Advertiser Disclosure

Personal Loans

Avant Personal Loan Review

Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided or commissioned by any financial institution. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, statements or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities prior to publication.

Disclosure : By clicking “See Offers” you’ll be directed to our parent company, LendingTree. You may or may not be matched with the specific lender you clicked on, but up to five different lenders based on your creditworthiness.

Emilia Benton Emilia Benton

What is Avant?

Originally launched under the name AvantCredit, Avant is an online lender that was founded in 2012 in Chicago. The company launched its first loan in February 2013 and has issued nearly $2 billion in loans to 600,000 borrowers.

Avant primarily issues loans that can be used for debt consolidation, emergency expenses or home improvement costs.

Over the past several years, the company has been awarded much industry recognition, including being listed as No. 6 on Forbes’ “America’s Most Promising Companies” list in 2015, and No. 5 on PitchBook’s list of fastest companies to reach a $2 billion valuation in 2017.

Avant personal loan highlights

  • Minimum credit score requirement: The average Avant borrower has a credit score between 600 and 700. Remember, though, that when your credit score is lower, you’re more likely to end up at the higher end of the interest rate range.
  • Administrative fee: Avant charges an administrative fee of up to 4.75% to take out your loan. This fee will be subtracted from your total loan amount, so be sure to factor it in when calculating how much you need to borrow.
  • Quick funding: You could have money in your bank account as soon as the following business day after you apply.
APR

9.95%
To
35.99%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

24 to 60

months

Origination Fee

Up to 4.75%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Avant branded credit products are issued by WebBank, member FDIC.

Avant is an online lender that offers personal loans ranging from $2,000 to $35,000. ... Read More

Avant personal loan details
 

Fees and penalties

  • Terms: 24 to 60 months
  • APR Range: 9.95%-35.99%
  • Loan amounts: $2,000-$35,000
  • Time to funding: As soon as the next business day.
  • Hard pull/soft pull: A Soft Pull will be done initially to provide you with potential loan options. After you select your rate, a hard pull will be done on your credit as you officially apply.
  • Origination fee: Administrative fee of up to 4.75%.
  • Prepayment fee: None
  • Late payment fee: Fee may apply, but the amount is dependent on your state.
  • Other fees: You may be charged a fee if your payment is returned.

You can qualify for an Avant personal loan if you’re self-employed. Instead of providing your W-2 paperwork as proof of income, you will have to provide two years of full tax returns, so Avant can verify how much money you bring in per year.

Eligibility requirements

  • Minimum credit score: Varies
  • Minimum credit history: Avant judges each application on a variety of different credit criteria, though the average borrower has a credit score between 600 and 700.

You must have a checking or savings account in order to qualify for a loan with Avant. This account must allow you to do automatic payments. This account must be a personal account; Avant cannot currently lend to you if you’re using a business account.

Applying for a personal loan from Avant

You should definitely take advantage of Avant’s soft pull option, where you can get a sense of your loan options before you officially apply and let them perform a hard credit inquiry.

When you apply for a loan with Avant, you will want to come armed with some basic information like your name, address and Social Security number. If you’re someone’s employee, you’ll want to have your pay stubs from the past 30 days accessible. If you’re self-employed, expect to be asked for your tax returns from the past two years.

Regardless of if you’re a W-2 or 1099 worker, you will have to provide your bank account information, including routing number and account number. Sometimes, Avant can use this information alone to verify your income, saving you the hassle of scanning in your taxes or pay stubs — but you won’t know until you apply, though.

After you apply, you’ll be offered a rate. If you accept, Avant will do a hard pull on your credit, confirming the final details. If you are approved, you could see money in your account as soon as the next day.

Pros and cons of an Avant personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

  • Competitive interest rates for lower credit scores. Among lenders that extend credit to those with lower credit scores, Avant’s interest rates are about average. Keep in mind that if your credit score is low, though, you’re more likely to fall into the higher end of the interest rate range anyway.
  • Fast access to your money. You may be able to get your loan disbursed as soon as the next day.
  • No prepayment penalty. You can pay off your Avant personal loan early — saving you interest — without incurring a fee for prepayment.
  • Not available in every state: Avant personal loans are not available in Colorado, Iowa, Vermont or West Virginia.
  • Better options for higher credit scores. If you do have a higher credit score, Avant’s starting rates of 9.95% pale in comparison with lenders who target borrowers with a better credit history.
  • Origination fee. While Avant’s origination fee is lower than some of their competitors, the fact that they have a fee at all is still a negative. If you have poor credit, however, it can be tricky to find a lender that doesn’t charge such a fee.
  • You have to link up your bank account. Linking your bank account is a pretty standard way to pay your bills, and most marketplace lenders will prefer you do it this way. But if you’re uncomfortable linking your checking or savings to Avant for automatic payments, this could be a negative as it is required to qualify for one of their personal loans.

Who’s the best fit for an Avant personal loan

Among lenders who issue personal loans in this credit score range, Avant’s starting interest rates are near average. If you have a lower credit score, you should make Avant one of the companies you look at first, along with credit unions that allow you to apply online.

However, if you have a good or great credit score, you may find a better interest rate elsewhere. Whichever category you fall into, you should be sure to shop around before you commit.

Avant consumer reviews

Avant has an A- Better Business Review Rating. Its average customer review rating, however, is on the low end at 1.5 stars.

Several consumer reviews on LendingTree, (LendingTree is the parent company of MagnifyMoney) praise the company’s fast service.

“Avant was really great fees during my loan process,” said a May 2019 review by Courtney of Houston, Texas, who gave the company a 5-star rating. “From application to loan funding, my process was less than 72 hours. I’m happy I went with Avant for my loan.”

Avant FAQ

Avant’s personal loans are also referred to as “installment loans,” which involve a set number scheduled payments. Auto loans and mortgages also qualify as installment loans.

If you can’t make an upcoming payment, Avant has payment options to help customers stay on track. Call 312-763-7438 to learn more.

Avant currently provides standard consumer installment loans, also known as personal loans.

To apply for a loan and see available rates, you simply need to provide your full name, address, income information and Social Security number.

Avant personal loans can be used for a variety of purposes, including debt consolidation, home improvement projects, such as a home renovation, and emergency funds, which can be used to cover unexpected expenses.

The loan amount, term and APR that you qualify for depends on credit determination and state law; minimum loan amounts vary by state.

Avant is easily navigable, with an account page and mobile that can help you stay up-to-date with your loan. Additionally, customer support is available seven days a week.

Alternative personal loan options

Lending Club

APR

6.95%
To
35.89%

Credit Req.

600

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 or 60

months

Origination Fee

1.00% - 6.00%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

LendingClub is a great tool for borrowers that can offer competitive interest rates and approvals for people with credit scores as low as 600.... Read More

LendingClub is a lon marketplace, whose lenders also extend loans to those with lower credit scores, though they do so at a higher rate. Their maximum interest rates are very close to Avant’s, however — within a tenth of a percentage point of each other.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs®

Marcus by Goldman Sachs®
APR

5.99%
To
28.99%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 to 72

months

Origination Fee

No origination fee

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Advertiser Disclosure

Marcus by Goldman Sachs® offers personal loans for up to $40,000 for debt consolidation and credit consolidation. ... Read More

Your loan terms are not guaranteed and are subject to our verification of your identity and credit information. To obtain a loan, you must submit additional documentation including an application that may affect your credit score. Rates will vary based on many factors, such as your creditworthiness (for example, credit score and credit history) and the length of your loan (for example, rates for 36 month loans are generally lower than rates for 72 month loans).Your maximum loan amount may vary depending on your loan purpose, income and creditworthiness. Your verifiable income must support your ability to repay your loan. Marcus by Goldman Sachs is a brand of Goldman Sachs Bank USA and all loans are issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Applications are subject to additional terms and conditions. For New York residents, rates range from 5.99% to 24.99% APR.

If your budget is stretched thin, the fact that Marcus by Goldman Sachs® offers 36 to 72 month terms may be exciting news for you, as it generally means lower monthly payments. Just remember that when you stretch a loan out over a longer period of time, you end up paying more in interest over the life of your loan — even if you’re paying less per month.

Earnest

Earnest
APR

6.99%
To
18.24%

Credit Req.

680

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 to 60

months

Origination Fee

No origination fee

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Instead of offering credit-based loans, Earnest has taken a very nontraditional approach using a merit-based system.... Read More

Earnest is a better option if you have a higher credit score. Their interest rate range is lower, and there is no origination fee or administrative fees.

Advertiser Disclosure: The products that appear on this site may be from companies from which MagnifyMoney receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). MagnifyMoney does not include all financial institutions or all products offered available in the marketplace.

Emilia Benton
Emilia Benton |

Emilia Benton is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Emilia here

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Advertiser Disclosure

Personal Loans

Citizens Bank Personal Loan Review

Thursday, June 27, 2019

Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided or commissioned by any financial institution. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, statements or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities prior to publication.

Disclosure : By clicking “See Offers” you’ll be directed to our parent company, LendingTree. You may or may not be matched with the specific lender you clicked on, but up to five different lenders based on your creditworthiness.

Laura Woods Laura Woods
Yael Bizouati Yael Bizouati

What is Citizens Bank?

Established in 1828, Citizens Financial Group, Inc. is the 16th largest commercial bank in the U.S., per the Federal Reserve. Headquartered in Providence, R.I., the financial institution has approximately 2,900 ATMs and roughly 1,100 branches located in 11 New England, Mid-Atlantic and Midwest states. Citizens Bank also offers mobile and online banking, as well as a 24/7 contact center.

According to its website, the company is comprised of “citizens helping [other] citizens reach their potential.” Citizens’ vision is “to be a top-performing bank distinguished by its customer-centric culture, mindset of continuous improvement and excellent capabilities.”

Here’s a breakdown of Citizens Bank’s personal loan product and how it compares with the competition.

Citizens Bank personal loan highlights

  • No fees: Citizens Bank doesn’t charge any fees for its loans, including origination fees and prepayment penalties.
  • Interest rate discounts: Take 0.25% off your interest rate with the Citizens Loyalty Discount — earned by having another qualifying Citizens Bank account when you complete your application — and 0.25% by choosing to have your monthly loan payments automatically deducted from your account through the bank’s ACH payment service, allowing you to reduce your rate by up to 0.50%.
  • Fast cash: Funds can be deposited in your account in as soon as two business days.
  • Benefit from a co-signer: If your credit isn’t the best and someone you trust is willing to co-sign your personal loan, you could score a better rate. Both you and your co-applicant can request a rate quote, and the final rates and terms offered will be based on the higher FICO score.
Citizens Bank (RI)
APR

6.79%
To
20.89%

Credit Req.

Not specified

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 to 84

months

Origination Fee

No fees

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Citizens Bank personal loan details
 

Fees and penalties

  • Term lengths: 36 to 84 months
  • APR range: 6.79% to 20.89%
  • Loan amounts: $5,000 to $50,000
  • Time to funding: Funds can be in your account in as quickly as 2 business days
  • Credit check: Soft Pull
  • Origination fee: No fees
  • Prepayment fee: None
  • Late payment fee: Not specified

Citizens Bank product details

A Citizens Bank personal loan offers you the ability to lower your interest rate. If you have another qualifying Citizens Bank account when you complete your application, you’ll receive the Citizens Loyalty Discount, entitling you to a 0.25% rate discount. Save another 0.25% by opting to have your monthly loan payments automatically debited through ACH. This allows you to reduce your rate by a total of 0.50%.

In addition, if you’re an active-duty service member or are called into active duty before your Citizens Bank personal loan is repaid, you may qualify for special benefits. Eligibility varies according to a number of factors, so contact customer service for more details.

Eligibility requirements

  • Minimum credit score: Not specified
  • Minimum credit history: “Reasonably strong credit history,” per Citizens Bank’s website.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: Not specified.

To qualify for a Citizens Bank personal loan, you must have a strong credit history and a minimum annual income of at least $24,000. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. or Puerto Rico and have a valid Social Security number. Additionally, you’ll need to be at least the age of majority in the state where you reside.

Applying for a personal loan from Citizens Bank

You can apply for a Citizens Bank personal loan online. To complete your application, you’ll need to provide your Social Security number, gross annual income — accompanied by your most recent pay stub — and requested loan amount. If applicable, you might also be required to specify the name and phone number of your employer and the name and email address of your co-signer. Do note, though, that if you use a co-signer, they’ll also need to provide all the information listed above.

After submitting your application, you might be asked to supply additional documents to verify the information submitted. If you’re asked to provide proof of Social Security number, this could include a copy of your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport. Documents needed for income verification purposes may vary, according to your unique situation. Submit the documents online for the fastest processing, via email or by standard or overnight mail.

If your personal loan is approved, you’ll need to acknowledge and accept the terms of the offer, review and sign your application and promissory note — along with your co-signer, if applicable. Your promissory note can be signed digitally — the fastest method — or physically. The money will be deposited in your account quickly — possibly within two business days — and your first payment will be due 20 to 50 days from disbursement.

Pros and cons of a Citizens Bank personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

  • No fees: Citizens Bank loans comes with zero fees, including origination fees and prepayment penalties.
  • Flexible terms: Choose a monthly payment that fits your budget, with terms ranging from 36 to 84 months.
  • Fast funding: Funds could be dispersed into your account in as quickly as two business days after approval.
  • Interest rate reductions: Take 0.25% off your rate if you qualify for the Citizens Loyalty Discount and another 0.25% for having your monthly loan payments automatically deducted through ACH. This can allow you to reduce your rate by up to 0.50%.
  • Strong credit requirements: While the Citizens Bank website doesn’t provide a specific baseline credit score, it does note that “reasonably strong credit” is needed for loan approval.
  • Income requirements: To qualify for a personal loan from Citizens Bank, you’ll need a minimum annual income of at least $24,000.

Who’s the best fit for a Citizens Bank personal loan?

If you don’t want to pay fees, the Citizens Bank personal loan might be a good fit. Since no fees are attached to the loan — including origination fees and prepayment penalties — you can save money on its total cost.

Considering loans can often be funded within two business days, this could also be a great choice if you need cash fast. If you already have an account with Citizens Bank, you’ll especially want to check this loan out. You could be eligible for a reduced interest rate of up to 0.50% if you qualify for the Citizens Loyalty Discount and have your monthly loan payments automatically deducted through ACH.

Reading Citizens Bank reviews like this one is an important way to gather the facts, so you can make the best choice for your unique financial situation. It’s also advisable to shop around for other low-fee lenders, before signing any loan paperwork.

Citizens Bank consumer reviews

Citizens Bank has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. On LendingTree, our parent company, 92% of reviewers recommend Citizens Bank.

Positive points in consumer reviews include great rates, knowledgeability and helpfulness of the lender, as well as the rapidity of the process. On the negative side, the lack of bank branches was mentioned.

Avik, from Jericho, N.Y., praised the bank employee he worked with: “As a first-time home buyer, we stumbled upon lot of unknowns especially buying [a] little bit above our budget and affordability. David walked us through the process and made it super easy. The bank also closed the loan in such a short notice. We were able to get our home where we were competing against multiple cash offers.” Vladimir from Pomona, N.Y., found the team “very responsive and easy to deal with.”

On the other hand, while Jared from Croton On Hudson, N.Y., did acknowledge that the team was “pretty great,” he added that “the requirement to open an account with them was a bit more work when I realized how few branches were nearby,” though “likely not an issue in the long-term.”

Citizens Bank FAQ

The company offers a broad range of retail and commercial banking products and services to individuals, small businesses, middle-market companies, large corporations and institutions. Citizens Bank also provides mortgage lending, student lending and commercial banking services.

Citizens Bank will take multiple factors into consideration, including employment history, credit history, assets and debt. There is a soft pull credit for the rate quote and a hard credit pull for the application.

The use of personal loans include debt consolidation, engagements and weddings, kitchen and bath remodel, vacations and timeshares, and recreational vehicles.

While Citizens Bank doesn’t charge late fees, not making your payments on time could affect your credit score.

Alternative personal loan options

Wright-Patt Credit Union

Wright-Patt Credit Union
APR

8.99%
To
17.99%

Credit Req.

710

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

60

months

Origination Fee

No origination fee

APPLY NOW Secured

on Wright-Patt Credit Union’s secure website

With no annual fee, low fixed rates and terms up to 60 months, Wright-Patt Credit Union offers personal loans that are great options for those looking to work with a credit union.... Read More

Wright-Patt Credit Union offers personal loans from $500 to $40,000. Personal loans can be used for anything. One of the perks attached to the loan is the Skip-a-Pay Program, allowing eligible borrowers to skip one payment per calendar year without a late fee. You’ll need to join the credit union to apply for a personal loan: Ohio residents in several central and southwest counties, as well as the cities of Columbus and Cincinnati, are eligible for membership; those outside the region can research other means of joining the credit union. If you qualify for membership, this can be a good choice if you need less than the $5,000 minimum Citizens Bank loan.

PenFed Credit Union

PenFed Credit Union
APR

Starting at 6.49%

Credit Req.

700

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 to 60

months

Origination Fee

No origination fee

APPLY NOW Secured

on PenFed Credit Union’s secure website

Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) offers personal loans with terms up to five years and maximum loan amounts of $25,000.... Read More

PenFed personal loans are offered from $500 to $25,000. There’s no hidden costs of borrowing and funds are available immediately. Personal loans are exclusive to PenFed members, but you could be eligible to join through your employer, association membership, volunteerism or military affiliation. PenFed’s baseline APR is slightly lower than the starting 6.49% APR offered by Citizens Bank, so taking this route could allow you to score a better rate.

USAA

USAA Bank
APR

As low as 9.49%

Credit Req.

700

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

12 to 84

months

Origination Fee

No origination fee

APPLY NOW Secured

on USAA Bank’s secure website

USAA offers personal loans for members with low, fixed interest and protections to fall back on if you get behind in payments.... Read More

If you’re a member of the U.S. military — or an eligible family member — you might qualify for a USAA personal loan. Borrowing starts at $2,500 and you must be a member to apply for a personal loan. Decisions are typically made immediately and loans are funded the next day. Assuming you qualify for USAA membership, this could be a good fit if your borrowing needs are less than $5,000 minimum for a Citizens Bank personal loan.

Advertiser Disclosure: The products that appear on this site may be from companies from which MagnifyMoney receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). MagnifyMoney does not include all financial institutions or all products offered available in the marketplace.

Laura Woods
Laura Woods |

Laura Woods is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Laura here

Yael Bizouati
Yael Bizouati |

Yael Bizouati is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Yael here

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Get A Pre-Approved Personal Loan

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Best Travel Credit Cards With No Annual Fee

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Credit Cards Charging 0% Interest until 2021

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Advertiser Disclosure Comments

Advertiser Disclosure

Personal Loans

OppLoans Personal Loan Review

Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Editorial Note: The editorial content on this page is not provided or commissioned by any financial institution. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, statements or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and may not have been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities prior to publication.

Disclosure : By clicking “See Offers” you’ll be directed to our parent company, LendingTree. You may or may not be matched with the specific lender you clicked on, but up to five different lenders based on your creditworthiness.

Brynne Conroy Brynne Conroy
Emily Long Emily Long

What is Opploans?

Opportunity Financial, LLC — which does business under the more recognizable name OppLoans — focuses on offering loans to borrowers with bad credit. As a result, its interest rates are extremely high. However, it does have educational initiatives to help its borrowers climb the credit ladder, potentially earning the consumers better interest rates in the future when they apply for different loans with other lenders.

OppLoans personal loan highlights

  • High interest rates: OppLoans has some of the highest interest rates for personal loans we have ever seen. If there’s any way to borrow somewhere else or save money over the course of a couple months in order to avoid borrowing at 99.00%–199.00% APR, pursue those options. If you’re looking at payday loans, though, note that OppLoans is still a more affordable option.
  • Educates borrowers: OppLoans offers educational initiatives to help its borrowers improve their credit scores and overall financial life.
  • Quick funding: After your personal loan application is approved, OppLoans is often able to get money in your bank account as soon as the next business day.
APR

99.00%
To
199.00%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

9 to 24

months

Origination Fee

Varies

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

OppLoans personal loan details
 

Fees and penalties

  • Terms: 9 to 24 months
  • APR range: 99.00%-199.00% APR
  • Loan amounts: $1,000-$4,000
  • Time to funding: You can get access to your funds as soon as the business day after approval.
  • Hard pull/soft pull: Soft Pull
  • Origination fee: Varies
  • Prepayment fee: None
  • Late payment fee: Fees may vary by state, but if your payment is more than 15 days late, you will be charged $15.
  • Other fees: These may also vary by state, but you will be charged $15 each time you write OppLoans a bad check. California applicants will also have to pay a $75 administrative fee.

OppLoans’ rates are oppressively high, but there’s a reason they exist. When you find yourself with little money, a mountain of bills and bad credit, it becomes extremely difficult to gain access to low-interest borrowing products.

In these cases, many people turn to payday loans, which can have interest rates of around 400%. Going with a personal loan from OppLoans is a preferable path.

OppLoans makes efforts to help their clientele understand how they can boost their credit scores so they can get back into the traditional marketplace where lower rates can be obtained. They do this through OppU — a collection of free, educational courses that teach you about spending, saving, budgeting, credit and debt. Unless you live in Texas or Ohio, OppLoans also reports your loan activity to the three major credit bureaus, so making on-time payments can help you strengthen your traditional credit file.

Eligibility requirements

Clarity Services, Inc. is a subsidiary of Experian, but is not technically one of the big three credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion). Instead, Clarity Services deals with what is known as “alternative credit data.” This data is built by obtaining your credit report from one of the three major credit bureaus and supplementing it with information about recent credit inquiries, potential fraud attempts and your overall financial stability, including income and employment data.

When a lender like OppLoans uses Clarity Services, it’s doing so because it knows that, by traditional credit standards, you might look like a repayment risk, but it also knows that reliable people sometimes go through hard financial times. Clarity’s supplemental information allows OppLoans to make a lending decision on more than just traditional credit data.

If your alternative credit data qualifies you, you will also have to have a steady source of income. If your income is from employment, you have to have been with your employer for at least three months. You must also have a bank account that is at least three months old, where your paychecks are deposited using direct deposit. If you live in New Mexico, you are exempt from the direct deposit requirement.

If you’re active-duty military, you won’t qualify for a loan with OppLoans. That’s because the Military Lending Act protects servicemembers, their spouses and dependents from potentially predatory lenders, and the rates offered by OppLoans are far too high to meet this law’s standards.

Finally, you must be at least 19 years of age to qualify for an OppLoans personal loan if you live in Alabama or Nebraska. Otherwise, you must be 18 and live in one of these states:

  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Delaware
  • District of Columbia
  • Florida
  • Georgia
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Maine
  • Michigan
  • Minnesota
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Mexico
  • Ohio
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • South Dakota
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Applying for a personal loan from OppLoans

The only way to apply for an OppLoans personal loan is through its online application. Be prepared to enter identifying information such as your name, address and Social Security number, as well as your bank account info and data about your employer or any other way that you bring in income.

At this point in the process, OppLoans will pull your alternative credit data via Clarity Services. If you are approved, you may have to provide supplemental documentation proving you are who you say you are and what you earn.

After approval, many see the money deposited into their bank accounts as soon as the next business day.

Pros and cons of an OppLoans personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

  • Quick funding. With funding available as soon as the first business day following approval, OppLoans often gets its borrowers money fast.
  • Educational initiatives. OppLoans’ OppU educational program is free and online, meaning anyone can access it from anywhere within the confines of their schedule. The effort was launched as a form of advocacy to help consumers improve their financial situation so they don’t have to take out loans with ridiculously high interest rates in the future.
  • Better than payday loans. People who can’t get traditional credit often turn to payday loans to get by. OppLoans can be a good alternative to those payday loans, but it’s not necessarily the best option for getting cash fast.
  • High interest rates. Paying 99.00% to 199.00% interest on your loan is akin to paying over 2-3 times the amount you initially borrowed. For example, if you took out a $3,000 loan at 199.00%, which you needed to repay in three years with monthly payments of $499, you’d end up paying $17,964 total by the time all was said and done.
  • Doesn’t help if you’re in ChexSystems. If your money situation is tumultuous, there’s a chance you may have been put in ChexSystems, a credit reporting agency for checking and savings accounts. When this happens, you won’t be able to open a bank account, and without a bank account which is at least three months old, you’re not going to qualify for an OppLoans personal loan.
  • Direct deposit required. Many employers set direct deposit as the default way to pay employees, and many will oblige if you request this method of payment. If you don’t already have direct deposit set up for your paycheck, you’re not going to be able to get your hands on an OppLoans personal loan quickly until you get that resolved. If your employer doesn’t offer direct deposit, you can’t borrow from OppLoans.

Who’s the best fit for an OppLoans personal loan?

OppLoans is not the best option for a lot of people because of its high interest rates. However, if you have poor credit but have a bank account, have recently been denied by other lenders who offer lower interest rates and need money right now, OppLoans may be your most viable solution. Consider OppLoans before you turn to payday loans.

OppLoans consumer reviews

Despite its staggeringly high interest rates, OppLoans receives mostly positive feedback from its customers. Those who have reviewed the company on LendingTree (MagnifyMoney’s parent company) say the application and funding process is quick and easy, and many note that the customer service is very good.

For example, reviewers praise OppLoans for being “professional, secure, and speedy,” as well as “upfront with fees and payment terms,” and “very helpful if you have any questions.” Ninety-six percent say they would recommend OppLoans — plus, the company has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

Negative reviews for OppLoans are few and far between, but those that did rate their experience poorly say they weren’t approved by the lender or were unhappy with the high rates and fees.

OppLoans FAQ

OppLoans offers both installment loans (what we’ve covered in this piece) and lines of credit. The latter is only available in a few states.

If you’re approved, OppLoans will deposit your funds directly into the account you provided. You could see the money come through as soon as the next business day, though this depends on what time of day (and day of the week) your application is processed and finalized.

OppLoans accepts electronic funds transfers (EFT), which is basically a debit from your checking account to the lender. You can also use your debit card for one-time payments.

You can use your personal loan for nearly anything. Some of the most common uses include debt consolidation, paying off medical bills, and financing a big purchase.

Yes. OppLoans doesn’t charge a prepayment penalty — if you are able to pay off your loan faster, you’ll save on interest.

OppLoans advises customers who expect to pay late or miss a payment to call the company directly at 855-408-5000. Note that there is a late payment fee that varies depending on where you live.

OppLoans specializes in working with bad credit borrowers but has a number of additional eligibility requirements for its personal loans. If you don’t qualify, take a look at alternatives on MagnifyMoney’s personal loan marketplace. You may find other offers that work for you.

Alternative personal loan options

NetCredit

APR

34.00%
To
155.00%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

6 to 60

months

Origination Fee

1.00% - 5.00%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

NetCredit issues personal loans with interest rates up to 155.00%. That’s not great, though it is a bit better than OppLoans’ ceiling of 199.00%. It also has far lower starting rates at 34.00% compared with OppLoans’ 99.00%. You may be able to qualify for a NetCredit personal loan with a credit score as low as 500.

LendingPoint

APR

9.99%
To
35.99%

Credit Req.

585

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

24 to 48

months

Origination Fee

0.00% - 6.00%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

LendingPoint is an online lender that targets borrowers with fair credit, and allows borrowing up to $25,000.... Read More

If you have a credit history strong enough to merit more traditional interest rates, take advantage of it. LendingPoint works with individuals with credit scores as low as 585 according to CEO Mark Lorimer. Interest rates are far lower than OppLoans, at 9.99%–35.99%.

Finova Financial

Finova Financial
APR

18.00%
To
204.00%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

12 to 24

months

Origination Fee

$30

SEE OFFERS Secured

on Finova Financial ’s secure website

Without a traditional bank account, you’re going to have a hard time getting an unsecured loan. You can instead look at title loans. To get these loans, you have to put up some collateral, like your car, which the lender could repossess should you fail to repay your debt. This is very risky, as losing your car could further complicate an already dire situation, but if you find yourself needing to us this type of financial product, consider Finova Financial, which has personal loan-like interest rates on its title loans, currently sitting at 18.00%–204.00%.

Advertiser Disclosure: The products that appear on this site may be from companies from which MagnifyMoney receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). MagnifyMoney does not include all financial institutions or all products offered available in the marketplace.

Brynne Conroy
Brynne Conroy |

Brynne Conroy is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Brynne here

Emily Long
Emily Long |

Emily Long is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Emily here

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