Best Debt Consolidation Loans in Fresno of 2024

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Edited bySarah Mattie
Edited bySarah Mattie

Updated: December 28, 2023

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lenders in Fresno, CA

MoneyGeek examined more than 30 data points to find Fresno's best debt consolidation loan providers. We considered loan amounts, APRs, disbursement periods, repayment lengths, Better Business Bureau (BBB) scores and late and origination fees, among other factors.

Not every lender works well for every person. That said, MoneyGeek found LightStream is, overall, the best debt consolidation loan provider in Fresno. SoFi isn't far behind.

On the other hand, Upstart and Upgrade are more tailored to specific situations. They're often better for applicants with bad and good credit, respectively.

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Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA: LightStream


  • LightStream
    • 7.49% to 25.49%APR Range
    • UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 144 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same day funding possibleTime to Receive Funds

    MoneyGeek concluded that LightStream is Fresno's top debt consolidation loan provider. It came into being when SunTrust took control of FirstAgain in 2012, then rebranded the company as LightStream in 2013. Since then, it has offered personal loan products across the nation — including California, where it's headquartered.

    With a LightStream debt consolidation loan, you may choose your funding date and repayment conditions online. In addition, there aren't any fees, not even late and origination charges.

    You may be able to consolidate up to $100,000 in debt for a low APR and potentially get the funds the day your application gets approved.

    Unfortunately, if you want to pay off your creditors directly, LightStream doesn't make this possible. Plus, the minimum $5,000 loan might be too high if you only have a small amount of debt to consolidate.

    Pros

    • $100,000 borrowing limit
    • Flexible repayment terms
    • Low APR
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • No co-signers allowed
    • No online prequalification
    • No direct payment to creditor
    LightStream

Runner-Up for Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA: SoFi


  • SoFi
    • 8.99% to 29.99%APR Range
    • 680Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 12 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • 2 DaysTime to Receive Funds

    SoFi is the second-best debt consolidation loan provider in Fresno, according to our study. The company was created in 2011 and has backed over $50 billion in loans.

    The company has one of the largest debt consolidation loan thresholds in Fresno at up to $100,000. Plus, SoFi's 0.25% autopayment discount and zero origination or late fees could help borrowers save money on debt consolidation.

    SoFi may also release your money as soon as it gets approved.

    You must have a credit score of at least 680 and a debt-to-income ratio of no more than 43% to qualify for a SoFi loan. So, borrowers with lower credit scores or huge debts compared with their incomes need to look elsewhere.

    Pros

    • Relatively low APR
    • Can borrow up to $100,000
    • Quick fund disbursement
    • No late fees
    • No origination fees

    Cons

    • Requires good credit to qualify
    • $5,000 minimum loan amount
    • Doesn’t directly send loan funds to creditors
    SoFi

Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Bad Credit in Fresno, CA: Upstart


  • Upstart
    • 6.4% to 35.99%APR Range
    • 300Minimum Credit Score
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 3 or 5 yearsRepayment Terms
    • 1 business dayTime to Receive Funds

    MoneyGeek discovered that Upstart, an online financing platform established in 2012, may be useful for people in Fresno who have bad credit. Its minimum credit requirement is 300 — the lowest credit score possible.

    Upstart considers applications for loans of $1,000 to $50,000, so tiny and large debts may be eligible. Additionally, Upstart permits shared debt consolidation loans for customers with reliable family members, partners or friends. This could improve the chances of approval and result in larger loans.

    That said, with a low credit score may come a higher APR. Upstart's APR can be higher than most other types of debts. Weigh the pros and cons before going this route to make sure it's likely to save you money.

    Pros

    • Low credit score requirement
    • $1,000 minimum loan
    • Low APR
    • No prepayment fee
    • Next-day fund release

    Cons

    • No direct payment to creditor
    • $50,000 borrowing cap
    • High maximum APR
    Upstart

Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Good Credit in Fresno, CA: Upgrade


  • Upgrade
    • 8.49% to 35.99%APR Range
    • UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Within a dayTime to Receive Funds

    Upgrade, with its corporate headquarters in San Francisco, California, is MoneyGeek's leading debt consolidation lender in Fresno for customers with good credit.

    For people who want to pay third-party debtors, need money within one business day and have a minimum credit score of 560, Upgrade may be a fantastic option.

    Borrowers can also repay their debt consolidation loans earlier than the repayment term without incurring prepayment penalties.

    Although Upgrade has numerous advantages, it also has disadvantages. Firstly, you may have origination fees of 1.85% to 8%. Secondly, late payments may come with $10 fees.

    Pros

    • Pays the creditor directly
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Same-day fund disbursement
    • Low minimum APR
    • Fair credit requirement

    Cons

    • 1.85% to 8% origination fee
    • $50,000 loan limit
    • Charges late fees
    Upgrade

How to Choose the Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA, for You

A lot of people use debt consolidation loans to combine unpaid debts and get lower interest rates.

The average Californian owes $16,790 on personal loans; if that amount is spread across a few smaller loans with varying interest rates, a debt consolidation loan could simplify things.

The steps below may help you if you're considering getting a debt consolidation loan in Fresno.

1

Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Decide whether you need a loan for debt consolidation before applying by asking:

  • How much funding do you need? Overborrowing or under-borrowing can make things worse for you financially. Find out how much you need to borrow by speaking with a financial adviser or doing thorough research.
  • What’s your credit score? Lenders frequently use a minimum credit score to assess your repayment capacity. Your credit score could impact your chance of approval and how much you can borrow. Knowing this can also help you shortlist the lenders to look into.
  • Can you afford the monthly payments? Examine your finances and develop a budget. Debt consolidation loan payments are typically made monthly.
  • Do you have tons of existing debt? Having too much debt compared to your income may be a red flag for lenders. Paying off or paying down some loans before applying for a consolidation loan may be beneficial.
  • Is your debt manageable through other means? If you don't need to borrow money, don't borrow it.
2

Do Your Research

A debt consolidation loan is a significant commitment because it often takes two or more years to pay off. Plus, lenders might perform hard credit checks that harm your credit score.

It's crucial to do your homework, compare quotes and research each lender's rates, offerings and criteria. Although MoneyGeek's top debt consolidation lenders in Fresno might work for most people, they may not work for you — that's okay. Don't be afraid to look into other options.

3

Wait

Waiting a day or two before picking a debt consolidation lender can be beneficial. Give yourself time to consider your borrowing options and financial demands so you can make an informed choice.

4

Read the Fine Print

Borrowers can only overlook crucial information, including origination, late and prepayment charges, if they don't read the fine print.

Consult a financial planner or talk with a representative from your preferred lender to ensure all your questions are answered.

5

Apply

Gather the necessary documents in advance to make the application process as seamless as possible. Typically, lenders ask for proof of identity, residency and income. They may also ask for other documents, usually detailed on their websites.

Applying for a debt consolidation loan in Fresno may be done online, via phone or in person, depending on what’s available and suits your needs.

Online application may be faster, but applying personally may allow you to clear up any issues. Still, pick the approach that feels most comfortable.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA

You don't have to give up if your application for a debt consolidation loan is rejected. Many factors, including your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio and employment history, can cause rejection. The best action is to ask your lender why your application was denied.

Then, you can bargain with your lender to request a smaller loan amount or a shorter repayment period, for example. The lender might agree to your loan's modified terms.

If not, you might apply with a different debt consolidation lender. But be sure to change the aspect that led to the denial of your initial application.

MoneyGeek strongly cautions against taking out payday loans, which some disheartened borrowers could be tempted to do. Payday loans have quick repayment timeframes and extremely high interest rates. As a result, you may find yourself losing more money than you save if you use one.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment

Loans for debt consolidation are repaid with interest in monthly installments. Use our debt consolidation loan calculator below to estimate your monthly payment to see if your finances can support it.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Consolidation Loans in Fresno, CA

The best Fresno debt consolidation loan for you depends on your needs, borrower profile and financial history. To help you make informed decisions, MoneyGeek responds to frequently asked questions about the subject here.

MoneyGeek's study suggests that LightStream is the best debt consolidation lender. The ideal lender for you depends on your needs, though. For example, Upstart may be a great choice for people with bad credit, but that may not reflect your situation.

LightStream offers one of the lowest interest rates in the city. It’s one of the factors that earned it the top spot in our ranking.

Each lender has different restrictions. For example, you can't consolidate debt for investments or business purposes with some lenders, but this isn't a restriction with others.

That said, most providers prohibit using debt consolidation funds for gambling and illegal activities.

The highest debt consolidation loan offer in Fresno is $100,000. The lender, your credit, your income and other criteria affect your chances of acquiring this.

The amount of time getting a debt consolidation loan in Fresno takes depends on the lender and application process. It could happen as quickly as the day the loan is approved or after a few weeks.

Yes, you can pay the loan off early. However, since lenders may get less if you do so, some charge a prepayment penalty.

Methodology

METHODOLOGY

MoneyGeek reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders using at least 35 individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each ranking category, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amounts, minimum credit scores, minimum income amounts, application fees and disbursement times.

Here at MoneyGeek, we value you, the consumer, so we also factor in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible — like prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.

After careful consideration and calculation, we make our picks with your best interests in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make smart financial decisions when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

sources
Shield Insurance

The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the rates mentioned may have changed. We recommend visiting the lender's website for the most up-to-date information available.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, lender or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.