If you've got a bad credit score and need money, getting a personal loan can seem daunting. This is where the best bad credit loan companies come in.
These poor credit score loan companies like MoneyMutual - specialize in loans for people who have either little or no credit history or who have low credit scores. The loans have higher interest rates, but if you choose the right one and manage the loan responsibly, they can be super useful.
We look at the best personal loans for bad credit on the market today and explain the ins and outs of each one and who they might suit best.
Getting a loan is possible, and we’re here to help; read on…
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MoneyMutual is arguably one of the leading names in the bad credit loan industry. The platform works by linking clients in need (loan seekers) to trusted money lenders.
As indicated on its official website, MoneyMutual has helped over 2 million clients secure fast and easy personal loans since launching in 2010, thereby cementing its status as an industry leader when it comes to short term loans.
To get access to MoneyMutual’s pool of willing lenders, you’ll first need to sign up on the site by filling out a secure online form.
Completing the form should take no more than 10 minutes (more on this later).
Once done with signing up, MoneyMutual will forward your details to its lending partners for further review. The lenders will then decide whether or not to lend you, which usually boils down to factors such as your income, bank account history, and the lender’s policies.
No need to fret, though, as most clients who meet MoneyMutual’s eligibility criteria often receive loan offers from willing lenders.
However, since you might get tons of attractive offers from willing bad credit lenders, it is highly advisable to take your time before settling for a particular deal.
Be sure to check on the rates provided and compare rates to choose one that perfectly suits your unique needs.
MoneyMutual is a member of the Online Lenders Alliance (OLA) and remains fully committed to protecting its clients from fraudsters.
Ease of Use: 4.8/5
It’s crucial for financial service providers to have simplistic, easy-to-use websites. MoneyMutual does not disappoint in this regard as it keeps things simple and direct.
On the home page, you’ll be welcomed by two buttons – Menu and Get Started.
The menu button gives you access to additional buttons like About us, How it works, and Contact Us. This allows you to learn more about the platform and its policies.
Registering on the site is pretty easy as you’ll only need to click on the Get Started button to fill out a free form.
The form should take you around 10 minutes and you’ll need to provide details like state of residence, name, email address, employment details (duration and type), and bank account details.
Once done with the form, MoneyMutual will do the rest and forward your details to online lenders, who’ll then assess them to determine eligibility.
Eligibility Criteria: 4.6/5
For MoneyMutual to link you to its lenders, you'll have to meet some preset qualifications. Luckily, they're reasonable and won't shut you out if you have a poor credit score.
All clients looking to register on the platform must be US residents aged 18 and above. You must also have an active checking account and earn at least $800 a month.
Unfortunately, your application won't be successful if you're unemployed or aren't receiving regular income.
While these criteria might disqualify some applicants, they're relatively realistic and not as stiff as what you'd need when applying for payday loan alternatives with mainstream financial service providers (hello banks).
Point to note, though, qualifying for MoneyMutual’s registration criteria doesn't guarantee you'll receive an online bad credit loan as all lenders have their unique eligibility criteria.
But you’ll come off as a serious client if your details are forwarded through MoneyMutual.
Financial Assistance Resources: 4.4/5
It’s important to partner with loan aggregators or financial institutions that provide more value than just personal loans or emergency funding.
And while MoneyMutual does not provide a wealth of resources like some other bad credit lenders, it strives to educate clients on the different types of personal loans and their implications.
The company narrates more about products like credit card cash advance, business cash advance, cash advance installment loan, and payday loans to help you know what you’re getting yourself into before securing loans.
Customer Care: 4.6/5
We like that MoneyMutual has a detailed FAQs page that answers a wide range of questions from eligibility criteria to interest rates, loan repayment rates, and its policies.
Most of the FAQs are relevant, allowing you to learn all you need about the site.
MoneyMutual is not too responsive to emails as it takes an average of 3 to 3 business days to respond to client queries.
Therefore, if you have an urgent inquiry, it’s best to reach the customer care team at +1 844 276 2063.
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CashUSA is a popular online portal that links clients interested in cash advance loans to willing lenders.
And although the platform is known for short-term loans, it can also help qualified clients secure online personal loans of up to $10,000.
CashUSA can come in handy if you’ve tried out other options like banks, credit unions, and several local funding sources without any success.
In addition to partnering with conventional moneylenders, CashUSA also links clients with tribal lenders that can provide payday loans online.
Be warned, though, that tribal lenders tend to charge higher interest rates!
Another standout feature of CashUSA is its ability to provide alternatives to payday loans.
That is, should you not qualify for a payday loan, its in-network lenders can suggest alternative financial solutions that may bail you out.
We also like that most payday loan applications submitted via CashUSA are taken seriously by money lenders, meaning you’re likely to secure a loan if adequately qualified.
Besides linking you to a pool of potential lenders, CashUSA also provides credit-related services like credit monitoring, credit report, and debt relief– so you might give them a try in case you require such services.
Ease of Use: 4.7/5
CashUSA has a simplistic website that even non-tech savvy clients can navigate comfortably. On the home page, you’ll spot 5 main buttons, Home, Education Center, Why Choose Us? Contact us and submit your request.
If you want to learn more about the online personal loans on offer, their features, advantages, and disadvantages, we’d recommend starting with the education center before submitting your loan request.
Impressively, CashUSA asks you to state your preferred unsecured loan amount immediately you click on the submit your request button–no beating about the bush!
Once you’ve chosen your amount, you’ll be requested to provide details like zip code, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your SSN before proceeding to the next part of registration.
Filling the form should take you between 10-20 minutes.
Once you’ve completed the form, CashUSA will immediately forward your details to its in-network personal loan lenders, who’ll then review your form. The lenders can then call, email or text you to place their respective offers.
Funds might be available in one business day once the approval process is completed.
Eligibility Criteria: 4.5/5
Although CashUSA won’t expect you to satisfy a laundry list of eligibility criteria, you’ll still need to meet some basic requirements for it to consider your application.
For starters, you must be a US citizen and above 18 years. You must also be employed for at least 3 months and have a net income (monthly) of $1000 or more.
All eligible clients must also be listed as primary account holders of valid checking accounts. Your email address must be working, and you must have both home and work contact phone numbers.
Educational Resources: 4.8/5
Not too many payday loan agencies prioritize client education like CashUSA. As mentioned earlier, the platform has an entire section dedicated to educating clients about the pros and cons of online payday loans and other types of loans.
CashUSA`s Education Center covers a variety of finance-related topics from credit, debt, and even banking.
You’ll get to access hundreds of useful articles on debt management, expenditure tracking, budgeting, and even how to choose financial advisors.
It’s a haven for finance-related resources!
We would recommend going through its various articles to learn a thing or two about payday loans and how they may impact your finances before applying for one.
Customer Care 4.6/5
CashUSA understands the need for fluid communication and, as such, allows clients to fill out a contact form in case of any issues. You can easily contact the support team by filling in your name and email address and typing your issue in the message box.
While the support team won’t respond immediately to a written query, they’ll get back within a day or two (based on client reviews).
Alternatively, you can opt for the shorter route and give CashUSA a direct call at 866 973 6587 to talk to a support representative.
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Company Reputation
Bad Credit Loans do exactly what their name suggests: They provide personal loans to those with poor credit.
And while there’s no information on the website regarding how old the company is, this isn’t a scam company. Indeed, Bad Credit Loans have a “disclosure” page on their site that sets terms and conditions, as well as any other information you need to be aware of, including whether or not they’re compensated each time they share your info with lenders.
The company also enjoys good ratings on consumer review sites.
Things To Be Aware Of
Because the company is a loan marketplace that connects you with lenders, be aware that some of them will only offer specific types of loans (more on this in our FAQ below).
Moreover, while you can request as much as $10,000, it’s not guaranteed that any lender will offer you your desired amount.
Loan Amounts/Fees
You can apply for as little as $500 or as much as $10,000 using this company. Loan terms are fairly short, however, and don’t extend beyond 3 years.
Bad Credit Loans themselves won’t charge you fees for using their free services. If there are any fees involved, these will be decided by each individual lender.
How They Work:
Bad Credit Loans is a loan marketplace that connects you with lenders. To begin, you need to fill out a basic form that asks for information such as the amount of money you need and the reason you want a loan.
Then, the website will crunch your data in their algorithms, and suitable lenders will send you offers. It’s then up to you to check each offer carefully before making your decision.
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For the less tech-savvy folks, we recommend Funds Joy for its easy-to-use design and zero hidden tricks and catches.
You can take out loans up to $5,000, with interest rates ranging from 4.99% to 450%. The minimum loan is $200, and while some users wish they took it down to $100, we can’t really complain.
The website makes all terms and conditions crystal clear, so you know what to expect at all times.
The approval process takes up to 10 minutes, and you will be required to offer your state ID and routing number along the way, so make sure they are readily at your disposal.
The customer team is well-versed in all loan-related topics, although we wish the website included a dedicated support phone number. The FAQ page is solid and easy to navigate.
We like how flexible the lenders are, making it significantly easier to make the payments on time.
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Company Reputation
Cash Advance was founded in 1997 and has a wealth of satisfied customers, which suggests that it's a loan company you can trust. It’s a member of the Online Lenders Alliance, meaning it has to adhere to a code of conduct and best practices for online consumer lending. We have no worries on this front.
We also took a look at the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and it turns out that the company has a D-rating. However, upon closer inspection, it appears that this rating is based on how responsive the company is to customer complaints, and as there are no complaints at all on the BBB site, it’s impossible to use this rating as a measure of Cash Advance’s reputation.
Things To Be Aware Of
Cash Advance themselves won’t pull your credit each time you submit a loan request. This is because they aren’t the ones financing loans directly.
However, it’s important to be aware that the third party lenders who will be assessing your information might carry out a credit report. Moreover, this might be soft or it might be hard and it could hurt your credit score.
If you’re concerned about this, it’s a smart idea to talk to the third party lender directly and ask them what type of credit check they’ll be performing.
Loan Amount/Fees
At Cash Advance, you can apply for a loan as small as $100 or as big as $1,000. This makes it ideal for those who need a bit of cash quickly (and who can repay it quickly), but who aren’t looking for large sums of money for huge projects, such as a home renovation.
No loan fees are set by Cash Advance, and there is no origination fee. Instead, they are set by each lender in their network. Therefore, take the time to understand each offer before accepting anything.
How They Work
As an online loan marketplace, Cash Advance doesn't finance loans themselves but instead connects you with its network of lenders.
The concept is really simple, and it’s largely hassle-free. To find out if you’re eligible for a loan, you just need to submit your information to an online request form. Then, click “get started.”
The software will then pass your information around to its network of lenders. Each one will assess your credit and whether or not you’re worthy before making you an offer. If they decide to make you an offer, they will deal with you directly.
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Company Reputation
LoanPioneer is a personal loan lender that has been around for a few years now, but there weren’t any reviews on consumer review sites at the time of writing. We also weren’t able to verify their lender relationships because they aren’t disclosed within their network.
However, LoanPioneer is based in Texas, it has a mailing address and offers customer support. They also give information out on their website that helps people avoid scams, claiming they’ll never call their customers, and that they don’t ask for a fee or a deposit.
Things To Be Aware Of
LoanPioneer offers loans for various reasons. These include debt consolidation, major purchases, home improvements, emergencies, medical bills, other types of bills - and even vacations.
As such, it’s a really flexible loan marketplace that’s used by thousands of people all over the US. The total amount you can apply for is $5,000.
Loan Amount/Fees
You can borrow as much as $5,000 from LoanPioneer.
LoanPioneer is a marketplace that connects you to a network of lenders. Therefore, they won’t charge you any fees themselves. Their service is free to use, and no deposit is required.
How much APR their lenders offer varies from lender to lender. Some offer APRs as low as 5.99 percent, while others are known to offer APRs as high as 35.99 percent.
Other fees, such as administrative transactions, applications, a payment penalty and an origination fee will again depend entirely on the lender and not LoanPioneer.
How They Work
Because LoanPioneer is a loan marketplace, there’s no need to deal with them directly. Instead, you’ll be dealing with local lenders who themselves will perform credit checks. The only requirements at first are that you be at least 18 years old, that you’re a US citizen, and that you have a valid social security number and are employed in some form.
Then, to get started you just need to click the “get started” button on LoanPioneer’s home page before entering your details. These include the size of the loan you need, the reason for your loan and your ZIP code. From there, you’ll be asked for a few more details, but the whole process doesn’t take long at all.
By the end, your details will be passed over to lenders who will then make their decision. Usually, decisions are made within 24 hours and you can request as much as $5,000.
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Company Reputation
It’s a bit hard to gauge the reputation of LeapCredit because they’re still a fairly new loan platform. They’ve only been around for a handful of years, but it seems that they’ve already helped a huge number of people with bad credit to secure loans.
However, there are reviews on consumer review sites such as TrustPilot, and these seem to be, on the whole, largely positive. Customers praise LeapCredit’s customer service team, their loan options, as well as the overall help they give them when they really need it.
Things To Be Aware Of
Lenders will perform a soft credit check before deciding whether or not you’re eligible. If you’re worried about what future harm a soft credit check might have on your score, you might want to talk things over with the lender beforehand.
Also, LeapCredit isn’t available nationwide. In fact, it’s only available in eight states:
Loan Amount/Fees
The most you can apply for at LeapCredit is $3,500.
LeapCredit is a P2P lending platform, and as such, they don’t set the loan fees. Instead, loan fees vary according to state, but it’s worth noting that some states have very high fees. Fees range from 293% to as much as 695%. To find out exactly what the fees might be in your state, you can just enter your zip code on the website.
There are also late fee costs involved, too, and these can be up to 5 percent. It's unclear whether there’s an origination fee involved.
How They Work
Like a lot of loan marketplaces, the application process at LeapCredit is hassle-free because you’re not dealing with them directly. Instead, they pass on your details to lenders who check things over before deciding whether or not you’re eligible.
To get started, you just need to pop over to the LeapCredit homepage and enter your details. This shouldn’t take long at all, and in fact, it’s typical for applicants to receive their quote in a matter of minutes.
However, it won’t be until the following business day that a lender has performed a soft credit check and gone over your details. Then, they’ll make their decision. They’ll inform you of this decision as soon as possible, and if you accept their terms you should receive your funding the next day.
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Company Reputation
Upstart have built themselves a solid reputation over the years for giving personal loans to borrowers with low credit scores, or who are new to credit. Loan amounts vary from $1,000 to as much as $50,000, and all rates and repayment terms are disclosed in clear language on their homepage.
The company also has an FAQ page that answers in detail your most popular questions, and there are numerous positive customer reviews on consumer websites like TrustPilot. Overall, we have no concerns in regards to company reputation.
Things To Be Aware Of
Unlike some of the other loan companies on our list, Upstart charges an origination fee. They also charge late fees and there is a zero rate discount for auto payments.
It’s also worth mentioning that as a borrower, you’ve got the choice of just two repayment options. Moreover, Upstart will carry out a soft check during the pre-qualification process.
On the plus side, loans are usually funded within one business day, and you’ve got the option of paying creditors directly.
Loan Amount/Fees
It’s possible to borrow as much as $50,000 from Upstart, which makes it the best option for larger loans.
Upstart offers personal loans for between three and five years. Their estimated APRs vary between 6.95 percent and 35.99 percent, which is consistent with other lenders.
How They Work
Upstart is a bit different from some of the other bad credit loan companies we’ve reviewed so far in that they underwrite personal loans themselves. Ergo, they’re not a loan marketplace or P2P lending platform.
The application process is still fairly straightforward, however, and you can check your rate in a matter of minutes before entering your details to see if you’re eligible. Most borrowers have found that they’re instantly approved at this point, before their funds are deposited into their account within one business day.
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Company Reputation
Avant is a personal loan company that has helped a huge number of satisfied borrowers across the USA. It’s built its reputation on providing loans to those whose credit scores lie in the 600-700 range, and it’s known for offering lower interest rates than its competitors to those with bad credit.
According to consumer review sites like TrustPilot and Consumer Reviews, Avant is a trustworthy company that has no hidden fees, and helps customers build up their credit.
Things To Be Aware Of
Avant offers two types of loans - secured loans and unsecured loans. Unsecured loans are offered in 46 states across the U.S., but secured loans are only available in 40 states. Therefore, it’s important that you find out whether or not your state is eligible before you apply.
It’s also worth mentioning that, unlike some other loan companies on our list, Avant doesn’t let you add a joint applicant or cosigner. This means that if you personally are turned away for a loan, you will simply need to try elsewhere.
Loan Amount/Fees
Avant offers loans between $2,000 and $35,000.
Interest rates and terms depend on how creditworthy you are, but they range from 9.95 percent to 35.99 percent.
There’s a late payment fee of $25, which is lower than most competitors, and zero prepayment fees. However, there doesn't appear to be an origination fee.
How They Work
Avant offers loans for a variety of situations, including home renovations, emergency expenses, and, of course, debt consolidation.
To apply, you just need to visit the website and complete the application process. This only takes a few minutes, and it begins with a pre-qualification stage which includes a soft credit check. This will not impact your credit score.
Once you’ve provided information such as your date of birth and social security number, you’ll be asked to enter your desired loan amount, as well as your reason for applying for a loan.
When that’s done, Avant lets you view different loan offers that are based on your criteria and suitability. Once you’ve agreed to a loan, Avant will perform a hard credit check.
Bad credit loans are aimed at individuals who have a poor credit report or who have no credit history. They have more restrictions than other loans, as well as high interest rates. This is simply because the lender needs to guard against the risk that the individual won’t pay them back.
Types of Loans For Bad Credit
There are several different types of loans for bad credit:
A standard loan is secured or unsecured. The difference is that, while a secured loan demands collateral such as a car, unsecured loans don’t.
Payday loans, meanwhile, are short-term loans that don’t generally exceed $500, while a cash advance works similarly except it’s offered by a credit card issuer.
Bank agreements, meanwhile, are offered by your bank, while a home equity loan uses your home as collateral. This has the consequence that, if you default on the payments, the lender can seize your home.
A bad credit score means that companies will view your credit history negatively. This has the further implication that it’ll be much harder for you to obtain a loan or even access specific services.
In terms of the numbers, a credit score typically ranges between 300 and 850. However, while lenders view a score that’s below 670 as a bad credit score, a score between the regions of 580 and 669 is generally seen as “fair.”
Get a Loan Today With MoneyMutual
A credit score that falls between 300 and 579 is considered “poor” credit by most lenders. That all said, loan companies have different ways of assessing your credit score and history, which means that some may see your report in a more positive light than others.
A poor credit score can be caused by a number of reasons, including:
What’s the Easiest Loan to Get with Bad Credit?
As we said earlier, there are around five types of bad credit loans. How difficult or easy it is to obtain any of them comes down to your exact credit score, as well as the terms themselves (are they favorable to you?).
Quick Funds With MoneyMutual
Generally, though, payday loans are often the easiest to secure with bad credit scores because they’re small and have higher interest rates, which means companies are more willing to agree to them. However, rather than monthly payments, you typically have to repay the loan much faster than any other type of bad credit personal loan.
There are a number of best lenders for bad credit loans, and we’ve reviewed six of them in this article. Cash Advance is a good all-rounder because it’s a fully established, trustworthy loan marketplace that connects you with lenders who are willing to offer loans to those with bad credit.
However, LeapCredit might be a better solution if you need super fast approval, while LoanPioneer offers loans for most types of situations - including vacations, and accepts those with even a very bad credit score.
Yes. Cash Advance, for example, offers loans as small as $100. Not all loan companies offer such small amounts, however, which is why it’s important that you thoroughly check a company out before applying for a loan.
Obtaining an unsecured personal loan with bad credit is possible and it can get you out of a jam. But it’s really important that you take the time to figure out your credit score before applying for a loan, and that you also have a repayment plan in place.
Once you’ve done that, loan companies like Cash Advance, MoneyMutual, and Upstart are convenient, low-cost, and super quick ways of securing a loan, despite your credit score.
Should you manage to secure a bad credit loan, it’s still a smart idea to find ways to improve your credit score range so that your overall financial situation improves in the future and you feel more secure.
Disclaimer: This article is published in association DigitalWorks and not created by TNM Editorial. Please do your own research before applying for loans from the above services and seek independent legal/financial advice if you are unsure.