If you need to finance a large purchase or consolidate debt, an unsecured personal loan could be the ideal solution for you. But before making any decisions, there are several factors to take into account.
For the best unsecured personal loan deals, look for ones with competitive rates, flexible terms and repayment options. Don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best deal possible – you won’t regret it!
1. SoFi
Comparing to traditional bank personal loans, SoFi offers better terms, lower rates and fewer fees. Furthermore, it provides a range of borrowing options such as higher loan amounts and flexible payment dates.
SoFi does not require collateral for its unsecured loans, meaning you don’t need to give up your home or car in order to be approved. This makes SoFi a safer option than lenders that require collateral.
Another advantage is that SoFi does not charge an origination, late payment or prepayment fee like some online lenders do. This means you can save money in the long run by paying down your debt sooner.
Borrowers can take advantage of SoFi’s unemployment protection, which allows borrowers to place their loan into forbearance when they lose their jobs without fault of their own. During that period, SoFi will offer assistance with job placement and career counseling.
2. LightStream
LightStream offers personal loans at highly competitive rates. There are no origination, late payment or prepayment fees attached. Plus, you can pay off your loan early without incurring a penalty – saving money on interest over the life of the loan.
Another advantage is their Rate Beat program, which guarantees they’ll beat any rate on an unsecured personal loan from a competing lender by 0.10 percentage points if you can prove you were approved for that rate (with identical terms and conditions) no later than two business days before your loan funding date.
Applying for a LightStream loan is both quick and effortless. All you have to do is fill in your information on their website, and their staff will review both your application and credit score. Afterward, they’ll give you an initial quote for loan term and payments based on what information is provided.
3. Credit Unions
Credit unions provide many of the same services as banks, but they’re non-profit financial institutions owned by their members. They typically have higher savings rates and lower loan interest rates than banks do, plus they usually charge fewer fees.
The best credit unions provide competitive terms, low loan amounts and no prepayment penalties or origination fees. Furthermore, they cap their APRs at 18%.
They’re insured up to $250K by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), similar to FDIC coverage at banks. NCUA provides checking and savings accounts, money market accounts, certificates of deposit (CDs), as well as other products.
They’re also a great option if you’re searching for top-notch customer service. While they may not have the technology of larger banks, credit unions typically rank above them in customer satisfaction due to friendly staff and convenient locations.
4. Banks
Banks are financial institutions that offer a variety of services and products, from savings accounts and checking accounts to credit cards and loans. Their primary role is to safeguard your money by providing a secure haven when you need to borrow some.
They assist you in making informed financial decisions by providing a variety of useful tools and resources, such as mobile banking apps and an extensive selection of credit and debit cards. Furthermore, they play a role in the world of finance by acting as intermediaries between other financial entities like brokers or investment banks who trade stocks, foreign currencies and commodities.
Unsecured personal loans can be challenging to find, but they’re available if you know where to look. This type of loan is offered by many financial organizations such as banks, credit unions and online lenders so it’s essential that you do your research and compare rates, terms and other loan features before making a final decision.