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A personal loan refers to funds borrowed from a financial company, such as a bank or credit union, for emergency usage or loan consolidation. You can also get a personal loan from online lenders who send the funds to your bank account for withdrawal. The loan requires you to repay in fixed monthly installments for about two to seven years. You will learn about the best personal loans for fair credit.
The year is still new, and people have many challenges after spending money during the December holidays. There is much to be urgently financed, including school fees, workplace transport, food, etc. Since many people are yet to be paid, they face financial challenges and thus the need for personal loans. After all, one can repay the loan with time as long as they have a reliable source of income.
Even though it is usually wise to dip into your savings or emergency funds to cover abrupt expenses, personal loans can also help you preserve your money for other unavoidable future expenses. You should maintain plans already set for later in the year. Above, most personal loans come with friendly interest, and thus no need to worry about the extra amounts you pay.
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How do personal loans operate
You might wonder how personal loans work, especially if you have never taken one. For your information, most personal loans are unsecured. That means they are not backed by collateral. A collateral is a property you present to your lender to get a loan. If you cannot repay, your lender sells it to regain their money. Again, Lenders decide whether to offer you an unsecured personal loan based on factors such as your debt-to-income ratio, credit history, credit score, and free cash flow.
If you do not qualify for an unsecured loan, there are secured or co-signed loans you can also opt for. Secured loans require an asset like your home, land, or car for backing, and the lender can repossess the presented property if you default on your loan. Co-signed loans require an additional applicant whose credit rating is good to help guarantee the loan. The Co-signer is responsible for any missed payments.
We have other personal loans, including fixed-rate loans, whereby your interest rate and monthly payments do not change. Variable-rate loans are the ones whose payments change.
The proper ways to get the best personal loan
One of the excellent ways you can choose the best personal loan is to check the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR). The APR refers to the total cost of borrowing a particular loan and includes the interest and fees. For example, if you opt for a $10,000 personal loan at 15.5% APR, with a 24-month repayment term and monthly installments of $487. In that case, you pay $1,694.
APR rates can range from 6% (or below) – 36%, which means you should compare rates from various lenders before applying. If you get a loan with the lowest APR, then that is the least expensive and the best option.
Best personal loans for fair credit
If you are currently looking for a loan, then various lenders offer loans to those eligible. These include the following.
1. Marcus by Goldman
The financial company offers loans at 6.99% – 24.99%. You can borrow up to $40,000 with a minimum credit Score of 660. The loan repayment term is 24-84 months.
Pros
- No prepayment fees or late fees
- Amazing interest rates
- Flexible repayment plans
Cons
- Not secured
2. Credible
The lender charges an APR of 3.99% – 35.99%. They allow you to borrow up to $100,000. You require a credit score of at least 600 and repay your loan within 12-84 months.
Pros
- No early payment fees
- Multiple offers for one application
- Doesn’t affect your credit score
- Low APR
- 24/7 customer service
Cons
- Origination fees
3. LendingTree
The company offers APR loans ranging from 3.99% to 35.99%. You can borrow up to $50,000 and repay within 12-144 months. The minimum credit score required is 350.
Pros
- Easy application process online
- Various loan types
- Has a high volume of lenders
- Available in every US state
Cons
- Not the original lender since it relies on other lenders.
4. Lightstream
You can get a personal loan from the institution with an APR of 2.49% – 19.99%. Additionally, you can borrow up to $100,000 if your minimum credit score is 660. The loan term is between 24-144 months. The institution lends through Credible.
Pros:
- Excellent rates
- Flexible repayments
- No origination or prepayment fees
Cons:
- Strict credit history requirement
- No prequalification
5. Upstart
The company has an APR of between 3.22% – 35.99%, and you can borrow up to $50,000 if you have a credit score of 580. You can get a loan term of 36-60 months. The application process is simple, as you can carry out the process online.
Pros:
- Multiple payment options
- Lower interest rates than their competitors
- High chances of approval
Cons:
- No short-term Loans
- No options for co-signed Loans
- Some loans have no origination Fees
Do personal loans affect credit scores
Just like any other credit, a personal loan affects your credit score. If you repay your debt on time, you get excellent credit scores. On the other hand, late payments can destroy your credit scores, making it challenging to get a loan from most lenders.
When applying for your loan, your scores are also affected. However, prequalifying may not negatively affect your scores since most financial companies make a soft pull, which does not hurt your score. Once pre-approved, the formal application triggers a hard credit pull that lowers your score points and remains on your report for two years.
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
Can I get a personal loan with a fair credit score?
NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as "Credible." If you have fair credit — a FICO score between 580 and 669 — you may be eligible for a personal loan with multiple lenders, but you can expect to pay a higher rate.
Which loan is easiest to qualify for?
Some of the easiest loans to get approved for include payday loans, no-credit-check loans, and pawnshop loans. Personal loans with essentially no approval requirements typically charge the highest interest rates and loan fees.
What credit score do I need for a $5000 loan?
To qualify for a personal loan of $5,000, you should have a FICO 600 or above (this alone, however, does not guarantee that you will qualify because getting loan offers depends on multiple factors).
Which bank provides loan easily?
HDFC Bank offers pre-approved loans to customers in 10 seconds flat*. Non – HDFC Bank customers can get loans in 4 hours. If you've wondered how to get an instant loan, wonder no more.