Borrowing Responsibly
Effective date: October 30, 2026.
A loan can help with a medical bill, a car repair or another need, but only if the payments fit your budget. Use this page to think it through before you apply.
Installment loan or payday loan?
A personal installment loan is repaid in scheduled monthly payments over several months. Republic Loans offers title loans and personal installment loans from $150 to $1,300, repaid in 4 to 12 monthly installments. Payment history is reported to the credit bureau once a month. Your exact terms are confirmed at application and in your written loan agreement.
A payday loan is usually due in one lump sum on your next payday. Before you sign any loan, compare the total cost and the repayment schedule.
Sample payment schedules
These examples show how the payments add up. They are illustrations, not offers. Your actual payment amount and number of payments appear in your loan agreement.
| Loan amount | Number of payments | Payment amount | Total of payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| $150 | 4 monthly payments | $45.25 | $181.00 |
| $500 | 9 monthly payments | $78.89 | $710.01 |
| $1,000 | 12 monthly payments | $127.50 | $1,530.00 |
| $1,300 | 12 monthly payments | $164.50 | $1,974.00 |
Budgeting checklist
- List your monthly income after taxes.
- List fixed bills: rent, utilities, insurance, phone, transportation.
- Subtract them to see what is left each month.
- Decide the largest monthly payment you can make without missing other bills.
- Borrow only the amount you need.
- Read the loan agreement, including the annual percentage rate (APR), finance charge and payment schedule, before you sign.
- Ask about your payment due dates and how you will make each payment before you sign.
If you can't make a payment
Contact us as early as you can, before the due date if possible. Call either office and tell us what is happening. Staying in touch gives us the best chance to talk through your options.
- Houston (North Houston office): (281) 443-3700
- Tomball office: (281) 516-1400
Office hours are not listed on this page, so please call ahead. See our contact information.
Military Lending Act
Covered active-duty service members and their dependents are protected by the Military Lending Act. Tell us if this applies to you.
Free resources
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: consumer tools
- National Foundation for Credit Counseling (nonprofit credit counseling)
When you are ready, we are happy to answer questions by phone or in person.