Best Personal Loans in Alabama for 2024

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Updated: July 26, 2024

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First Tech and PenFed are the best personal loan lenders in Alabama, with MoneyGeek scores of 98 and 96, respectively. First Tech excels in customer support and low costs, while PenFed is praised for flexible terms and competitive rates.

Before you choose a loan, consider your credit score, income history and debts compared to that income. These will affect the loan rate and term options you get. The average credit score in Alabama is 692, based on 2023 Experian data. This means the average borrower might get a loan with good terms because lenders consider a score above 700 to be solid.

MoneyGeek's ranking considers each lender's honesty, costs, credit score needs and flexible terms. This helps you find a lender that fits your financial situation.

MoneyGeek Logo IconBest Personal Loan LendersAlabama
2024

Best Personal Loan Lenders in Alabama

Best Overall - First Tech
Runner-Up - PenFed
Best for Bad Credit - Happy Money
Best for Debt Consolidation - Truist

MoneyGeek's personal loans scoring system is designed to give a comprehensive overview of each lender’s performance in key areas that matter to borrowers, such as interest rates and loan options. We use a point-based system, assigning scores according to the presence or absence of certain desirable features in various critical categories.

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Our analysis was completed in April 2024 and considers banks and lenders who are licensed to do business in Alabama. We also consider financial companies that partner with federally insured institutions to offer competitive rates.

34Lenders Analyzed

    Overall Best Personal Loan Lender in Alabama

  • First Tech
    • 98MoneyGeek Score
    • 8.94% to 18.00%APR Range
    • UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
    • $500 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 6 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms

    First Tech is MoneyGeek's top choice for personal loans in Alabama, boasting a score of 98 out of 100. The lender's APR range is 8.94% to 18.00%, which is notably competitive, especially compared to other lenders' higher upper limits. With flexible repayment terms stretching from 6 to 84 months, customers are afforded a variety of options to suit their financial circumstances. First Tech particularly excels in offering transparent and thorough information upfront, as well as competitive rates and fees, setting a high bar for the personal loan market in the state.

    Pros

    • Insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)
    • Provides detailed APR data for a variety of loan terms
    • Lots of educational resources available for consumers

    Cons

    • Need to be a member to apply
    First Tech

    Runner-Up for Best Personal Loan Lender in Alabama

  • PenFed
    • 96MoneyGeek Score
    • 7.99% to 17.99%APR Range
    • UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
    • Up to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • Up to 60 monthsRepayment Terms

    PenFed Credit Union is MoneyGeek's runner-up for best personal loan lender in Alabama with a score of 96 out of 100. Offering an APR range of 7.99% to 17.99%, which averages lower than many competitors, PenFed stands out in loan term flexibility, rates and fees. While repayment periods are up to 60 months, aligning with the needs of diverse borrowers, the lender is also recognized for its up-front transparency and solid reputation.

    Pros

    • Offers some of the lowest APRs available
    • No origination fee
    • Insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA)

    Cons

    • Need to be a member to apply
    PenFed
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UNDERSTAND YOUR DEBT-TO-INCOME RATIO

The amount of monthly debt payments you have relative to your monthly gross income is called your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI.

Most lenders prefer to see a debt-to-income ratio of 35% to 40% or below for secured loans and 40% to 45% or below for unsecured personal loans. Debt includes items like mortgages, car loans, credit cards, and existing personal loans. A debt-to-income ratio above 50% is considered high, so approval may be more difficult, or your loan may come with higher interest rates. — Alvin Yam, CFP®

Calculate Your Monthly Loan Payment

According to our analysis, lenders in Alabama offer personal loan products averaging about 49 months. But this can vary based on the borrower's credit profile and the financial institution. Use our personal loan calculator to help gauge the financial implications of a loan before applying, as it provides the ability to estimate monthly payments and the total cost of the loan over its lifetime based on your specific loan conditions.

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Estimate the monthly payment for your loan.

Updated: Jul 26, 2024

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    Best Personal Loan Lender in Alabama for Bad Credit

  • Happy Money
    • 94MoneyGeek Score
    • 11.72% to 17.99%APR Range
    • 640Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $40,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms

    Happy Money is MoneyGeek's pick for the best personal loan provider for borrowers with low credit in Alabama, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. Despite not being a traditional lender, it connects borrowers with a network of institutions offering installment loans with competitive rates. Happy Money provides personal loan APRs ranging from 11.72% to 17.99%, lower than the average considered by MoneyGeek, with a minimum credit score requirement of 640. It particularly stands out for its high customer service quality and exceptional transparency in business operations, facilitating a smoother borrowing process.

    Pros

    • Works with 10 federally insured lenders to originate all loans
    • Transparent eligibility requirements, including credit score minimum
    • No application fee

    Cons

    • The lenders they work with charge an origination fee
    • Longer time to wait for loan approval compared to other lenders analyzed
    Happy Money

How does MoneyGeek score lenders for bad credit loans?


    Best Personal Loan Lender in Alabama for Debt Consolidation

  • Truist
    • 96MoneyGeek Score
    • 8.74% to 17.39%APR Range
    • UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
    • From $3,500Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms

    Truist is MoneyGeek's pick for the best personal loan provider for debt consolidation in Alabama, with a score of 96 out of 100. MoneyGeek's analysis recognizes Truist for its competitive APR range of 8.74% to 17.39%, which positions it well among other lenders. Truist particularly excels in areas related to application processing, with an efficient approval experience, as well as offering interest rates and fees that are among the best. For borrowers in Alabama seeking favorable terms and straightforward processing for debt consolidation, Truist stands out as the recommended choice.

    Pros

    • FDIC insured
    • No origination fees

    Cons

    • High minimum loan requirement compared to competitors
    • Difficult to qualify for the lowest rates
    Truist

How does MoneyGeek score lenders for debt consolidation?

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IS INTEREST ON PERSONAL LOANS TAX DEDUCTIBLE?

Interest on personal loans is generally not tax deductible as personal loans are considered consumer debt. But there are some exceptions where the interest may qualify:

  • When consolidating high-interest qualifying debts like credit cards or student loans, if used to pay off those debts.
  • If used for home improvements that increase the home's value.
  • If the loan proceeds can be demonstrated as used exclusively for business expenses or starting a business.
  • In some cases, if the loan is used for investment purposes related to income-generating assets.

— Alvin Yam, CFP®

Impact of Credit Score on Loan Repayment in Alabama

It's important to consider your credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio, as these factors will largely determine your eligibility and the terms of a personal loan. MoneyGeek's ranking of the best personal loan lenders in the state also weighs transparency, lender reputation, APR ranges, minimum credit scores required for approval and the flexibility of loan terms.

Having a higher credit score can secure you more favorable APRs, so it may be a good idea to focus on improving your credit score prior to applying for a loan. Use the table below to see how your credit score could potentially affect your monthly loan payments.

Data filtered by:Results filtered by:
Credit Band:
Credit Band:690 to 719
Loan Amount:
Loan Amount:$2,000
$348Term Length (Months)6
$180Term Length (Months)12
$97Term Length (Months)24
$69Term Length (Months)36
$55Term Length (Months)48
$47Term Length (Months)60
$42Term Length (Months)72
$38Term Length (Months)84

This table offers an approximation of monthly payments, calculated using median personal loan interest rates typical for various credit score ranges. Please remember that these numbers are median estimates, provided for general guidance. They should not be taken as precise rates for everyone in each credit score category. Actual interest rates can differ due to lender-specific policies, prevailing market conditions and unique borrower profiles.

Pros and Cons of Personal Loans in Alabama

Personal loans consolidate high-interest debt and provide quick access to capital, often with lower interest rates than credit cards. They also grant borrowers the versatility to manage a variety of financial needs, from unexpected expenses to home improvements, with the potential to improve one's credit history when repaid responsibly.

Despite these advantages, there are potential drawbacks, such as origination fees or the risk of collateral loss with secured loans, which can introduce additional financial strain. For a good view on this matter, consider the pros and cons of personal loans.

The good and bad of personal loans

  • Competitive interest rates for eligible applicants
  • Consolidation of multiple debts into a single payment
  • Rapid funding for immediate financial needs
  • Co-signer option for improved loan terms
  • Added costs because of origination fees
  • Prepayment penalties discouraging early repayment
  • Risk of asset loss in secured loans
  • Potential for accumulating excessive debt

FAQ About Personal Loans in Alabama

If you have questions about personal loans, MoneyGeek has answers to help you decide before applying for a loan.

Who is the best lender in Alabama for personal loans?
Where is the best place to get a personal loan in Alabama?
Who has the best personal loan interest rates in Alabama?
What can I use a personal loan for in Alabama?
What are some personal loan red flags to look out for?
Do lenders consider income level when applying for a personal loan?

About Zachary Romeo

Zachary Romeo headshot

Zachary Romeo is the Head of Loans and Banking at MoneyGeek, with over 10 years of experience and forthcoming certification as a Commercial Banking and Credit Analyst (CBCA). Previously, he led production teams for some of the largest online informational resources in higher education.

Romeo has a bachelor's degree in biological engineering from Cornell University. He geeks out on minimizing personal debt through people-first content.

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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.

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