Bad Credit Loans - Explanation and Best Bad Credit Lenders of 2021

Most lenders require you to have a good credit rating before they trust you with a loan. Borrowing money when you have bad credit can be stressful and limit your loan options. But a poor or bad credit score or rating isn’t a dead end. That is to say, it does not automatically disqualify you from getting a personal loan, rather it lowers your chances of approval. Moreover, even if you can’t qualify for the best loan terms, there are several lenders willing to trust you with bad credit loans.

However, in this article, we will provide information in detail on everything you need to know about bad credit loans. This guide will help you understand the meaning of bad credit loans, how it works, how to apply for and get a loan, how to choose the best bad credit lender. Moreover, we will also be listing the bad credit loans companies and rates of 2021, and any other important information pertaining to the bad credit loans.

Understanding Bad Credit Loans

If you have bad or poor credit as defined by FICO (a score of 350 to 579). You won’t be able to qualify for a personal loan unless you apply with a co-signer. The personal is the most popular type, although there are many different types of bad credit loans. However, this type of loan for bad credit is a good option for those with low credit scores of 660 or less who are in need of quick funding of up to $50,000 that can be repaid within two to seven years.

Moreover, while some personal loans require credit scores of at least 670, there are several lenders that are willing to loan funds to individuals with credit scores or ratings between 580 and 600. Besides, personal loan interest rates vary depending on your credit rating or score and the qualification requirements you meet. Which tend to vary between lenders, so be sure to check if your score qualifies through your preferred lender.

Therefore, you shouldn’t expect to get the lowest rates or the most favorable terms with damaged credit. But if you have bad credit, you likely shouldn’t be looking for the best rates. The loan provider that offers a loan your score qualifies for is typically the best one for you. Also, if there are multiple options open to you, then compare loan limits and interest rates to find the one that best fulfills your needs. However, continue reading as we will elaborate further about personal loans in the types of bad credit loans later in this article.

What are Bad Credit Loans?

Bad credit loans are financing options offered to individuals with low credit scores of 669 or less. It is a personal loan for borrowers with low credit scores. Although there are many types of bad credit loans, the most common is an unsecured personal loan. These loans have fixed rates and are repaid in fixed monthly installments of no more than two to seven years.

Moreover, these types of bad credit loans are quick to get, as many lenders offer next-day funding. They are also typically not backed by collateral — they’re unsecured. The lenders will consider your credit score, credit report, and debt-to-income ratio when deciding whether to lend you the money.

What is a Bad Credit Score?

According to the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO), credit score range of 300 to 850, a score below 580 is considered to be a bad credit score. Loan providers or lenders refer to borrowers who fall in this score range as subprime borrowers, and such individuals tend to be riskier.

However, bad credit scores are typically a result of poor payment history, high credit usage, and/or too many credit applications, etc. Moreover, a bad credit score can make it more difficult to qualify for certain things like a car, a mortgage, or a loan for a business.

How do you know what credit score range you are in?

Excellent Credit: 800 – 850
Very Good: 740 – 799
Good Credit: 670 – 739
Fair Credit: 580 – 669
Poor: below 580

Types of Bad Credit Loans

There are many types of loans you can choose from, even with a bad credit score. There are as follows:

1. Personal Loans for Bad Credit

However, we’ve already talked a little about this type of bad credit loan earlier in this article. Personal loans have fixed rates as high as about 36%, and they are generally safer than options than the other types of loans below. Moreover, when it comes to personal loans, there are two main types you can apply for: secured and unsecured loans.

Traditional personal loans can either be secured or unsecured. The secured loans, just as the name suggests require you to provide something of value, otherwise known as collateral. This collateral may include items such as your car, home, savings account, etc. Besides, the lender can repossess the collateral if you fail or fall behind on payments. This makes them less risky to a lender, therefore they tend to come with more favorable terms, like lower interest rates, and fewer qualification requirements.

While, unsecured loans, on the other hand, are the more common of the two and do not require any collateral. Unsecured loans tend to pose more risk to lenders, as they don’t require collateral. As a result, they have more qualification requirements and higher interest rates.

Further, credit standards are typically higher for unsecured loans than they are for secured loans. Therefore, it may be easier to qualify for a secured loan if you have bad credit. When it comes to unsecured bad credit loans, the lender only uses information about you, such as your credit profile and income, to decide whether to lend to you. But when you add collateral to an application, the risk to the lender tends to be lower, because it has something of value to take if you don’t make the loan payments.

Where You Can Get Personal Bad Credit Loans

Getting a personal loan with bad credit can be challenging, as it can be stressful and limits your loan options. Most lenders require you to have a good credit score before they can be able to trust you with a loan. Besides, why should they lend you money if there’s not a good chance you will be able to pay it back. But still, there are multiple lenders you may find that will be willing to do business with you (at higher interest rates).

However, if you are searching for personal loan options with bad credit, there are two primary loan sources available that you may want to consider.

Direct lenders for bad credit personal loans: Direct personal loans come straight from the financial institution where you’re approved. These may include local banks and credit unions, online banks, and online direct lenders. If you have bad credit, it’s generally best to apply only with direct lenders that are willing to do business with credit-challenged borrowers.
Online personal loans for bad credit: Online lending networks take your loan application and connect you with lenders who may be willing to approve you for a personal loan. Often, you can submit one initial form and compare offers from multiple lenders.

2. Payday Loans for Bad Credit

Payday loans are short-term loans, typically for $500 or less, that are intended to cover expenses until your next payday. You repay once you receive your next paycheck, typically two to four weeks after you take out the loan. Many lenders don’t require a credit check, so it’s easier to get approved with them than with other lenders. Which is often enticing for people with bad credit.

But payday loans have a reputation as predatory, with lenders targeting consumers with poor credit scores and few options who need quick access to cash. The overall cost of borrowing is high; sometimes up to 400 percent in interest. so it’s important to weigh and consider other alternatives first, like personal loans or borrowing money from friends and family.

Besides, if you can’t repay a payday loan in full by the end of the term, you may be able to extend your loan by paying more fees. To sum up, some payday loans, in the long run, cost more in interest and fees than the original loan amount.

3. Student Loans for Bad Credit

If you’re considering a loan because you can’t afford your educational expenses, a student loan for bad credit is likely the direction you want to look. Although private student loans typically require good credit, individuals with bad credit can take out federal student loans, which don’t require a credit check.

However, you’ll generally get the most value out of federal student loans. They also come with the most flexible repayment terms, including forgiveness if you work in public service or choose certain repayment plans. Student loans tend to offer a wider range of repayment terms, ranging from five to 20 years for private loans.

4. Credit Card Cash Advances

A cash advance is similar to a short-term loan and is offered by your credit card issuer. Like payday loans, credit card cash advances can get you quick access to cash, but they come with a high price. However, when you get a cash advance, you are taking out a loan from your credit card. To sum up, a credit card cash advance can be helpful if you pay it off quickly, but advances can also harm your credit score by bringing up your card’s balance.

5. Home Equity Loans and HELOCs for Bad Credit

Home equity loans pay out a lump sum of money upfront, which you pay back in fixed monthly installments. These loans use your home as collateral, meaning the lender has the right to seize your home in the event that you don’t make payments. HELOCs are similar to home equity loans in that they are based on your home equity and secured by your home itself. HELOCs, however, are functionally similar to credit cards in that they allow you to borrow only as much as you need when you need it, then repay funds with a variable interest rate.

If you have enough equity in your home, its current market value minus your remaining mortgage balance—you may be able to get a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC). Both let you draw against your home, which means your home secures the transaction and the lender can repossess it if you fail to repay. Moreover, a home equity loan is a type of secured loan, interest rates may be lower than what you’d find with standard personal loans.

How to Get a Loan With Bad Credit

Getting a personal loan with a bad credit score is not impossible. You can qualify for a loan with bad credit, but you’ll get the best deal if you do some homework. However, while the process may vary depending on your specific score and lender, here are the general steps you can follow:

Check your credit score: Firstly, you start by checking your credit report. Before you start looking for the best lender, it’s essential to check your credit score online through a credit-providing website or your credit card provider. This will give you an idea of what you can and can’t qualify for. You can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Moreover, you should also use your report to identify ways to improve your credit, such as by paying off a debt in the collection or paying down a high credit card balance. You should also check for any inaccuracies tied to your credit score, like a debt that does not belong to you.
Improve your credit score (if necessary): After checking your credit score, you find out that your score is low. The next thing to do is to take time to improve it before submitting an application. However, some of the quick ways to improve your credit score are repaying any outstanding debts and reducing your credit usage.
Review your budget: Figure out how much you need to borrow prior to looking for the right lender, and come up with a plan for your payments that fits into your budget. Doing this helps to know your monthly budget when you’re about to apply for a personal loan. That way you’ll know how much you can afford to pay toward it each month.
Pre-qualify online: Lenders often offer a prequalification process, which lets you check whether or not you would qualify without a hard credit check and see what terms you’d receive once approved. The process involves a soft credit check which doesn’t affect your credit score, and applying for preapproval is a good way to compare interest rates and terms before you apply.
Add a co-signer or consider a secured loan: Adding a co-signer or collateral (secured loan) such as a car, to the loan application can improve your chances of qualifying or get you a lower rate. A co-signer is a second person who agrees to pay back the loan if you fail to do so. Which reduces the risk you pose to the lender. While with a secured loan, the lender can take your collateral.
Submit your application: Once you’ve found the best lender for your situation, submit an application online or in person. However, most lenders will require your Social Security number, but some may ask for proof of employment or income. Gather things like tax documents, pay stubs, and W-2s before you apply to speed up the application process and prepare to provide your personal information, such as your Social Security number (SSN), address, and income information.

Best Bad Credit Loans of 2022

However, when considering a loan for bad credit, aside the most important factors to consider. You should also search for the best providers of bad credit loans. By doing this, not only do they offer transparent pricing and terms. But they can also get you funded in as soon as one to two business days.

Moreover, there is no best bad credit loan company. Bad credit lenders each have something different to offer borrowers. We will also be listing the factors to consider when choosing a bad credit company. But before we do that here are the best bad credit loans of 2022 according to Forbes:

Upgrade (Best Overall Bad Credit Loans)

Headquartered in San Francisco and founded in 2017, Upgrade provides accessible online and mobile credit and banking services in every state except Iowa, Vermont, and West Virginia. Loans amounts, which start at just $1,000, are flexible but cap out at $35,000—lower than lenders that focus on lower-risk borrowers. Three- and five-year loan terms are available.

Furthermore, beyond offering accessible personal loans. Upgrade streamlines the lending process with a mobile app that lets borrowers view their balance, make payments and update personal information.

Pros:

Low minimum credit score requirement (580)
Borrowers can use loans to cover business expenses
Offers direct lender payoff for debt consolidation loans
Ability to apply with a co-signer
Funding as soon as the next business day

Cons:

High APR range (5.94%–35.97% with autopay discount)
Charges fees for origination, late payment, and insufficient funds
Only offers two loan repayment periods

Avant (Best for a Range of Repayment Options)

Founded in 2012 and based in Chicago, Avant is a consumer lending platform that offers secured and unsecured personal loans through a third-party bank (WebBank). Unsecured loans are available in Washington, D.C., and every state but Hawaii, Louisiana, Nevada, and South Carolina. The platform specializes in middle-income borrowers with fair to good credit and only requires a minimum score of 580 to qualify.

Avant offers the best overall personal loan to borrowers with credit challenges. If you qualify for funding, you could receive up to $35,000. Interest rates start as low as 9.95%. Although Avant charges an administrative fee. The maximum amount it charges (4.75%) could potentially be lower than what you may see from some lenders.

Pros:

Secured and unsecured loan options are available
Low credit score requirement (580)
Loan terms available up to 60 months
No prepayment penalty for paying off your loan early

Cons:

Charges an upfront administrative fee
High starting APR for prime borrowers
Co-signers and co-applicants not allowed

LendingClub (Best for Online Experience)

LendingClub is one of the most reputable peer-to-peer lending companies, helping to facilitate more than $60 billion in personal loans since 2007. As the largest online lending platform for personal loans. LendingClub has worked with over 3 million customers and funded more than $55 billion in loans. It’s also one of the most geographically widespread options. With lending capabilities in every state except Iowa and the U.S. territories.

While LendingClub imposes high APRs and no autopay discount, applicants can choose to borrow as little as $1,000. So you won’t have to borrow—and pay interest on—more than you need. Moreover, the lender offers a pre-qualification option for applicants to check their rates without affecting their credit score, which starts at 8.05%.

Pros:

Will directly pay off third-party creditors as part of balance transfer loan
Co-applicants permitted
Available to borrowers with fair to excellent credit

Cons:

Origination and late fees
Limited loan term availability
High APR range

Upstart (Best for Quick Approval Turnaround Times)

Upstart has made a mark on the personal loan space because of its artificial intelligence- and machine learning-based approach to borrower qualification. In fact, Upstart estimates that it has been able to approve 27% more borrowers than possible under a traditional lending model. With competitive APRs, Upstart is not a top lender for borrowers who can qualify for more competitive rates. Even so, the platform’s minimum 600 credit score makes it an accessible option to those with fair credit.

Moreover, Upstart also offers a pretty flexible range of loan options, with amounts ranging from as low as $1,000. So you don’t have to borrow (or pay interest on) more than you really need.

Pros:

Accessible to borrowers with fair credit
Offers prequalification with a soft credit check
Ability to choose a custom payment date

Cons:

Charges an origination fee up to 8% of the loan amount
No secured or co-signer option
Loans are only available for three- or five-year terms

What to Consider When Choosing a Bad Credit Loans

However, there’s no single best loan company for everyone, as each lender has something different to offer borrowers. The best bad credit loan company depends on many factors. Therefore, when choosing a lender for a bad credit loan, consider the following key criteria:

Eligibility/ borrower requirements: The credit score you need to get a loan will depend on the lender and the type of loan you want, with higher scores increasing your options. Many bad-credit lenders consider your credit score on a personal loan application. But they also weigh factors like your monthly cash flow, how steady your income is your employment history, and your other debts.
Interest rates and fees: Make sure you’re comparing interest rates when considering which loan is the best. Bad-credit loans typically have high-interest rates compared to good-credit loans. But you should still compare offers to find the most affordable loan. The two important ways to measure the cost of a loan are the Annual percentage rate and monthly payments. Moreover, the higher your credit score, the lower your interest rate will most likely be.
Loan terms: Before accepting a loan, make sure to review its terms, including APR, loan period, and loan restrictions. You should be comfortable with the terms and confident you can make on-time payments. Bad-credit loan repayment terms tend to fall between one and five years. A longer repayment term will get you to lower monthly payments. But be careful not to let it get too long. The longer your repayment term, the more you’ll pay in total interest. Aim for a repayment term that keeps your monthly payments affordable, but helps you pay off the loan quickly.

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Summary

In conclusion, there are many loan options available to borrowers with bad credit. Therefore, it is important to compare all options rather than turn to a predatory payday lender when emergency expenses arise. In many cases, a more affordable solution may be available, even if you have bad credit. However, you can use the link we’ve provided to get more details on each of the bad credit loans. Moreover, you can also take time to research and find out about others aside from the aforementioned.