OneMain Financial Personal Loans: 2022 Review
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Our Take
4.0
The bottom line:
OneMain prioritizes a borrower’s ability to repay on a loan application. Rates are high, but this lender accepts low credit scores.
Full Review
on OneMain Financial's website
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Option to choose your payment date.
- Offers joint and secured loans.
- Able to fund a loan the same or next business day.
- Offers direct payment to creditors on debt consolidation loans.
Cons
- Rates are high compared with other online lenders.
- Charges origination fee.
- No rate discount for autopay.
Compare to Other Lenders
|  |  |
|---|---|---|
Est. APR18.00-35.99% | Est. APR9.95-35.95% | Est. APR7.99-35.99% |
Loan term2 to 5 years | Loan term2 to 5 years | Loan term2 to 6 years |
Loan amount$1,500-$20,000 | Loan amount$2,000-$35,000 | Loan amount$2,000-$36,500 |
Min. credit scoreNone | Min. credit score550 | Min. credit score600 |
Compare estimated rates from multiple lenders
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Full Review of OneMain Financial
OneMain’s personal loans are expensive compared with other online loans; however, they have some consumer-friendly features that make them an option for borrowers who may struggle to qualify elsewhere.
» COMPARE: See your bad-credit loan options
OneMain is best for borrowers who:
Have fair or bad credit (689 or lower FICO score).
Can add collateral or a co-borrower to the application, which can help lower the rate.
Need the funds fast.
OneMain personal loans at a glance
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Key terms to know about personal loans
Where OneMain personal loans stand out
Secured and joint loan options: OneMain lets borrowers use a vehicle to secure a loan or add a co-applicant to an application. Either option can help improve a borrower's chance of qualifying and getting a lower rate than they would on their own. With a secured loan, the lender will appraise the vehicle and require it to be insured.
Choose and change your payment date: A borrower can pick their payment date when they sign a loan agreement, as long as it’s within 45 days of the day they accept the offer. After that, they can change the payment date twice during the life of the loan.
Fast funding: The lender is one of few that says it can fund a loan the same day a borrower submits an application. With other lenders, the time from application to funding can be one or two days.
Branch access: OneMain operates branches in each of the 44 states where it offers personal loans. Though a borrower can get a loan without visiting a branch, those who are more comfortable interacting with a loan officer in person can do so at a OneMain branch.
Seven-day cancellation policy: Borrowers have seven days to change their mind and cancel the loan without having to make payments. Few lenders offer this feature.
» MORE: Personal loans for fair credit
Where OneMain personal loans fall short
No autopay discount: Unlike many other lenders, OneMain doesn’t offer a rate discount for setting up automatic payments. The discount is usually up to 0.5 percentage points and encourages borrowers to use autopay to ensure on-time payment.
Origination fee: OneMain loans come with origination fees, which isn’t uncommon for online lenders. In some states, the charge is a flat fee of $25 to $500; in other states, the fee is 1% to 10% of the loan amount. These fees can be high compared with other lenders’ origination fees.
Credit insurance: OneMain may offer optional credit insurance with secured or unsecured loans. This insurance adds to the loan costs and may not be necessary if borrowers already have life insurance, so it's worthwhile to learn about the pros and cons of credit insurance before buying it.
» MORE: Personal loans with a co-signer
How to qualify for a OneMain loan
OneMain doesn’t disclose many of its hard requirements, but says it focuses on applicants’ ability to meet their monthly financial obligations — including mortgage or rent payments and other debt payments — and still afford the loan.
The lender doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement because it doesn’t rely on a credit score to help determine whether someone qualifies. Instead, it uses its own underwriting system to review applicants’ credit information as well as alternative data.
Three of the most important factors on a loan application are ability to repay, credit stability and whether the loan is secured with collateral, according to a spokeswoman.
OneMain doesn't underwrite applicants who don’t have a credit bureau file, and says it’s difficult for borrowers to be approved if their credit history is very thin.
Here are OneMain borrower and loan averages:
Average net income: $45,000.
Average loan size: $10,000.
Average loan term: 5 years.
Average APR: 25%.
Loan example: A three-year, $10,000 loan with an APR of 25.3% would have a monthly payment of $399. A borrower would pay $4,371 in total interest on that loan.
How to get a OneMain personal loan
Pre-qualify on NerdWallet
NerdWallet recommends comparing loans to find the best rate for you. Pre-qualifying may get you personalized rates from multiple lenders that partner with us, including OneMain. Pre-qualifying will not impact your credit.
Apply on OneMain
You can apply by submitting your personal, employment and financial information at OneMain’s website. You’ll get an email with a decision on your application.
on OneMain Financial's website
Methodology
NerdWallet’s review process evaluates and rates personal loan products from more than 35 financial institutions. We collect over 45 data points from each lender, interview company representatives and compare the lender with others that seek the same customer or offer a similar personal loan product. NerdWallet writers and editors conduct a full fact check and update annually, but also make updates throughout the year as necessary.
Our star ratings award points to lenders that offer consumer-friendly features, including: soft credit checks to pre-qualify, competitive interest rates and no fees, transparency of rates and terms, flexible payment options, fast funding times, accessible customer service, reporting of payments to credit bureaus and financial education. We also consider regulatory actions filed by agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. We weigh these factors based on our assessment of which are the most important to consumers and how meaningfully they impact consumers’ experiences.
This methodology applies only to lenders that cap interest rates at 36%, the maximum rate most financial experts and consumer advocates agree is the acceptable limit for a loan to be affordable. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for our star ratings. Read more about our ratings methodologies for personal loans and our editorial guidelines.
Find the Best Personal Loan
Frequently asked questions
On average, it takes about one day to apply and be approved for a OneMain Financial loan, the company says. Funds can be deposited into your account within one or two business days after approval.
» MORE: Personal loans with fast funding
OneMain doesn't disclose many of its borrower requirements but says it focuses on applicants' ability to make their monthly payments toward regular bills and debts, and still afford the loan. To be considered, applicants must have a credit bureau file. Those with a very thin file may not qualify.
To apply for a OneMain loan, borrowers need a government-issued ID, proof of residence, and proof of income.
OneMain offers unsecured loans, which aren't backed by collateral and have only one applicant. Applicants can get a secured loan by adding a vehicle as collateral. Joint loans are available through OneMain, but co-signed loans are not.
