Personal loans in Circle, MT
With about 572 residents, Circle ranks 78th by population among the 127 Census places in Montana. Its population fell about 2.9% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate. If you are shopping for a personal loan in Circle, the rules that govern the loan are Montana's statewide consumer-lending statutes, and the nearest larger metro is Terry, MT about 45 miles away.
What is specific to borrowing in Circle
- Population: 572 (US Census Bureau, Vintage 2023 subcounty estimate) — the 78th-largest place of 127 in Montana.
- Population trend: Its population fell about 2.9% between the 2020 Census base and the 2023 estimate.
- Size percentile: larger than about 39% of the Census places in Montana.
- Location: 47.4177, -105.5870 (US Census Bureau Gazetteer).
- Nearest larger cities: Terry (45 mi); Glendive (46 mi); Wolf Point (47 mi); Poplar (51 mi); Sidney (69 mi). Larger metros often have more walk-in branches, but online lenders serve Circle on the same terms.
- Nearest smaller towns: Richey (29 mi); Fort Peck (57 mi); Nashua (61 mi).
Montana lending rules that apply in Circle
| Rule | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
How a personal loan works in Circle
Most loans offered to Circle residents are unsecured, meaning no collateral is pledged and the lender relies on your credit history instead. That is why the quoted APR moves so much with your credit score: a borrower with excellent credit may see a single-digit APR, while a borrower with damaged credit may see rates in the high twenties or thirties. Checking your credit report before you apply — and disputing any error — is the highest-leverage step you can take.
Before you apply in Circle
- 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 Montana 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 Circle?
Yes, but expect a higher APR and possibly a smaller amount. Lenders that serve borrowers with lower scores are licensed statewide, so your options in Circle are the same as elsewhere in Montana.
How much can I borrow with a personal loan in Circle?
Most personal loans range from about $1,000 to $50,000, but the amount you are approved for depends on the lender and your income and credit. Use our personal loan calculator to model the payment before you apply.
Does a personal loan in Circle require collateral?
Unsecured personal loans do not require collateral. A secured loan, such as a home-equity or auto-secured loan, does — and it puts the pledged asset at risk if you default.
Will shopping for a loan in Circle hurt my credit?
Pre-qualification usually uses a soft credit pull that does not affect your score. A full application triggers a hard inquiry, which may lower your score by a few points temporarily.
Nearby places
- Richey, MT — population 164
- Wolf Point, MT — population 2,517
- Terry, MT — population 574
- Poplar, MT — population 727
- Glendive, MT — population 4,796
- Miles City, MT — population 8,438
- Fort Peck, MT — population 235
- Nashua, MT — population 294