Considering Plain Green Loans for an 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:
- A lender overview of Plain Green Loans
- How much money you can borrow
- How much you’ll pay in interest and fees
- How to apply for a loan online
- If your state allows you to borrow or not
- Do they make good on their promises
- How well their support treats customers
- And much more…
That said, Plain Green Loans claims to offer loans that are simple and convenient.
And on top of that…
They claim 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 needs an emergency loan.
Or is it?
Keep reading…
Because you are about to find out.
What is Plain Green Loans and What Do They Do?
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, they’ve racked up 51 complaints.
The APR of Plain Green Loans
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.
- 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 seems 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
Yes, the interest rates are high.
Here’s an example of what you’d pay for a $500 loan:
Let’s say you apply for a $500 loan and you have very 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, it’s best to 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 Can You Borrow From Plain Green Loans?
It depends on your financial situation. Several factors are at play:
- How much money you need
- How much the lender is willing to loan you, based on risk factors
- How much can you 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.
Plain Green Loans Loan Terms (Repayment)
As we mentioned, the company does not offer payday loans.
They offer installment loans for people with bad 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 must be careful…
Because you can drown yourself in debt…and be 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…
Monthly payments (higher interest rates).
Plain Green Loans Standout Features
While there are drawbacks Plain Green Loans, it also has its advantages.
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.
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
Caution: Things to Watch Out For
On the outside, the service seems to be very convenient if you need a small emergency loan.
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.
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.
Plain Green Loans FAQs
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What documents does Plain Green Loans require?
You should be over 18 years of age and physically live in the U.S. Plain Green Loans will ask you for your driver’s license number when completing the application. Additionally, you’ll need to provide proof of employment.
As for banking details, Plain Green Loans needs this information to send your funds direct to your bank account via an ACH deposit, once you are approved. You’ll need to know your bank name, bank account number, and bank routing number. You can optionally elect to receive a check instead of ACH.
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What happens if I can’t pay back the loan?
If you can’t repay the loan, first and foremost you should notify your account manager at Plain Green Loans. Inform them that you have a hardship. Usually, they will work with you.
In the event you still cannot pay, you should find a way to pay the loan off immediately to avoid further interest charges and fees. This doesn’t mean you should apply for another installment loan by any means. In fact, you should borrow the money from family or friends if possible.
On top of that, if you elected for ACH transfers upon signup, they will continue trying to debit your account. Further, installment lenders are notorious for making a borrower’s life a living hell if they fail to pay. Expect a constant stream of harassing calls from debt collectors.
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I repaid my installment loan. How soon before I can take out another loan?
Honestly, you should only borrow another installment loan if it’s an emergency and you have exhausted all other options. If that’s the case, and you truly need the funds for emergency purposes, this lender will allow you to borrow as soon as you have repaid the balance of the loan with interest and fees.
Typically, they will give you a better APR if you previously made on time payments.
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How long does it take to get my funds?
Typically, within 24 hours Monday - Friday. It also depends on the time of day you complete your application. If you complete the loan application toward the end of the day, Plain Green Loans may not get to it until the nex day.
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I filed for bankruptcy. Can I still get approved for a loan?
It depends. For the most part, Plain Green Loans doesn't accept applicants that have prior bankruptcies. That said, they do work with individuals on a case-by-case basis.
Final Thoughts
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!
Our Review of Plain Green Loans
Article Title: How Does Plain Green Loans Stack Up?
Short Description: Plain Green Loans is a tribal lender that specializes in short term installment loans to consumers with bad credit. They are owned by Plain Green, LLC and operate within the the Chippewa Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy’s Reservations, Montana and are recognized as an American Indian Tribe. Is a loan from Plain Green Loans worth it? We investigate...
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Summary of Plain Green Loans
Plain Green Loans, a tribal lender, can offer you a fast cash installment loan even if you have bad credit. The interest rates you’ll be charged depend on the loan amount, along with your credit worthiness. The typical interest rate of a Plain Green loan is around 438% APR. While a very expensive form of borrowing, it is the average interest rate most tribal loan providers charge. You can borrow as little as $500, up to a maximum of $3,000. However, if you are a first-time borrow, your max is $1,000.
Tip: You can also compare bad credit loans here.
User Review
( votes)Pros
- Offers fast cash in the form of an installment loan. Can be repaid over time
- Application process is easy and straightforward
- Good option if you have bad credit and cannot obtain traditional financing
Cons
- Very expensive form of borrowing
- Not a good option to finance large purchases
