Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Best Personal Loans in Anaheim, CA

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Updated: October 3, 2024

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MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Anaheim, CA

To find the best personal loan lenders in Anaheim, MoneyGeek considered more than 30 data points. We examined each lender based on affordability, BBB rating, customer service, APR range, repayment terms, late and origination fees, minimum credit score and disbursement time.

Based on MoneyGeek’s research, LightStream is the best personal loan lender in Anaheim — but the best lender for you depends on your needs. For individuals with bad credit, Upstart is our top pick, while Upgrade is ideal for debt consolidation.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Anaheim: Lightstream


  • LightStream

    • 4.49% to 20.49%APR Range
    • 660Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    Overall, LightStream is MoneyGeek’s top personal loan lender in Anaheim. Under SunTrust Bank, LightStream was established in 2013 and is available nationwide. LightStream has an APR range of 4.49% to 20.49%. Depending on your profile, LightStream lends from $5,000 to $100,000.

    You may be able to get loan disbursement the same day you apply, making LightStream an ideal option for those who immediately need money. Individuals who are often on the go may also like LightStream since they can apply online, either through the website or mobile app. However, LightStream is not the best lender if you don’t meet its credit score requirement of 660.

    Pros

    • Same-day loan processing
    • Lends up to $100,000
    • Automatic payment discount
    • Online application
    • Has a mobile app

    Cons

    • No co-signers
    • Individuals with new or no credit are ineligible
    • Limited fund uses
    • Doesn’t directly pay creditors for debt consolidation
    • Performs hard credit check
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Anaheim: 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

    Founded in 2012, Upstart is headquartered in San Mateo, California. If you have a bad credit score, Upstart may be a great option for a personal loan in Anaheim since it accepts a minimum credit score of 300 and even gives loans to people with no credit.

    With Upstart, your APR may range between 3.22% and 35.99%, while your loan amount can be anywhere between $1,000 and $50,000, depending on your profile.

    However, Upstart may not be an ideal option if you need to borrow more than $50,000. Other lenders allow you to borrow up to $100,000.

    Pros

    • APR range starts low at 3.22%
    • Low minimum credit score of 300
    • Quick disbursement of funds
    • Conducts soft credit inquiry
    • Joint loans offered

    Cons

    • Up to 8% origination fee
    • No co-signers
    • Debt-to-income limit of 45% or less
    • No mobile app
    • Required gross income of $12,000
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Anaheim: SoFi


  • SoFi

    • 5.74% to 20.28%APR Range
    • 680Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 12 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Two DaysTime to Receive Funds

    SoFi earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and is a great option in Anaheim for individuals with a minimum credit score of 680 that need a personal loan. Since the average Californian has a credit score of 716, many may qualify.

    While your terms may vary, your APR can be anywhere between 5.74% and 20.28% with SoFi. Borrowers also don’t need to worry about any prepayment penalties, origination or late fees. With SoFi, loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000.

    However, SoFi may not fit the needs of all Anaheim residents. To pre-qualify, borrowers need to be employed and have a gross income of $50,000. Otherwise, you should find a different lender that can cater to your unique situation.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • No prepayment penalty or origination fee
    • Receive funds within two days
    • Discount for scheduling automatic payments
    • Has a mobile app

    Cons

    • Rates difficult to find on its website
    • Minimum gross income requirement of $50,000
    • Borrowers must be employed
    • No co-signers
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Anaheim: 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

    Upgrade is a financial technology company headquartered in San Francisco, California. Established in 2016, Upgrade is MoneyGeek’s best choice for a debt consolidation personal loan in Anaheim. Borrowers only need a credit score of 560 to qualify, and Upgrade conducts a soft credit check when you apply, so your credit score isn’t impacted.

    With Upgrade, you may receive funds on the same day as your application and could borrow up to $50,000. Those who need a higher loan amount should consider other personal loan lenders in Anaheim. Upgrade also has a relatively high starting APR of 5.94%, so individuals that prefer a lower APR should shop around.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • Fair minimum credit score
    • No prepayment penalty
    • No gross income requirement
    • 1% automatic payment discount

    Cons

    • Fund usage restrictions (includes post-secondary education)
    • High origination fee
    • $50,000 maximum loan amount
    • Charges a late payment fee
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Anaheim: Best Egg


  • Best Egg

    • 4.99% to 35.99%APR Range
    • 700Minimum Credit Score
    • $2,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Next DayTime to Receive Funds

    Founded in 2013, Best Egg is a digital lending platform that offers personal loans for home improvement, among other financial products and services. Best Egg garnered an A+ rating from the BBB, making it a great choice in Anaheim for those who wish to renovate their home using a personal loan. With Best Egg, there is no debt-to-income limit.

    Best Egg offers an APR that starts at 4.99% and loans from $2,000 to $50,000. To qualify, borrowers need a 700 credit score and must have a gross income of $50,000. Therefore, if you’re looking for a higher loan amount or don’t fit these requirements, you can consider other personal loan lenders in Anaheim.

    Pros

    • Conducts a soft credit inquiry
    • Online application
    • Has a mobile app
    • No debt-to-income limit
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • Credit score requirement of 700
    • Charges up to a 6% origination fee
    • Gross income requirement of $50,000
    • Late payment charge of $15
    Best Egg

How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Anaheim for You

Personal loans are useful to finance many different expenses, including weddings, medical bills, relocation, home renovation and post-secondary education. Consider your monthly income, outstanding debts, credit score and debt-to-income ratio when choosing a suitable personal loan lender in Anaheim. Also, make sure the lender gives personal loans for your purpose — not all allow using the funds for post-secondary education, for example.

According to Experian, the average Californian has a personal loan debt of $16,790, so you aren’t alone in needing help to cover bills or consolidate debt. MoneyGeek lists a few steps below to help you decide on a personal loan in Anaheim:

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Before taking out a personal loan, you should know what you need and if you may qualify. To come to a financial decision, sit down and ask yourself the following questions:

  1. How much money do I need?
  2. What is my credit score?
  3. Can I afford the monthly payment?
  4. How much debt do I already have?
2
Do Your Research

A personal loan is a huge financial obligation and usually requires a payment commitment of two to four years. It’s best to prepare for the responsibilities that come with it. Also, some lenders may perform a hard credit check before approving your loan, impacting your credit score. Learn about each lender’s qualifications and funding restrictions since they will vary before applying.

To help you, MoneyGeek outlined key information about personal loans in Anaheim and the best lenders. If our recommendations don’t fit your financial needs, you still have a wide variety of lender options.

3
Wait

After researching different personal loan lenders in Anaheim, we recommend waiting one or two days before applying. Taking your time can help you make a more objective decision. Then, you can narrow down your choices to one or two desired lenders.

4
Read the Fine Print

There are times when borrowers miss small yet very important details. Therefore, we encourage you to read through the fine print. Carefully examine a lender’s prepayment penalties, origination fees and late fees. Reading the fine print can help you save money in the long run.

5
Apply

If you’re confident about your chosen lender, you’re ready to apply for your personal loan. Make sure you fit all their requirements. During the application process, lenders typically ask for your identification, address verification and proof of income. It’s usually easier to apply for a loan online, but you can also visit the lender in person if possible.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Anaheim

It’s possible that your personal loan in Anaheim will not get approved. However, it shouldn’t stop you from trying to get a loan if you really need it. Lenders can deny applications for different reasons, like low credit score, insufficient income or no employment history.

MoneyGeek recommends that you reach out to the lender to know the specific reason why your application was denied. You may be able to negotiate with the lender and shorten the loan term or decrease your desired loan amount. It’s also possible to get a co-signer if the lender allows it.

If they still don’t allow you to take out a loan, you can try another lender. But, it’s wise to only apply for another loan after you improve the factor that caused your loan rejection. Your application may then have a better chance.

Take caution against payday loans. While they are appealing at first glance, payday loans have big drawbacks. They have very quick payback terms and excessively high interest rates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Anaheim

Getting a personal loan in Anaheim is a big investment, and it’s important to find a lender that suits your needs and background. MoneyGeek answered commonly asked questions to help you with decision-making.

What is the best personal loan lender in Anaheim?
Which lender in Anaheim has the lowest interest rate?
Can I use a personal loan for vacations in Anaheim?
Can I use a personal loan for home improvement in Anaheim?
What can I not use my personal loan for in Anaheim?
How much can I borrow in Anaheim?
How long does it take to get a personal loan in Anaheim?
Can I pay off my loan early in Anaheim?

Our Personal Loan Methodology

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

In each ranking criteria category, MoneyGeek accounted for several individual data points that we believe carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR range, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, available loan amount, application fees and disbursement time.

MoneyGeek values you — the consumer — so we also factor in a 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 thorough consideration and precise calculation, we choose top-rated lenders with your best interest in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are intended to help you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

About Christopher Boston


Christopher Boston headshot

Christopher (Croix) Boston was the Head of Loans content at MoneyGeek, with over five years of experience researching higher education, mortgage and personal loans.

Boston has a bachelor's degree from the Seattle Pacific University. They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently.


sources
  • Upstart. "Overview." Accessed September 18, 2024.
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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.