Payday loans in Montana: what's allowed instead
Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates; NCUA June 2026 call report; FDIC BankFind, Oct 2026.
Montana payday loan rules at a glance
| Governing law | Montana Deferred Deposit Loan Act, as amended by Initiative Measure No. 164 (2010). (MCA 31-1-701 to 31-1-729) |
|---|---|
| Maximum loan | A payday loan must be at least $50 and no more than $300, not counting the fee. (MCA 31-1-715(2)-(3)) |
| Fees / interest cap | The fee for making or carrying a payday loan may not be more than 36% a year. Returned-payment fees are the only other charge allowed. (MCA 31-1-722(1)-(2)) |
| Maximum term | A payday loan may not run longer than 31 days. (MCA 31-1-715(1)) |
| Rollovers / renewals | Payday loans may not be renewed or extended for a fee, and a lender may not pay off one payday loan with another. A lender may extend the due date at no charge. (MCA 31-1-715(10); 31-1-723(6), (13), (15)) |
| Cooling-off period | The statute sets no waiting period. A lender may make a new loan once the previous loan is fully repaid. (MCA 31-1-715) |
| Loans at one time / database | A lender may not make a new payday loan to a borrower who already has one outstanding with it. (MCA 31-1-723(14)) |
| Returned-payment fee | One returned-payment fee of up to $30 per check (or per loan for electronic payments), no matter how many times the lender retries. (MCA 31-1-722(3)-(4)) |
| Criminal charges for bounced check | A lender may not threaten or use criminal process in any state to collect a payday loan made to a Montana consumer. (MCA 31-1-723(2)) |
Your options in Montana
Payday loans aren't offered by state-licensed lenders here, but you can still request a personal installment loan of $100 to $5,000 through our form. Installment loans spread repayment over several months, so each payment is smaller. See Montana personal loans.
Compare neighboring states
Lenders must follow the law of the state where you live, not where you visit.
| State | Status | Max loan |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | Legal | $1,000 per loan, and no more than $1,000 in total outstanding with one lender (plus fees). |
| North Dakota | Legal | A lender may not give you more than $500 in one payday loan. |
| South Dakota | Not available | — |
| Wyoming | Legal | — |
Personal loans by city in Montana
Counties in Montana
Show all 56 counties
Also see: Personal Loans in Montana · Title Loans in Montana · All Montana loan options
Frequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Montana?
Montana still has a Deferred Deposit Loan Act, but since Initiative 164 (2010) fees are capped at 36% a year. The Division states there are no licensed deferred deposit (payday) lenders in Montana.
How much can you borrow with a payday loan in Montana?
A payday loan must be at least $50 and no more than $300, not counting the fee.
How much do payday loans cost in Montana?
The fee for making or carrying a payday loan may not be more than 36% a year. Returned-payment fees are the only other charge allowed.
How many payday loans can you have at once in Montana?
A lender may not make a new payday loan to a borrower who already has one outstanding with it.
Can you roll over a payday loan in Montana?
Payday loans may not be renewed or extended for a fee, and a lender may not pay off one payday loan with another. A lender may extend the due date at no charge.
Can a payday lender press criminal charges in Montana?
A lender may not threaten or use criminal process in any state to collect a payday loan made to a Montana consumer.
Can I get a payday loan online in Montana?
Yes. You can request a payday loan online from anywhere in Montana, using your phone or computer. Our secure form takes about 3 minutes and connects you with lenders in our network that serve Montana residents. If you're approved, funds go straight to your checking account, often by the next business day. There's no cost to apply and no obligation to accept.
Can I get a payday loan on the weekend in Montana?
You can submit our online form any time, including nights and weekends, and some lenders review requests right away. Funding depends on banking days, though, so money requested on a Saturday or Sunday typically arrives the next business day. Submitting early helps you get in line for the first available deposit. Montana residents can start a request now; it takes about 3 minutes.
Do payday loans in Montana affect your credit score?
Usually only a little, if at all. Because many payday lenders don't use a traditional hard credit pull and often don't report to the major bureaus, a payday loan repaid on time typically has little effect on your score. A balance that goes unpaid and reaches collections could hurt it, so borrow an amount you can repay on your due date. Montana residents can see their options with our 3-minute form.
What do I need to get a payday loan in Montana?
Most lenders ask for a few basics: you must be a legal adult, with a valid government-issued ID, a steady source of income, an active checking account in your name, and a phone number and email. Some lenders also ask for recent pay stubs or bank statements. Having these ready makes our 3-minute form quick, and many Montana applicants get a decision in minutes.