Best Bad-Credit Loan Lenders in Arizona
MoneyGeek reviewed over 30 personal loan providers for key data points like APR ranges, repayment terms, loan amounts and eligibility requirements to find the best bad-credit loan lenders in Arizona.
Based on our analysis, Upstart offers the best overall bad-credit loan in Arizona due to its low minimum credit score requirement of 300. Upgrade is our runner-up choice for lenders that cater to bad-credit borrowers because of its flexible repayment terms options.
Best Overall Bad-Credit Loan in Arizona: Upstart
- Upstart
- 3.22% to 35.99%APR Range
- 300Minimum Credit Score
- $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
- 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Next DayTime to Receive Funds
Runner-Up for Best Bad-Credit Loan in Arizona: Upgrade
- Upgrade
- 5.94% to 35.47%APR Range
- 560Minimum Credit Score
- $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
- 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Same DayTime to Receive Funds
How to Choose the Best Bad-Credit Loan in Arizona for You
Borrowers with bad credit in Arizona should consider whether a personal loan is the best decision for their finances. Arizona residents have an average personal loan debt of $20,113 — taking on more debt may not set you up for financial success.
MoneyGeek recommends taking the following steps to make a well-informed decision about your bad-credit loan in Arizona.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Asking yourself the following questions before you apply for a bad-credit loan can save you time and money:
- How much funding do you need? Accurately estimate your funding needs to avoid paying more interest on your bad-credit loan in Arizona. Your funding needs will also help you narrow down your lender choices, as lenders offer different minimum and maximum loan amounts.
- What’s your credit score? Your credit score will impact your loan eligibility and the APR you receive on your loan. Those with bad credit may receive a higher interest rate than borrowers with good credit.
- Can you afford the monthly payments? Lenders charge fees for late payments, so it’s important to make sure your monthly payment fits within your current budget.
- Do you have existing debts? Before taking on more debt, consider how it will impact your finances. Unless you intend to use your bad-credit loan to consolidate your debts, you may want to repay your existing debt before taking out more.
- Is your debt manageable through other means? Consider alternative funding options, like low-interest credit cards or borrowing money from friends and family.
Do Your Research
Compare lenders for their rates, requirements, repayment terms, loan amounts and more. This will allow you to find the best lender for your funding needs and financial goals. Our recommendations are a great place to start, but there’s no substitute for your own research.
Wait
After you’ve researched different lenders and have selected the ones that align best with your needs, it’s important to wait a few days before you apply. A loan is a long-term commitment that takes between two and four years to repay, so it’s important that you’re confident in your decision. During this time, reflect on your funding needs and consider alternative options.
Read the Fine Print
To avoid being blinded by additional costs, like those for loan origination, prepayment, late payments and check payments, read the fine print of your loan agreement. These costs, while seemingly insignificant, can add up over the life of your loan. If you have any questions about the terms of your agreement, you should contact your lender for clarification.
Apply
Once you've taken all of the steps above, it's time to apply. By preparing the necessary documents ahead of time (and keeping them organized), you'll save yourself time and stress during the application process. Lenders typically require you to provide proof of identification, employment, address and income.
Depending on your lender and your comfort level, you may be able to apply online, over the phone or in person. Note that some lenders are online-only lenders; if applying in person is important to you, ensure your lender has brick-and-mortar locations.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Bad-Credit Loan in Arizona
If your application for a bad-credit loan in Arizona is denied, don’t worry — you aren’t alone. Lenders commonly turn down applicants for various reasons, including low credit scores, incomplete applications and high DTI ratios.
After your application is rejected, call or email the lender and ask them why it was denied. You may be able to modify certain terms of your application, like the loan amount or repayment period, to have it approved.
However, if you were rejected due to a low credit score, we recommend improving it first before applying. Every loan application you submit is subject to a hard credit check, which negatively impacts your credit score. To avoid dips in your credit, submit as few applications as possible.
MoneyGeek strongly advises against payday loans. These loans feature high interest rates and short repayment terms, which typically cost borrowers more money in the long run.
Calculate Your Monthly Payment
When you take out a personal loan, you're essentially borrowing money from a company and agreeing to pay the amount back plus interest. Prior to submitting an application, it’s important to ensure that you can afford your monthly payment. Use MoneyGeek’s personal loan calculator to approximate your monthly payment.
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FAQs About Bad-Credit Loans in Arizona
Getting a personal loan can be challenging if you have bad credit. MoneyGeek answered some of the most frequently asked questions about bad-credit loans in Arizona to help prospective borrowers navigate the application process.
Methodology
MoneyGeek reviewed over 30 personal loan lenders for more than 35 data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
To find the best bad-credit loan lenders in Arizona, we highlighted data points that have the greatest impact on a borrower’s choice of lender, like APR range, available loan amount, minimum credit score requirement, minimum income requirement, application fees and turnaround time.
Because the consumer is our top priority, our ranking system also took into account factors that improve the overall user experience, like lenders’ customer service and business ratings, as well as the availability of convenience features, like mobile applications, payment options and prequalification.
Our recommendations were made through deliberate, thoughtful analysis, always keeping your best interests in mind. At MoneyGeek, we strive to provide you with the resources, knowledge and insider tips to make smart financial decisions.
sources
- Better Business Bureau. "Upgrade." Accessed November 4, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 4, 2022.
- Upstart. "How Do I Apply for a Loan?." Accessed November 4, 2022.
- Upstart. "What Can I Use the Loan Proceeds For?." Accessed November 4, 2022.
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
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