Minto Money 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. Plain Green scores higher (3.0 vs 2.3), but the right pick depends on what you need.
| Feature | Minto Money | Plain Green |
|---|---|---|
| Our score (/10) | 2.3 | 3.0 |
| APR range | 690–750% | 210–682% |
| Loan amounts | $100–$3,000 | $500–$5,000 |
| Product | installment | installment |
| Owning tribe | Native Village of Minto | Chippewa Cree Tribe, Rocky Boy's Reservation |
| Lending since | 2018 | 2011 |
Pick Plain Green if…
- Lower maximum APR (682% vs 750%)
- Larger loans available (up to $5,000)
- Longer track record (lending since 2011)
- Higher overall score (3.0 vs 2.3)
Our take on each
Minto Money
A ProPublica investigation tied Minto Money to Jay McGraw — Dr. Phil's eldest son — whose company allegedly funded the operation and is its principal beneficiary, while a 160-person Alaska village lends its name.
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.