- Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan Lender in Stockton
- Runner-Up for Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan Lender in Stockton
- Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Stockton
- Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lender for Good Credit in Stockton
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan for You
- What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Stockton
- Calculate Your Monthly Payment
- Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Consolidation Loans in Stockton
Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lenders in Stockton, CA
MoneyGeek scored debt consolidation loan providers in Stockton using more than 30 data points. We assessed loan amounts, APR ranges, funding times, credit requirements, fees and other factors to determine the best in the city.
Our research shows that LightStream is Stockton's best debt consolidation lender overall. However, our recommendations change depending on the borrower. Upgrade stands out as the best debt consolidation loan provider for borrowers with good credit, whereas Upstart is our choice for folks with poor credit.
Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan in Stockton, 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 Stockton, 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 Stockton, 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 Stockton, 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 Stockton, CA, for You
On average, the credit card debt in California is $5,635, whereas personal loans in the state are $16,790. With that, debt consolidation loans have become a popular way to settle liabilities. It allows you to have one loan payment and access to fixed and potentially lower interest rates.
If you’re considering a debt consolidation loan in Stockton, MoneyGeek outlined five steps to help you decide the best lender for your needs and situation.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Before applying for a debt consolidation loan in Stockton, it’s a good idea to ask yourself these important questions:
- How much funding do you need? Calculate all of your existing financial obligations to determine your desired loan amount. Getting insufficient funding defeats the purpose of consolidating your debts into one.
- What’s your credit score? Since lenders have minimum credit requirements, knowing your credit score is beneficial. You can avoid wasting time with companies that won’t approve you based on this qualification.
- Can you afford the monthly payments? Debt consolidation loans are repaid in monthly installments. Check your monthly cash flow and determine if you are financially prepared to take a loan.
- Do you have existing debts? Lenders look at your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio when assessing your application. If you’re applying for a personal loan, it’s advisable to have a DTI that’s 36% or lower.
- Is your debt manageable through other means? Determine if getting a debt consolidation loan is necessary for you. In some cases, transferring your debt to a 0% APR credit card may make more financial sense.
Do Your Research
A debt consolidation loan is a serious commitment. You’ll have to repay it with interest and for several years, which can be two to four years on average.
Although a debt consolidation loan can help eliminate your existing debts, you would want to avoid a situation where you’ll have a new loan that you can’t repay.
Researching to find the best debt consolidation lenders is a good idea. Shop around and compare offers to see which companies offer the lowest rates. Watch out for fees you can avoid, such as origination and prepayment fees.
Although we ranked Stockton’s best debt consolidation loan companies, our findings cannot be the right fit for every individual. In the end, only you can determine the best lender for your needs and profile.
Wait
It’s advisable that you wait for a day or two before committing to a personal loan company.
If you’re getting a debt consolidation loan, you’ll repay the amount with interest. The average APR of personal loans in California is 10.21%. Make sure it’s a company you want to work with for several years.
That said, you must be sure that your chosen loan provider offers the best available loan.
Letting time pass allows for a more objective evaluation of the given situation. This lets you see problems you may have missed during your initial assessment.
In addition, consider whether getting a debt consolidation loan is the best step to address your debts. Is it worth the time and effort? Sometimes, transferring your debt to a 0% APR credit card is better.
Read the Fine Print
If you’ve already made a short list of lenders, we recommend reading each company’s fine print. You may find important details that escaped you during your initial research.
Check the lender’s policies about origination, early payment and late payment fees. Scrutinize its APR range and repayment term. It’s also recommended that you read the terms and conditions for any promotional offers.
See if there are restrictions that come with agreeing to the loan. For example, some lenders won’t allow you to use your loan proceeds to repay debts associated with their company.
You can avoid hefty fees by reading the fine print of your preferred loan companies. Not only does this save you money, but it also prevents a bad customer experience.
Apply
By this time, you’ve already conducted your research, considered your decision and read the fine print. You can confidently proceed with your application if you’ve already picked your preferred lender.
We recommend that you gather documentation that loan providers usually require during loan evaluation. Most of the time, you’ll need your identification, proof of address and income statements. Depending on the company, you may have to provide additional information to establish your creditworthiness.
Getting a debt consolidation loan in Stockton is easy. Most loan companies have online application processes, allowing you to do the entire transaction at home conveniently. However, you can call or visit a branch in person.
Remember, a debt consolidation loan is a serious and long-term commitment, so go with the process you’re most comfortable with.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Stockton, CA
Debt consolidation loans in Stockton get rejected for various reasons. If rejected, the reasons usually encompass a borrower’s credit score, income or DTI ratio. If this happens to you, know that it doesn’t mean the end of your debt consolidation journey.
After receiving your notice of disapproval, you can contact the lender to know the reason for the rejection of your application. Ask whether or not modifying your loan amount and term will allow for reconsideration of your application.
Unless it’s an emergency, it’s not advisable to immediately file another application with a new company. Doing this may result in another rejection if you haven’t yet dealt with why the first lender rejected your application.
MoneyGeek recommends that you improve your creditworthiness first before going to another lender. In addition, consider having a co-signer or a co-applicant to improve your chances of being approved.
Lastly, we discourage you from taking out a payday loan. Its high-interest rate and short repayment term will only lead to more debt.
Calculate Your Monthly Payment
You’ll have to settle your debt consolidation loan with interest and monthly installments. To help determine your financial preparedness for a loan, you can use MoneyGeek’s debt consolidation loan calculator.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Debt Consolidation Loans in Stockton, CA
Stockton's best debt consolidation loans will depend on your needs, preferences and credit profile. MoneyGeek answered some commonly asked questions to help you with your decision.
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 interest 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
- SoFi. "Personal Loans." Accessed October 3, 2022.
- Truist. "Debt Consolidation." Accessed October 3, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans up to $50,000." Accessed October 3, 2022.
- Upstart. "Homepage." Accessed October 3, 2022.
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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