Plain Green Loans FAQ

Answers to the most common questions about Plain Green Loans. Updated December 2025.

General Questions

Plain Green Loans is a tribal lender owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation in Montana. They offer short-term installment loans from $200 to $4,500 with APRs ranging from 199% to 699% and repayment terms of 6 to 24 months. As a tribal lender, they operate under tribal law rather than state regulations.

Plain Green Loans is a legitimate company that has been operating since 2011. They are owned by a federally recognized Native American tribe and have an A+ BBB rating with over 13,000 Trustpilot reviews (4.3/5 rating). However, "legitimate" doesn't mean "affordable" — their APRs are extremely high (199-699%) and should be considered a last resort when no other options are available.

Yes, Plain Green is a tribal lender owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe. This means they operate under tribal law rather than state regulations, which allows them to charge higher interest rates than state-licensed lenders. Consumer protections and dispute resolution may differ from traditional lenders.

Plain Green Loans is wholly owned by the Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, a federally recognized Native American tribe located in Montana. The company operates within the boundaries of the reservation.

APR & Costs

Plain Green's APR ranges from 199% to 699%, depending on your loan amount, term, and creditworthiness. First-time borrowers typically receive higher rates, while VIP members may qualify for rates toward the lower end. For comparison, traditional personal loans range from 6-36% APR. Example: A $1,000 loan at 350% APR over 12 months would cost approximately $1,064 in interest.

Due to high APRs, you'll typically pay back 1.5x to 3x what you borrowed. Examples:

  • $500 loan at 448% APR, 6 months = $936 total ($436 interest)
  • $1,000 loan at 350% APR, 12 months = $2,064 total ($1,064 interest)
  • $2,000 loan at 299% APR, 18 months = $4,554 total ($2,554 interest)

Plain Green does not charge origination fees or prepayment penalties. However, late payment fees and returned payment fees may apply if you miss payments. These fees are not disclosed upfront on their website — you'll see them in your loan agreement.

Plain Green's high rates are due to several factors: 1) They lend to high-risk borrowers with bad credit, 2) As a tribal lender, they're not subject to state interest rate caps, 3) Short-term installment loans have higher default rates, 4) They claim these rates cover the cost of lending to underserved populations.

Requirements & Eligibility

To qualify for Plain Green, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old (19 in some states)
  • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Have an active checking account in your name
  • Have a regular source of income
  • Have a valid email address and phone number
  • Live in one of the 26 eligible states

There is no stated minimum credit score requirement.

Plain Green performs a soft credit inquiry during pre-qualification, which does not affect your credit score. If you proceed with the loan application, they may perform a hard credit inquiry which could temporarily lower your score by a few points.

Available in 26 states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming

NOT available in: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, DC

Loan amounts depend on your borrower status:

  • First-time borrowers: $200 - $1,000
  • Returning/VIP customers: Up to $4,500

Your approved amount depends on your income, state, and creditworthiness.

Funding & Payments

Plain Green offers same-day funding for loans approved and accepted before 9:30 AM Mountain Time on business days. Loans approved after this time are typically funded the next business day. VIP members may qualify for instant debit card funding any day of the week. Actual fund availability depends on your bank's processing times.

Payment options include:

  • Automatic ACH: Withdrawn from your checking account on due dates (default)
  • Online: Log in to your Plain Green account
  • Phone: Call (866) 420-7157
  • Mail: Send check or money order to their payment address

Yes! Plain Green allows early repayment with no prepayment penalty. Since interest accrues daily, paying off early can save you significant money. We strongly recommend paying off as quickly as possible to minimize interest costs.

Missing a payment may result in:

  • Late fees
  • Additional interest charges
  • Resubmission of returned payments
  • Potential impact on your ability to borrow again

If you cannot make a payment, contact customer service at (866) 420-7157 immediately to discuss options.

Pre-qualification uses a soft inquiry (no impact). Taking out a loan may involve a hard inquiry (small temporary impact). Important: Plain Green does not report to all major credit bureaus, so making timely payments may not help build your credit history.

Alternatives

Lower-cost alternatives include:

  • OppLoans: 59-199% APR, bad credit OK
  • NetCredit: 34-155% APR, larger amounts
  • Rise Credit: 36-299% APR, bad credit OK
  • Avant: 9.95-35.99% APR (need 580+ credit)
  • Credit Union PALs: 18-28% APR, small amounts

If you have a credit score above 550, you'll likely qualify for much cheaper options.

Plain Green is slightly better than traditional payday loans because:

  • You have more time to repay (6-24 months vs 2 weeks)
  • Payments are spread out into installments
  • No prepayment penalty

However, the total cost can still be very high due to the extended term and high APR.

VIP Rewards Program

The VIP Rewards Program is for returning Plain Green customers. Benefits include:

  • Higher loan limits (up to $4,500 vs $1,000 for new borrowers)
  • Potentially lower APRs
  • Instant debit card funding option
  • More flexible payment terms

You automatically become eligible for VIP benefits after successfully repaying your first loan with Plain Green. Your exact benefits depend on your payment history and relationship with Plain Green.

Contact & Support

Contact Plain Green at:

  • Phone: (866) 420-7157
  • Email: Through your online account
  • Hours: Monday-Friday (hours vary)

Visit plaingreenloans.com and click "Log In" in the top right corner. You'll need your email address and password. If you forgot your password, use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it.

Still Have Questions?

Read our full review for more details, or apply directly at Plain Green.

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