Is it better to get a personal loan online or at a bank?
The Bottom Line
Comparing banks vs.
Since the process of getting a bank loan is more rigorous, banks are typically able to offer lower interest rates and sometimes provide perks for existing customers. Online lenders are less regulated than banks, allowing faster application processes and more lenient eligibility requirements.
Pros of Applying In Person
Having a pre-existing banking relationship may result in lower fees and more competitive rates. Applicants have the opportunity to develop face-to-face relationships with loan officers. It may be easier to ask loan officer questions when completing the application.
The primary benefit of going directly to a bank or credit union is that you will likely receive lower interest rates. They can offer more competitive deals because you are borrowing directly from them.
The easiest banks to get a personal loan from are USAA and Wells Fargo. USAA does not disclose a minimum credit score requirement, but their website indicates they consider people with scores below 640, so even people with bad credit may be able to qualify.
- SoFi – Best for High Loan Amounts.
- LightStream – Best for Low Interest Rates.
- LendingPoint – Best for Fast Funding & Below-Average Credit.
- Upgrade – Best for Bad Credit.
- Universal Credit – Best for Comparing Multiple Offers.
- Discover – Best for No Interest If Repaid Within 30 Days.
Banks or credit unions typically offer the lowest annual percentage rates (APRs), which represent the total cost of borrowing, for personal loans. Loan amounts range from a few hundred dollars to $50,000 or more. Some banks provide an additional APR discount to existing customers.
If you're already struggling to afford your existing monthly payments, now is not the time to take on additional debt. While it's tempting to use a personal loan to help pay off high-interest debt such as credit cards, it still comes with the risk that your monthly payments will remain unaffordable.
Credit unions tend to offer lower rates and fees as well as more personalized customer service. However, banks may offer more variety in loans and other financial products and may have larger networks that can make banking more convenient.
Yes, online loans do really work as long as they're from a reputable lender. Online lenders such as LightStream, Discover and SoFi legitimately lend people money that must be repaid over time, just like a loan you'd get from a credit union or bank branch, and online loans are often cheaper.
Is it better to go through a lender or bank?
A full service bank ensures your loan will stay with the same company for the entire term. Do be sure to make sure that the bank does service their own loans. On the other hand, a mortgage company can offer fast closings, product availability, and loan originator expertise.
Hard inquiry on your credit: Due to the hard credit check, you will likely see a short-term drop in your credit score when you formally apply for the loan. While this may not be detrimental to your long-term credit score, it could cause some harm to your credit if you apply for multiple loans in a short time.
Can you distinguish between reputable lenders and scams? Loans from online lenders are as safe as loans originated from large banks, provided that the online lender is reputable. A reputable lender checks your credit, discloses the loan's costs and verifies your ability to repay before approving your application.
Getting approved for a personal loan generally takes anywhere from one day to one week. As we mentioned above, how long it takes for a personal loan to go through depends on several factors, like your credit score. However, one of the primary factors that will affect your approval time is where you get your loan from.
In general, people who have a FICO® Score 8 or FICO® Score 9 of at least 670 or a VantageScore 3.0 or VantageScore 4.0 of at least 661 are considered to have good credit or excellent credit, which means they may find it easier to qualify for a personal loan.
Payment history is weighed the most heavily in determining your credit score, along with your total outstanding debt. Generally, borrowers need a credit score of at least 610 to 640 to even qualify for a personal loan. To qualify for a lender's lowest interest rate, borrowers typically need a score of at least 800.
In general, personal loan amounts range from $1,000 up to $50,000, though some lenders may offer loans up to $200,000. The average personal loan amount was about $11,500 as of Q2 2023, according to data from TransUnion. Below, we look at how average personal loan balances vary by generation and state.
Banks: Traditional banks tend to have higher credit score and income requirements than credit unions. And if you have bad credit, getting a good interest rate on a personal loan could be challenging.
If you need to borrow money immediately, the most popular options are personal loans, credit card cash advances, payday loans, and pawnshop loans.
- Check Your Credit Score. ...
- Calculate How Much You Need to Borrow. ...
- Calculate an Estimated Monthly Payment. ...
- Get Prequalified With Multiple Lenders. ...
- Compare All Loan Terms. ...
- Choose a Lender and Apply. ...
- Review the Offer and Accept the Loan.
What app let you borrow money instantly?
EarnIn, Dave, Brigit, Chime and Current are the top cash advance apps if you need funds before your next paycheck and want to avoid pricier payday lenders. Key Takeaways: EarnIn is the top option for cash advance apps because it offers high advance amounts and doesn't charge mandatory fees.
- Payday loans. Payday loans are the worst type of loan to get, because they offer very high interest rates and short repayment terms. ...
- Title loans. Title loans are another high-interest loan to avoid due to its high fees and requirement of using your own car for collateral. ...
- Cash advances. ...
- Family loans.
- You don't want to tell the mortgage lender that the house is in disrepair.
- You also don't want to suggest you don't know where your down payment money is coming from.
- Finally, don't give your lender reason to worry if your income will stay stable.
Your bank account information may be required either to verify revenues or to facilitate ACH payments. It is essential that when you are asked to provide personal information make sure you are dealing with a reputable company and using a secure website. (See tips below.) Loan approval regardless of credit.
| Bank name | Current interest rate on personal loan |
|---|---|
| Bank of Baroda | 11.40% to 18.75% |
| Punjab National Bank | 11.40% to 12.75% |
| Union Bank of India | 11.35% to 15.45% |
| IDBI Bank | 10.50% to 13.25% |
