Best Personal Loans in Hayward, CA: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You
Updated: December 28, 2023
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
- The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Hayward
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Hayward
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Hayward
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Hayward
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in Hayward
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan Lender for You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Hayward
MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Hayward, CA
To pick the best personal loan companies in Hayward, MoneyGeek researched companies using more than 30 data points. Our team analyzed a provider’s offering based on APR ranges, loan availability, credit requirements, funding times, fees and other similar factors to qualify the best companies in the city.
Based on our analysis, LightStream stands out as offering the best personal loans in Hayward. However, the highest-scoring company changed according to the borrower’s needs and credit information. We found SoFi to be the best for good-credit borrowers, and Best Egg is our pick for home renovations.
Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Hayward: LightStream
Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Hayward: Upstart
Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Hayward: SoFi
Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Hayward: Upgrade
Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Hayward: Best Egg
Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Hayward for You
Personal loans are an attractive financial solution for people who have to pay large purchases, emergency bills or debt consolidation. In fact, California’s average personal loan debt is $16,790.
It’s recommended that you consider several factors before getting a personal loan. This can include loan terms, credit scores and more. MoneyGeek listed important steps that you can take to make sure you’ll get the best personal loan offer for your needs.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
We recommend that you start by understanding your overall financial situation. Before anything, ask yourself these important questions:
- How much funding do I need? Calculate the exact amount you’ll need so you know how much to borrow. This avoids unnecessary interest payments, lowering the cost of your loan.
- What is my credit score? It’s a good idea to verify your credit score before you start your application. This allows you to filter companies that won’t accept you based on your credit.
- Can I afford the monthly payment? Check your monthly cash flow and determine if you can afford your potential loan installments.
- How much debt do I already have? List your existing debts. If you have a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, you may have a hard time getting loan approval.
Do Your Research
If you get a personal loan, you’ll have to repay the amount you borrowed with high interest for several years. In fact, the average personal loan interest rate in California is 10.21%.
It’s crucial that you do your research so that you can know everything you can about your options and make a well-informed decision.
When reviewing personal loan providers in Hayward, we recommend that you research their fees, interest rates, discounts, disbursement times, loan amounts and repayment terms. We also suggest that you study the lender’s loan evaluation process so you know if you’ll need to undergo a hard credit check just to view your rates.
MoneyGeek listed Hayward’s best personal loan companies. However, our suggestions are based on generalizations and may not fit your specific needs and profile. Do your own research and find the best provider for you.
Wait
After doing your research, we suggest that you wait for a day or two before you finalize your application. Doing this gives you a fresh perspective on the situation, allowing you to identify the pros and cons you may have missed during your initial research.
Remember, getting a personal loan means being tied to a long-term financial contract. It’s crucial that you’re confident about your preferred lender and are not making a decision based on a whim.
It’s also a good idea to take some time and reconsider why you’re getting a loan in the first place. If your loan is intended to pay for leisurely purchases or occasions, consider putting it off and saving for them instead. Meanwhile, if your goal is to consolidate your debt, know that you can transfer your balance to a 0% APR credit card.
Unless you’re in an emergency, there’s no need to rush. Wait and think before you commit to a lender’s offer.
Read the Fine Print
If you already have a list of your preferred lenders, we suggest that you go over their fine print before you make a decision.
Although most personal loan providers in Hayward don’t have prepayment fees, some lenders still charge these. It’s one of the fees that you should look for. Additionally, origination fees are present from some lenders, so it’s a good idea to know what’s the amount you’ll have to pay so that you can anticipate potential loan deductions.
Doing this small step can save you from costly fees and a terrible customer experience. Don’t forget to do it to ensure you’re well aware of the terms and conditions of your loan.
Apply
After researching, considering and double-checking your options, you have likely chosen your preferred loan company. If you’re confident with your choice, you can proceed with your loan application.
We recommend that you collect the documents that lenders usually require. This may include your identification cards, proof of address, payslips and other financial documents.
Getting a personal loan in Hayward is somewhat easy. You can go through the entire application process online for most lenders, so you can get a personal loan right from the comfort of your home.
Nonetheless, you can also call or go to a lender’s branch if you prefer in-person transactions. What’s important is you choose a method you’re comfortable with so you can ask all the questions you have.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Hayward
Even if you've followed the lender's process and met all the requirements, you can still receive a loan rejection letter. It may be disheartening if this happens to you, but don't be discouraged. You still have a few options to take to move your loan application journey forward.
We recommend that you communicate with the lender and inquire about the reason why your application was denied. You need to do this so that you'll know if there are issues with your application. Also, ask if modifying the loan's amount or repayment term might cause them to reconsider their decision.
Ultimately, you'll have to improve your credit score or whatever factor caused you to get denied so that you'll have a better chance of getting approved the next time you apply. You may have to pay off your existing liabilities or find a higher-paying job.
Although it's possible for you to immediately send a new application to a different lender after you receive a rejection from the first lender, this is not advisable. If the first lender's issues remain unresolved, there's a chance that they'll show up again and cause another rejection from a different lender.
We strongly advise that you avoid payday loans. These products carry high interest rates and short repayment terms. They often only lead to deeper debt.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Hayward
If you’re looking for the best personal loan providers in Hayward, you should know that the top company varies based on your preferences and financial background. MoneyGeek answered some commonly asked questions about personal loans in Hayward to help you learn more.
Our analysis shows that LightStream stands out as the overall best personal loan company in Hayward. However, the best company for you might be different based on your needs, preferences and financial profile.
You can find Hayward’s lowest possible interest rates from Upstart. Nonetheless, the interest rate you’ll get will vary depending on your profile.
Yes, you’re allowed to use your personal loan in Hayward to finance a vacation. That said, it’s always advisable to check with your lender about any fund usage restrictions they may have.
Yes, home improvement projects are one of the many things you can use your personal loan for. Best Egg is our pick as the best lender for this purpose.
Lenders in Hayward may have different loan restrictions. However, most providers will not allow you to use your loan for postsecondary education, investments, refinancing loans from the same company and illegal activities. Ask your lender for its specific restrictions before applying for a loan.
The money you can borrow through a personal loan varies depending on the lender and your financial profile. That said, loan providers in Hayward offer loans for as low as $1,000 and as high as $100,000.
This varies based on the lender. Some personal loan lenders will give you your funds on the same day, while others take longer to distribute funds.
Yes, you can pay off your personal loan in Hayward early. However, you’ll want to see if your loan provider charges a prepayment fee.
Our Personal Loan Methodology
We reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories, such as loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
Within each ranking criteria 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 amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.
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, our picks are determined with your best interests in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.
sources
- Best Egg. "Homepage." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- Best Egg. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- LightStream. "Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- LightStream. "Homepage." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- SoFi. "Frequently Asked Questions." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- SoFi. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- Upgrade. "About Us." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans up to $50,000." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- Upstart. "Homepage." Accessed November 10, 2022.
- Upstart. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 10, 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
our editorial policies and expert editorial team.