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Personal loans are a type of borrowing where you can get money from a bank, credit union, or online lender and pay it back over time with interest. Why would you want to take out a personal loan? There are plenty of reasons. Typically, people turn to personal loans for big purchases or expenses you can't afford to pay for all at once, like buying a car, paying for a wedding, or covering unexpected medical bills.
Personal loans can also be helpful if you want to consolidate high-interest debt from credit cards into one lower-interest loan, which can save you money in the long run. Some people also use personal loans to fund home improvement projects or even to take a much-needed vacation.But before you go rushing off to apply for a personal loan, there are a few things you should consider.
Tuesday, October 8th
When you're searching for a personal loan, Upstart makes it simple. They look beyond your credit score, considering factors like your education and work history to offer fair lending opportunities. Qualifying is straightforward, requiring you to meet basic criteria like a minimum income and stable employment. With Upstart's quick application process, you can apply in just a few minutes without affecting your credit score. Plus, you may receive loan offers within minutes and get your funds as soon as the next business day. Keep an eye out for any origination fees, but rest assured that Upstart welcomes early repayments. With thousands of satisfied customers and a stellar reputation, Upstart is our top choice for personal loans, offering competitive rates and terms for borrowers just like you.
SuperMoney is your go-to ally for financial assistance, connecting you with lenders who offer personal loans. Their platform simplifies comparing loan offers from various sources, with comprehensive lender information and consumer reviews to help you choose. With this service, you can apply for loans up to $100,000 depending on your credit history and income. Your privacy is protected, and SuperMoney's exceptional rating average of 4.9 stars reflects its positive reputation. As a great platform for comparing personal loan options, SuperMoney earns an excellent rating from us.
Discover has more than just credit cards; they can help you finance your personal projects. Their personal loans, ranging from $2,500 to $40,000, offer competitive interest rates and terms from 36 to 84 months. Plus, with next-day funding available after approval, you can quickly access the funds you need without waiting. There are no origination fees or penalties for prepayment, saving you money compared with many rival lenders. With over 25,000 five-star reviews, customers praise Discover for offering better rates and terms than traditional banks or credit unions, making it a great choice for personal loans.
If you're looking to eliminate high-interest credit card debt, Happy Money could be your solution. Since 2009, they've partnered with various banks and credit unions, facilitating over $6 billion in loans for more than 300,000 clients. Their loans, ranging from $5,000 to $40,000, come with competitive interest rates and origination fees of 1.5% to 5.5%. While primarily focused on consolidating credit card debt, they may also assist with other personal unsecured installment loans. To qualify, you'll need a credit score of 640+, no current delinquencies, and 3 years of established credit, with additional considerations for debt-to-income ratio and credit utilization. Once approved, funds can be deposited within 3-6 business days, or sent directly to your credit card companies within 30 days. Customer satisfaction here is high, making Happy Money a solid choice for personal loans used for debt consolidation purposes.
With over two million members and $50 billion in funded loans, SoFi offers personal loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 with competitive APRs. Enjoy flexible repayment terms spanning from 2 to 7 years and quick funding, often within the same or next day. By enrolling in autopay, you could also save on interest. While origination fees may apply, SoFi maintains an "A+" rating from the BBB and thousands of five-star ratings on Trustpilot, making it an option we can confidently recommend for personal loans.
If you're considering Splash Financial for your personal loan needs, you'll find a company committed to alleviating the burden of debt since its establishment in 2013. Originally focusing on student loan refinancing, Splash Financial has expanded its services to include personal loans, maintaining a praiseworthy dedication to customer service while connecting customers with a diverse range of lenders. The application process is relatively straightforward, with the ability to check your eligibility in just three minutes. However, Splash Financial's lack of transparency regarding its network of lenders, their higher starting interest rates, and potentially steep origination fees may give you pause. While the company's strong BBB rating and positive customer feedback are a good sign, we'd recommend looking at higher-ranked referral services first.
When you're looking for money, LendingTree helps you find personal loans from different lenders. They've been around for a long time and have lots of financial partners to choose from. You can borrow up to $50,000, but the interest rates and terms depend on which lender you pick and your particular situation. This platform offers tons of information about each lender in their network, and it's a great resource if you want to do some research, even if you don't ultimately use LendingTree to shop for a personal loan. Just be aware that some people say they get an abundance of marketing-type messages from other companies after using LendingTree. Despite that, it's still a good place to find personal loans from different lenders, earning a good score from us.
When you're looking for a personal loan, Prosper offers a different way to get the money you need. They connect people who want to lend money with those who need to borrow it, kind of like neighbors helping each other out. You can borrow up to $50,000, but watch out for origination fees, which can be taken from your loan amount. It might take a bit longer to get your money with Prosper because investors have to decide if they want to fund your loan. While there have been some complaints, Prosper generally has a good reputation, with many satisfied customers leaving positive reviews. Overall, Prosper is a decent option for getting a personal loan, even though it might not be the fastest or cheapest.
Bad Credit Loans can match you with a wide array of lenders, including banks, credit unions, and state and Tribal lenders, enabling you to borrow between $500 and $10,000, and repayment terms spanning from 90 days to 6 years, contingent upon your individual credit profile. However, they don't take any responsibility for the lenders in their network, and you won't know the lenders' identities beforehand, making it difficult to assess their trustworthiness. Despite their "A+” rating from the BBB and limited complaints, Bad Credit Loans receives mixed reviews, with some customers appreciating the loan access but others expressing concerns over high interest rates and extensive data collection during the initial application (including complete banking info).
Ace Cash Express offers various financial services, including payday loans, installment loans (also known as personal loans), check cashing, and prepaid debit cards, with over 900 locations across 22 states and DC. If you're facing unexpected expenses or cash flow challenges and have less-than-perfect credit or need immediate funds, Ace Cash Express might seem like a convenient solution. However, online personal loans are only available in Delaware, Florida, Missouri, or Texas, with loan amounts ranging from $100 to $1,000 or $2,000, depending on your location. But be warned: the interest rates can be shockingly high, reaching up to 495.76% APR or more, and the repayment term is short at just five months. While Ace Cash Express has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau and numerous 5-star reviews on Trustpilot, this is a last-resort option for those in desperate financial circumstances, not recommended for typical personal loans used for things like consolidating debt or funding home improvement projects.
If you're considering Personal Loans for financing a major purchase or repair, think twice. Operated by IT Media, it acts as a referral service, connecting you with lenders who pay for your information. While that's not inherently a bad thing, digging deeper into this particular platform reveals concerns - like the lack of transparency about data handling and the excessive personal information requested during the application process. Despite Personal Loans' parent company boasting a good BBB rating, the lack of current feedback and transparency lowers our confidence here. You've got much better options if you're looking for a way to compare personal loan offers: just look at the higher-ranking resources on our list.
First, think about whether you really need the money and if you can afford to pay it back. Taking out a loan is a big responsibility, and you don't want to get in over your head with debt. Take a look at your budget and make sure you can comfortably make the monthly payments.
Next, you'll want to shop around and compare loan offers from different lenders to make sure you're getting the best deal. Pay attention to things like interest rates, fees, and repayment terms. You can usually get prequalified for a loan online without affecting your credit score, which can help you see what kind of offers you might be eligible for.
Speaking of applying online, should you do it? Absolutely. It's super convenient to apply for a personal loan online since you can do it from the comfort of your own home and compare offers from multiple lenders without having to visit a bunch of banks or credit unions in person.
Plus, many online lenders offer quick approval and funding, so you can get the money you need fast. Just make sure you're dealing with a reputable lender and that you understand all the terms and conditions of the loan before you sign on the dotted line.
Now that you're ready to apply for a personal loan, which lender or website is best? Here are some things to look for as you make the decision:
To help you find the best option for getting a personal loan, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have reviewed and ranked some of today's most popular lenders and referral platforms. Use our research to start your journey with a trustworthy company and get the funds you need!
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