Best Personal Loans in Irvine, CA

Schools First Federal Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in Irvine, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100. It provides quality service, competitive interest rates and a quick application and approval process. Laurel Road is the best lender for online personal loans. It has a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100, offering strong customer service, credible and transparent loan terms and processes, and a quick application and approval process.

MoneyGeek prioritized local lenders by evaluating factors like interest rates, loan terms, the loan application process and the speed of loan funding to determine the best city recommendations. If you're considering national lenders, see our picks for the best personal loans in California.

MoneyGeek analyzed hundreds of lenders based on a rubric that includes APR ranges, loan amounts and repayment terms, among other key areas. 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 overall analysis was completed in October 2024. Here we considered banks and credit unions with brick and mortar locations in Irvine, California. We also looked at online-only lenders licensed to do business in the state.

325Lenders Analyzed Nationally

Overall Best Personal Loan in Irvine, CA

Company logo for Schools First Federal Credit Union
Schools First Federal Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
97/ of 100

APR Range9.99% to 18.00%
Loan Amount Range$100 to $50,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Schools First Federal Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in Irvine, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 97 out of 100. It is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and has been serving members since 1934. It doesn't charge origination or prepayment fees, which is a clear benefit for borrowers. It also offers the option to skip up to three payments over the life of the loan. However, you cannot prequalify on its website, making the application process a bit inconvenient. It also does not disclose all information on repayment terms upfront, so you may need to dig deeper to get the full details.

Best Online Personal Loan in Irvine, CA

Company logo for Laurel Road
Laurel Road
MoneyGeek Score:
94/ of 100

APR Range8.99% to 24.25%
Loan Amount Range$5,000 to $45,000
Repayment Terms36 to 60 months
Time to Receive Funds7 Business Days
Overview

Laurel Road is the best online lender for personal loans in Irvine, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. Borrowers can access loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $45,000 and choose repayment terms between 36 and 60 months. Laurel Road offers a 0.25% autopay discount, which can reduce the overall cost for on-time payers who opt for automatic payments. The lender does not charge origination fees, enabling borrowers to save money that would otherwise go towards upfront costs. On the downside, the minimum loan amount may be higher than what some individuals require, limiting options for those who need smaller loans. The lender also imposes a late fee of 5% or $28, which could add to the cost for those who miss a payment deadline.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment in Irvine, CA

The United States Census Bureau reports that the median annual household income in Irvine, California, in 2022 was $123,003. Whether your actual income is above or below this median value, what matters is your ability to afford the monthly loan payments. Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly loan payments and the total cost of the loan by entering the loan amount, rate and terms.

For example, if you take a $10,000 personal loan with a 10% interest rate and repayment terms of three years, your monthly payment would be $323, amounting to $3,876 per year. This annual payment represents approximately 3% of the median annual household income of $123,003 in Irvine, California.

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Updated: Dec 6, 2024

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Runner-Up for Best Personal Loan in Irvine, CA

Company logo for Wescom Credit Union
Wescom Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
95/ of 100

APR RangeFrom 10.74%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $100,000
Repayment TermsUp to 72 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Wescom Credit Union is the runner-up for the best personal loans in Irvine, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100. It is a credit union founded in 1934 by telephone company employees and is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). The lender doesn't have origination or prepayment fees, which is attractive for borrowers looking to minimize extra costs. You can also benefit from a rate reduction of up to 0.50% if you make six consecutive on-time payments. However, it charges a 5% late fee, which can add up if you're not careful with payments. It also lacks a prequalification process, making it harder to gauge if you might be approved before formally applying.

Other Options for Personal Loans in Irvine, CA

Company logo for Financial Partner's Credit Union
Financial Partner's Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
91/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score91
APR Range10.99% to 11.99%
Loan Amount RangeUp to $25,000
Repayment Terms12 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Financial Partner's Credit Union is a suitable choice for personal loans in Irvine, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100. It is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and has been serving the community since 1935. This credit union offers several useful features, such as a digital wallet and a loan calculator, which can help you manage your finances effectively. However, the borrowing limit is $25,000, and there isn't enough personal loan information on its website.

Company logo for Orange County's Credit Union
Orange County's Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
89/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score89
APR Range12.50% to 22.50%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $25,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Orange County's Credit Union is a solid option for personal loans in Irvine, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 89 out of 100. It is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) and has been serving members since 1938. Its low minimum loan amount of $500 makes it accessible to a wide range of borrowers. It also does not charge origination fees or prepayment penalties, providing more financial flexibility. However, the borrowing limit is $25,000, which might not suit everyone's needs. It also does not offer the option to prequalify for a loan, which might mean more effort for potential borrowers to understand eligibility and terms.

National Lenders With Physical Locations in Irvine, CA

Borrowers in Irvine, California, seeking best personal loans have the advantage of choosing among in-person services offered by established national lenders. Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank are the main national lenders with a physical presence for personal loans in Irvine, California.

U.S. Bank8.74% to 24.99%$1,000 to $50,00012 to 84 months
Wells Fargo7.49% to 24.99%$3,000 to $100,00012 to 84 months

What to Do if You Can't Get a Personal Loan in Irvine, CA

Your personal loan application in Irvine, California, can get denied due to several reasons like a low credit score, negative financial history or an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio. If this happens, take steps to navigate this setback effectively.

  1. 1
    Find out the reason for the denial

    Some lenders may deny your loan application due to a poor credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, low income level or errors in your application. Review the reasons so you can improve your weak areas and prevent another loan application denial in the future.

  2. 2
    Modify your loan terms

    You can ask your lender if you can adjust the loan amount or repayment terms to get approved.

  3. 3
    Look for another lender

    Different lenders have varying eligibility criteria for personal loan approval. To find the best lender for your needs and circumstances, shop around and consider factors such as minimum credit score requirements, interest rates, loan terms, additional fees and customer service.

  4. 4
    Explore credit counseling services

    Lenders often look at your debt-to-income ratio when evaluating your loan application. You may consider a credit counseling agency to manage your credit card debt better and develop your budget. You can explore credit counseling services using the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's published list of nonprofit credit counseling agencies. The Department of Justice's list of approved credit counseling agencies is another valuable resource to explore.

FAQ About Personal Loans in Irvine, CA

We addressed common questions regarding top personal loans in Irvine, California, to offer useful insights and support your decision-making process.

Who is the best overall personal loan lender in Irvine, California?

What are personal loans used for in Irvine, California?

What are the interest rates on personal loans in Irvine, California?

What are the benefits and drawbacks of personal loans?

What are some personal loan red flags to look out for?

How to apply for a personal loan online?

Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in Irvine, California?

What are the best low-interest personal loans in Irvine, California?

What is an installment loan? Is there a difference between personal loans and installment loans in Irvine, California?

Is there a difference between credit union loans and bank loans in Irvine, California?

About Zachary Romeo, CBCA


Zachary Romeo, CBCA headshot

Zachary Romeo is a certified Commercial Banking and Credit Analyst (CBCA), and the Head of Loans and Banking at MoneyGeek. Previously, he led production teams for some of the largest online informational resources in higher education, with over 13 years of experience in editorial production.

Romeo has a bachelor's degree in biological engineering from Cornell University. He geeks out on minimizing personal debt and helping others do the same 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.