Three Sticks Lending Reviews and Ratings

Three Sticks Lending Company Logo

If you need cash fast and your credit rules out banks, Three Sticks Lending may have come up in your search. The application takes about three minutes. Approval is quick. Funds can arrive the same day. For someone facing a car repair or a medical bill, that speed matters.

But there are facts this lender will not show you before you apply. Three Sticks Lending is a tribal lender. It operates under tribal law, not state law. State interest rate caps do not apply. Its representative annual percentage rate (APR) is 690 percent. On an $826 loan, that means 20 biweekly payments of $321.36. Total repayment comes to $6,427.20 on less than $1,000 borrowed.

This review covers how the loan works, what it costs, what real borrowers report and when it makes sense to apply.

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What is Three Sticks Lending?

Three Sticks Lending Homepage

Three Sticks Lending is an online installment loan lender in Mission, South Dakota. It was founded in 2023. It operates as AFS CS dba Three Sticks Lending, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rosebud Economic Development Corporation (REDCO). REDCO is the economic arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a federally recognized American Indian tribe in South Dakota. REDCO uses revenue from its ventures to fund tribal government services and community programs on the Rosebud Reservation.

As a tribal lender, Three Sticks Lending is not subject to state lending laws. This includes state interest rate caps and usury laws. It operates under the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s Tribal Consumer Financial Services Regulatory Code and federal law. This legal structure is the most important thing to understand before you apply. It determines what consumer protections apply to your loan and what legal options you have in a dispute.

Three Sticks Lending is available in 38 states and five U.S. territories. It does not operate in all 50 states. Federal law prohibits active-duty military members, their spouses and dependents from taking out this type of loan.

How Three Sticks Lending works

Here is what the borrowing process looks like from start to finish.

• Step 1. Visit ThreeSticksLending.com and select “Apply Now.”
• Step 2. Fill out the application with your personal details, income information and banking information. The process takes about three minutes.
• Step 3. Receive your approval status. Three Sticks Lending does not require a minimum credit score. It does not run a traditional credit check through Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. It does conduct a hard pull through alternative credit bureaus, Clarity Services, and FactorTrust.
• Step 4. Review your loan documents carefully. Your agreement includes the full APR, payment schedule, total repayment amount and all fees. Read every line before you sign.
• Step 5. Sign your loan agreement electronically.
• Step 6. Receive your funds. Applications approved by 2 p.m. Central Time on a business day may qualify for same-day deposit. Most borrowers receive funds the next business day.
• Step 7. Make biweekly payments per your schedule. You can pay off the loan early at any time. There is no prepayment penalty. Doing so cuts your total interest cost sharply.

Step 4 is the most important step. Do not skip it.

Does applying to Three Sticks Lending hurt your credit score?

Three Sticks Lending does not run a credit check through Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Applying will not affect your mainstream credit score. It does conduct a hard pull through Clarity Services and FactorTrust. These are alternative credit reporting databases. Some lenders, landlords and service providers use them to check borrowing history outside the three major bureaus.

Worth noting: Three Sticks Lending also does not report your payment history to the major bureaus. On-time payments will not build your mainstream credit score.

Three Sticks Lending at a glance

Three Sticks Lending offers installment loans from $200 to $3,000. First-time borrowers typically qualify for up to $1,200. Loan terms run from 10 to 18 months with biweekly payment schedules.

The representative APR on an $826 loan is 690 percent. That means 20 biweekly payments of $321.36. APRs vary by term and borrower profile. Customers and independent sources consistently report rates between 400 percent and 700 percent.

There is no prepayment penalty. A late payment fee of up to $20 applies per missed payment. A nonsufficient funds (NSF) fee of up to $30 applies per returned payment. Three Sticks Lending’s own disclosures state it plainly: this is an expensive form of borrowing and is not intended to be a long-term financial solution.

The company was founded in 2023. Its parent company, Rosebud Lending, carries an F rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and lists 11 alternate business names on its profile.

The true cost of a Three Sticks Lending loan

The APR figure is the starting point. The dollar cost is what matters for a real decision.

Three Sticks Lending’s own published example: an $826 loan at 690 percent APR with 20 biweekly payments of $321.36. Total repayment is $6,427.20. You pay $5,601.20 in interest and fees on $826 borrowed.

One borrower reported on Trustpilot that on a $500 loan at roughly 494 percent APR, total interest exceeded $2,000. That is a borrower report, not official lender data. But it matches the confirmed APR range from multiple independent sources.

The no prepayment penalty policy is the most important feature of this product. Interest accrues daily. Paying off the loan early, even by a few months, sharply reduces the total cost. Three Sticks Lending’s own site says early payoff is the primary way to save money on this product.

Before you sign, run this math. Multiply your biweekly payment by the number of scheduled payments. Compare that total to what you are borrowing. The difference is your interest and fee costs. If that number is not manageable, do not sign.

“This is an expensive form of borrowing and it is not intended to be a long-term financial solution.” — Three Sticks Lending website footer

Three Sticks Lending outcomes and success rates

Three Sticks Lending does not publish approval rates or success stats. Its disclosures focus on loan terms, not outcomes. Here is what the available data shows.

Loan terms run from 10 to 18 months. Borrowers who carry the loan to the full term repay within that window. Borrowers who pay off early typically finish within one to four payment cycles. That cuts total interest sharply.

More than 1,700 borrowers left reviews on Trustpilot. The most common positive outcome is fast funding and full repayment. The most common negative outcome is trouble keeping up with payments while covering regular monthly expenses.

Three Sticks Lending does not report to the three major credit bureaus. Completing the loan does not improve your mainstream credit profile. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) provides guidance on high-cost installment loans at consumerfinance.gov.

Three Sticks Lending pros and cons

Pros

• No minimum credit score required. Borrowers with no credit history, poor credit or prior defaults may qualify where traditional lenders decline.
• No hard pull through the three major credit bureaus. Applying will not affect your mainstream credit score.
• Fast application and funding. The form takes about three minutes and funds can arrive the same day for loans approved before 2 p.m. Central Time.
• No prepayment penalty. Pay off the balance at any time and you only owe interest accrued to that date.
• VIP Rewards Program. Returning borrowers who maintain on-time payments may qualify for higher loan amounts and additional perks.
• Consistently responsive customer service. Positive reviews frequently name specific representatives by name.

Cons

• 690 percent APR on the representative example. This places Three Sticks Lending among the most expensive installment loan products available.
• Total repayment can reach five to seven times the borrowed amount if you carry the loan to the full term.
• No reporting to the three major credit bureaus. On-time payments do not build your mainstream credit score.
• Not available in all 50 states. Active-duty military members and their families cannot legally borrow from this lender.
• The parent company, Rosebud Lending, holds an F rating from the BBB and lists 11 alternate business names.
• The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has issued a consumer alert. It states that Three Sticks Lending is not licensed to operate in Washington.

What tribal lending means for Three Sticks Lending borrowers

Tribal lending is a legally distinct category of consumer lending. Three Sticks Lending operates as an arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a federally recognized sovereign nation. Because of tribal sovereignty, the lender is not subject to state laws. This includes state usury laws and interest rate caps.

Two practical implications follow from this.

First, the interest rates on tribal loans can exceed what state law would permit. In states where payday loan APRs are capped at 36 percent or lower, a tribal lender can legally charge 690 percent. State caps do not apply.

Second, your legal recourse in a dispute is governed by tribal law, not state law. Your loan agreement specifies that any disputes are governed by the laws and jurisdiction of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe. This limits your ability to pursue remedies through state courts or state regulators.

Neither of these facts makes the loan illegal. Tribal lending is a recognized and legal category under federal law. They are facts you need before you sign. Several states have issued consumer alerts about tribal lenders. Washington State’s DFI has specifically named Three Sticks Lending as not licensed to operate there. The Federal Trade Commission provides guidance on consumer lending rights at ftc.gov.

Three Sticks Lending customer reviews

The review picture for Three Sticks Lending splits sharply by platform. Understanding why the scores differ is as important as the scores themselves.

Trustpilot reviews

Three Sticks Lending Trustpilot profile

Three Sticks Lending has a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, based on 1,799 reviews. Positive reviews consistently praise fast approval, same-day or next-day funding and helpful customer service. Specific agents appear by name in many reviews. The company responds to most reviews, including negative ones.

The roughly 7 percent of reviewers who leave one star focus on two issues. The first is the interest rate. Some describe it as unreasonably high. The second is early automated clearing house (ACH) withdrawals that triggered overdraft fees at their bank. Some reviewers also report being denied after receiving what appeared to be a preapproved offer.

Better Business Bureau (BBB) reviews

Better Business Bureau Profile for Rosebud Lending

The Better Business Bureau profile for Three Sticks Lending appears under its parent company, Rosebud Lending. That profile carries an F rating. Out of 36 customer reviews on file, 34 give the company one star. Only two reviewers gave five stars.

Recurring complaints describe shock at the APR after signing, difficulty canceling ACH debit authorizations, confusion about payment math and frustration with customer service when seeking loan balance explanations.

Three Sticks Lending’s responses to BBB state the same position each time. Loan terms appeared in the agreement. The lender operates under tribal, not state, law. Customers signed electronically, confirming they had read and agreed to all terms.

One important note: Rosebud Lending lists 11 alternate business names on its BBB profile. These include Three Sticks Lending, Cascade Springs Credit, Black Hills Credit, Sunny Day Lending, Willow Lake Lending and ZocaLoans, among others. Reviews and complaints may relate to any of those names.

Reddit reviews

Most Reddit posts about Three Sticks Lending come from borrowers who already have a loan. They need help, not product comparisons. Common topics include trouble keeping up with payments alongside regular bills, questions about revoking ACH authorization and whether Three Sticks Lending reports to the major credit bureaus.

The pattern is consistent. The loan can cover an emergency. But the payment schedule is hard to maintain. Multiple users report falling behind on rent because the biweekly payment took too large a share of their income. The only positive recommendation across Reddit came from a single commenter in a thread asking for short-term lender options.

Google and independent reviews

Google reviews follow the Trustpilot pattern. High marks for speed and ease of approval. A minority of negative reviews focus on cost. Several independent review sites note the lack of APR transparency on the Three Sticks Lending website. The company does not publish its APR range before you apply. Borrowers first see the full rate inside the loan documents.

Is Three Sticks Lending legit?

Yes. Three Sticks Lending is a legitimate lender. It operates legally under tribal law as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe’s economic development corporation. It is not a scam. It deposits real funds into borrowers’ accounts. Its loan agreements are legally executed documents.

The concerns across reviews are not about legitimacy. They are about cost. The APR is real. It appears in the loan agreement. Borrowers who read the full agreement before signing know what they are agreeing to. The core issue most negative reviewers describe is not deception after signing. It is not fully understanding the cost before signing.

Three Sticks Lending’s own website footer states this is an expensive form of borrowing, not intended as a long-term financial solution. Read it before you apply.

One practical note: several copycat websites use names and domains similar to Three Sticks Lending. The legitimate lender operates at threestickslending.com only. Verify the domain before entering any personal or banking information.

The Washington State DFI warning

Washington State’s DFI has issued a consumer alert. It states that Three Sticks Lending is not licensed in Washington State. The company is also not registered with Washington’s Department of Licensing, Department of Revenue or Secretary of State. Washington residents with a Three Sticks Lending loan should contact the DFI or the CFPB. Full details are at dfi.wa.gov.

Three Sticks Lending says it does not need a state license. As a tribal lender, federal law governs it. State licensing rules do not apply. Both the state alert and the company’s response are documented public facts.

Who should consider Three Sticks Lending?

Three Sticks Lending is a last-resort option, not a first-choice lender. It serves one specific situation: you need $200 to $3,000 immediately, your credit disqualifies you from traditional lenders and you are confident you can pay the loan off quickly.

If that describes your situation, Three Sticks Lending will likely approve you fast. Funds can arrive the same day or the next business day. Use the no prepayment penalty feature. Pay off the balance as fast as possible, ideally within one or two payment cycles.

Not a good fit if:

• The biweekly payment will strain your budget. The Reddit pattern of borrowers falling behind on rent shows what happens when this math fails.
• You want to build credit. On-time payments are not reported to the three major bureaus.
• You are an active-duty military member, spouse, or dependent. Federal law prohibits this type of loan for those individuals.
• You live in Washington State. The DFI has issued a consumer alert stating that Three Sticks Lending is not licensed in the state.

Alternatives to consider before applying to Three Sticks Lending

Before you apply, check these options first.

•  Credit unions often offer emergency small-dollar loans to members at rates well below those of tribal lenders. If you have a credit union account, call them first.
• Nonprofit credit counselors. Local nonprofit credit counseling organizations can connect you with emergency assistance funds and lower-cost loan products. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) member directory is a good starting point.
• Employer salary advances. Some employers offer advances against your earned wages at no interest. Ask your HR or payroll team directly.
• CDFI lenders. Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) lenders are federally certified. They serve borrowers with poor or no credit at rates well below those of tribal lenders. Use the CDFI Fund locator at cdfifund.gov to find options in your area.

If none of these are available in your timeline, Three Sticks Lending is an option. Go in knowing the full cost.

Final verdict: Is Three Sticks Lending worth it?

Three Sticks Lending is a legitimate lender that solves a real problem. It gives immediate access to small amounts of cash for borrowers who cannot qualify anywhere else. The application is fast. Approval is accessible. Funds arrive quickly.

The cost is real. At 690 percent APR, a loan carried to full term costs several times the original amount borrowed. The no prepayment penalty policy is the only tool available to reduce that cost. Use it.

If you need the money, cannot access better alternatives, and can pay the loan off quickly, Three Sticks Lending will work for you. If your budget cannot absorb the biweekly payment on top of current expenses, this loan will make your situation worse. That is the honest verdict.

Frequently asked questions

Is Three Sticks Lending available in my state?

Three Sticks Lending operates in 38 states and five U.S. territories. It is not available nationwide. Washington State’s DFI has issued a consumer alert stating that Three Sticks Lending is not licensed there. Active-duty military members, spouses, and dependents are prohibited from taking out this type of loan. Check the lender’s site for a current list of eligible states before you apply.

Does Three Sticks Lending report to credit bureaus?

No. Three Sticks Lending does not report payment history to Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. On-time payments will not improve your mainstream credit score. The lender does report to Clarity Services and FactorTrust. These are used by some lenders and service providers. But most mainstream creditors and mortgage lenders do not use them. If building credit is a goal, this is not the right product.

Does Three Sticks Lending check your credit?

Three Sticks Lending does not run a credit check through the three major bureaus. Applying will not affect your mainstream credit score. It does conduct a hard pull through Clarity Services and FactorTrust. These are alternative credit databases used by some lenders and service providers. A history of defaults with other alternative lenders may still affect your approval.

Can I pay off a Three Sticks loan early?

Yes. Three Sticks Lending charges no prepayment penalty. You pay only the interest accrued up to your payoff date. Because interest accrues daily, paying off a few months early can save thousands of dollars. On the $826 representative loan, paying off after four payments instead of 20 cuts roughly $5,000 in remaining interest. The lender itself recommends early payoff as the primary way to reduce total cost.

Who owns Three Sticks Lending?

Three Sticks Lending operates as AFS CS dba Three Sticks Lending, a wholly owned subsidiary of Rosebud Economic Development Corporation. That is the economic arm of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a federally recognized American Indian tribe in South Dakota. The parent entity, Rosebud Lending, lists 11 alternate business names on its BBB profile. These include Cascade Springs Credit, Black Hills Credit, Sunny Day Lending, Willow Lake Lending, and ZocaLoans.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial or tax advice. Always consult a licensed professional for advice tailored to your situation.