a short period. Rate-shopping within a focused window is treated as a single inquiry by most scoring models.
Before you apply in Benton City
- Pull your free credit reports and dispute any error — it is the cheapest way to improve the rate you are offered.
- Run the numbers with our personal loan calculator so you know the payment before a lender tells you.
- Pre-qualify with at least three lenders and compare the APR, not the interest rate.
- Check the lender is licensed in Missouri using the regulator listed above.
- Read the disclosure for origination fees and any prepayment penalty before you sign.
Advertising disclosure: Loansloth may receive a referral fee if you apply through the link above. That fee does not change the rate you are offered, and it does not change our content. We are not a lender. Read the full disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in Benton City?
How much can I borrow with a personal loan in Benton City?
Does a personal loan in Benton City require collateral?
Will shopping for a loan in Benton City hurt my credit?
Nearby places
- Rush Hill, MO — population 100
- Vandiver, MO — population 62
- Mexico, MO — population 11,507
- Martinsburg, MO — population 257
- Laddonia, MO — population 505
- Auxvasse, MO — population 1,014
- Wellsville, MO — population 1,006
- Farber, MO — population 255