Best Personal Loans in Stockton, CA: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You
Updated: October 3, 2024
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MoneyGeek ranked the top lenders to help you find the best personal loans in Stockton for your profile and specific lending needs. Our analysis was based on more than 30 data points, including interest rates, loan limits and repayment lengths as well as minimum requirements.
MoneyGeek also considered different borrower profiles, including those with bad and good credit, to help you find the best personal loan lender in Stockton based on your background.
LightStream offers the best personal loans in Stockton for most borrowers, according to MoneyGeek’s analysis. This lender is low on fees and does not charge origination, early payment or late fees. Loan limits are also flexible, with borrowers having the option to borrow between $5,000 and $100,000.
LightStream personal loans can be used for various purposes, including debt consolidation, home renovations and emergency expenses. However, funds cannot be used for postsecondary educational expenses, refinancing loans or purchasing stocks or bonds.
LightStream is a good option for emergency funds since loans can be funded within the day. APR rates are also relatively low compared with other lenders. However, this lender requires borrowers to have good-to-excellent credit of at least 660 and a significant credit history of five or more years.
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Borrowers with low credit scores in Stockton should consider getting personal loans from Upstart. This lender was founded in 2012 and is headquartered in San Mateo, California. If you have poor-to-average credit, Upstart uses other factors like your employment status and educational background to qualify you for a loan. This means you can be approved even if you do not have a lengthy credit history.
Borrowers can access loan limits ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, repayable in terms ranging from 36 to 60 months. However, APR rates can be high depending on your creditworthiness.
Upstart allows borrowers to check rates online before applying without impacting their credit score. Funds are also disbursed fairly quickly, but you may incur origination fees.
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MoneyGeek found that SoFi offers the best personal loans in Stockton for borrowers with good-to-excellent credit scores. SoFi was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
Borrowers can access personal loans ranging from $5,000 to $100,000. This lender does not charge origination or early payment fees. You can also modify your repayments in case you lose your job since SoFi offers unemployment protection.
Although SoFi’s loans can be used for a variety of purposes, keep in mind that funds cannot be used for postsecondary education expenses. You can use the online prequalification option to find out your rate without impacting your credit score.
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Borrowers who need personal loans for debt consolidation in Stockton should consider Upgrade. This lender, launched in 2016, offers personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. For those who want a loan for debt consolidation purposes, Upgrade can make payments directly to your creditors.
Upgrade personal loans are funded on the same day. If you need funds urgently, this lender is ideal. You can also choose from its repayment terms. However, keep in mind that APR rates can be relatively high depending on your creditworthiness.
You can check your rate online before applying using Upgrade’s prequalification feature.
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If you want to renovate your home, Best Egg offers the best personal loans in Stockton for home improvement. Founded in 2014, this lender offers personal loans for various purposes, including home renovations. Borrowers with good-to-excellent credit scores may qualify for loans ranging from $2,000 to $50,000. APR rates can vary depending on individual factors like your credit score, loan amount and loan term.
Although Best Egg does not charge any fees for early payments, you will incur charges for late payments. Borrowers will also incur origination charges. You have the option to check rates beforehand before submitting your application. This will not impact your credit score since the lender will conduct a soft credit check.
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Californians have an average of $16,790 in personal loans. These loans can be used for funding large purchases, home improvement, debt consolidation or emergency expenses. There are many options when shopping for personal loans in Stockton, but the best option for you will depend on individual factors like your credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio.
MoneyGeek recommends following these guidelines when looking for the best personal loan.
Personal loans are a quick way to access funding, but you need to understand the commitment involved before applying. It is also important to understand how the loan will impact your finances to determine whether you can manage the financial obligation of the loan. Keep in mind that factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio will play a role in your rates and eligibility for a personal loan.
Start by asking yourself the following questions to figure out if a personal loan is the right choice for you:
Interest rates, loan limits and fees can vary depending on the lender you choose. This means you can make significant savings by comparing lenders and evaluating their terms, minimum requirements and fees. Doing your own research will help you find the most favorable terms available based on your needs. Keep in mind that some lenders have higher minimum requirements than others; some may have restrictions on how you can use funds.
MoneyGeek’s recommendations for the best picks are based on specific profiles, but you should also do additional research to find the best lender for your particular background and needs. This is particularly important since a loan is a two- to four-year commitment, on average.
Personal loans have a long-term impact on your finances and require you to commit to monthly payments for years. This means that you should not make the decision to take a personal loan lightly. Waiting a couple of days before submitting an application gives you time to weigh all your options and make sure that you are not making an impulse decision.
You can also use this time to compare a personal loan with other financing options to see if they are better alternatives available to you.
Besides interest, there are also other fees that apply to personal loans. Penalties like late fees or early payment fees can drive up the cost of your personal loan, especially if you do not understand how they work. It is important to read the fine print and understand all the applicable rates and fees before taking out a loan.
If you do not understand any of the terms or fees stipulated, seek clarification from the lender before agreeing to the loan. Understanding the fine print will give you the full picture of the cost of your personal loan so you can plan better.
Once you are confident that you understand the terms of the loan, you can proceed to submit your loan application to the lender. You will be required to provide your personal information as well as financial information to the lender.
In most cases, lenders offer a simple online application process where you can complete the application in minutes. However, you can also contact the lender for guidance or clarification if you are not sure how to complete your application. Depending on the lender, it may take hours or days for your application to be reviewed and approved.
In some cases, your personal loan application might be declined. This could be due to a variety of reasons, including not providing all the required information, not meeting the minimum credit score requirements or other factors. It is best to find out from the lender the exact reason you were declined.
This information will help you determine how to proceed. For instance, if your application was declined due to insufficient information, you might be able to modify it to make it acceptable to the lender. Even if your application was declined due to your credit score or debt-to-income ratio, these are factors you can improve over time.
You may also find a different lender who has different eligibility requirements where you may qualify. However, it is best to avoid reapplying until you have improved the factors that caused you to be declined.
It is also best to avoid payday loans. These loans may seem like a good alternative when you are declined for a personal loan, but they can be very costly in terms of fees.
When shopping for personal loans in Stockton, the best option may vary depending on individual factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio. If you want to learn more about the best personal loans in Stockton, MoneyGeek answers common questions below.
LightStream is the best lender for personal loans in Stockton. However, if you have bad credit, Upstart is the best option for you. SoFi is the best lender for Stockton borrowers with good-to-excellent credit.
LightStream offers the lowest interest rates in Stockton. To qualify for the lowest APR rates, you need to have an excellent credit score.
Personal loans in Stockton can be used to fund a vacation. Most lenders generally do not limit the usage of funds for expenses like vacations, but you should always check with your preferred lender for its terms on the usage of funds.
Yes, you can use a personal loan for home improvement in Stockton. Most lenders generally do not limit the usage of funds for home renovations. However, you should check with your lender for any restrictions that may apply to personal loans.
Lenders in Stockton restrict the use of personal loans for illegal activities, such as gambling. Some lenders also do not allow the use of loans for refinancing, funding postsecondary education or investments. Always check with your lender for its specific limitations on the usage of funds.
In Stockton, personal loan limits range from $1,000 to $100,000 depending on the lender. Lenders will evaluate how much you can borrow based on your creditworthiness and other individual factors.
It takes between a day and up to seven days to get a personal loan in Stockton. Some lenders may disburse loans in as little as a day, whereas others have longer processing times.
Yes, you can pay off your loan early in Stockton. Most lenders do not charge any fees for early payment. However, this can vary depending on the lender. You’ll want to ask your lender if they charge prepayment fees.
MoneyGeek reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders in Stockton using 35+ data points across six key categories. These categories include loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
For each ranking criteria, MoneyGeek considered various data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These data points include APR ranges, available loan limits, minimum credit score and income requirements, application fees and disbursement time.
MoneyGeek values you, the consumer, so in our analysis, we also factor in user experience by reviewing factors like the lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible, including prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.
Our recommendations and picks are made with your best interest in mind to ensure that you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.
About Christopher Boston
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.
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
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