Plain Green Loans Reviews

Considering Plain Green Loans for a bad credit installment loan?  Before doing anything, read our guide and review on this lender.  (You may be surprised at what you find.)

Here are a few things we’ll cover in this review:

• An overview of Plain Green Loans
• How much money you can borrow
• How much you’ll pay in interest and fees
• How to apply
• Whether your state allows tribal lending
• Whether Plain Green Loans is a scam or not
• How well they treat customers
• And much more…

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• An easy way to get a low-cost emergency loan

Plain Green Loans offers emergency loans and lines of credit that are simple and convenient.  And on top of that…you can get funds as soon as the next day.  There appears to be zero hidden fees or costs.  It seems like the perfect offer for a borrower that might need an emergency loan.

Or is it?  Keep reading…

How Does Plain Green Loans Work?

Plain Green Loans was founded in Montana by the Chippewa Cree Tribe.  They provide bad credit tribal loans for emergency purposes.  The company approved over 121,000 loans in 2011…in its first year of business.  Since the company operates in a sovereign country, they enjoy tribal immunity…

And, are not subjected to state laws in the United States.  As a result, federal or state laws cannot dictate what interest rate they can charge.

Accused of embezzlement, several members siphoned money from the company’s revenue.

…an activity that caused them to lose 7% of their profit.  Even though members faced conviction, the company continued to operate.  While the company is no longer accredited by the BBB ((Better Business Bureau), they do have a B rating.

According to the BBB, the company has had 139 complaints in the last 3 years.

In the last 12 months alone, they’ve racked up 51 complaints.

How Much Does Plain Green Loans Charge?

Interest rates are one of the first things to consider when shopping for a lender.  So, what is the Plain Green Loans APR?  The exact APR depends on several factors.  A lot of it depends on your credit score/history, how much money you need, etc.  However, Plain Green Loans typically approves anyone.  The question is:  how much it will cost you.

• Your credit score and history
• The loan term
• Monthly or bi-weekly payments
• The state you live

For example, if you choose to repay the loan on monthly terms, you’ll pay more in interest vs. monthly payments.  That said, the interest rate for Plain Green Loans is between:

• Minimum: 150% APR
• Maximum: 300% APR and up

You could pay more than the maximum, depending on your credit.

This does seem very high.  But, here are a few things to consider:

• The lender must offset their liability and risk. For this reason, it makes sense that borrowers should pay a higher interest rate.
• Similar tribal lenders charge interest rates as high as 1,200% APR. The average tribal installment loan is around 400% APR.

Here’s An Example of What You Might Pay for a $500 Loan

Let’s say you apply for a $500 loan and you have bad credit.  Plain Green Loans comes back and says your interest rate will be 438%.  On a bi-weekly payment arrangement, your total loan repayment will be $1,763.  And if you elect monthly payments, in this example, the repayment cost will be $1,910.

Pretty shocking, huh?  And since this lender offers installment loans, the loan term could be as long as two years.  You might consider this an advantage…

But in terms of interest rates, it is a huge disadvantage.  If you decide to borrow money from Plain Green Loans, pay the loan back as soon as possible.

The company doesn’t allow you to pick and choose your loan terms.  However…

They also do not have any penalties for paying the loan off early.  That is a major advantage to you.

How Much Money Will Plain Green Loans Lend to Me?

It depends on your financial situation. Several factors are at play.  Plain Green Loans will loan money to just about anyone, but you should be aware:  the higher your risk, the more interest you’ll pay for the loan.  See below for a full list of minimum and maximum loans provided by Plain Green Loans.

• How much money you actually need
• How much the Plain Green Loans is willing to loan you, based on risk factors
• How much you can afford

That said, minimum and maximum loan amounts are:

First Time Customers

• Minimum loan amount: $500
• Maximum loan amount: $1,000

Returning Customers

• Minimum: $500
• Maximum: $3,000

But keep this in mind:  The more you borrow, the more you’ll pay in interest and fees.  And…the longer you stretch the loan out (loan term), the more you’ll pay in fees.  Several reviews of Plain Green Loans have a similar pattern…borrowers with negative reviews end up further in debt than before.

Loan Terms (Repayment) for Plain Green Loans

The company does not offer payday loans, but instead, offers installment loans for people with bad credit and lines of credit.  Payday loans require full repayment by your next paycheck.  Installment loans give you more time to pay back.  But… installment loans are also a double-edged sword.

The longer your loan term, the more you’ll pay in interest and fees.  You should be careful…because you can drown yourself in debt…and become much worse off than before. The company does give you an option on repayment terms. You can opt for bi-weekly payments (lower interest rate)…

Or…

You can opt for monthly payments at a higher interest rate.

How to Apply for a Loan

In this section, we will go over what you need to apply for a loan.

Step 1: State Your Loan Amount

• Select a loan amount from $500 up to $3,000
• Select how you would like your funds: ACH or paper check

Step 2: Complete Your Personal Details

After step 1, you simply need to fill out your personal details.  This information will include:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email Address
• Social Security Number
• Date of Birth
• Gender
• Driver’s License ID #
• Driver’s License State Issuer
• Primary Phone Number
• Best Time to Call
• Physical Address
• Time at Address
• Residential Status (Rent or Own)
• Monthly Rent/Mortgage Amount
• Whether you are active military or a dependent of a service member
• Create a username and password

Step 3: Banking Details and Employment Information

Step 3 requires your banking details and your employment history.  Here’s what you need:

• Bank Name
• Routing Number
• Account Number
• Income Type (Employed, Retired, etc)
• How You Get Paid (Cash, Check, or Direct Deposit)
• Monthly Take Home Pay
• Pay Frequency (Weekly, Bi-weekly, Monthly)
• Day You Get Paid On
• Your Next Pay Date

Once done, read the disclosures carefully.  If satisfied, agree to the terms of service by ticking the boxes and then click ‘Submit‘.

Advantages of Plain Green Loans

While there are drawbacks Plain Green Loans, it also has its advantages.  Despite a few negative reviews, this loan could be a good fit for you.  If you cannot obtain financing from a traditional personal loan and promise yourself you will pay the loan back ASAP, it might make sense for you.  The major downside you will see is the high interest rate you might be hit with.

You Can Cancel the Loan

You may have made a snap decision and decide you don’t want the loan.  This is often called “buyer’s remorse”. As long as you haven’t spent the funds, you can request a loan cancellation within 5 days.  And they won’t charge you any penalty fees.

You Can Extend Your Loan if Needed

If you are struggling one month to repay, you can extend the loan. This is an advantage, but also a disadvantage.

No Early Repayment Fees or Penalties

The company does not charge any early payoff fees.

Fixed Rate Installment Loans

Once the company tells you the APR and payment amount, it’s exactly what you will pay. The payment nor interest rate will ever change during the loan term.

No Minimum Credit Score

There is no minimum credit score to apply for Plain Green Loans.  Regardless of how bad your credit is, the company claims they will approve you. You may have to pay a much larger interest rate in this case.

Plain Green Loan Requirements

You’ll need a few things before you can get approved. approval, making the process much easier:

• Borrowers must be at least 18 years old
• You must have a steady job or consistent income
• Borrowers must have an active checking account
• You’ll need an email address to sign up
• Must live in a state that Plain Green Loans operates in

Disadvantages of Plain Green Loans

On the outside, the service seems to be very convenient if you need a small emergency loan.  Especially if you have bad credit and cannot secure a traditional loan.  You’ve heard the disadvantages, now let’s get into the disadvantages.  Keep in mind:  just because there are disadvantages, doesn’t mean you should follow through.  You simply need to do the research and educate yourself first.

The biggest flaws of this service include:

Very High APR

You may end up paying four times the amount you borrowed. The longer the loan term, the higher the APR will be.  As a result, you could pay up to $1,900 for a $500 loan.

Ouch.

Not Available in All States

Plain Green Loans does not operate in all 50 U.S. states. If you live in a state which they don’t operate, you won’t be approved.

Update: Big Picture Loans wins a monumental victory for tribal lenders.  Courts rule tribal lenders can operate in all 50 states if they follow 5 simple rules.

Fees Are Unknown

While they do give us an approximate interest rate, the APR is not known until you apply.

Customer Support Is Poor

Customer support is not the best, according to several customer reviews.

Main issues with customer support are:

• Support is very slow to respond to customers
• Customers receive no answers at all

Besides high APR, these two issues are the #1 thing consumers complain most about.

The Bottom Line on Plain Green Loans

While the company is legit, it’s up to you to decide. We’ve laid out the pros and cons for you.  That said, our opinion is to compare tribal loan rates first. You may find a lender with better rates and terms.  Have you borrowed from Plain Green Loans before? What’s your thoughts? Let us know in the comments!