What Moneytree does

Moneytree is a privately held alternative financial services company founded in 1983-1984 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, operating as Moneytree, Inc. under independent founder-led ownership. The company operates 40+ retail branches across five western U.S. states — California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington — serving unbanked and underbanked consumers as well as small business owners who lack access to or prefer alternatives to traditional banking. Its core product portfolio spans short-term consumer credit (payday loans up to $5,000 in Nevada, installment loans, signature loans, title loans, and auto equity loans up to $25,000), check cashing services (personal, business, and tax refund), prepaid Visa debit cards, money orders, instant funding to debit cards (30-45 minute transfers), and Western Union domestic and international wire transfers. State-specific regulatory frameworks drive material variation in loan pricing, with disclosed APRs ranging from approximately 100% (Colorado installment) to over 650% (Nevada signature loans).

The business operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market combining in-person branch service with a secure online application portal (secure.moneytreeinc.com), enabling both walk-in and 24/7 digital origination. Revenue is generated exclusively through transaction-based fees — per-$100 borrowing fees on credit products, percentage plus transaction fee on check cashing, product margins on prepaid cards and money orders, and Western Union agent commissions. The customer base is highly distributed: thousands of individual transactions across branches serving consumers needing immediate cash access, no bank holds on checks, and short-term credit without traditional bank account or credit history requirements. The company has operated continuously for over four decades, maintains founder Dennis Bassford as CEO, and has expanded its service suite incrementally while remaining within its five-state geographic footprint.

Notable infrastructure and operational signals include extended branch hours and weekend availability, a Google Reviews-integrated reputation display on branch locator pages, content marketing via financial literacy blog categories (Financial Living, Smart Money, Staying Secure), and a $25 Refer-a-Friend acquisition program. No external investment, parent company, M&A activity, or recent funding rounds are disclosed; the company appears to be self-funded or debt-financed through normal operations.

Name

Moneytree

Legal name

Moneytree, Inc.

Website

https://moneytreeinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Moneytree is a privately held Seattle-based alternative financial services company operating 40+ retail branches across five western U.S. states, providing payday loans, installment loans, check cashing, prepaid cards, money orders, and Western Union wire transfers to unbanked consumers and small business owners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Alternative Consumer Financial Services

NAICS

Sales Financing (52222), Mortgage and Nonmortgage Loan Brokers (52231)

SIC

Personal Credit Institutions (6141), Short-Term Business Credit Institutions (6153)

akta.pro primary industry

Cash Advance (Online & Storefront) (FSAKAMAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Small-Dollar Short-Term Installment Loans (Non-payday) (FSAKAMAI)

Keywords

• Consumer lending
• Payday loans
• Check cashing
• Installment loans
• Prepaid debit cards

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices33 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Payday Loan Fees: Short-term single-payment loans with fees calculated per $100 borrowed. Rates vary by state: California $17.65 per $100 (460.16% APR example), Idaho $18.50 per $100 (482.32% APR example), Nevada $16.50 plus $3 database fee per $100 (508.39% APR example), Washington $15 per $100 (391.07% APR example).
2. Installment Loan Finance Charges: Loans repaid in substantially equal payments over time with finance charges. Idaho installment loans from $100 to $5,000; Colorado first-time borrower amounts of $100, $325, or $525; Nevada installment loans from $50 to $5,000; Washington installment loans from $50 to $700.
3. Signature Loan Fees: Short-term single-payment loans without bank account requirement. Idaho $24 per $100 (625.71% APR); Nevada $22 per $100 plus $3 database fee (651.79% APR); Washington $15 per $100.
4. Title and Auto Equity Loan Interest: Secured loans using vehicle titles. Idaho title loans up to $500 at $25 per $100; Idaho auto equity loans up to $25,000; Nevada title loans up to $25,000.
5. Check Cashing Fees: Check cashing services with competitive rates. For paychecks: 1.99% to 3.99% plus a transaction fee of $1.99 to $2.99. Cashes all check types with no dollar limits and no bank holds.
6. Money Orders: Prepaid paper documents available in amounts up to $1,000 as an alternative to personal checks or bank accounts.
7. Wire Transfer Services: As a Western Union agent, Moneytree facilitates domestic and international money transfers for customers.
8. Prepaid Cards: Sale and loading services for prepaid debit cards accepted wherever Visa is accepted.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Moneytree is a retail financial services provider offering short-term consumer loans, installment loans, title/auto equity loans, check cashing, prepaid debit cards, money orders, and wire transfer services through more than 40 branch locations across the western United States. The company targets underbanked consumers and small businesses needing immediate access to cash and transactional financial services. Its proprietary Instant Funding technology delivers approved loan proceeds onto a Moneytree prepaid Mastercard within minutes of approval.

Product overview

Moneytree is a direct lender and financial services company offering a comprehensive suite of consumer loan products and cash services. The product portfolio centers on short-term consumer loans (payday loans, installment loans, signature loans, title loans, auto equity loans) and check cashing services (personal, business, and tax refund checks), complemented by prepaid debit cards, money orders, instant funding, and Western Union wire transfers. Loan products vary by state (California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Washington), with different maximum amounts and terms. The company operates physical branch locations alongside online application options, positioning itself as an alternative to traditional banking for consumers needing quick access to cash without requiring bank accounts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Payday Loans Short-term, small-dollar loans (commonly capped at $500 in regulated states) typically repaid on the borrower's next payday. Designed for underbanked consumers needing immediate cash for emergencies or shortfalls before their next paycheck.
• Installment Loans Multi-payment installment loan product offering borrowers a fixed schedule of payments over an extended term instead of a single lump-sum repayment. Available in California, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, and Washington.
• Signature Loans Unsecured personal loan product that relies on the borrower's signature and credit profile rather than collateral. Used by consumers who need a small-dollar loan without pledging an asset.
• Title Loans Secured loan using the borrower's vehicle title as collateral. Allows consumers with a vehicle to access larger loan amounts based on the equity in their car.
• Auto Equity Loans Loan product secured by the equity value of a borrower's vehicle, enabling access to funds based on the appraised worth of the car.
• Check Cashing Service that converts payroll, government, and personal checks into immediate cash for a percentage-based fee. Available to both individual consumers and small business owners.
• Business Check Cashing Check cashing service targeted at small business owners needing to convert business checks into working capital without holding a traditional merchant bank account.
• Prepaid Mastercard Reloadable prepaid debit card issued in connection with Moneytree loans, which can also receive Instant Funding of approved loan proceeds within minutes. Functions as a general-purpose spending card for underbanked customers.
• Money Orders Sale of money orders at Moneytree branch locations for consumers needing a guaranteed payment instrument for bills, rent, or other obligations.
• Wire Transfers Domestic and international money transfer services offered through Moneytree's role as a Western Union agent, enabling customers to send funds to recipients worldwide.
• Instant Funding Proprietary loan disbursement capability that loads approved loan proceeds onto the customer's Moneytree prepaid Mastercard within minutes of approval, rather than issuing cash or a check.

Quantifiable outcome

• Check cashing funds available immediately with no holds
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Western UnioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMoneytree operates as a Western Union agent, offering domestic and international money transfer services to customers. Customers can send money to friends and family throughout the United States, Mexico, and most of the world in minutes through Moneytree's branch locations.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Dollar Loan Center: Dollar Loan Center is a short-term installment lender operating primarily in Nevada, Utah, and a handful of other western states. It is highly comparable to Moneytree's Nevada/Idaho installment and signature loan business and overlaps geographically in Nevada.

Emerging players

• Earnin: Earnin is an Earned Wage Access app that lets workers access accrued wages before payday, competing indirectly with Moneytree's payday loan product for the same liquidity-constrained underbanked customer. It represents a structurally different but increasingly competitive alternative.
• LendUp: LendUp was an online-only short-term and installment lender targeting underbanked consumers with a "ladder" credit-building model. It overlaps with Moneytree's online loan application portal and short-term credit offering, though as a digital-first challenger.

Direct peers

• Advance America: Advance America is one of the largest U.S. storefront and online payday lenders, offering payday loans, installment loans, title loans, and check cashing across more than 20 states. It is the most directly comparable peer to Moneytree, matching product mix, store-based distribution, and target customer segment.
• ACE Cash Express: ACE Cash Express operates a national network of storefront payday and installment lending branches plus online lending. Its multi-product offering (payday, installment, title, prepaid debit, check cashing) directly mirrors Moneytree's product portfolio and serves the same underbanked consumer.
• Check Into Cash: Check Into Cash is a multi-state storefront and online payday and installment lender with branches concentrated in the Southeast and Midwest. It shares Moneytree's core product set, transaction-fee revenue model, and target underbanked demographic.
• Speedy Cash: Speedy Cash operates storefront and online payday, installment, and title lending across more than 20 states. Its product breadth, geographic diversification, and dual online/storefront model make it a close functional peer to Moneytree.
• Check 'n Go: Check 'n Go is a storefront and online payday, installment, and title lender with presence in over 25 states. It competes head-to-head with Moneytree in overlapping markets and shares the same multi-product, multi-channel consumer finance model.
• CashNetUSA: CashNetUSA is an online-only payday and installment lender operating across more than 20 states. It directly competes with Moneytree's online loan portal in the same states and serves the same subprime consumer segment via a digital channel.
• World Acceptance (World Finance): World Acceptance operates a national network of installment loan branches targeting underbanked consumers for personal and auto loans. While heavier on installment than payday, it overlaps directly with Moneytree's installment and signature installment loan products.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/moneytreeinc
• Facebookfacebook.com/moneytreeinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Moneytree