State reference · MT
Montana lending rules
Montana has 127 Census places covered on Paydayloaning, with a combined estimated population of 582,601. Payday and small-loan terms in Montana are set by licensed lenders under state law; the sourced rules below apply to every borrower in the state.
Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning 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. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.
The verdict
Legal
Source: Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated) · as of 2026-09-16
- Maximum rate
- Greater of 15% or prime rate + 6 percentage points per year (written agreement)
- Montana Legislative Services Division (Montana Code Annotated)
- Licensing
- Consumer loan license required under the Montana Consumer Loan Act (32-5-101)
- Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions
- Regulator
- Montana Division of Banking and Financial Institutions (BFID), Department of Administration
- Montana Department of Administration, Division of Banking and Financial Institutions
Rules are quoted from the cited sources. How payday lending is regulated.
Key rules for borrowers in Montana
Quoted from the statute, regulator or agency named in each row.
| 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 |
Cities in Montana
All Montana citiesWe cover 127 Census places in Montana.
Advertising disclosure: Paydayloaning 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. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. Read the full disclosure.