Best Personal Loans in St. Petersburg, FL: 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 St. Petersburg, FL

To establish the top personal loans in St. Petersburg, MoneyGeek evaluated several lenders based on over 30 data points, which included interest rates, repayment periods, loan limits and credit score requirements.

We also evaluated criteria like customer service, how quickly funds are dispersed, fees and application processes to determine the ideal lender for different borrower profiles. Although we were able to identify the top lenders for different people, it’s important to remember that our findings are for general consumer profiles. The ideal lender for you might be different from our suggestions.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in St. Petersburg: Truist


  • Truist
    • 8.14% to 18.99%APR Range
    • NoneMinimum Credit Score
    • $3,500 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
    • 6 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Next DayTime to Receive Funds

    Truist Bank was founded in 2019 by SunTrust Banks and BB&T Bank. According to MoneyGeek, the lender offers the best personal loans in St. Petersburg for all borrower profiles. The high ranking may be due to several factors, including zero origination and prepayment fees. Borrowers can apply for a minimum of $3,500 and a maximum of $50,000. Compared with other lenders in the city, Truist’s interest rate is relatively low.

    Borrowers who provide all the necessary information during loan application may receive the funds the next day. Although Truist does not define its credit score requirements online, excellent credit is needed to secure the lowest interest rates on your loan.

    Pros

    • Potentially low APR
    • No late or prepayment fees
    • Charges no origination fees
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • No co-signers
    • Borrowers with new or no credit may not be eligible
    • Does not pay directly to third parties
    • Has restrictions on fund usage
    • Hard credit check
    Truist

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in St. Petersburg: 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

    MoneyGeek found that the best personal loan in St. Petersburg for borrowers with bad credit is Upstart, which has been in operation since 2012. The lender has one of the lowest credit score requirements compared with other personal loan lending companies in the city.

    One advantage of Upstart is that it conducts a soft credit inquiry, meaning your credit score won’t be affected during the application period. Disbursement periods vary across lenders, with some receiving their funds immediately, whereas those in need of a loan to fund education costs wait for at least three days.

    Upstart does not charge borrowers a prepayment penalty. However, it charges origination fees. Although its initial interest rate is one of the lowest, the maximum interest is seemingly higher than most lenders.

    Pros

    • Soft credit inquiry
    • Quick disbursement of funds
    • No prepayment penalty fee
    • Requires a low credit score limit
    • A+ BBB rating

    Cons

    • High interest rates
    • Late fees
    • Origination fees
    • No co-signers
    • Doesn’t offer an autopay discount
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in St. Petersburg: 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

    MoneyGeek picked SoFi (Social Finance Inc.) as the top provider of personal loans in St. Petersburg for those with a good credit rating. SoFi was founded in 2011 as an alumni-funded lending model for students at the Stanford Business School. The company currently provides various loan products, including personal loans, to eligible borrowers with a minimum credit score of 680.

    SoFi customers can get a minimum of $5,000 and a maximum of $100,000 in funding. For those who need an application process that does not affect credit scores, SoFi conducts soft credit inquiries for this purpose.

    Borrowers do not pay origination, prepayment or late fees. However, those with a poor credit rating may not qualify.

    Pros

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

    Cons

    • Does not support co-signers
    • Income requirements
    • Minimum amount of $5,000 higher than most lenders
    • Requires at least a 680 credit score
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in St. Petersburg: 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

    Based on MoneyGeek’s research, the best personal loan lender for debt consolidation in St. Petersburg is Upgrade. Launched in 2017, the lender offers personal loans between $1,000 and $50,000.

    While reviewing your personal loan application, Upgrade performs a soft inquiry that doesn't affect your credit score. After approving your application, the lender disburses the money to your account immediately. Borrowers can track their applications and payments through the lender’s mobile app.

    Although the lender features a fair credit score requirement, it has one of the highest maximum interest rates. New borrowers and those with bad credit may not qualify for a personal loan from Upgrade.

    Pros

    • Fair minimum credit score
    • No prepayment fees
    • A+ BBB rating
    • Direct payment to third parties

    Cons

    • Potentially high interest rates
    • Origination fees
    • No co-signers
    • Late fees
    • Fund usage restrictions
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in St. Petersburg: 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

    Based on our analysis, the best lender in St. Petersburg for home improvement is Best Egg. The lender was launched in 2014. It offers secured and unsecured personal loans between $2,000 and $50,000 to borrowers who meet the 700 credit score limit.

    Best Egg conducts a soft credit inquiry, which ensures that customers’ credit scores remain unchanged. Once your application gets approved, you will receive the funds within the next day. Best Egg also allows borrowers to consolidate credit card debt at a lower interest rate.

    One significant disadvantage of the lender is the high APR and credit score requirement. Borrowers could pay an interest rate higher than most lenders in St. Petersburg.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • Autopay discount
    • Low minimum loan amount of $2,000
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Soft credit inquiry

    Cons

    • High FICO score requirement of 700
    • Potentially high APR
    • No co-signers
    • Origination fees
    • Income requirements
    Best Egg

Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in St. Petersburg for You

Personal loans provide a funding option for various expenses, including emergencies and significant purchases. In Florida, the average personal loan debt across all lenders is $10,400. Most lenders customize an offer for you based on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio and income level.

MoneyGeek recommends the following steps for borrowers wishing to secure the best personal loan in St. Petersburg for their situation.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Since a personal loan is a huge financial obligation, it may not be necessary for some situations. You need to be sure you are making the best financial decision before getting one. You can do this by clearly outlining the purpose of the funds, how much you need and whether better alternatives to a personal loan exist.

Generally, you should be able to respond to the following questions beforehand:

  • How much funding do I need?
  • What is my credit score?
  • Can I afford the monthly payment?
  • How much debt do I already have?
2
Do Your Research

When comparing personal loan options from multiple lending companies, it is essential to concentrate on the key details about both the lender and the offer. Such details include the interest rate, penalties, loan amount and repayment period. Remember, repaying the loan will need total dedication since the period may span several years, and choosing the wrong option may cost you a fortune. MoneyGeek reviewed the best personal loans in St. Petersburg to help you get started. However, conducting more research may help identify more suitable options for your needs.

3
Wait

After evaluating all the necessary details about your preferred lender together, you may need to spend a few more days reviewing the lender’s terms and conditions before sharing your application. Thoroughly review your decision based on your financial objectives while ensuring that you have all the information you need to make a selection. Also, consider other funding options that could be a better solution for your funding needs.

4
Read the Fine Print

Once you settle on a particular lender and determine your ideal loan amount, go through the loan agreement and any other documents received to ensure you are happy with the offer. Take a close look at the interests, application fees and other costs associated with your personal loan. Interest rates and fees vary significantly across lending companies, so you should be sure you have selected the best affordable choice for your needs. In case you have questions about the terms stipulated in the fine print, feel free to contact your lender.

5
Apply

After you have communicated with the lender and confirmed your decision to borrow from them, you can fill out the application form and complete the process. Most lenders have an automated application process completed 100% online. However, some may let you visit one of their St. Petersburg offices in person. Ensure you have the required documents and information for the process. Typically, you will need your personal information, contact details and proof of income.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in St. Petersburg

It’s not uncommon for lenders to reject loan applications. Some issues that may cause a rejected personal loan application include a poor credit score, lack of income, failure to meet the income requirements or missing documents and information.

If this happens to you, you should consider talking to the lender about your loan's status and find out exactly why your application was not a success. The lender may allow you to revise your application, although this may not apply if the issue is your credit score or income level.

You can apply with another lender. However, you should fix the issues that originally got your application declined first.

Although payday loans and other short-term loans may be of assistance in the interim, we do not recommend them since they feature short repayment durations and very high interest rates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in St. Petersburg

Personal loan terms in St. Petersburg vary considerably depending on the borrower’s credit score, income and other factors. MoneyGeek answered commonly asked questions about personal loans in the city to guide you through your application journey.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

METHODOLOGY

We analyzed over 30 personal loan lenders using more than 35 individual data points across six key categories, including loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each ranking criteria 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 determined with your best interest in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

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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