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

Updated: December 28, 2023

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

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

MoneyGeek analyzed over 35 data points to determine the best personal loan lender in Santa Rosa. APR ranges, loan terms, minimum credit score and income criteria and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings were among the factors examined.

While the best overall lender is LightStream, the ideal lender for each borrower might differ as they will each have a distinct financial profile and funding requirements. Besides the lender for best personal loans in Santa Rosa, MoneyGeek looked at the best for those with good and bad credit as well as those in need of debt consolidation and home renovation loans.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Santa Rosa: 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

    LightStream is a leading personal loan lender, and the BBB's A+ rating further strengthens that position. The Truist Financial Corporation is the parent company of this online lender (formed after the 2019 merger of SunTrust and Branch Banking and Trust). Loans between $5,000 and $100,000 are available to qualified applicants with same-day funding and no origination fees.

    The lender offers variable payment terms between 24 and 84 months, with discounts available to those who sign up for autopay. Additionally, there are no charges for prepayment of the loan.

    However, with a 660 minimum credit score requirement, LightStream loans are only available to those in good financial standing. Additionally, the lender forbids using the funds for company acquisitions, postsecondary education funding or consolidating or repaying an existing LightStream loan. Those looking to borrow less than $5,000 should not use this lender.

    Pros

    • No origination fees, late fees or prepayment penalty
    • High maximum loan amount
    • Autopay discount
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • Requires good-to-excellent credit score
    • High minimum loan amount
    • No co-signers
    • Won’t accept borrowers with new or no credit
    • Hard credit inquiry
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Santa Rosa: 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 your credit score is low, you may have a harder time getting approved for a personal loan. Upstart is an online lender that connects borrowers with bad credit with lenders via artificial intelligence.

    The lender works with borrowers having credit scores as low as 300, making them the top option for those in need of a loan even though they have bad credit. Loan amounts start at $1,000 and may go up to $50,000. Funds are disbursed the next day.

    The lowest interest rates are available to borrowers in good financial standing. Borrowers may incur an origination fee or late fees if they don’t make their payments on time. You must also meet certain income requirements to be eligible for a loan.

    Pros

    • Minimum credit score of 300
    • Soft credit inquiry to check eligibility
    • Quick funding
    • No prepayment penalty
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • Potentially high interest rates
    • Late fees
    • Origination fee
    • Doesn’t accept co-signers
    • Low maximum loan amount
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Santa Rosa: 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

    Originally called Social Finance, SoFi provides a variety of loan products and other financial services. MoneyGeek found that it is the best lender for consumers with good credit in Santa Rosa.

    SoFi offers personal loans for amounts up to $100,000 to borrowers with credit scores of 680 or higher. For individuals who set up automatic payments, savings are available.

    In the event of an unexpected loss of employment, borrowers with loans through SoFi can take advantage of the company's unemployment protection program. This allows them to postpone or reduce their regular loan payments. However, your credit will be impacted by a hard inquiry from the lender when you're in the application process.

    Pros

    • Loans up to $100,000
    • No origination fees and prepayment penalty
    • Autopay discount
    • Unemployment protection
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • Application processing requires hard credit check
    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • No co-signers
    • High minimum loan amount
    • Income requirements
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Santa Rosa: 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

    As a fintech business, Upgrade was established in 2016 with the goal of promoting sound financial practices among its clientele by providing them with access to free credit health tools alongside its financial products. MoneyGeek found that it is the best firm to go with if you need a loan to consolidate your debts. It also has an A+ rating from the BBB.

    The lender provides speedy loan disbursement and fixed interest rates, relieving clients of the stress caused by probable APR fluctuation. In addition, you will not pay a fee for prepaying your loan.

    However, the APR for an Upgrade personal loan might go high if the applicant has a low credit score. In addition, all loans are charged origination fees.

    Pros

    • Low minimum loan amount
    • No prepayment penalty
    • A+ BBB rating
    • Quick funding
    • Autopay discount

    Cons

    • Potentially high APR
    • Potentially high origination fee
    • Late payment fee
    • No co-signers
    • Employment requirements
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Santa Rosa: 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

    Since its launch in 2014, Best Egg has helped fund over a million loans via its partnership with Cross River Bank. The firm is run by Marlette Funding, a financial technology company. It also has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.

    Loan amounts from Best Egg start at $2,000 and go all the way up to $50,000. There is a possibility that the interest rate will be high, but this is determined by the borrower's creditworthiness.

    Best Egg only approves highly creditworthy borrowers (those with scores of 700 or above). The loan application process may be completed online, and funding is often provided the next business day.

    Furthermore, there is no prepayment penalty for this loan. However, note that there are origination fees for Best Egg loans.

    Pros

    • Soft credit check to verify eligibility
    • Autopay discount
    • No prepayment penalty
    • A+ BBB rating
    • Quick funding

    Cons

    • Minimum credit score of 700 required
    • Potentially high APR
    • No co-signers
    • Origination fees
    • Late fees
    Best Egg

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

Personal loans are often used for debt consolidation, home upgrades, paying medical bills and financing a trip or education. Eligibility for a personal loan is determined by a number of criteria, such as credit history and score, income and debt-to-income ratio. In California, the average personal loan debt is $16,790 at an interest rate of 10.21%.

MoneyGeek suggests the following steps for finding the best personal loans in the city.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Answer the following questions before selecting a lender and completing a personal loan application:

  • How much funding do I need? By knowing how much funding you need, you can find lenders that meet your funding requirements. You can also make sure you don’t overborrow, costing you unnecessary extra interest expenses.
  • What is my credit score? Knowing your credit score can help you determine which lenders you qualify for based on their minimum credit score requirements.
  • Can I afford the monthly payment? Determine how much your monthly loan payment will be, then make sure you can afford it. You don’t want to dig yourself into a deeper hole in terms of debt.
  • How much debt do I already have? Take the time to evaluate your current debts to ensure it makes sense for you to take on more debt.
2
Do Your Research

Taking out a personal loan means committing to pay back a large amount of money with interest and fees over a long period of time. On average, it’s a two to four-year commitment. Therefore, it is essential to investigate possible lenders to find the ideal fit for your requirements.

Remember that MoneyGeek only gives you broad suggestions, so you should do your own research before deciding on a loan and lender. Your unique financial situation will determine the ideal lender for your needs.

3
Wait

A personal loan application process is usually lengthy. Once you've decided on a lender, give yourself a few days to think it over. A personal loan is a substantial financial commitment, so be sure you've given this some thought before applying.

As you evaluate if a personal loan is the right choice for you, you might find other funding options that make more sense for your financial needs.

4
Read the Fine Print

Before signing with a lender, be aware of the associated fees, interest rates and any applicable penalties. Please read the terms of the loan thoroughly so you can ensure you won’t be surprised by any hidden charges or fees later on.

If you aren’t aware of all the potential fees and terms of your loan, you might end up paying extra money, which isn’t ideal.

5
Apply

After you’ve done your due diligence and chosen a lender, it’s time to apply for a loan. Your identity, address and income information must be given to the lender. You can typically apply in person, over the phone or online. While applying online can be more convenient, applying over the phone or in person can ensure you get all your questions answered and that you complete the application correctly.

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

Lenders reject loan applications for a variety of reasons, such as poor credit, failing to satisfy minimum income requirements, having a high debt-to-income ratio or having insufficient documents. Don't let a rejection dampen your spirits.

Possible solutions that your lender may propose include shorter loan terms or a reduced loan amount. Consider applying with a co-signer or securing your loan with collateral if you are not sure of getting approved.

Avoid getting payday loans unless absolutely necessary. Typical terms for these loans call for shorter repayment periods and high interest rates. A borrower's credit score will not improve based on the timely repayment of a payday loan. On the other hand, negative effects on credit might result from either late payments or nonpayment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Santa Rosa

You may find the ideal lender by analyzing your income and credit history as well as the purpose of your loan and the amount that you need. MoneyGeek provides answers to frequently asked questions regarding personal loans in Santa Rosa for further assistance in your research.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

We evaluated over 30 personal loan companies by gathering and analyzing more than 35 data points across six primary categories. These include affordability, loan accessibility, user friendliness, customer service, lender transparency and flexibility.

We took into account a number of distinct data elements that we believe are most important when selecting a personal loan lender under each ranking criterion. These variables include the APR ranges, the maximum loan amount, the required credit score, the required minimum income, the application cost and the disbursement period.

Because we appreciate you, the customer, at MoneyGeek, we also take into account other factors like the lenders' customer service, business ratings and any extra features that can make your experience simpler and more accessible, like their prequalification requirements, payment alternatives and mobile apps.

Our selections are made after thorough deliberation and calculation, always keeping your best interests in mind. Our personal loan suggestions and professional advice are designed to assist you in selecting a lender that satisfies your requirements.

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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