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Nerdy takeaways
- If you qualify for a personal loan, you can typically get funds within a week.
- Some lenders send funds the same day you’re approved or the next business day.
- Online lenders often provide the fastest funding.
One of the main perks of getting a personal loan is that they’re funded relatively quickly. Many lenders can fund approved loan applications in a day, though you may need to wait an extra day or two for the deposit to clear your bank account, so you’re able to spend the money.
Even if the lender takes additional time to process your loan application, you should expect to receive funds within a week.
Here’s how long it usually takes to get a personal loan, plus tips to quicken the process.
How long does it take to get a personal loan?
Typically, funds for a personal loan arrive within a week, but your loan may be funded faster, depending on the type of lender and how quickly you move through the application steps.
There are three main steps to getting a personal loan: application, approval and funding.
Application: Less than 30 minutes
Applying for a loan can take minutes. Many lenders let you pre-qualify online first to check rates. You’ll enter your personal and financial information, plus the reason for the loan and your desired amount. If approved, you’ll fill out a formal application and may need to submit additional information.
Approval: Up to 2 days
Some lenders make instant or same-day approvals, while others may take up to a day or two to come to an approval decision. You’ll undergo a hard credit check so the lender can determine your creditworthiness. This process could take longer if the lender requests more information or needs to assess collateral or a co-borrower’s creditworthiness.
Funding: Same day to 1 week
Once approved, the lender will send funds to your bank account. This can usually take from a day to up to a week. The fastest lenders provide same-day funds, but it could take additional time for the deposit to clear your bank account.
Personal loan funding time by lender type
The tables below reflect the lenders’ quickest turnaround times.
Personal loans from online lenders
If you’re looking for a fast loan, an online lender will probably be your best bet. Many online lenders can process a loan application and disburse funds within one business day — some even offer same-day approval and funding.
» MORE: Best online personal loans
Here are approval and funding times for some of the top online loans.
| Lender | Time to approve | Time to fund |
|---|---|---|
| LightStream | Within 5 minutes. | Same day. |
| SoFi | Same day. | Same day. |
| Discover | Same day. | Same day for Discover customers or next day for non-customers. |
| LendingClub | Within hours. | 1 day. |
| Upstart | Instant. | 1 day. |
| Best Egg | Instant. | 1 day. |
| Upgrade | Within minutes. | 1 day. |
| Universal Credit | Within minutes. | 1 day. |
Personal loans from banks
While many banks let you apply online, your local bank may require an in-person visit to apply or close the loan, which can slow down the process. You can expect to receive money from a bank loan within a week. Some banks will approve and fund a loan more quickly if you’re an existing customer.
» MORE: Best bank loans
Here are approval and funding times for some of the top bank loans.
| Lender | Time to approve | Time to fund |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | Instant. | Same day. |
| Citibank | Same day. | Same day for Citibank customers and up to 2 business days for non-customers. Mailing a check can take 5 business days. |
| U.S. Bank | Instant. | Within hours for customers or 1 to 4 business days for non-customers. |
| TD Bank | Instant. | 1 day. |
Personal loans from credit unions
Credit unions could take a few days to approve your loan application and send your money, particularly if the approval process isn’t automated or if you need to make an appointment for an in-person visit. Borrowers must be a member of the credit union to get a personal loan. If you’re not already a member, joining the credit union could add to the time it takes to get a loan.
Here are approval and funding times for some of the top credit union loans.
| Lender | Time to approve | Time to fund |
|---|---|---|
| PenFed | Within hours. | Same day. |
| First Tech | Instant. | Same day. |
| Navy Federal | Within minutes. | Same day. |
6 tips to get a personal loan fast
Speed up the process of getting your money by avoiding missteps that can delay your loan approval.
1. Review your credit and finances
Each lender has its own requirements for approving personal loans, but your credit history, debt and income are major factors in the decision-making process. Check your credit score and debt-to-income ratio before applying to determine your likelihood of approval.
Many lenders look favorably on loan applicants with good or excellent credit (a score in the mid 600s or higher) and a DTI ratio around 35% or lower.
If your credit score is low or thin, some lenders offer bad credit loans. But if you have the time, you may increase your chances of loan approval if you pay down existing debt or build your credit.
Review your credit reports before applying for a loan, and fix any errors that could be bringing your score down.
2. Get pre-qualified
Pre-qualifying for a personal loan shows you whether you’ll likely be approved as well as your potential annual percentage rate and monthly payments — all without a hard credit check. The process only takes a few minutes, and it can help you avoid formally applying for a loan that you don’t qualify for.
Pre-qualify for loans from a few lenders and compare offers to choose the best option for you. Once you select an offer and submit a formal application, you may have to send in documents like pay stubs, bank statements or tax returns to confirm the information you provided is correct.
3. Gather necessary documents before you apply
Lenders typically ask for the following information on a personal loan application:
- Government-issued identification.
- Proof of address.
- Social Security number.
- Proof of income and employment.
- Information about debts, if using the loan for debt consolidation.
Gather the necessary documents ahead of time to speed up the application process.
4. Apply online
Many lenders allow borrowers to apply for loans online. Doing so speeds up the approval process because you don’t have to visit the lender and make an appointment with a loan officer to submit your application.
If you run into issues when applying for a loan online, contact the lender’s customer service department via phone, email or chat.
5. Apply early on a weekday
Lenders that offer same-day funding typically need you to submit your application on a weekday — one that doesn’t fall on a holiday. You also need to apply by a specific cutoff time, which can be early in the afternoon or around the close of the business day.
Apply as early as possible for the best chance of same-day funding.
6. Avoid errors on your loan application
Having incorrect information, including typos, on your loan application can slow down the approval process. Double-check that everything is correct before submitting your application, so the lender doesn’t have to ask you to fix any mistakes.
» MORE: How to get a quick loan
Types of loans to avoid
Payday, pawnshop and car title loans can provide immediate access to cash, but their high fees and short repayment periods can make it difficult to repay on time. Consumer advocates caution against using these quick-cash, no-credit-check loans.
Payday loans
A payday loan lets you borrow a small amount, typically $500 or less, with the intention of repaying the loan, plus a fee, by your next payday. Fees generally range from $10 to $30 per $100 borrowed over a short two-week term. The APR for this type of loan is usually in the triple digits.
Pawnshop loans
With a pawnshop loan, you offer a personal item as collateral for a loan that’s a percentage of the pawned item’s estimated value. Fees vary, but borrowers could end up paying around 200% APR. Those who cannot repay their loan risk losing their collateral.
Car title loans
Borrowers who take out car title loans put their car’s title up as collateral in exchange for a loan that represents a portion of the car’s value. Finance fees can equate to around 300% APR, and you could wind up losing your vehicle if you aren’t able to repay the loan on time.
Fast alternatives to personal loans
If you don’t qualify for a personal loan or need even faster cash, here are some low- and no-interest fast-cash options to consider.
- Sell belongings for quick cash. Sites like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and OfferUp make it easy to list your belongings for sale if you need to make money fast.
- Take on a quick side gig. Earn money from a side gig with a low barrier to entry, such as food delivery, dog walking or completing jobs on TaskRabbit.
- Break up large bills with payment plans. If you're considering taking out a loan to cover a large bill, look into breaking it up. Doctor’s offices, utility companies and other billing agencies may allow you to split a large bill into smaller monthly payments with an interest-free payment plan.
- Choose “buy now, pay later” options. If you need to cover a big expense, many retailers offer buy now, pay later plans. These can take some stress out of paying for an expensive necessity, like a mattress, appliance or computer. With this option, you put down an initial payment and make additional payments over time.
- Access part of your paycheck in advance. Cash advance apps like Tilt, EarnIn and Dave lend you up to a few hundred dollars, and will automatically withdraw the money from your bank account on your next payday. They typically don’t charge interest, but they request tips or charge fees for quick access to cash.
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