Best Personal Loans in Joliet, IL: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You
Updated: December 28, 2023
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- The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Joliet
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Joliet
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Joliet
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Joliet
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in Joliet
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan Lender for You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Joliet
MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Joliet, IL
MoneyGeek determined the best personal loans in Joliet by evaluating lenders based on 30+ data points. Our analysis factored in average APRs, loan limits, repayment terms, application fees and minimum requirements for income and credit scores. We also considered customer service ratings and additional features that enhance the user experience, like prequalification features and mobile apps.
LightStream emerged as the best overall lender for personal loans in Joliet, Illinois. However, Upstart is the best option if you have bad credit, while SoFi is best for those with good credit.
Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Joliet: Lightstream
Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Joliet: Upstart
Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Joliet: SoFi
Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Joliet: Upgrade
Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Joliet: Best Egg
Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Joliet for You
If you need a personal loan in Joliet, you are not alone. People in Illinois have an average of $22,553 in personal loan debt for purposes like home improvement, emergency expenses, funding large expenses or debt consolidation. Factors like your credit score, income and current debt will play a key role in determining who the best personal loan lender is for you.
MoneyGeek broke down some steps to guide you in finding the best personal loan for your profile.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Before you apply for a personal loan, it is best to first figure out how much you need to borrow and whether you can afford it. Personal loans require a long-term commitment, so it is wise to first assess your financial situation to determine whether a personal loan is the best option for you.
Keep in mind that factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio will affect not only your eligibility but also the kind of rates you get from lenders.
The following questions will help you figure out whether you can afford a personal loan.
- How much funding do I need?
- What is my credit score?
- Can I afford the monthly payment?
- How much debt do I already have?
Do Your Research
Personal loan rates, terms and even limits typically vary depending on the lender, so shopping around is the best way to ensure you are getting the best deal. Do some research and compare what lenders are offering based on your borrower profile. This will help you narrow down your choices and find a lender that best suits your needs.
Pay attention to minimum requirements and other terms that may disqualify you from particular lenders so that you choose a lender that suits your particular profile. MoneyGeek’s recommendations are a great starting point when looking for the best personal loans in Joliet, but since each borrower has unique needs, it is best to do some research based on your specific financial situation.
Wait
Personal loans impact your finances for a long time, so it is wise to weigh the pros and cons before signing up. MoneyGeek recommends waiting a couple of days before submitting your loan application. This will give you time to consider the commitment and ensure that you can handle it long-term.
Think over your options and consider what the monthly payments of the loan will mean for your finances. You may also want to explore other financing options available to you and see how they compare to a personal loan in terms of cost. Only proceed to apply for a loan if you are sure you are making a sound financial decision.
Read the Fine Print
If you are happy with your choice of lender and the terms of your loan, you can proceed to submit an application. Most lenders have a simple online application process, but you will need to provide supporting documents for identification, income and financial history. Make sure that you complete the application in full and provide all the required details to avoid delays in getting your loan processed.
Most lenders offer online support if you need help with your application, and some allow in-person applications so you can visit them if necessary.
Apply
When you're prepared to submit your personal loan application, make sure you have all the required documentation on hand. Typically, this includes documentation to verify proof of income, identification and address.
Some lenders' applications can be completed entirely online, while others have physical offices you can contact or visit. Though an online application may be more convenient, we recommend applying over the phone or in person if you have questions or are confused about the online application process.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Joliet
In some cases, your loan application may be unsuccessful. If this happens, do not be discouraged. Lenders decline applications from time to time, but this does not mean you cannot get a loan in the future. Some of the reasons a lender may decline your application include failing to meet their minimum credit score or income requirements. You may also be declined for failing to provide the required information or documents.
Ask the lender for the exact reason you were declined. This will guide you on what you need to do so that future applications are successful. Factors like credit score or debt-to-income ratio can be improved over time. You may also choose to reapply with a different lender, but MoneyGeek advises against reapplying until after you rectify the factors that caused you to be declined.
MoneyGeek also cautions against payday loans. Payday loans typically have very high interest rates and short repayment terms.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Joliet
The best personal loan lender in Joliet for you will depend on your needs and borrower profile. MoneyGeek responded to the commonly asked questions below to help you learn more about personal loans in Joliet.
LightStream is the best personal loan lender in Joliet for most people. However, if you have good credit, SoFi is the best option, while Upstart is the best lender for those with bad credit.
Upstart offers the lowest minimum interest rate in Joliet.
You can usually use a personal loan for vacations in Joliet. However, check with your lender to make sure they don’t have any restrictions on fund usage.
As long as your lender doesn’t have any restrictions for this purpose, personal loans in Joliet can be used for home improvement.
This varies by lender. With some, you cannot use a personal loan for illegal activities or gambling. Some lenders may also restrict the use of funds for postsecondary education and investments like stocks and bonds.
In Joliet, you can borrow between $1,000 and $100,000, depending on the lender and your creditworthiness.
Some lenders offer same-day funding, while others take a few business days to fund a personal loan in Joliet. Each lender has their own funding period, so always check with your preferred lender.
Yes, you can pay off your loan early in Joliet. However, some lenders may charge early payment fees, so check with your preferred lender for the early payment policy.
Our Personal Loan Methodology
MoneyGeek identified the best personal loans in Joliet by reviewing more than 30 personal loan lenders. We assessed lenders based on 35+ individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
For each ranking category, MoneyGeek rated lenders based on several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight for borrowers. These data points include APR ranges, loan limits, minimum requirements for credit score and income, application fees and disbursement time.
MoneyGeek values you, the consumer, so we also consider each lender’s customer support, business ratings and other features that improve the user experience for the borrower, such as the availability of prequalification and mobile apps.
MoneyGeek’s recommendations are made with your best interest in mind to help you make smart financial decisions when choosing the best personal loan lender for your needs.
sources
- Best Egg. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 14, 2022.
- LightStream. "FAQ." Accessed November 14, 2022.
- SoFi. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 14, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans up to $50,000." Accessed November 14, 2022.
- Upstart. "Personal Loans." Accessed November 14, 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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