LendingTree summary
Pros
- Vast network of loan providers with competitive rates
- No minimum credit score
Cons
- Not a direct a lender, so rates and terms vary
- Lack of information on specific loan types and terms
Editorial score
Online experience
Has learning resources, access to rates, mobile app
Customer services and support
Multiple ways of reaching lender but limited hours
Loan Types
Offers all loan types
Repayment Flexibility
Offers flexible repayment plans & the option for special repayment programs
Eligibility (credit score)
Accepts all credit types
Overview
LendingTree is not a direct lender but a loan marketplace with some of the most trusted names in the financial services industry. Through this platform, you can find a loan provider that matches your needs without having to visit several websites or physical locations.
The company’s model promotes lender competition, which benefits you, the customer, as lenders vie for your business and offer favorable terms and rates. The vast marketplace of lenders gives customers with all levels of creditworthiness the ability to find the financing they need to purchase cars or simply refinance their existing loans at more favorable rates.
LendingTree was founded in 1996 to create a simpler way to search for loans. The company has since become one of the largest lender networks and marketplaces in the United States.
Suitable For?
Thanks to its marketplace model, LendingTree is an ideal fit if you want to compare several options before making a final decision but may not have the time to do so. The competition between lenders means more favorable repayment terms and interest rates. LendingTree is also an excellent alternative if you don’t have an excellent or good credit rating but are still looking for financing to help pay for a new or used vehicle.
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LendingTree Features
LendingTree offers financing for new and used cars and auto loan refinancing for customers. LendingTree’s auto loan portal includes information on inspections, manufacturer data, car values, and a forum where you can ask questions and answer other consumers’ queries.
- Some highlights include:
- A vast network of lenders
- A strong emphasis on educational resources
- A range of loan types
- Loans for customers of any credit standing
- Direct car sales
- Loan calculators to help with financial planning
Application Process
Getting started with LendingTree is fast and painless as it pre approves most customers before matching them with the right lender. To begin the application, you will need to fill out an online form that requests basic personal information, such as name and place of residence and financial details that include income level, housing status, and similar queries. LendingTree does not perform a hard credit check, so customers’ credit scores are not affected when they apply for prequalification. To be approved for a loan, LendingTree requests that you meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years or older
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Have a verifiable bank account
- Have a stable source of income
LendingTree will also ask you for some basic financial details, including your debt-to-income ratio, before performing a soft credit check to match you with your ideal lender. You will also be asked to provide the following documentation:
- Proof of residence (such as a utility or lease agreement)
- Pay Stubs from recent months
- Official identification documents, such as a driver’s license or passport
Once prequalified, LendingTree will display matches for each application. It is important to note that since LendingTree is not a loan originator, any final terms, rates, and amounts are settled directly with the selected lender.
Loan Types and Terms
LendingTree’s main offerings are new auto loans. The loans feature a range of amounts and flexible rates and repayment terms. You can select to borrow between $1,000 and $300,000, with terms of either 12, 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, or 84 months. Interest rates for new loans start as low as 2.49%. However, keep in mind that final interest rates and terms are provided by and agreed to with the lender the customers chooses, not LendingTree.
The company also offers loans for used cars and does not check for certain details other lenders may request, such as mileage. This means customers have a better chance of being approved and matched for a loan regardless of the car’s age. Rates shown for some of LendingTree’s partners can start as low as 2.49% for a 36-month loan.
How Safe is LendingTree?
Although LendingTree works with customers’ sensitive information, the platform keeps that information secure and only shares it when necessary. The company does share information with partners, but it is transparent about what information it collects, how it is collected, and the reason information is shared. In most cases, this is simply so that lenders can provide the highest possible levels of services to potential customers. LendingTree employs industry-standard security measures including user data encryption along with robust physical and electronic protections for its servers.
Repayment Options
If you go with LendingTree, since the company is not the loan originator, you will not work with the company once the terms of your loan have been established and funds disbursed. LendingTree’s partners generally offer flexible repayment terms ranging from 12 months up to 84 months and with interest rates that are more favorable than many competitors. Many of LendingTree’s partners offer automatic payments, but this varies from company to company, and customers should always confirm the preferred method to repay their loans with their chosen lender.
Help & Support
You can get in touch with LendingTree via phone on weekdays and Saturdays during regular business hours or via email at any time. The company’s FAQ could be easier to navigate; however, it does feature several helpful sections with useful answers to questions on the lending process. LendingTree features an impressive trove of educational resources, such as a variety of calculators, articles, guides, and lender reviews to help you make the most informed decision possible.
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How LendingTree Compares
| APR | from 2.49% | varies |
| Min.credit score | None | None |
| Loan amount | $5,000-$300,000 | Up to $45,000 |
| Repayment terms | 12-72 mo. | Varies |
Lending Tree’s APRs compare favorably to competitors, but if you do have excellent credit then you could theoretically get a better APR with AutoGravity. LendingTree excels at both high value loans, offering a larger maximum than its competitors of $300,000, and its network of lenders offers a much larger variety of terms, ranging from as little as 3 months to as much as 180 months
If you suffer from low credit, then you are better off with LendingTree. AutoGravity also connects low-credit borrowers to financing, but its model is slightly different, as the financing comes from auto dealerships, rather than private lenders.
Final Word
LendingTree’s marketplace model lets you compare options, which forces lenders to offer competitive rates. The simple and efficient application process matches you with the right lender. LendingTree’s ability to work with customers with all types of credit is a bonus to its auto loans search service.
Physical Address
Lending Tree LLC
11115 Rushmore Drive
Charlotte, NC
28277
Caroline Banton is a freelance writer of business and finance articles that have been featured in The Huffington Post, The Motley Fool, Time, MSN, PYMNTS.com, GOBankingrates.com, SaleMove, and MyBankTracker.com. Before becoming a writer, Caroline had over fourteen years of experience working at the World Bank. Caroline has an MBA from Johns Hopkins University. She writes for BestMoney and enjoys helping readers make sense of the options on the market.
