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Personal Loans

Earnest Personal Loan Review

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

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.

Marty MinchinMarty Minchin

What is Earnest?

Perhaps best known for its student loans — Earnest was acquired last year by Navient, the nation’s largest student loan servicer — the online lender offers personal loans, too. Earnest is designed for borrowers who have good credit scores but lack a long track record. The San Francisco-based company considers savings patterns, career trajectory, education and each borrower’s unique financial situation to determine rates and terms of a loan. Earnest is looking for applicants who are financially responsible, even if their credit score is still a ways from excellent.

Earnest personal loan highlights

  • Low rates: Earnest’s approach to lending does require an in-depth application process and longer turnaround time, but successful applicants likely will receive a loan with competitive terms and rates.
  • No fees: Unlike rivals, Earnest charges No origination fee or, for that matter, any fees. This means you never pay more than your monthly payment and you can pay off the loan early without incurring a prepayment penalty.
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 personal loan details
 

Fees and penalties

  • Terms: Earnest loan terms range from 36 to 60 months.
  • APR range: The APR for this loan is 6.99% to 18.24%.
  • Loan amounts: You may borrow between $5,000 and $75,000.
  • Time to funding: Earnest aims to respond to most loan applications within five to 10 business days.
  • Hard pull/soft pull: Earnest performs a hard inquiry on your credit and only shows your rates once you have submitted your loan application, though the company says it’s working on a rate check for personal loan applications. This inquiry will appear on your credit report and will slightly lower your credit score.

Not only are there no fees, if you find yourself in a difficult situation that affects your ability to repay your loan, Earnest will work with you. It offers several ways to help borrowers.


  • Late payments: Earnest extends a seven-day grace period beyond the originally scheduled payment date to all clients. The lender also allows borrowers to adjust their monthly auto-payment date.
  • Unexpected financial changes: Earnest staff are available to immediately discuss borrowers’ situations with them.
  • Death or disability: If the borrower dies or becomes permanently and completely disabled, the executor of of the borrower’s estate can petition Earnest for relief.

Eligibility requirements

  • Minimum credit score: Earnest requires a minimum credit score of 680.
  • Minimum credit history: The lender looks for those with enough savings to cover two months of expenses, spend less than they earn, do not carry large amounts of credit card debt and have a history of making payments on time.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: Though Earnest’s website does not specify a certain debt-to-income ratio, the lender consistently describes its target audience as responsible borrowers who keep their credit levels relatively low.

Earnest personal loans are not available everywhere — residents of Alabama, Delaware, Kentucky, Nevada and Rhode Island are ineligible. You must be 18, a U.S. citizen, long-term permanent resident alien or conditional permanent resident alien or hold certain visas through the life of the loan. Applicants must show that they are paid in U.S. dollars and have a consistent income.

Applying for a personal loan from Earnest

Earnest’s loan application process starts online like many other lenders, but it may require you to submit more information than competitors. The process begins with the borrower selecting a loan amount, terms and reason for applying such as credit card consolidation, debt refinance, or paying for a home improvement, security deposit on a rental property, vacation or honeymoon, wedding, a move or career development. “Other” also is an option.

The borrower must then create an account, providing name, state of residence and email address.

Applicants also will be asked to provide:

  • Education and employment information: The application will ask for all of your educational background and work history. Underwriters will use the information to get a picture of your academic and career growth as well as your earning potential to assess how likely you are to pay back your Earnest loan.
  • Financial information: You must provide Earnest with read-only access to financial transactions in your bank accounts by linking them to your Earnest profile. Underwriters will look at your balance history and transactions only, not your charges, and will use secure data from your accounts and LinkedIn profile to verify your identity. Earnest doesn’t sell any personal data or ever have access to your usernames or passwords.
  • Personal information: Earnest does not operate physical branches where staff could verify an applicant’s identity in person, so applicants are asked to securely upload a government-issued photo ID such as a driver’s license. You also will be required to enter your Social Security number so that Earnest can run a hard pull on your credit.

Earnest communicates through email once you submit your loan application. You may check the status of your loan during the review process by signing in to your Earnest account and clicking on “My Loans” at the top of the page. You may receive an email asking for additional information, and the final decision will be emailed. You can find more details about your loan offer when you sign in to your Earnest account.

You have seven calendar days to accept an offer. Earnest encourages successful applicants to contact the company during this period with any questions or concerns. Earnest will transfer the money to you by the next business day after you accept the offer and provide your bank account information. The funds should appear in your account within one to two days of signing.

Pros and cons of an Earnest personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

  • Low rates. Earnest has some of the lowest rates on the market, with a maximum APR of 18.24%.
  • Smooth application process: Despite the lengthy application process, Earnest’s reviews praise its ease and helpful customer service.
  • Comprehensive website: Earnest is upfront about its terms, rates and loan requirements, and its website is easy to navigate and provides detailed information about Earnest personal loans.
  • Extensive application: Earnest has a more involved application process than many other lenders, and it requires documentation of your financial, personal, education, and employment information.
  • Hard pull: Personal loan applicants will not receive their rate until their loan is approved, a process which requires a hard pull on your credit.
  • Responsibility required: Even though Earnest doesn’t base its loan decisions solely on credit scores, borrowers must prove they are financially responsible. Applicants who have struggled to pay bills in the past and whose finances are disorganized likely will not be approved.

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

Earnest personal loans are an excellent option for people in their 20s and 30s who have a college education and are establishing their careers but need to build credit. Unlike most lenders, Earnest will make a decision about their loan application based on their potential and career trajectory rather than just their past. As long as underwriters can determine that an applicant is financially stable, financially responsible and likely to pay back the loan, the applicant likely will be approved.
Borrowers who want a good deal on a versatile loan also should consider Earnest. The lender does not charge any fees, and its APR range is lower than many other lenders. While Earnest personal loans cannot be used to repay student loans or for businesses, they can be used for everything from consolidating debt to new job expenses to relocation.

Alternative personal loan options

Before you sign up, it’s important to research other lenders who offer different terms, stipulations and rates to make sure you get the best loan for your situation. MagnifyMoney’s online tool for comparing personal loans will give you a comprehensive look at your options.

This roundup includes loans that allow you to check rates with a soft pull.

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, established in 2007, works with borrowers with credit scores as low as 600, which is lower than Earnest’s minimum credit score of 600 though APR rates are as high as 35.99%. Unlike Earnest however, LendingClub will conduct a Hard Pull of your credit; it will not affect your credit score and will allow you to get rates and terms before deciding to apply.

Upgrade

Upgrade
APR

7.99%
To
35.89%

Credit Req.

620

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 or 60

months

Origination Fee

1.50% - 6.00%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Upgrade is an online lender that offers fairly priced personal loans for a term of either 36 or 60 months.... Read More.

Like LendingClub, Upgrade is an online lender available to those with fair credit that also offers a Soft Pull. A LendingClub loan may be a quicker turnaround than Earnest — once your application is approved, the money will be transferred to your bank account within four business days.

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.

This relatively new line of personal loans was launched by Goldman Sachs Bank USA. The lender offers no-fee personal loans, which sets it apart from others in this list, but its APR rates are somewhat higher than Earnest’s. Marcus will conduct a Soft Pull on your credit to generate rates and offers borrowers the option to defer one payment without accruing extra interest or fees. More than 80% of borrowers last year had a credit score of at least 660, according to Goldman Sachs’ most recent annual report.

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.

Marty Minchin
Marty Minchin |

Marty Minchin is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Marty here

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Personal Loans

Prosper Personal Loan Review

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

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.

Julie Ryan EvansJulie Ryan Evans
Emily LongEmily Long

What is Prosper?

Prosper is a peer-to-peer loan marketplace based in San Francisco. The company matches borrowers with investors willing to fund fixed-rate loans. Prosper’s website is more like a marketplace than a traditional financial institution’s website, and loan funds are originated through Utah-based WebBank.

Since 2005, Prosper has facilitated more than $15 billion in loans to more than 930,000 people. This review covers how Prosper compares with traditional lenders.

Prosper personal loan highlights

  • Peer-to-peer lending: If you want to work outside of a conventional bank, Prosper’s online marketplace is a good alternative.
  • Average credit requirement: Prosper considers borrowers with scores as low as 640. The average FICO score of Prosper borrowers is 710.
  • No prepayment penalties: There is no penalty for paying your loan off before the end of your term.
  • Funding is slower: Because you have to wait on investors to commit funds, it may take up to 14 days before your loan is originated.
APR

6.95%
To
35.99%

Credit Req.

640

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 or 60

months

Origination Fee

2.41% - 5.00%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Advertiser Disclosure

Prosper is a peer-to-peer lending platform that offers a quick and convenient way to get personal loans with fixed and low interest rates. ... Read More

For example, a three-year $10,000 loan with a Prosper Rating of AA would have an interest rate of 5.31% and a 2.41% origination fee for an annual percentage rate (APR) of 6.95% APR. You would receive $9,759 and make 36 scheduled monthly payments of $301.10. A five-year $10,000 loan with a Prosper Rating of A would have an interest rate of 8.39% and a 5.00% origination fee with a 10.59% APR. You would receive $9,500 and make 60 scheduled monthly payments of $204.64. Origination fees vary between 2.41%-5%. APRs through Prosper range from 6.95% (AA) to 35.99% (HR) for first-time borrowers, with the lowest rates for the most creditworthy borrowers. Eligibility for loans up to $40,000 depends on the information provided by the applicant in the application form. Eligibility is not guaranteed, and requires that a sufficient number of investors commit funds to your account and that you meet credit and other conditions. Refer to Borrower Registration Agreement for details and all terms and conditions. All loans made by WebBank, member FDIC.

Prosper personal loan details
 

Fees and penalties

  • Terms: 36 or 60 months
  • APR range: 6.95% to 35.99%
  • Loan amounts: $2,000 to $40,000
  • Time to funding: On average, borrowers can see funds deposited in their bank accounts within a week of starting the loan review process. However, investors will have up to 14 days to fund loans.
  • Hard pull/soft pull: Prosper does a Soft Pull on your credit when you check your rates.
    Origination fee: Origination fees range from 2.41% - 5.00% and will be deducted from the final loan amount.
  • Prepayment fee: Prosper has no prepayment penalties for paying your loan off early.
  • Late payment fee: You will be assessed a late fee of $15 or 5% of your unpaid monthly amount — whichever is greater — if you have not paid in full within 15 days of your due date.
  • Other fees: Prosper charges a check processing fee — the lesser of $5 or 5% of your monthly payment — as well as an insufficient funds fee of $15 for each returned or failed payment.

Eligibility requirements

  • Minimum credit score: 640
  • Minimum credit history: Borrowers must have at least three open trades on their credit reports; fewer than five credit inquiries over the last six months; and no filed bankruptcies within the last year.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: A borrower’s DTI must be below 50%.

In addition, borrowers must:

  • Be 18 years of age
  • Have a bank account and a Social Security number
  • Report an income greater than $0 and debt-to-income ratio of less than 50%

Prosper is not available to borrowers in Iowa or West Virginia.

Applying for a personal loan from Prosper

To apply for a loan through Prosper, start by filling out their online form to check your rates, which will trigger a Soft Pull on your credit — this does not impact your score. You’ll have to provide some personal information, including your physical address, birthdate, email, annual income, monthly housing cost and employment status. You can also apply via phone at 877-611-8801.

Your loan offer is based on your Prosper Rating, a proprietary score assigned to you when you apply. This score indicates the level of risk you pose to lenders and is intended to create consistency in the evaluation and approval process. An AA rating indicates the lowest estimated annual loss (up to 1.99%), while an HR rating represents the highest (15% or more).

If you choose to accept the offer you receive, you can submit documents for verification via email to [email protected], or upload them within your Prosper account; the latter is recommended. Log in to check the status of your documents, application and the percentage of funding you’ve received. Once you accept an offer and request funding, Prosper will perform a hard inquiry on your credit.

Your loan will be listed for up to 14 days, during which investors commit funds, and Prosper completes the underwriting and verification process. The latter usually takes seven business days or less.

Once your loan application has been approved and your listing is funded, you can expect to see your money deposited in your bank account within 1 to 3 business days. However, if your loan is not funded after 14 days, your listing will be canceled and you’ll need to create a new one.

Pros and cons of a Prosper personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

  • Qualify with lower credit. Prosper will consider applicants with scores as low as 640, though the best rates are offered to those with excellent credit. Borrowers can receive funds in as little as one business day after loan approval.
  • Check rates with a Soft Pull. Your credit won’t be affected when you check your interest rates with Prosper.
  • No prepayment penalties. Prosper offers longer terms of three and five years, but you won’t be penalized if you are able to pay your loan down early.
  • The origination fee. Prosper charges 2.41% - 5.00% to originate your loan, so consider whether this added cost makes sense for you.
  • Potential to go unfunded. Investors have to commit to your loan within 14 days of listing. If this doesn’t happen, you will have to create a new listing, which means more time before you receive your funds.

Who’s the best fit for a personal loan through Prosper

If you have average credit, Prosper may be a good fit for you. With a minimum score requirement of 640, you’ll have slightly more leeway than you would with companies who have stricter standards. However, you’re more likely to qualify for a better rate with a higher score — APRs at Prosper go up to 35.99%, which is higher than with lenders with similar credit requirements.

Prosper is also a good option for those who want to reduce their monthly payments and pay down their loans over a longer period of time. Terms are set at 36 or 60 months — and if your financial situation improves and you are able to pay more quickly, there are no penalties to do so.

Checking rates at Prosper doesn’t impact your credit, so there’s no harm in gathering this information and comparing it with competitors.

Prosper consumer reviews

Prosper has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. On LendingTree, our parent company, customer reviews are generally positive, with a rating of 4.65 out of 5 stars on LendingTree.

Reviewers repeatedly praise the simple and efficient process of applying for a loan with Prosper, and say the company provides excellent customer service. One reviewer summed up the sentiments of most: “The application was quick and easy and I had the cash within days,” said Mark from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, adding that he was “very pleased with the ease of it all.”

Of those who left less-than-positive reviews, many reports primarily complained about the company’s high interest rates and fees.

Prosper FAQ

Propser is a peer-to-peer lending marketplace, which means it matches borrowers with investors. Borrowers can apply for a fixed-rate unsecured loan. Loan terms are for 36 or 60 months. You can get a loan for between $2,000 and $40,000.

Prosper rates each applicant and assigns you a proprietary score that indicates the level of risk you may pose to investors. The score is based on information you provide, including your credit score, and determines if you’ll be approved for a loan and, if so, the terms of that loan.

Your loan funds can be used for almost any purpose, including consolidating existing debt, paying for medical expenses, buying a vehicle and financing home-improvement projects.

Once you submit your application, the loan review process may take up to 14 days, though it’s usually completed in less than 7 days. Once your loan is approved, it can take 1 to 3 days to show up in your bank account, depending on your bank.

If you don’t qualify for a loan the first time you apply, you will receive notice as to why your application was rejected. You may reapply for another loan after 120 days.

If you can’t pay your bill within 15 days of the due date, your account will be considered delinquent and a late fee will be assessed. Bills that are more than 120 days overdue will be reported as “charge-offs,” which will negatively impact your credit score and prohibit you from borrowing from Prosper in the future.

Yes, if you’re able to, you may pay off your loan early with no prepayment penalty fee. You can see your pay-off amount and make additional payments by signing into your Prosper account.

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

Like Prosper, LendingClub is a peer-to-peer lending platform funded by investors. The rates and terms are similar, and they won’t do a hard pull on your credit until after you’ve checked your rates and completed your application.

LendingClub is a good alternative if you don’t meet Prosper’s minimum credit score requirement — they will consider borrowers with scores as low as 600. You will pay an origination fee of 1.00% - 6.00% of your loan amount.

There are no prepayment penalties. Expect to wait up to seven days to see your funds deposited. Loans aren’t available to residents of Iowa, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Upgrade

Upgrade
APR

7.99%
To
35.89%

Credit Req.

620

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

36 or 60

months

Origination Fee

1.50% - 6.00%

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Upgrade is an online lender that offers fairly priced personal loans for a term of either 36 or 60 months.... Read More.

Upgrade is an online lending platform that offers similar personal loan rates, terms and fees. You can check your rates without impacting your credit — sign up for autopay and get a better rate.

Borrowers can get between $2,000 and $40,000 through Upgrade. The company claims most borrowers can expect to see their funds within four business days of approval.

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.

Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers a no-fee personal loan. Rates are also slightly more favorable than those offered through Prosper. Terms are for 36 to 72 months, which gives you more flexibility to pay over time.

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.

Julie Ryan Evans
Julie Ryan Evans |

Julie Ryan Evans is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Julie here

Emily Long
Emily Long |

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

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Personal Loans

Finova Financial Personal Loan Review

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It has not been previewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.

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.

Michelle BlackMichelle Black
Kristina ByasKristina Byas

What is Finova Financial?

When online lender Finova Financial formed in 2015, the goal was to provide consumers with an alternative to expensive auto title loans.
Along with a prepaid credit card, the Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.-based company offers what it calls a consumer loan on car (CLOC), which is actually a secured personal loan.

Like auto title loans, Finova’s CLOC requires a borrower’s vehicle title as collateral. But Finova’s rates could be lower than on a traditional auto title loan. It does charge fees such as a DMV Lien Fee and Document Stamp Tax, however. Finova’s rates vary by state. On its website, the lender says its annual rate in Arizona could be as high as 204.00%. It’s unclear if annual rates include other fees.

The CLOC isn’t available to everyone — it’s limited to residents of six states — but they may provide quick cash to those with less-than-stellar credit.

Finova Financial personal loan highlights

  • No prepayment fees: Finova Financial does not charge an additional fee when borrowers choose to pay off their loans early.
  • Collateral required: Borrowers are required to own a vehicle, which will be used as collateral when securing a loan with Finova. There must be comprehensive and collision insurance on the vehicle, either prepaid with Finova Financial named as an additional payee or you have the option to purchase the Debt Cancellation Addendum. The deductible on your policy must also be $500 or less.
  • No credit score required: A loan with Finova Financial does not require applicants to have good credit, so those with poor credit have a chance of getting approved.
  • Fast funding time: Finova Financial is able to send funds to borrowers the same day they are approved for their personal loan.
Finova Financial
APR

18.00%
To
204.00%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

12

months

Origination Fee

Up to $10 per $100 of the loan

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Finova Financial personal loan details
 

Fees and penalties

  • Terms: 12 months
  • APR range: 18.00% to 204.00%, varies by state. It’s unclear if these rates include all finance fees.
  • Loan amounts: Varies based on state, vehicle and monthly income
  • Time to funding: As soon as the same day
  • Hard pull/soft pull: Soft Pull to check your rates and terms. Hard pull if you choose to submit a full application.
    Origination fee: Up to $10 per $100 of the loan
  • Prepayment fee: None
  • Late payment fee: Not specified
  • Other fees: $25 credit investigation fee, $75 DMV lien fee, filing fee of $0 to $75 (depending on state), document stamp tax (depending on loan amount)

Eligibility requirements

  • Minimum credit score: As long as you own your car outright and it has enough equity to fund your loan, you should be able to get approval.
  • Minimum credit history: No minimum, but borrower cannot currently be in bankruptcy.
  • Maximum debt-to-income ratio: Not specified.

To secure a personal loan with Finova Financial, one of the most important requirements that applicants will have to meet is the owning of a vehicle. This vehicle must be in the borrower’s name, have a car title that is lien-free and have comprehensive and collision insurance. Borrowers are not required to obtain Finova’s voluntary debt cancellation addendum, but should a borrower not be able to provide proof of insurance, this is mandatory.

In addition to the vehicle requirement, applicants will need to be U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old and residents of Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina or Tennessee. They cannot be active-duty service members and must have verifiable income.

Applying for a personal loan from Finova Financial

Applying for a Finova Financial personal loan is simple. The process is fairly quick, and begins with a short form on Finova’s homepage to determine if interested parties prequalify for a loan. At this stage, Finova only requests the applicant’s name, phone number, email and information about their vehicle, including the make, model and mileage.

Upon submission of this information, applicants will be informed of the probability of being approved for a loan. Once the results from the prequalification process are reviewed by the applicant, the application can be completed by logging into their account.

At this point, applicants can request a loan, which will involve their Social Security number as well as details regarding residency, vehicle and requested loan amount. After this, they will be able to schedule a time to speak with a Finova Financial representative. During this call, the representative or specialist will evaluate and review the applicant’s vehicle, monthly income and residency information.

Applicants will then need to send in various documents for verification purposes, including photos of their vehicle. There will also be two forms: one for the lien that will be placed on the title of the vehicle and a power of attorney. They will need to be signed and sent back along with the title for the vehicle. When all signed forms have been returned, borrowers will be able to receive their funds the same day via MoneyGram.

Pros and cons of a Finova Financial personal loan

Pros:

Cons:

  • Poor credit accepted: Bad credit likely won't hold you back from securing a Finova Financial loan as long as you own your vehicle and aren’t in bankruptcy.
  • Prequalification: Applicants can review rates before submitting a full loan application, which may then require a hard pull on your credit.
  • Funding time: Once approved for a loan and all documents and forms are signed and returned, borrowers may receive their funds the same day.
  • Funding and payments via MoneyGram: Loan funds are sent to customers via MoneyGram (which may be inconvenient if you prefer a checking or savings account). Monthly payments can also be made online or at one of more than 30,000 MoneyGram locations.
  • Collateral: Applicants are required to use their vehicle as collateral. The vehicle must have prepaid comprehensive and collision insurance with a deductible of $500 or less. The website doesn’t mention any deductible requirement for California borrowers.
  • Additional fees: There are multiple fees borrowers may have to pay. In addition to an origination fee, borrowers may also be charged credit investigation fees, DMV lien fees and more.
  • Availability: Only residents of Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina and Tennessee can apply for a loan.

Who’s the best fit for a Finova Financial personal loan?

For those with poor credit but who own their car outright, a Finova Financial CLOC may be a good fit, especially if you need cash right away. Finova may be able to provide funding the same day as your approval. But there are other lenders who offer loans for those with bad credit that don’t require a car title as collateral.

Finova Financial consumer reviews

When it comes to online reputation, Finova Financial has a lot of ground to make up. The four-year-old lender has received 17 consumer complaints in the last three years. It currently has an F rating with the Better Business Bureau and is not accredited with the organization.

Finova Financial earned 3.7 out of 5 stars from customers who reviewed its services on LendingTree (Disclaimer: LendingTree is the parent company of MagnifyMoney).

Finova Financial FAQ

You have to own the vehicle and have a lien-free title to be eligible for a loan from Finova Financial.

You need to be a minimum of 18 years old and have a valid driver’s license.

Currently loans are only available to residents of six states — Arizona, California, Florida, New Mexico, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Yes, you may be charged an origination fee, a credit investigation fee, a documentary excise tax, or a filing fee.

You have 12 months to repay your loan.

No. There are no prepayment penalties or fees.

You only have to purchase this addendum to receive a loan if you do not provide adequate proof of required insurance.

Alternative personal loan options

LendingClub

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

A loan through peer-to-peer lender LendingClub may be a good alternative to consider. Unlike a Finova Financial personal loan, collateral is not required, and loan amounts range from $1,000 to $40,000.

What stands out about LendingClub is that after checking their rates, applicants may receive more than one loan offer, leaving them to choose the one they believe is the best fit for them. Funding can take up to seven days and there is an origination fee that potential borrowers will want to consider before applying for a loan.

OneMain Financial

APR

16.05%
To
35.99%

Credit Req.

Varies

Minimum Credit Score

Terms

24 to 60

months

Origination Fee

Varies

SEE OFFERS Secured

on LendingTree’s secure website

Advertiser Disclosure

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

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.

OneMain Financial offers loans from $1,500 to $30,000. Applicants can check rates prior to completing an application and if everything looks good, they can also apply for a loan online within minutes.

Applicants will have to speak to a specialist in order to secure a loan. They will have to visit a local OneMain Financial branch to have their identity, employment and income verified, as well as their collateral, if it is required for the loan. Having to visit a branch can be a drawback, but an added bonus for borrowers who select this lender is the OneMain Financial mobile app that makes payments fast and convenient.

LendingPoint

APR

15.49%
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

A LendingPoint personal loan may be good for borrowers who have fair credit and need between $2,000 and $25,000. Potential borrowers can check rates prior to filling out an application, and if they are approved for a loan, funds are made available to borrowers by the next business day. An origination fee may be applied, but the process of securing a loan with LendingPoint is quick and simple, which can prove to be helpful when borrowers need funds sooner rather than later.

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.

Michelle Black
Michelle Black |

Michelle Black is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Michelle here

Kristina Byas
Kristina Byas |

Kristina Byas is a writer at MagnifyMoney. You can email Kristina here

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