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Personal Loans Articles

Learn about how getting a loan online works and how to find
the best one for your specific financial needs.

What to Look For When Applying for a Personal Loan
Mar. 12, 2026
6 min read

What to Look For When Applying for a Personal Loan

Taking out a personal loan can be a wise decision if you’re looking to consolidate debt or make a purchase that you simply don’t have the funds to make at the moment.

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What It’s Really Like to Take out a Personal Loan: Tips and Tricks From 3 Borrowers
Mar. 12, 2026
8 min read

What It’s Really Like to Take out a Personal Loan: Tips and Tricks From 3 Borrowers

If you haven’t applied for a personal loan before, you may not know what to expect. Thankfully, the process is pretty straightforward at most online lenders. Once you’ve decided on a lender, you usually just have to fill out a quick application. Then, the lender makes a decision and, if you’re approved, deposits funds into your account a handful of days later.

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Secured Personal Loans: What They Are and How They Work
Mar. 12, 2026
6 min read

Secured Personal Loans: What They Are and How They Work

Secured personal loans require collateral but offer easier approval and lower rates than unsecured loans. You risk losing your collateral if you default. Best for borrowers with poor credit seeking competitive rates.

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Compare 5 Long-Term Personal Loan Lenders
Mar. 12, 2026
8 min read

Compare 5 Long-Term Personal Loan Lenders

A long-term personal loan is essentially any loan with a repayment period longer than around 3 years. Long-term personal loans usually offer higher loan amounts, lower interest rates, and are frequently secured to some item of collateral, such as your home or your car. Unsecured long-term personal loans will not have lower rates or higher loan amounts because the risk to the lender is still high.

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The Dos and Don'ts for Borrowing Money During a Crisis - Professionals Weigh In
Mar. 12, 2026
3 min read

The Dos and Don'ts for Borrowing Money During a Crisis - Professionals Weigh In

This new reality that we’re experiencing is changing everything, including the way we borrow money. We asked leading finance professionals to present the good and the bad options for American households and businesses seeking a loan.

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How to Avoid Personal Loan Scams
Mar. 09, 2026
7 min read

How to Avoid Personal Loan Scams

Personal loans can provide money for many purposes, from debt consolidation and paying off bills to major home renovations or emergency expenses.

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Pros and Cons of Personal Loans: What to Know Before You Borrow
Mar. 09, 2026
6 min read

Pros and Cons of Personal Loans: What to Know Before You Borrow

A personal loan can be a smart choice if you need predictable monthly payments, want to consolidate high-interest debt, or qualify for a competitive interest rate. However, if you can’t secure a low APR, already carry significant debt, or have access to lower-cost alternatives (like a 0% balance transfer or home equity loan), a personal loan may not be the best option.

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How to Find the Right Loan for You Based on Your Credit Score
Feb. 04, 2026
5 min read

How to Find the Right Loan for You Based on Your Credit Score

Many people seek out personal loans without really understanding the mechanics behind the process. Getting accepted by a lender for a personal loan is determined by several factors, some of which you may not have control over.

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Secured vs. Unsecured Loans in a Nutshell
Feb. 04, 2026
2 min read

Secured vs. Unsecured Loans in a Nutshell

If you need some extra funds, one of the most important things to know is the best type of personal loan for your needs. When it comes to personal loans, there are 2 major categories that you will come across: secured loans and unsecured loans.

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Compare Different Secured Personal Loans of {year}
Feb. 04, 2026
6 min read

Compare Different Secured Personal Loans of 2026

A secured personal loan is called that because the loan is secured by some form of collateral. Unsecured personal loans rely on your personal credit score, financial history, and debt load to determine whether you can be eligible for a loan or not.

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The Dos and Don’ts of Taking Out a Personal Loan
Feb. 04, 2026
6 min read

The Dos and Don’ts of Taking Out a Personal Loan

Taking out a personal loan can be a smart and highly-effective way to consolidate your debt, which is the most common reason to take out such a loan, or you can also use one to get the funds necessary to pay for a sudden expense. You might need to deal with an emergency, pay for a large household expense, or just cover a temporary personal cash-flow issue.

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Cover Your Medical Expenses with These Personal Loan Providers
Feb. 04, 2026
4 min read

Cover Your Medical Expenses with These Personal Loan Providers

High medical costs can add insult to injury when you're recovering from a medical emergency. Even people who have medical insurance can find themselves struggling with high copays, an insurance company that refuses to pay up, or simply face a long delay until insurance payments are approved.

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How to Find the Right Loan For You
Feb. 04, 2026
2 min read

How to Find the Right Loan For You

Now that you’ve decided to take out a loan, how do you decide which type is the right personal loan for you? The first question to ask yourself is, “What is this loan for?” Is it for a small business or personal use? Is it to pay for a big expense, like a wedding or a car, or to cover personal expenditures? Is it to help you buy a home? The loan’s purpose will impact which type of loan is right.

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How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Loan?
Jan. 27, 2026
4 min read

How Long Does It Take to Get a Personal Loan?

Getting a personal loan can happen quickly.

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How Much of a Personal Loan Can I Get?
Jan. 27, 2026
5 min read

How Much of a Personal Loan Can I Get?

Personal loans typically range from $1,000 to $100,000, but the amount you can actually get depends on your financial situation.

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Personal Loans: What You Need to Know Before Borrowing
Jan. 25, 2026
6 min read

Personal Loans: What You Need to Know Before Borrowing

Personal loans offer quick access to funds with fixed interest rates, predictable monthly payments, and flexible use for debt consolidation, home improvements, or major expenses.

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What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Personal Loan?
Jan. 10, 2026
4 min read

What Documents Do You Need to Apply for a Personal Loan?

When you apply for a personal loan, the lender will ask you for several documents to confirm your identity and collect information about your finances.

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Personal Loans vs Credit Cards: Which Should You Choose?
Dec. 07, 2025
4 min read

Personal Loans vs Credit Cards: Which Should You Choose?

Maintaining financial security isn’t just a matter of making all your expenses every month, it also means clearing enough to put some away for a rainy day or for major purchases down the road.

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How to Pay Off a Personal Loan Faster: 8 Proven Strategies
Dec. 04, 2025
5 min read

How to Pay Off a Personal Loan Faster: 8 Proven Strategies

Every extra dollar you pay toward your personal loan principal saves money on future interest and shortens your debt timeline.

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What to Do if You Can't Make Your Personal Loan Payment
Dec. 03, 2025
6 min read

What to Do if You Can't Make Your Personal Loan Payment

Facing a payment you can't afford is terrifying, but the worst thing you can do is nothing.

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Top Reasons to Get a Personal Loan: When and Why It Makes Sense
Nov. 26, 2025
4 min read

Top Reasons to Get a Personal Loan: When and Why It Makes Sense

But with so many financial products available, how do you know if a personal loan is right for you? In this guide, we’ll discuss why people choose personal loans and provide insights into when taking one out can be beneficial—and when you should consider an alternative.

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Is a Vacation Loan a Smart Way to Finance Your 2026 Getaway?
Nov. 26, 2025
5 min read

Is a Vacation Loan a Smart Way to Finance Your 2026 Getaway?

Vacation loans promise immediate access to experiences you'll remember forever, but what lenders don't emphasize is that your payments continue long after your tan fades.

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HELOC vs. Personal Loan: Which Is Right for Your Home Improvement Project?
Nov. 23, 2025
6 min read

HELOC vs. Personal Loan: Which Is Right for Your Home Improvement Project?

Homeowners often think the biggest decision is choosing the right contractor or design. But before the first tile is laid, the real foundation is financial.

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Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Personal Loans?
Oct. 26, 2025
4 min read

Do You Have to Pay Taxes on Personal Loans?

Personal loans typically don't create tax complications since they're borrowed money that must be repaid.

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Secured or Unsecured Personal Loans: Which is Right for You?
Oct. 20, 2025
5 min read

Secured or Unsecured Personal Loans: Which is Right for You?

Comparing secured vs. unsecured personal loans can help you find the best fit for your financial goals. Secured loans offer lower interest rates and easier approval but require collateral, while unsecured loans fund faster and protect your assets. Learn which type of personal loan is right for your credit, budget, and borrowing needs.

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What Is an Installment Loan and How Does It Work?
Oct. 20, 2025
6 min read

What Is an Installment Loan and How Does It Work?

Installment loans are one of the most common types of borrowing, and for good reason.

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Compare Recommended Personal Loan Providers for Students
Oct. 21, 2024
3 min read

Compare Recommended Personal Loan Providers for Students

If, like most undergrads, you’re defined as a “dependent student,” you’re entitled to borrow up to $5,500 in federal student loans (also known as Stafford Loans) in your freshman year, $6,500 in your sophomore year, and $7,500 in both your junior and senior years.

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A Guide to Finding a Personal Loan with a Cosigner
Aug. 22, 2024
3 min read

A Guide to Finding a Personal Loan with a Cosigner

If you have less than ideal credit or no collateral to put down, it can be difficult to get a personal loan with a low interest rate. This is where cosigning a loan can really help. With a low credit score (620 or lower), you stand to face some real reluctance, if not just flat out rejection, with many lending houses. Even if you are approved you stand to pay a high interest rate of 15% or higher.

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Personal Loans for Bankrupts: How to Get Back on Your Feet
Aug. 22, 2024
7 min read

Personal Loans for Bankrupts: How to Get Back on Your Feet

Declaring bankruptcy used to carry stigma, but today declaring bankruptcy is mainly seen as a necessary step taken to repair financial well-being. While it does afford you a fresh start, it also brings new issues to contend with.

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Looking for a Pool Loan? Compare These Lenders
Feb. 10, 2023
4 min read

Looking for a Pool Loan? Compare These Lenders

If you love the idea of adding a pool to your home but don’t have the financial means to do so, a personal loan can be a good option for making your dream come true.

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6 Steps Towards Getting a Competitive Personal Loan with Low Rates
Feb. 10, 2023
4 min read

6 Steps Towards Getting a Competitive Personal Loan with Low Rates

What do you do when extra expenses come knocking and you just don’t have the money? You can borrow against your house or car, but then there’s a risk of losing your collateral. If you get an unsecured personal loan that risk is eliminated - but because it’s a riskier loan for the lender than a secured loan, you end up with higher interest rates and fees.

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Personal Loans: Are They Always a Good Idea?
Feb. 10, 2023
4 min read

Personal Loans: Are They Always a Good Idea?

If you’re in need of a large sum of money to pay off credit-card debt or fund a large purchase, a personal loan can be a tempting option.

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The Millennial's Guide to Being a Grown Up With Money
Feb. 10, 2023
7 min read

The Millennial's Guide to Being a Grown Up With Money

Millennials have more positive opportunities than Baby Boomers and Gen Xers did. Millennials have a wealth of internet knowledge at their fingertips and more flexibility and benefits than previous generations.

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Compare Loan Companies for Every Loan Type
Feb. 08, 2023
4 min read

Compare Loan Companies for Every Loan Type

There are many types of personal loans, sometimes also referred to as signature loans, available from online lenders. Although most loan providers offer more than one loan type, each usually has one area in which it specializes.

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Do You Have Good Credit? Check Out These Personal Loan Companies
Feb. 08, 2023
3 min read

Do You Have Good Credit? Check Out These Personal Loan Companies

When you apply for a personal loan, one of the factors that stands above all others in determining your rate is your credit score. The higher your credit score, the lower the rate. Generally speaking, a good credit score should be enough to qualify for an interest rate below the national average of 10.1%. An excellent credit score is needed to qualify for the lowest APRs of 5%-7%.

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Do Personal Loans Hurt Credit Scores?
Jan. 26, 2023
4 min read

Do Personal Loans Hurt Credit Scores?

Keeping your credit score up is incredibly important for your personal finances. A strong credit score gives you access to more options when you need credit and access to lower interest rates on any money you do borrow. Your credit score may also be taken into account when you’re looking for housing or even when you apply for jobs.

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Personal Loans 101
Jun. 03, 2022
7 min read

Personal Loans 101

From peer-to-peer lenders and micro loan websites to major brick and mortar banks, there are plenty of avenues for you to find your personal loan.

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Compare These 5 Personal Loan Providers If You Have Bad Credit
May. 27, 2022
6 min read

Compare These 5 Personal Loan Providers If You Have Bad Credit

Getting a personal loan with bad credit can be tough, but thanks to a few specialist lenders it’s a lot easier than you may think. When a lender assesses a personal loan application, they usually start with the applicant’s credit score. If the applicant has bad credit, this tells the lender there’s a high risk of them not repaying the loan in full.

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Get the Lowdown on How to Calculate Your Credit Score
May. 25, 2022
2 min read

Get the Lowdown on How to Calculate Your Credit Score

If you’ve ever applied for a loan, tried to buy a large item on a financing plan, or have a credit card, you’ll have been asked about your credit score. Your credit score is a way of measuring how financially responsible you are so that banks and other lenders can decide how risky it is to give you a loan.

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Top 8 Warning Signs of a Lending Scam
May. 25, 2022
4 min read

Top 8 Warning Signs of a Lending Scam

A personal loan is a loan for all seasons, and lenders will let you use them for virtually anything. Planning to consolidate debt, make home improvements, or go on a long vacation? A personal loan isn’t the only way to get funding, but it is generally the simplest and quickest way to borrow at a potentially single-digit interest rate.

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These 7 Essential Budgeting Tips Will Help You Save Money for What Really Matters
May. 25, 2022
5 min read

These 7 Essential Budgeting Tips Will Help You Save Money for What Really Matters

Having an effective budget means you'll be able to save money and feel more secure so that you can splurge on things like a fancy meal with friends without worrying that it might have pushed you into the red.

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How Are Interest Rates and APR Percentages Calculated?
May. 25, 2022
4 min read

How Are Interest Rates and APR Percentages Calculated?

Before you head to the bank to take out a loan for a new car, small business or other investments, take the time to fully understand how your interest rate is calculated. This will help you to better understand your loan terms and conditions with your bank, and put you in a better position to negotiate your rates.

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Why Payday Loans Are a Bad Idea and What You Can Do Instead
May. 25, 2022
4 min read

Why Payday Loans Are a Bad Idea and What You Can Do Instead

A payday loan (or cash advance loan) is a high-interest loan that borrowers can turn to when they have an immediate need for cash. Payday loans are usually for small amounts (anything from $50-$1,000), and are offered by non-bank lenders and marketed mainly to low-income customers.

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How to Get the Most Out of Personal Loan Interest Rates
May. 25, 2022
4 min read

How to Get the Most Out of Personal Loan Interest Rates

Whether it's for purchasing a car or house, consolidating debt or for general expenses, you may be considering taking out a personal loan. Personal loans can be secured or unsecured, at fixed or variable rates, and range from as little as several hundred dollars to $100,000 for major expenses.

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Online Personal Loans vs. Traditional Bank Loans: Which is Better for You?
May. 25, 2022
5 min read

Online Personal Loans vs. Traditional Bank Loans: Which is Better for You?

Online lending has become a booming industry in recent years, providing loans to countless people who prefer the ease, speed, and competitive rates of online lenders.

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Consumers Turning to Personal Loans Over Credit Cards
May. 25, 2022
2 min read

Consumers Turning to Personal Loans Over Credit Cards

The number of people taking out loans in the US has been steadily on the rise in the years since the mortgage crisis. As the economy recovers, more consumers are avoiding traditional credit alternatives in favor of better deals and safer terms thanks to new loan options.

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5 Ways You Can Rebuild Your Bad Credit Score
May. 24, 2022
4 min read

5 Ways You Can Rebuild Your Bad Credit Score

Your credit score reflects your financial health, and you probably only notice it when it’s bad. Every adult in the US has a 3-digit credit ranking that shows whether their credit is good or bad. A credit score of over 680 is considered good or excellent, whereas a credit score under 600 is below average. A poor credit score of 580 or lower can seriously affect your life.

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The 7 Recommended Loans for People with Bad Credit
May. 24, 2022
5 min read

The 7 Recommended Loans for People with Bad Credit

Bad credit can make loan providers wary of lending money to you. Personal unsecured loans, which are the fastest and easiest type of borrowing, might not be open to your credit score but there are other ways to access money if you need it in an emergency, to cover temporary cash flow issues or to pay for a large purchase. Here are 7 of the best types of loans to turn to if you have bad credit.

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Lending Club vs. Prosper: Which Lender is Best for You?
May. 24, 2022
5 min read

Lending Club vs. Prosper: Which Lender is Best for You?

Today, there are more lenders and funding options available than ever. From debt consolidation to innovation funding, borrowers look toward these resources for financial help. With thousands of lenders to choose from, how can you tell which one is the best fit for your needs? Compare LendingClub and Prosper, 2 reputable lenders, to see which one comes out ahead in this head-to-head comparison.

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The One Hack That Will Instantly Boost Your Credit Score
May. 24, 2022
4 min read

The One Hack That Will Instantly Boost Your Credit Score

What if there were something you could do to instantly improve your credit score, possibly by more than 20 points? That something, according to a new TransUnion study, is a debt consolidation loan. Read on to find out how.

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