Loans like Plain Green
Plain Green lends $500–$5,000 at 210–682% APR under Chippewa Cree Tribe, Rocky Boy's Reservation ownership. If you are shopping for something similar, the goal is simple: pay less. Below are lower-APR options — starting with cheaper tribal lenders from our database, then genuinely cheaper non-tribal routes.
Why people look for an alternative to Plain Green
Plain Green is one of the oldest and most-litigated tribal lenders — its Think Finance ties produced about $1 billion in relief, and loans made before June 2016 were cancelled outright.
- APRs still run roughly 199–699%; a $700 loan can project to $3,686 repaid.
- Refuses to put settlement offers in writing, per borrower reports.
- Debt buyers are now collecting charged-off Plain Green balances (2026 lawsuit).
- Available in only about 26 states.
We score Plain Green 3.0/10 on cost, terms, funding, complaints and legal standing. Read the full review for the sourcing behind each point.
Cheaper tribal lenders
Every lender here has a lower starting APR than Plain Green, per our database. They are still expensive last-resort loans — but less so.
Ranked by APR ceiling — the rate most borrowers actually pay. Plain Green’s ceiling is 682%.
What the non-tribal routes cost against Plain Green
Borrow $1,000 for twelve months at Plain Green’s 682% ceiling and you repay about $6,851. Here is the same $1,000 through each cheaper route, and what switching would actually save you.
$1,000 costs $1,158 here versus $6,851 at Plain Green — you keep $5,693.
$200–$2,000 to credit-union members; application fees capped at $20.
$1,000 costs $1,206 here versus $6,851 at Plain Green — you keep $5,645.
Flat-fee instalment loans from large banks to existing customers.
$1,000 costs $2,373 here versus $6,851 at Plain Green — you keep $4,478.
An advance on pay you have already earned — cheapest for a short bridge.
A repayment plan negotiated with your creditors, instead of new borrowing.
Every figure assumes the same $1,000 over the same twelve months, so the only variable is the rate. Run your own amounts in the payoff calculator.
Plain Green is one of 17 lenders we have worked through this way. For the full comparison — including the non-tribal routes that beat every tribal brand on cost — see what to borrow instead of a tribal loan.