Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Best Personal Loans in Santa Ana, CA

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Updated: October 3, 2024

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

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

The best personal loan in Santa Ana will depend on your particular needs and situation. To help you find the right option, MoneyGeek analyzed and compared lending companies based on more than 30 data points. These include loan amounts, repayment lengths, interest rates, fees and minimum requirements.

We also considered the factors affecting your chances of getting approved for a personal loan, such as minimum credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio. Based on this information, we determined the best lenders for various profiles.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Santa Ana: 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 offers the best personal loans in Santa Ana. It is the online consumer lending division of Truist and was launched in 2013. The company serves customers across all 50 states.

    LightStream offers personal loans of up to $100,000. The company doesn’t charge any fees to process applications and doesn’t have any prepayment penalties for paying off loans before the end of the term. Additionally, it gives a 0.5% discount to customers with automatic payments.

    To qualify for a LightStream loan, you need a credit score of at least 660. Keep in mind that you can’t use your funds to refinance an existing LightStream loan, fund college or post-secondary educational expenses, purchase stocks or contribute to retirement or life insurance plans.

    Pros

    • Loans up to $100,000
    • No origination fee
    • No prepayment penalty
    • 0.5% autopay discount
    • Same-day funding

    Cons

    • No loan pre-approvals
    • Credit score of at least 660
    • Restrictions on usage of funds
    • No co-signers
    • Hard credit inquiry
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Santa Ana: 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

    Upstart is an artificial intelligence (AI) lending platform founded in 2012. To date, it has originated $25.4 billion in loans.

    The company is ideal for borrowers with bad credit as it only requires a minimum credit score of 300. However, Upstart only lets you borrow up to $50,000. Its personal loans also have an APR of 3.22% to 35.99% based on your credit, income and other information provided in your loan application.

    With Upstart, you can prepay your loan at any time with no fee or penalty. You have three or five years to repay your loan. You can get funding the next day.

    However, you may have to pay an origination fee. You might also pay late fees if you don’t make payments on time.

    Pros

    • Low credit score requirement
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Conducts soft credit checks
    • Next-day funding
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • Low borrowing limit of $50,000
    • May charge an origination fee
    • High potential interest rate
    • Charges late fees
    • No autopay discount
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Santa Ana: 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

    Since 2011, SoFi has been helping people reach financial independence through its various products, including personal loans. It offers loans up to $100,000, although funding can take two business days before it’s disbursed.

    SoFi doesn’t charge any origination, prepayment or late fees on its personal loans. It gives a 0.25% discount for setting up automatic payments. Furthermore, it has an unemployment protection program that can temporarily modify your payments if you lose your job.

    To qualify for a SoFi loan, you need a credit score of at least 680. You must also be employed, have sufficient income from other sources or have an offer of employment to start within the next 90 days. You can apply with a co-applicant as long as they live at the same address as you. However, SoFi doesn’t allow co-signers.

    Pros

    • Loans up to $100,000
    • No origination, prepayment or late fees
    • A+ BBB rating
    • Autopay discount
    • Conducts soft credit inquiry

    Cons

    • Minimum credit score requirement of 680
    • Funding can take up to two days
    • Doesn’t allow co-signers
    • Has a gross minimum income requirement
    • Doesn’t accept people with new or no credit
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Santa Ana: 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

    Launched in 2017, Upgrade aims to offer more value and a better experience to customers than traditional banks. Its financial products are available in 50 states, including California.

    Upgrade personal loans are ideal for debt consolidation since the company offers direct payment to creditors. Its loan limits range between $1,000 and $50,000, with repayment periods ranging from three to five years. While Upgrade doesn’t charge prepayment penalties, it does charge a 2.9% to 8% origination fee.

    You can apply for a personal loan from Upgrade with a minimum credit score of 560. You can receive your funds within a day, but note that sometimes funding may take longer.

    Pros

    • No prepayment penalty
    • A+ BBB rating
    • Conducts soft credit inquiry
    • Same-day funding
    • Autopay discount

    Cons

    • Has origination fee
    • Maximum loan amount is $50,000
    • Potentially high APR
    • Charges late fees
    • No co-signers
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Santa Ana: 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 ideal option for personal loans in Santa Ana if you intend to use your fund on home improvement projects. You can borrow as little as $2,000 or as much as $50,000 and repay it within three to five years. Plus, your funds can be released as early as the next day.

    With Best Egg, your interest rate can range from 4.99% to 35.99% depending on your credit score, income and other factors. You will need to pay an origination fee of 0.99% to 5.99% of your loan amount. Fortunately, Best Egg loans can be repaid at any time without penalty.

    To qualify for a Best Egg loan, you need a minimum credit score of 700. Keep in mind that you can’t use your funds for post-secondary educational expenses, purchasing or carrying any securities or illegal activity.

    Pros

    • A+ rating from the BBB
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Conducts soft credit pull
    • Next-day funding
    • Autopay discount

    Cons

    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • Low borrowing limits
    • Charges origination fee
    • Restrictions on fund usage
    • No co-signers
    Best Egg

How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Santa Ana for You

The average personal loan debt in California is $16,790. People in the state take out personal loans for various reasons, including consolidating existing debt and taking care of emergency expenses. Before applying for a personal loan in Santa Ana, it’s important to determine if it’s the right option for you and your needs.

MoneyGeek recommends taking the following steps to help you decide whether or not to apply for a personal loan.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Before applying for a personal loan, ask yourself some questions to ensure that this is the best option for your needs. Questions to ask include:

  1. How much funding do I need? Evaluate your current financial situation and how much money you need. The amount you choose can have an impact on your repayment period and the time it takes for your loan to be funded.
  2. What is my credit score? Keep in mind that lenders take into consideration your credit score when reviewing your application. Having a poor credit score may limit your options.
  3. Can I afford the monthly payment? It’s important to think long-term when it comes to personal loans since they require a commitment. Make sure that you can afford the monthly payments.
  4. How much debt do I already have? If you already have existing debts, adding a personal loan may not be the wisest choice.
2
Do Your Research

Conducting your own research is vital when deciding whether or not a personal loan is right for you. Make sure you gather enough relevant information to compare different lending companies. These include their loan amounts, interest rates, hidden fees and repayment terms. Also, find out if they allow pre-approvals or if they do hard credit pulls, which can affect your credit score.

MoneyGeek provided this guide to help you learn more about personal loans in Santa Ana. However, our recommendations may not apply to your unique circumstances. That’s why it’s still best to explore other options to find the best lender for your financial needs.

3
Wait

Once you have all the information you need, step back and wait a day or two before starting your loan application. Doing this can help you look at your options with more objectivity. Remember that getting a personal loan is a big commitment, so it’s important to weigh your options and decide whether this is the best financial decision you can make for your situation.

4
Read the Fine Print

After deciding on a lender, read and understand the fine print. This can help you find out what fees and penalties are associated with the loan. These include origination fees, prepayment penalties and late fees. By reviewing the fine print, you can avoid overlooking smaller details and even find out ways to save, like getting a discount for setting up an automatic payment.

5
Apply

Once you feel good about your chosen lender and are clear about the requirements, it’s time to submit your application. Lenders often require identification, address verification and proof of income during the application process. Make sure that the information you provide is accurate because this can affect your chances of getting approved. Some lenders allow online applications, but there’s no harm in calling the lender or visiting a brick-and-mortar location if these options are available.

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

Getting your loan application rejected can be disheartening, but it doesn’t mean your loan journey is over. You can always get in touch with your lender to ask about the factors that affected their decision. These can be because of a low credit score or insufficient income.

When you approach your lender, make sure to ask if there’s anything about your loan details that you can modify. For instance, you can try shortening your loan term or decreasing your loan amount.

An alternative option is to apply to a different lender. However, it’s best to improve the areas that caused your application to be denied in the first place before doing this. That way, you can avoid another rejection.

MoneyGeek also advises against payday loans. Although they can provide quick access to cash, they come with high interest rates and limited repayment options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Santa Ana

There are various options for personal loans in Santa Ana, and the best one for you will depend on your particular needs as well as your credit and income. You can understand personal loans better and find out which lender is best suited to your unique needs by reading MoneyGeek’s answers to the following frequently asked questions.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

We analyzed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ data points across six key categories. These included but were not limited to loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each category, we took into account several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.

MoneyGeek values every consumer, so we also considered 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 top picks are determined with your best interest in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make an informed decision when picking a lender that best 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
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.

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