Steve Nicastro is a staff writer at NerdWallet covering small business. He previously was a local news editor in Long Island at Patch.com and was a contributor for Seeking Alpha and GoBankingRates. When he's not writing, Steve enjoys exercising, being outdoors and reading. He holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University.
There’s no universal formula for winning approval of a personal loan application. Requirements such as credit score and income vary by lender, and some online lenders consider nontraditional data, like…
Good for: Debt consolidation PNC Bank provides personal loans for borrowers looking to consolidate debts, fund home improvements or cover other personal expenses. PNC may be a good fit if…
Young adults paying off student loans or saving for their first home won’t soon reach their financial goals just by cutting out Starbucks or canceling their gym membership. A faster…
If you’ve got debt and a main job that covers your regular monthly expenses, aim to apply earnings from side hustles directly to your debts. Flexible side hustles that are…
Acima Credit provides lease-to-own financing on items such as furniture and home appliances. It’s an option for borrowers with bad credit, though leasing is costly if you’re unable to pay it off…
Klarna offers point-of-sale financing for online purchases like clothing, furniture and electronics. You may see the payment option at online merchants like Lenovo, TaylorMade, Rancourt & Co., and others that have signed up to…
GreenSky is a technology company that facilitates home improvement loans up to $65,000. Its loans are funded by banks and offered to consumers through home improvement contractors, merchants and retailers who…
In this series, NerdWallet interviews people who have triumphed over debt using a combination of commitment, budgeting and smart financial choices. Responses have been edited for length and clarity. Getting…
Medical loans — which are personal loans applied toward medical expenses — can be used to consolidate existing medical debt, cover emergency or planned medical procedures like root canals or plastic…
SoFi and LendingClub are two options for low-cost personal loans. Both offer loans for debt consolidation, home improvements and other purposes. For borrowers with excellent credit and strong income, we…
