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Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lenders in Fresno, CA

MoneyGeek examined more than 30 data points to find Fresno's best debt consolidation loan providers. We considered loan amounts, APRs, disbursement periods, repayment lengths, Better Business Bureau (BBB) scores and late and origination fees, among other factors.

Not every lender works well for every person. That said, MoneyGeek found LightStream is, overall, the best debt consolidation loan provider in Fresno. SoFi isn't far behind.

On the other hand, Upstart and Upgrade are more tailored to specific situations. They're often better for applicants with bad and good credit, respectively.

Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA: LightStream


  • LightStream
    • 4.49% to 20.49%APR Range
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    on LightStream Website

Runner-Up for Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA: SoFi


  • SoFi
    • 5.74% to 20.28%APR Range
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 12 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Two DaysTime to Receive Funds

    on SoFi Website

Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Bad Credit in Fresno, CA: Upstart


  • Upstart
    • 3.22% to 35.99%APR Range
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Next DayTime to Receive Funds

    on Upstart Website

Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Good Credit in Fresno, CA: Upgrade


  • Upgrade
    • 5.94% to 35.47%APR Range
    • $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    on Upgrade Website

How to Choose the Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA, for You

A lot of people use debt consolidation loans to combine unpaid debts and get lower interest rates.

The average Californian owes $16,790 on personal loans; if that amount is spread across a few smaller loans with varying interest rates, a debt consolidation loan could simplify things.

The steps below may help you if you're considering getting a debt consolidation loan in Fresno.

1

Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Decide whether you need a loan for debt consolidation before applying by asking:

  • How much funding do you need? Overborrowing or under-borrowing can make things worse for you financially. Find out how much you need to borrow by speaking with a financial adviser or doing thorough research.
  • What’s your credit score? Lenders frequently use a minimum credit score to assess your repayment capacity. Your credit score could impact your chance of approval and how much you can borrow. Knowing this can also help you shortlist the lenders to look into.
  • Can you afford the monthly payments? Examine your finances and develop a budget. Debt consolidation loan payments are typically made monthly.
  • Do you have tons of existing debt? Having too much debt compared to your income may be a red flag for lenders. Paying off or paying down some loans before applying for a consolidation loan may be beneficial.
  • Is your debt manageable through other means? If you don't need to borrow money, don't borrow it.
2

Do Your Research

A debt consolidation loan is a significant commitment because it often takes two or more years to pay off. Plus, lenders might perform hard credit checks that harm your credit score.

It's crucial to do your homework, compare quotes and research each lender's rates, offerings and criteria. Although MoneyGeek's top debt consolidation lenders in Fresno might work for most people, they may not work for you — that's okay. Don't be afraid to look into other options.

3

Wait

Waiting a day or two before picking a debt consolidation lender can be beneficial. Give yourself time to consider your borrowing options and financial demands so you can make an informed choice.

4

Read the Fine Print

Borrowers can only overlook crucial information, including origination, late and prepayment charges, if they don't read the fine print.

Consult a financial planner or talk with a representative from your preferred lender to ensure all your questions are answered.

5

Apply

Gather the necessary documents in advance to make the application process as seamless as possible. Typically, lenders ask for proof of identity, residency and income. They may also ask for other documents, usually detailed on their websites.

Applying for a debt consolidation loan in Fresno may be done online, via phone or in person, depending on what’s available and suits your needs.

Online application may be faster, but applying personally may allow you to clear up any issues. Still, pick the approach that feels most comfortable.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Fresno, CA

You don't have to give up if your application for a debt consolidation loan is rejected. Many factors, including your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio and employment history, can cause rejection. The best action is to ask your lender why your application was denied.

Then, you can bargain with your lender to request a smaller loan amount or a shorter repayment period, for example. The lender might agree to your loan's modified terms.

If not, you might apply with a different debt consolidation lender. But be sure to change the aspect that led to the denial of your initial application.

MoneyGeek strongly cautions against taking out payday loans, which some disheartened borrowers could be tempted to do. Payday loans have quick repayment timeframes and extremely high interest rates. As a result, you may find yourself losing more money than you save if you use one.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment

Loans for debt consolidation are repaid with interest in monthly installments. Use our debt consolidation loan calculator below to estimate your monthly payment to see if your finances can support it.

years
months
%

Principal

+ $114.98

Interest

+ $8.33

Origination Fee Percentage

+
%

Origination Fee Fixed amount

+

Total monthly payment

$123.31

Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Consolidation Loans in Fresno, CA

The best Fresno debt consolidation loan for you depends on your needs, borrower profile and financial history. To help you make informed decisions, MoneyGeek responds to frequently asked questions about the subject here.

Methodology

METHODOLOGY

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

Within each ranking category, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amounts, minimum credit scores, minimum income amounts, application fees and disbursement times.

Here at MoneyGeek, we value you, the consumer, so we also factor in 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, we make our picks with your best interests in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make smart financial decisions when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

sources

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.