Big Picture Loans vs Plain Green
Both are tribal installment lenders charging triple-digit APRs, so this is not a contest of good options — it is about which is less expensive and less risky. Big Picture Loans scores higher (3.2 vs 3.0), but the right pick depends on what you need.
| Feature | Big Picture Loans | Plain Green |
|---|---|---|
| Our score (/10) | 3.2 | 3.0 |
| APR range | 607.5–699% (documented) | 448–700% (documented) |
| Loan amounts | $200–$5,000 | $200–$4,500 |
| Product | installment | installment |
| Owning tribe | Lac Vieux Desert Band | Chippewa Cree Tribe, Rocky Boy's Reservation |
| Lending since | 2016 | 2011 |
Pick Big Picture Loans if…
- Lower maximum APR (699% vs 700%)
- Larger loans available (up to $5,000)
- Higher overall score (3.2 vs 3.0)
Skip Big Picture Loans if…
- You live in a state it does not lend to: Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts and 10 more.
- You want to see the APR before you apply — it publishes none; the rate appears only in the agreement.
Pick Plain Green if…
- Longer track record (lending since 2011)
Skip Plain Green if…
- You live in a state it does not lend to: New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Connecticut and 2 more.
- You want to see the APR before you apply — it publishes none; the rate appears only in the agreement.
Our take on each
Big Picture Loans
Big Picture Loans is the rare tribal lender that actually won sovereign immunity in a federal appeals court — which is exactly why its up-to-699% loans are so hard to challenge.
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.
Before choosing either, price a cheaper option.
Both loans are last-resort products. A credit-union Payday Alternative Loan is capped at 28%
APR, and cash-advance apps cost a fraction of a triple-digit tribal loan. If you already have
one of these loans, see our guide to getting
out.