Other common secured loans include home equity loans and home equity lines of credit. These secured loans use your house as collateral. If you are carrying high-interest, unsecured credit card debt, you can use the equity in your home to get a secured loan at a lower interest rate.
Secured loans are also available to put cash in your pocket without tapping into your reserves. If you have a savings account, stocks or other investments, a secured loan can be a great way to build your credit history or consolidate your debt while holding onto your money.
Getting a secured loan to consolidate debt is a good idea as long as you don’t continue to use the credit cards you just paid off. You can enjoy a lower interest rate and one monthly payment, which can help you keep more of the money you earn and improve your quality of life.
If you are strapped for cash, you may consider other types of secured loans. Beware of secured loans with high interest rates, such as title loans or payday loans. These loans give you money based on a car you own or your upcoming paycheck, but they are often predatory in nature.
Some secured loans allow you to use the cash for whatever you’d like, while other loans pay the money you borrowed directly to the seller of your home or vehicle.
If you need liquid cash fast and have assets in your name, a secured personal loan can help you get the money you need.
LendingTree
Personal loans can help you consolidate your debt, buy a vehicle and pay for home repairs, among many other things. If your credit is good, you can obtain a low-interest personal loan and avoid putting up collateral for a secured loan. Check out LendingTree’s personal loan tool to see if you qualify for a personal loan.
LendingTree is unique in that you may be able to compare up to five personal loan offers within minutes. Everything is done online and you may be pre-qualified by up to five different lenders without impacting your credit score.
APR
As low as 3.99%
Credit Req.
Minimum 500 FICO®
Minimum Credit Score
Origination Fee
Varies
LendingTree is our parent company. LendingTree is unique in that you may be able to compare up to five personal loan offers within minutes. Everything is done online and you may be pre-qualified by lenders without impacting your credit score. LendingTree is not a lender.
A Personal Loan can offer funds relatively quickly once you qualify you could have your funds within a few days to a week. A loan can be fixed for a term and rate or variable with fluctuating amount due and rate assessed, be sure to speak with your loan officer about the actual term and rate you may qualify for based on your credit history and ability to repay the loan. A personal loan can assist in paying off high-interest rate balances with one fixed term payment, so it is important that you try to obtain a fixed term and rate if your goal is to reduce your debt. Some lenders may require that you have an account with them already and for a prescribed period of time in order to qualify for better rates on their personal loan products. Lenders may charge an origination fee generally around 1% of the amount sought. Be sure to ask about all fees, costs and terms associated with each loan product. Loan amounts of $1,000 up to $50,000 are available through participating lenders; however, your state, credit history, credit score, personal financial situation, and lender underwriting criteria can impact the amount, fees, terms and rates offered. Ask your loan officer for details.
As of 28-Feb-2019, LendingTree Personal Loan consumers were seeing match rates as low as 3.99% (3.99% APR) on a $10,000 loan amount for a term of three (3) years. Rates and APRs were based on a self-identified credit score of 700 or higher, zero down payment, origination fees of $0 to $100 (depending on loan amount and term selected).
LightStream
LightStream, an online consumer lending division of SunTrust Bank, offers secured loans for the purchase of new, pre-owned or classic vehicles, with a streamlined paperless loan process. Loans may even be processed on the same business day they are initiated.
LightStream offers personal loans for virtually any purpose, including new or used vehicles, home improvements, timeshare purchases, boat or aircraft purchases, or to pay off existing debt.
Most of LightStream’s loan programs are designed for people with good to excellent credit, but LightStream also offers secured loans for vehicles. These secured loans may have looser qualifications and slightly higher interest rates, with the same easy loan process.
APR
3.99%
To
16.99%
Credit Req.
660
Minimum Credit Score
Origination Fee
No origination fee
LightStream is the online lending division of SunTrust Bank.... Read More They offer competitive rates and terms, and their max loan amount and terms are often higher than what other lenders can offer. LightStream is strict with approvals, but they offer an online process, great terms and no fees. The one downside is that they do perform a hard pull when checking your credit.Read Less
Your APR may differ based on loan purpose, amount, term, and your credit profile. Rate is quoted with AutoPay discount, which is only available when you select AutoPay prior to loan funding. Rates under the invoicing option are 0.50% higher. Subject to credit approval. Conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 3.99% APR with a term of 3 years would result in 36 monthly payments of $295.20.
The fine print
LightStream does not list a minimum credit score, but it requires borrowers to fulfill multiple requirements. Those most likely to be approved are borrowers with a credit history of at least five years and a variety of revolving and installment loans on record, few missed payments, cash assets or a proven ability to save, and stable, sufficient income to pay the loan and their other debts.
LightStream offers loans from $5,000 to $100,000 for 24 to 144 months, but only loans of $25,000 and up are likely to get terms of 144 months. Interest rates vary from 3.99% to 16.99% when the borrower opts for automatic payments. Invoiced loans may be 0.50 percentage points higher.
Pros
- If you qualify for a lower APR with another lender, LightStream will match that APR and reduce it by another 0.10 percentage points, resulting in even greater savings (terms may apply)
- Paperless process makes it easy to apply for a loan
- If you apply before 2:30 p.m. EST on any business day of the week, your loan may be approved the same day.
- Loans are for fixed rates, which means your interest and payments won’t increase
- No origination fee
- A satisfaction guarantee means that if you receive the loan and are not happy with the process, LightStream will pay you $100
Cons
- LightStream does not preapprove borrowers, meaning a hard pull is necessary
- Secured loans are only available with specific products
- Loans are not available for more than $100,000 or less than $5,000
If you are looking for a fast and easy loan process and are confident about your credit rating, LightStream could help you get the vehicle you want with a secured loan.
Wells Fargo
As one of the largest banks in the U.S., Wells Fargo provides a variety of loan products at low interest rates. With more than 5,000 branches and more than 13,000 ATMs in nearly every state, as well as online and phone banking options, Wells Fargo is easily accessible to consumers across the country.
Banking with Wells Fargo offers many benefits, including potentially lower interest rates on personal loans, to its customers. For customers who have a certificate of deposit (CD) or savings account with Wells Fargo, qualification could be quicker.
APR
6.99%
To
23.99%
Credit Req.
Varies
Minimum Credit Score
Origination Fee
No origination fees
The fine print
Wells Fargo offers two savings secured loan products: a savings or CD secured personal loan and a savings or CD secured line of credit. CD/savings secured loans are available for terms up to 120 months, in amounts from $3,000 to $250,000. Wells Fargo does not disclose interest rates on its website, but says that secured loans often have lower interest rates than unsecured personal loans. Additionally, Wells Fargo customers can save 0.50% on their secured loan rate. A secured line of credit gives you access to a credit line starting at $5,000 (up to $250,000). There is a $25 annual fee for the line of credit.
Pros
- You can get approved within hours and have your money by the next business day in many cases
- You may avoid early withdrawal penalties on your CD with a CD secured loan
- Money continues earning interest in your savings account.
- You can enjoy the convenience of online banking and a large network of branches and ATMs
Cons
- $75 loan origination fee
- $25 annual fee for a secured line of credit
- You must have a qualified Wells Fargo savings product to be approved
With a long-standing reputation and locations across the U.S., Wells Fargo provides convenient loan products for its customers. If you already have a Wells Fargo CD or savings account, a CD/savings secured loan is a good way to put your money to work for you.
OneMain Financial
OneMain Financial has been through a number of name changes since it was founded as Commercial Credit in 1912. Today, the financial institution serves more than 10 million customers with branches in 44 states.
OneMain Financial loans, even the secured ones, may have higher interest rates than you may find elsewhere. Its secured loan products, which require collateral such as a vehicle, may offer lower interest rates than unsecured loans.
APR
16.05%
To
35.99%
Credit Req.
Varies
Minimum Credit Score
Origination Fee
Varies
If you have a credit score below 600, OneMain Financial is one of the few lenders that you can use to get a personal loan.... Read More They offer quick turnaround times and you may get your money the same day if you apply before noon with check or prepaid debit card option. ACH transfers take one to two business days. Interest rates are higher than other online lenders, especially for those with excellent credit, and you will need to visit a branch to get your loan.Read Less
Not all applicants will qualify for larger loan amounts or most favorable loan terms. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on your ability to meet our credit standards (including a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and availability of collateral). Larger loan amounts require a first lien on a motor vehicle no more than ten years old, that meets our value requirements, titled in your name with valid insurance. Maximum annual percentage rate (APR) is 35.99%, subject to state restrictions. APRs are generally higher on loans not secured by a vehicle. The lowest APR shown represents the 10% of loans with the most favorable APR. Active duty military, their spouse or dependents covered under the Military Lending Act may not pledge any vehicle as collateral for a loan. OneMain loan proceeds cannot be used for postsecondary educational expenses as defined by the CFPB’s Regulation Z, such as college, university or vocational expenses; for any business or commercial purpose; to purchase securities; or for gambling or illegal purposes. Borrowers in these states are subject to these minimum loan sizes: Alabama: $2,100. California: $3,000. Georgia: Unless you are a present customer, $3,100 minimum loan amount. Ohio: $2,000. Virginia: $2,600.
Borrowers (other than present customers) in these states are subject to these maximum unsecured loan sizes: Florida: $8,000. Iowa: $8,500. Maine: $7,000. Mississippi: $7,500. North Carolina: $7,500. New York: $20,000. Texas: $8,000. West Virginia: $7,500. An unsecured loan is a loan which does not require you to provide collateral (such as a motor vehicle) to the lender.
The fine print
OneMain Financial makes its lending decisions based on your credit history, income, expenses and the value of the collateral. APRs may range from 16.05% to 35.99%. Secured personal and auto loans are available between $1,500 and $30,000, with terms from 24 to 60 months.
Pros
- Flexible payment options, including the ability to change your due date
- Same-day or next-day decisions and funding
Cons
- High interest rates
- Must visit a branch to get your loan, even if you apply online
- Soft Pull required to apply for a loan
Because of the high interest rates, OneMain Financial would not be a top choice for a personal loan for anyone with a good credit score. But if you are in a financial bind and need money for a vehicle or other necessary expense, OneMain Financial’s secured loans can help you get back on track financially.
First Tech Federal Credit Union
First Tech Federal Credit Union was founded in 1952. Founded by employees of Hewlett-Packard and Tektronix, it caters to anyone in the technology industry, including employees of Amazon, Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard.
But you don’t have to work for a tech giant to qualify. You can also join if you work for the state of Oregon or live or work in Lane County. Additionally, membership in the Computer History Museum or the Financial Fitness Association also qualifies you for membership in the credit union.
First Tech Federal Credit Union offers a variety of secured loans that can help you consolidate debt, pay for a major purchase or renovate your home.
The fine print
First Tech Federal Credit Union offers personal loans secured by stocks, CDs or your savings account. You can also use your stocks to back a revolving line of credit with a minimum limit of $25,000.
Interest rates start at 3.00% for a savings secured loan or a certificate secured loan. Borrow as little as $500, or up to $500,000 with a savings or certificate secured loan. Terms are for up to 96 months — or when the certificate matures.
Stock secured loans start at 4.75% APR, and stock secured lines of credit have starting APRs as low as 8.50%. Borrow as little as $25,000 and as much as $1,000,000 with a stock secured loan or line of credit, with terms up to 144 months for a loan. There are no application, origination, refinance or prepayment penalty fees.
Pros
- Loan payments begin within the first three months for stock, certificate and savings secured loans
- Receive a decision within 24 hours
- Great way to build your credit
- Online and mobile banking features let you make payments and access your money easily when you need it
Cons
- Only available to First Tech Federal Credit Union members
- You must have assets in the form of cash, CDs or stocks to get a secured loan
If you have cash reserves, stocks or certificates but no credit history, a secured loan from First Tech Credit Union can help you build your credit score.
A good credit score can help you take advantage of the best rewards credit cards, manage cash flow and help your money work harder for you. First Tech Federal Credit Union has a variety of secured loan products at low interest rates.
Digital Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1979, Digital Federal Credit Union is a tech-forward organization with a wide variety of checkings and savings accounts, as well as CDs, retirement accounts and more.
You can become a member if you:
- Live in certain parts of Georgia or Massachusetts
- Work for, are retired from or are related to someone who works for or is retired from one of the credit union’s partner employers
- Are a relative of a member
- Get a membership with one of its partner nonprofits
Digital Federal Credit Union offers a variety of loan products, including auto loans, home equity loans and a savings secured loan that lets you borrow against your savings account or CD.
The fine print
The credit union’s secured personal loans let you borrow as little as $200 up to as much as the amount in your savings account or certificate account for up to 120 months, with rates as low as 3.50% for a savings secured loan. Certificate-insured loans have terms up to 120 months, but they are not allowed to exceed the term of the certificate account. Interest rates start at the certificate rate plus 3.50%.
Pros
- Apply conveniently online or by phone
- Allows you to build or rebuild your credit
- Low interest rates
- Lets your savings work for you
Cons
- Must be a member of the credit union
- Rates for certificate secured loans change as certificate rates change
Good credit can help you get better rates on auto insurance and unsecured loans, be approved for a better luxury apartment to rent and take advantage of cash rewards credit cards.
If you have a savings or certificate account but no credit history, a savings secured loan from Digital Federal Credit Union with low interest rates can help you build your credit.
