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Best Debt Consolidation Loans in Tennessee of 2024
Updated: December 28, 2023
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- Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan Lender in Tennessee
- Runner-Up for Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan Lender in Tennessee
- Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Tennessee
- Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lender for Good Credit in Tennessee
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan for You
- What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Tennessee
- Calculate Your Monthly Payment
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Tennessee
Best Debt Consolidation Loan Lenders in Tennessee
To help borrowers find the best debt consolidation loans in Tennessee, MoneyGeek analyzed over 30 data points. The data includes APRs, credit score requirements, origination fees, loan amounts, repayment and disbursement periods, prepayment penalties, Better Business Bureau scores and more.
The right lender for your needs will vary based on your financial objectives. For instance, Upgrade ranked the best overall for debt consolidation. However, if you have bad credit, the best lender is Upstart.
Best Overall Debt Consolidation Loan in Tennessee: Upgrade
Runner-Up for Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Tennessee: Truist
Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Bad Credit in Tennessee: Upstart
Best Debt Consolidation Loan for Good Credit in Tennessee: SoFi
How to Choose the Best Debt Consolidation Loan in Tennessee for You
Tennessee has an average personal loan debt of $25,174 and an average credit card debt of $5,234. A debt consolidation loan allows you to combine all your debts into one, making the repayment process easier. Before providing you with a debt consolidation loan in Tennessee, lenders will consider various factors. MoneyGeek outlined the process for applying for a debt consolidation loan in Tennessee below.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Start by reviewing your current financial situation and determining whether debt consolidation is the best way to make repayments. You may identify the best debt consolidation product and lender by answering the following questions:
- How much funding do you need?
- What is your credit score?
- Can you afford the monthly payment?
- How much debt do you already have?
- Is your debt manageable through other means?
Do Your Research
Before submitting your loan application, it is essential to compare the terms offered by lenders. Note that a debt consolidation loan is a long-term financial commitment, and it may take an average of two to four years to complete the repayment. Some lenders offer favorable terms such as soft credit inquiries, longer repayment periods and discounts, while others don’t. You need to understand every aspect of your loan before applying. While MoneyGeek’s analysis provides the necessary information about the best debt consolidation lenders in Tennessee, conducting personal research can help you identify better options not listed in our study.
Wait
Once you choose a preferred lender, you should wait for a few days before completing the application process. Repaying a debt consolidation loan requires tremendous commitment, and you want to be sure that you are making the best financial decision for your situation.
Read the Fine Print
Every detail of your debt consolidation loan is vital, no matter how small. MoneyGeek recommends that borrowers go through the lender’s fine print, reviewing details like the interests, fees, repayment terms and discounts. For instance, some lenders usually charge prepayment penalties and origination fees, which may increase your monthly payments by a small percentage. By reading the fine print, you can avoid these fees and save money.
Apply
If you are happy with the lender and the terms stipulated in the debt consolidation loan offer, you can proceed with the application. Most lenders will ask for your personal, contact and financial information during the first stages of the process. Ensure you have all the necessary details on hand to avoid wasting time. While most companies allow you to complete the application process online, you may also do so over the phone or by visiting the lender’s office if they offer those options.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Debt Consolidation Loan in Tennessee
Personal loan applications may get rejected for various reasons, including a low credit score or income level, missing credit history or incomplete applicant information. When this happens, the best next step is to determine what triggered the lender’s decision.
Typically, most lenders will provide information about why your application was declined. Go through this feedback to determine which areas need improvement. You may also need to reach out to the lender for more clarification in order to prevent other rejections in the future.
You can resubmit your application if the cause is an issue with your application, such as requiring a longer repayment term or providing incomplete information. However, if your denial was due to a low credit score or income level, you may need to improve these factors before considering another loan.
While you may consider payday loans, MoneyGeek strongly discourages borrowers from this option since you will pay high interest rates. The loans also feature shorter repayment terms.
Calculate Your Monthly Payment
After receiving your debt consolidation loan, you will make repayments in monthly installments with interest. The following debt consolidation loan calculator from MoneyGeek can help you determine your installment amount so that you can decide whether your finances will be able to cover it.
FAQs About Debt Consolidation Loans in Tennessee
The best debt consolidation loan in Tennessee varies based on individual needs, credit information and income level. Before submitting your application, review the offer and determine how the loan will affect your financial standing. MoneyGeek answered some of the most frequently asked questions about debt consolidation loans in the state.
MoneyGeek found that the best lender in Tennessee overall is Upgrade. However, the best lender varies depending on your needs and how you meet the requirements. Upstart is the best for individuals with bad credit, while SoFi is an excellent option if you have good credit.
Based on MoneyGeek’s study, Upstart has the lowest interest rate in Tennessee for debt consolidation loans. Borrowers pay as little as 3.22% in interest.
Most lenders in Tennessee allow you to use the loan for any purpose. However, some may not allow you to use the funds for post-secondary education or to repay student credit card loans. We recommend that you speak to your lender to determine any applicable restrictions.
The amount of debt you can consolidate in Tennessee depends on the lender. Typically, you can borrow as little as $1,000 and as much as $100,000.
Different lenders feature different processing times for debt consolidation loans. Some lenders offer same-day funding, while others may keep you waiting for up to a week.
You can make early payments for your debt consolidation loan in Tennessee. However, some lenders may charge you prepayment penalties. Ask your lender if you will incur fees for paying off your loan early.
MoneyGeek reviewed over 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 amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.
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, our picks are chosen 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
- SoFi. "Credit Card Consolidation Loans." Accessed June 29, 2022.
- Truist. "Personal Loans and Lines of Credit." Accessed June 28, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Debt Consolidation Loans." Accessed June 28, 2022.
- Upstart. "Debt Consolidation Loans." Accessed June 28, 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.
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