Best Personal Loans in Irvine, CA: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Updated: December 28, 2023

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

MoneyGeek identified which lenders offer the best personal loans in Irvine by analyzing companies using more than 30 data points. We looked into their loan limits, interest rates, repayment periods, penalties, fees and more.

Additionally, we considered the factors that can significantly affect your chances of getting loan approval. These include credit score, gross income and debt-to-income ratio. Our guide presents the best option for individuals with bad credit, those with good credit and borrowers looking to consolidate debt or finance home improvements.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Irvine: 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

    Founded in 2013, LightStream is Truist Bank’s online lending division. It offers unique lending solutions to consumers nationwide. MoneyGeek’s analysis also found that the company offers the best overall personal loans in Irvine.

    LightStream provides low-interest personal loans that range between $5,000 and $100,000. They come without origination, prepayment and late fees, which often increase the cost of your loan. There’s also a discount for choosing to set up automatic payments. With this lender, you can typically receive funding on the same day.

    However, LightStream imposes restrictions on its fund usage. You can’t use your loan to fund college expenses, purchase bonds or refinance an existing loan from LightStream. This company may also not be a good fit for individuals with a credit score below 660.

    Pros

    • High loan limits
    • 0.5% autopay discount
    • No prepayment penalty
    • No late fee

    Cons

    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • No loan pre-approval
    • Conducts hard credit inquiry
    • Restrictions on fund usage
    • No co-signers
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Irvine: 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

    If you have poor credit, Upstart may be your best option for personal loans in Irvine. You can borrow as little as $1,000 or as much as $50,000. Although the company doesn’t have a prepayment penalty, it charges an origination fee of up to 10% of the loan amount.

    You can use your Upstart loan for a variety of purposes, including financing a large purchase or your dream vacation. However, the company prohibits California borrowers from using their funds on education expenses.

    To qualify for an Upstart loan, you need a credit score of at least 300 and a debt-to-income ratio not higher than 50%. Take note that this company is not ideal for those looking to borrow a larger amount or use the money to pay for college.

    Upstart is an artificial intelligence (AI) lending marketplace launched in 2012.

    Pros

    • Low minimum interest rate
    • Conducts soft credit pulls
    • Low credit score requirement
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • No co-signers
    • Low borrowing limits
    • Has origination fee
    • Charges late fees
    • Loan can’t be used for education expenses
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Irvine: 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 offers the best personal loans in Irvine for borrowers with good credit. The company was launched in 2011 and has since funded more than $50 billion in loans.

    With SoFi, you can take out a personal loan from $5,000 to $100,000. This lender doesn’t charge origination, prepayment and late fees. You can reduce your loan cost further by getting a discount when you set up automatic payments.

    However, SoFi’s personal loans are only available to individuals with a minimum credit score of 680 and a gross income of $50,000. This lender may also not be ideal for borrowers who intend to use the money on real estate, investments, business expenses or postsecondary education.

    Pros

    • High borrowing limits
    • No origination fees
    • No prepayment penalty
    • No late fees
    • Autopay discount

    Cons

    • No co-signers
    • Minimum loan amount of $5,000
    • High credit score requirement
    • Restrictions on fund usage
    • Minimum income requirement
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Irvine: 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

    According to MoneyGeek’s study, Upgrade offers the best personal loans in Irvine for borrowers looking to consolidate debt. This lender pays your creditors directly instead of depositing the money in your bank account.

    Upgrade’s personal loan limits range from $1,000 to $50,000, which you can receive on the same day. There’s no prepayment penalty, but there’s an up to 8% origination fee and up to a $10 late fee.

    Aside from debt consolidation, you can use your Upgrade loan to pay off your credit cards or finance a major purchase. However, you’re not allowed to use the money for investments, postsecondary education or illegal activities.

    To be eligible for a loan, you need a credit score of at least 560. Upgrade was launched in 2017, offering multiple financial products across 50 states.

    Pros

    • Direct payments to creditors
    • Fair credit score requirement
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Allows loan pre-approvals
    • Offers autopay discount

    Cons

    • Low borrowing limit
    • Charges origination and late fees
    • Restrictions on fund usage
    • High maximum APR
    • Maximum loan amount of $50,000
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Irvine: 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

    Best Egg is the top personal loan lender in Irvine for borrowers doing home improvements. The company was established in 2014 and has since funded over $14 billion in loans. Among its best features include having no prepayment penalty, offering autopay discounts and allowing pre-qualifications with soft credit checks.

    This lender offers personal loans between $2,000 and $50,000. You will need a minimum credit score of 700 and a minimum gross income of $100,000 to qualify for Best Egg’s lowest rate. There’s also a 0.99% to 8.99% origination fee.

    Aside from home improvements, you can use your Best Egg personal loan for credit card refinancing, major purchases and medical or vacation expenses. However, you’re prohibited from using the funds for college, purchasing any securities or illegal activities.

    Pros

    • No prepayment penalty
    • Autopay discount
    • Flexible repayment terms
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • High credit score requirement
    • Loan limits capped at $50,000
    • Has origination fee
    • Has restrictions on fund usage
    • Charges late fees
    Best Egg

Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Irvine for You

California has an average personal loan debt of $16,790, and there’s a good reason for it. Personal loans can be useful for consolidating debts, financing major purchases or covering unexpected expenses.

When you’re applying for a personal loan, lenders will consider several factors, including your credit score, gross income and debt-to-income ratio.

MoneyGeek outlines some important steps you can take to get the best personal loan in Irvine.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

To ensure that getting a personal loan is the best financial decision you can make, ask yourself the following questions:

  • How much money do you need? Consider your current situation and determine the amount of money you need.
  • What is your credit score? Lenders take into account your credit when assessing your loan application. You’re more likely to get an approval if you have good-to-excellent credit.
  • Can you afford the monthly payment? Make sure that your source of income can cover the monthly payments on your personal loan. If not, you might miss payments and hurt your credit score.
  • Do you have existing debts? If you already have existing debts, adding another loan might not be the best decision. You may end up finding yourself in a tight financial situation while keeping up with payments.
2
Do Your Research

Although MoneyGeek’s guide provides several recommendations for personal loans, it may not cover your unique needs and situation. As a result, it’s important to conduct your own research and explore other options.

Make sure to take a look at what each lender has to offer in terms of the loan amount, interest rate and repayment length. Also, find out their minimum requirements for credit score, gross income and debt-to-income ratio. This way, you’ll know if you are qualified to apply for a personal loan.

By gathering enough information about each lender, you can narrow down your options and choose which one is best suited for your needs. A personal loan is a two- to four-year commitment on average, so you’ll want to make sure you’ve done your research.

3
Wait

Once you’ve settled on a personal loan lender, it’s time to take a step back and wait for a day or two before submitting a loan application. Personal loans take years to repay, so you shouldn’t make any hasty decisions when choosing a lender. Use this time to consider your current situation and determine if getting a loan is really the best financial decision you can make. You may discover that a different funding option is a better choice to pay for whatever expense you have.

4
Read the Fine Print

It’s common to miss a few details while you’re doing your own research. Make sure to read and understand the fine print on your personal loan to avoid being caught off-guard by hidden fees. Pay close attention to your chosen lender’s origination, prepayment and late fees as these can affect the cost of your loan. You may also check if the lender offers an interest rate reduction for setting up automatic payments. Ultimately, looking into the little things can help you save money in the long run.

5
Apply

After gathering all the information you need and understanding your chosen lender’s policies, there’s only one thing left to do. It’s time to submit your loan application. Make sure to prepare the documents required by lending companies. These include identification, address verification and proof of income. Most lenders allow online applications, which are convenient. That said, there’s no harm in visiting or calling your preferred lender if it’s available. This can help you ensure you fill out your application correctly.

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

Your personal loan application could be denied for various reasons, including a low credit score or insufficient income. However, this doesn’t mean the end of your personal loan journey.

Your next course of action should be to contact your lender to find out the exact reason why your loan application was denied. You may also ask if it’s possible to modify your application to make it more acceptable. For instance, lowering the loan amount or shortening the repayment term.

If your lender’s decision is final, you may apply for a personal loan with a different company. However, this isn’t recommended until you’ve improved the factor that caused your loan application to be denied in the first place.

When looking for alternative options, be wary of payday loans. Although they give you quick access to cash, they feature very high interest rates and short repayment terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Irvine

The best personal loan for you will depend on your unique needs as well as various credit and income factors. Below, MoneyGeek answered some frequently asked questions about personal loans in Irvine to help you through the process of getting a loan.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

METHODOLOGY

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

For each ranking criteria category, we considered several individual data points that we think carry the most weight when picking a personal loan lender. These include the available loan amount, APR ranges, minimum credit score, minimum gross income, additional fees and disbursement time.

MoneyGeek also factored in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could help make your experience more convenient and accessible, such as pre-approval, payment options and mobile apps.

After careful consideration and calculations, we determined our top picks 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
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.