Best Personal Loans for Fair Credit of January 2021

on Upgrade's website

Upgrade

5.0

Min. Credit Score

580

Est. APR

6.94 - 35.97%

Loan Amount

$1,000 - $50,000

on Upgrade's website

Min. Credit Score

580

Key facts

Upgrade offers personal loans plus credit-building tools; you'll need strong cash flow to qualify.

Pros

Allows secured, co-signed and joint loans.
Offers rate discount with direct payment to creditors on debt consolidation loans.
Rate discount for autopay.

Cons

Charges origination fee.
Charges late fee.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score: 580.
Minimum annual income: None; average borrower income is $87,000.
Minimum credit history: 3 years.
Minimum number of accounts on credit history: 2.
Minimum monthly free cash flow: $800.
Maximum debt-to-income ratio: Varies between 55% and 65% including the loan you’re applying for and mortgage payments. To see your post-loan DTI, calculate your monthly payments on a personal loan, and then add them to your debt-to-income calculation.
Average loan amount is $10,000.
Average repayment term is 40 months.

Available Term Lengths

3 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 2.9% to 8%.

Disclaimer

Personal loans made through Upgrade feature APRs of 6.94%-35.97%. All personal loans have a 2.9% to 8% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.98% APR (which includes a 14.32% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $343.33. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,359.97. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by Upgrade's lending partners. Information on Upgrade's lending partners can be found at https://www.upgrade.com/lending-partners/. Accept your loan offer and your funds will be sent to your bank or designated account within one (1) business day of clearing necessary verifications. Availability of the funds is dependent on how quickly your bank processes the transaction. From the time of approval, funds should be available within four (4) business days. Funds sent directly to pay off your creditors may take up to 2 weeks to clear, depending on the creditor.

Our pick for

Fair credit and joint loans

on FreedomPlus's website

FreedomPlus

4.0

Min. Credit Score

620

Est. APR

7.99 - 29.99%

Loan Amount

$7,500 - $40,000

on FreedomPlus's website

Min. Credit Score

620

Key facts

FreedomPlus works for debt consolidation, with low starting rates and direct payment to creditors.

Pros

Able to fund loans within two business days.
Option to change your payment date.
Offers direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.

Cons

Charges origination fee.
High minimum loan amount.
No option to include co-signer.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score: 620; borrower average is 700. The company uses the FICO 8 credit scoring model.
Minimum debt-to-income ratio: 45%, excluding mortgage.
Minimum credit history: 3 years.
Minimum number of accounts on credit history: 2.
No bankruptcy in the last 24 months.

Available Term Lengths

2 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 1.99% - 4.99%.
Late fee: $15 or 5% of amount due, whichever is greater.
Unsuccessful payment fee: $15.

Disclaimer

The loan terms presented are not guaranteed and APRs presented are estimates only. To obtain a loan you must submit additional information and documentation and all loans are subject to credit review and our approval process. The range of APRs is 7.99% to 29.99% and your actual APR will depend upon factors including your credit score, usage and history, the requested loan amount, the stated loan purpose, and the term of the requested loan. To qualify for a 7.99% APR loan, a borrower will need excellent credit on a loan for an amount less than $12,000.00, and with a term equal to 24 months. Adding a co-borrower with sufficient income; using at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the loan proceeds to directly pay off qualifying existing debt; or showing proof of sufficient retirement savings, could help you also qualify for the lowest rate available. All loans are made by Cross River Bank and MetaBank®, N.A., Members FDIC.

Our pick for

Fair credit and short credit history

on Upstart's website

Upstart

4.5

Min. Credit Score

580

Est. APR

6.16 - 35.99%

Loan Amount

$1,000 - $50,000

on Upstart's website

Min. Credit Score

580

Key facts

Upstart is a good option for those who have short credit histories and promising financial futures.

Pros

Accepts borrowers new to credit.
Able to fund loans within one business day.
Offers direct payment to creditors with some debt consolidation loans.

Cons

Borrowers can choose from only two repayment term options.
Charges origination fee.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score: 580.
Minimum credit history: none, this lender accepts borrowers with credit history too limited to produce a FICO score.
Minimum gross income: $12,000.
Employment: Full-time job, full-time job offer starting in 6 months, a regular part-time job, or another source of regular income.
Must have U.S. residential street address where borrower resides (unless military personnel on active duty).
Must be at least 18 years old.
Valid email account required.
Personal bank account with U.S. routing number required.

Available Term Lengths

3 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 0% - 8%.
Late fee: 5% of past due amount or $15, whichever is greater.

Disclaimer

1)This offer is conditioned on final approval based on our consideration and verification of financial and non-financial information. Rate and loan amount are subject to change based upon information received in your full application. This offer may be accepted only by the person identified in this offer, who is old enough to legally enter into contract for the extension of credit, a US citizen or permanent resident, and a current resident of the US. Duplicate offers received are void. Closing your loan is contingent on your meeting our eligibility requirements, our verification of your information, and your agreement to the terms and conditions on the www.upstart.com website. 2) § Your loan amount will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount. The minimum loan amount in MA is $7,000. The minimum loan amount in Ohio is $6,000. The minimum loan amount in NM is $5,100. The minimum loan amount in GA is $3,100. 3) ‡ The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 15% and 36 monthly payments of $33 per $1,000 borrowed. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Average APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.

Our pick for

Fair credit and debt consolidation

on LendingClub's website

LendingClub

4.0

Min. Credit Score

600

Est. APR

10.68 - 35.89%

Loan Amount

$1,000 - $40,000

on LendingClub's website

Min. Credit Score

600

Key facts

LendingClub is a pioneer of peer-to-peer lending and a good option if you want to consolidate your debt.

Pros

Offers co-signed and joint loan options.
Offers direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
Soft credit check with pre-qualification.

Cons

Borrowers can only choose from two repayment term options.
Rates are high compared to other online lenders.
Charges an origination fee.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score of 600. LendingClub uses FICO 8 credit scoring model.
Minimum credit history of three years.
Debt-to-income ratio of less than 40% for single applications, 35% combined for joint applicants.

Available Term Lengths

3 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 1% to 6%
Late fee: Greater of $15 or 5% of payment after 15-day grace period.

Disclaimer

All loans made by WebBank, Member FDIC. Your actual rate depends upon credit score, loan amount, loan term, and credit usage and history. The APR ranges from 10.68% to 35.89%. For example, you could receive a loan of $6,000 with an interest rate of 9.56% and a 5.00% origination fee of $300 for an APR of 13.11%. In this example, you will receive $5,700 and will make 36 monthly payments of $192.37. The total amount repayable will be $6,925.32. Your APR will be determined based on your credit at time of application. The origination fee ranges from 2% to 6% (average is 4.86% as of 7/1/2019 – 9/30/2019). In Georgia, the minimum loan amount is $3,025. In Massachusetts, the minimum loan amount is $6,001 if your APR is greater than 12%. There is no down payment and there is never a prepayment penalty. Closing of your loan is contingent upon your agreement of all the required agreements and disclosures on the www.lendingclub.com website. All loans via LendingClub have a minimum repayment term of 36 months or longer. Loans require sufficient investor commitment before they can be funded or issued.

Our pick for

Fair credit and flexible payment options

on Prosper's website

Prosper

4.5

Min. Credit Score

640

Est. APR

7.95 - 35.99%

Loan Amount

$2,000 - $40,000

on Prosper's website

Min. Credit Score

640

Key facts

Prosper is a peer-to-peer lender with rates and fees that compare to other personal loan lenders.

Pros

Option to change your payment date.
Offers joint loan.
Offers wide range of loan amounts.

Cons

No rate discount for autopay.
Charges origination and late fees.
Borrowers can choose from only two repayment term options.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score: 640; borrower average is 726.
Minimum credit history: 2 years.
Minimum income: No minimum income requirement; borrower average is $113,000.
Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50% (excluding mortgage); borrower average is 18% with housing payment.
No bankruptcies filed within the past year.
At least three open accounts on credit report.
Fewer than five credit bureau inquiries in the last six months.
Must be at least 18 years old.
Must provide social security number and a U.S. bank account.

Available Term Lengths

3 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 2.41 to 5%.
Late fee: $15 or 5% of unpaid amount (whichever is greater).
Insufficient funds fee: $15.

Disclaimer

For example, a three-year $10,000 personal loan would have an interest rate of 11.74% and a 5.00% origination fee for an annual percentage rate (APR) of 15.34% APR. You would receive $9,500 and make 36 scheduled monthly payments of $330.90. A five-year $10,000 personal loan would have an interest rate of 11.99% and a 5.00% origination fee with a 14.27% APR. You would receive $9,500 and make 60 scheduled monthly payments of $222.39. Origination fees vary between 2.41%-5%. Personal loan APRs through Prosper range from 7.95% to 35.99%, with the lowest rates for the most creditworthy borrowers. Eligibility for personal loans up to $40,000 depends on the information provided by the applicant in the application form. Eligibility for personal loans 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 personal loans made by WebBank, Member FDIC.

Our pick for

Fair credit and refinance option

on Avant's website

Avant

4.0

Min. Credit Score

550

Est. APR

9.95 - 35.99%

Loan Amount

$2,000 - $35,000

on Avant's website

Min. Credit Score

550

Key facts

Avant's low starting rates make it a good option for borrowers with low credit scores and income.

Pros

Able to fund loans the next business day.
Option to change your payment date.
Soft credit check with pre-qualification.
Offers secured loan option.

Cons

Charge an origination fee.
Does not offer direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
No co-sign or joint loan option.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score of 550.

Available Term Lengths

2 to 5 years

Fees

Administrative fee: Up to 4.75%.
Late fee: $25 (most states).
Unsuccessful payment fee: $15 (most states).

Disclaimer

A $5,700 loan with an administration fee of 4.75% and an amount financed of $5,429.25, repayable in 36 monthly installments, would have an APR of 29.95% and monthly payments of $230.33. Minimum loan amounts may vary by state. If approved, the actual rate and loan amount that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination and other factors. An administration fee of up to 4.75% will be deducted from the loan proceeds. Avant branded credit products are issued by Webbank, member FDIC

Our pick for

Fair credit and fast funding

See my rates

on NerdWallet's secure website

Rocket Loans

4.0

Min. Credit Score

580

Est. APR

7.16 - 29.99%

Loan Amount

$2,000 - $45,000

See my rates

on NerdWallet's secure website

Min. Credit Score

580

Key facts

Rocket Loans offers online personal loans to borrowers with fair credit and over two years of credit history.

Pros

Soft credit check with pre-qualification.
Competitive rates among fair-credit lenders.
Rate discount for autopay.
Able to fund loans the same day.
Offers small loans of $2,000.

Cons

Charges origination fee.
Does not offer direct payment to creditors with debt consolidation loans.
No option to choose or change your payment date.
Borrowers can choose from only two repayment term options.
No co-sign, joint or secured loan option.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score: 640; borrower average is 710.
Minimum credit history: Over two years.
Minimum annual income: $24,000; borrower average is $85,000.
Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 40% or 70% including mortgage; borrower average is 14%.
Must be at least 18 years old (19 in Alabama and Nebraska).
Must provide Social Security number.

Available Term Lengths

3 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 1% to 6%.
Late fee: $15 after 10-day grace period.
Unsuccessful payment fee: $15.

Disclaimer

All personal loans are made by Cross River Bank, a New Jersey state chartered commercial bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. All loans are unsecured, fully amortizing personal loans. Eligibility for a loan is not guaranteed. Please refer to our Disclosures and Licenses page for state required disclosures, licenses, and lending restrictions. Borrower must be a U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident alien at least 18 years of age (in Nebraska and Alabama a borrower must be at least 19 years of age). All loan applications are subject to credit review and approval. Offered loan terms depend upon your credit profile, requested amount, requested loan term, credit usage, credit history and other factors. Not all borrowers receive the lowest interest rate. To qualify for the lowest rate, you must have excellent credit, meet certain conditions, and select autopay. Rates and Terms are subject to change at any time without notice. Please refer to RocketLoans.com and our Terms of Use for additional terms and conditions.

Our pick for

Fair credit and credit card consolidation

on Payoff's website

Payoff

4.5

Min. Credit Score

640

Est. APR

5.99 - 24.99%

Loan Amount

$5,000 - $40,000

on Payoff's website

Min. Credit Score

640

Key facts

Payoff offers loans and ongoing support to help fair- and good-credit borrowers consolidate credit card debt.

Pros

Competitive rates among online lenders.
Offers direct payment to creditors.
Reports payments to all three major credit bureaus.
No prepayment or late fees.

Cons

Charges origination fee.
No rate discount for autopay.
Requires several years of credit history.

Qualifications

Minimum credit score: 640.
Minimum credit history: Three years.
At least two open accounts on credit report.
Maximum debt-to-income ratio: 50% (excluding mortgage).
Free cash flow: At least $1,000.
Zero credit delinquencies.
Must be able to provide income verification.
No bankruptcies filed within the past two years.
Must provide Social Security number.

Available Term Lengths

2 to 5 years

Fees

Origination fee: 0% - 5%.

Disclaimer

This does not constitute an actual commitment to lend or an offer to extend credit. Upon submitting a loan application, you may be asked to provide additional documents to enable us to verify your income, assets, and financial condition. Your interest rate and terms for which you are approved will be shown to you as part of the online application process. Most applicants will receive a variety of loan offerings to choose from, with varying loan amounts and interest rates. Borrower subject to a loan origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Refer to full borrower agreement for all terms, conditions and requirements.