Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Best Personal Loans in Chicago, IL

Updated: December 28, 2023

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WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

MoneyGeek’s Pick for Best Lender in Chicago, IL: LightStream

The best Chicago personal loan company for you may differ based on your specific needs and financial situation. To identify the best lender for various borrower profiles in Chicago, MoneyGeek examined over 30 factors, including the lender's BBB rating, loan term, APR, prepayment penalties, origination fees, late fees and more.

We also evaluated eligibility requirements like credit scores, income minimums, debt-to-income ratios and more to help you figure out which lenders have the highest chance of approving your application.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Chicago: LightStream


  • LightStream
    • 4.49% to 20.49%APR Range
    • 660Minimum Credit Score
    • $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
    • 24 to 84 monthsRepayment Terms
    • Same DayTime to Receive Funds

    LightStream is a SunTrust Bank online lending division that launched in 2013. The company serves those looking for personal loans nationwide.

    MoneyGeek collected information from multiple Brooklyn-based lenders. LightStream was ranked as the best overall personal loan lender in Brooklyn. It has no origination, late or prepayment fees. This lender also doesn't require a minimum income or employment status. BBB even gave LightStream an A+ rating.

    Keep in mind that individuals with credit scores below 660 are not eligible for LightStream loans.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • 0.5% autopay discount
    • No late fees, prepayment penalties or origination fees
    • Fast fund disbursement
    • No minimum gross income requirement

    Cons

    • Not available to people with new or no credit
    • Conducts hard credit inquiry
    • High minimum credit requirement
    • APR range: 4.49%–20.49%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $5,000–$100,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 660
    • Repayment terms: 24–84 months
    • Time to receive funds: Same day
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Chicago: 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

    Upstart is the ideal lender for people with bad credit. It has an APR range starting at just 3.22%. However, Upstart has a debt-to-income ratio of 45%. Upstart also received an A+ rating from BBB.

    Upstart was launched in 2012 as a lending platform that uses AI to process loans. The lender has serviced over 1.8 million individuals and originated over $20.8 billion in loans to date.

    The company requires a very low credit score of 300 to be eligible for a loan. You must be able to prove an annual gross income of $12,000 to get approved as well.

    Pros

    • No prepayment penalty
    • Low credit score requirement
    • Next-day funding available
    • Conducts soft credit inquiry
    • A+ rating from BBB

    Cons

    • $15 late fee
    • Potentially high origination fee
    • No autopay discount
    • APR range: 3.22%–35.99%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 300
    • Repayment terms: 36–60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Next day
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Chicago: 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

    Personal loans are one of SoFi's many financial offerings. The company was founded in 2011.

    SoFi's minimum credit score threshold is 680, which is high compared to many other lenders. However, SoFi conducts soft credit inquiries that won't affect your credit.

    SoFi requires a gross income of at least $50,000 to qualify for a loan. Additionally, loan approval and disbursement could take up to a week, although it usually only takes around two days.

    Pros

    • A+ rating from BBB
    • Doesn’t charge prepayment fees
    • No origination fee
    • Doesn’t charge late fees
    • 0.25% auto payment discount

    Cons

    • High minimum credit requirement
    • Loan disbursement can take a few days
    • Requires $50,000 minimum gross income
    • APR range: 5.74%–20.28%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $5,000–$100,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 680
    • Repayment terms: 12–60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Two days
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Chicago: 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

    Upgrade is an American neobank founded in 2016. In Chicago, Upgrade is the best personal lender for consolidating debt.

    Upgrade will pay your creditors directly if you take out a loan to consolidate your debt. Individuals with fair credit ratings may apply for a loan. The personal loan amount can vary from $1,000–$50,000, making it a viable option for those considering smaller loans.

    MoneyGeek found that Upgrade often charges high interest rates. Individuals with good credit scores might want to shop around and compare rates with other lenders.

    Pros

    • No prepayment penalty
    • 1% auto payment discount
    • No income requirements
    • Conducts soft credit inquiry
    • A+ rating from BBB

    Cons

    • Doesn’t allow co-signers
    • $10 late payment fee
    • High origination fee of 2.9%–8%
    • APR range: 5.94%–35.47%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 560
    • Repayment terms: 36-60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Same day
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Chicago: 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

    MoneyGeek researched different lenders to find the best option for home improvement. We found Best Egg to be the best choice.

    Best Egg was established in 2014. The company has a 0.5% autopay discount, and the interest rates with this company can be as low as 4.99%.

    While Best Egg is a good option for those with a credit score of 700 or above, individuals with poor credit will have to consider other lenders. Additionally, they may not be the best option for those who require more than a $50,000 loan.

    Pros

    • Doesn’t charge prepayment fees
    • Conduct soft inquiries that don’t affect your credit
    • A+ rating from BBB
    • 0.5% auto repayment discount
    • Has a mobile app

    Cons

    • High credit score requirement
    • Charges late payment fees
    • Requires $50,000 minimum gross income
    • APR range: 4.99%–35.99%
    • Minimum/maximum loan amount: $2,000–$50,000
    • Minimum credit requirements: 700
    • Repayment terms: 36–60 months
    • Time to receive funds: Next day
    Best Egg

How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Chicago For You

When applying for a personal loan, you will need to research many lenders. Consider your credit score, income and existing debts as a starting point when applying. In Chicago, the average personal loan debt is $22,553. MoneyGeek's study outlines the steps to take before applying for a personal loan in Chicago.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Before you start searching for a personal loan, you should ask yourself a few questions about your needs. These will help you find the best personal loan lender in Chicago and even evaluate if a personal loan is the best option for you. Ask yourself:

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

Researching your options is important, just like it is with any financial commitment. You should shop around for the lowest interest rate and ensure that you can easily afford each monthly payment for two to four years. Search online for the best lenders for borrowers with average or good credit, confirm interest rates and evaluate the terms and conditions.

MoneyGeek's guide gives you all the information you need to make an educated decision and suggests the best personal loans in Chicago. We made our suggestions by taking key factors into account and rating them appropriately. However, if you want further information, we recommend doing your own research.

3
Wait

Shopping around is the best approach to determine which personal loan company is best for you. Get quotes from several lenders, then wait a day or two before making a final decision. Waiting an additional couple of days will give you time to think things through and make the right decision. Remember that getting a personal loan is a significant commitment. Only choose a lender after doing thorough research and ensuring that the loan suits your requirements.

4
Read the Fine Print

Make sure you thoroughly review all of the lender's terms and conditions after selecting your loan provider. Be on the lookout for fees, penalties and other charges that might increase the overall cost of your loan. Before signing the loan agreement form, be certain you know how these terms influence your loan. Taking the time to do this can save you money in the long run.

5
Apply

Once you've decided on a lender, it's time to apply. Many lenders want a lot of information before approving a loan, so be sure you have everything ready before filling out the application. If anything isn't right or you are confused, ask questions. A brief phone call or visit to the lender may help answer questions that might otherwise delay your approval. During the application process, lenders often request identification, address verification and proof of income.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Chicago

Getting a personal loan is not always easy. Your loan application might be declined because your credit score isn't sufficient or you haven't had a steady income long enough. If your personal loan application is declined, you may call or email the lender to learn why.

You can apply for a loan from another company if necessary, but you should wait until you have rectified the factor that caused your previous application to be declined. To find a suitable alternative lender, you may need to apply with many lenders and evaluate their features. Whatever you decide, keep in mind that there is always a solution.

Taking out a payday loan may seem appealing, but it's typically a bad idea. This strategy has several drawbacks. For example, these loans have costly interest rates and short payback terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Chicago

When evaluating a personal loan application in Chicago, lenders will consider several factors, including your credit history, current income, monthly expenses and more. MoneyGeek answers the most frequently asked questions about personal loans in Chicago.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

We reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories: 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
  • Best Egg. "Best Egg." Accessed March 7, 2022.
  • LightStream. "LightStream." Accessed March 7, 2022.
  • SoFi. "SoFi." Accessed March 7, 2022.
  • Upgrade. "Upgrade." Accessed March 7, 2022.
  • Upstart. "Upstart." Accessed March 7, 2022.
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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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