Best Personal Loans in St. Louis, MO: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You
Updated: December 28, 2023
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
- The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in St. Louis
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in St. Louis
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in St. Louis
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in St. Louis
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in St. Louis
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan for You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in St. Louis
MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in St. Louis, MO
MoneyGeek analyzed over 30 data points to discover which companies provide the best personal loans in St. Louis, Missouri. We examined APR ranges, repayment durations, minimum credit ratings, disbursement times, late fees, loan amounts and Better Business Bureau (BBB) ratings.
Our analysis shows that LightStream is the best personal loan lender in St. Louis. Remember that the best loan provider for you depends on your individual requirements. Upstart, for example, is a great alternative for people with poor credit, whereas Best Egg is ideal for those who wish to remodel their homes.
Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in St. Louis: LightStream
Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in St. Louis: Upstart
Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in St. Louis: SoFi
Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in St. Louis: Upgrade
Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in St. Louis: Best Egg
Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in St. Louis for You
Personal loans can help finance significant expenses, such as medical costs, funerals, debt consolidation and weddings. Before applying for a personal loan in St. Louis, evaluate your financial position. The average personal loan debt in Missouri is $14,625, and the average resident's credit score is 675.
MoneyGeek has outlined a series of steps to assist you during the personal loan process.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Make an informed decision by considering your financial requirements and goals. Answering the following questions will help you identify a lender who meets your particular needs and preferences.
- How much funding do I need? It is crucial to establish exactly how much you need to borrow.
- What is my credit score? Before applying for a personal loan, determine whether you meet the lender’s minimum credit score requirement.
- Can I afford the monthly payment? You typically repay personal loans in monthly installments, so be sure you can fit these in your budget.
- How much debt do I already have? Some lenders impose a maximum debt-to-income (DTI) ratio on borrowers. Be aware that a personal loan will increase your DTI.
Do Your Research
MoneyGeek encourages prospective borrowers to evaluate rates and terms from several lenders. Applying for a personal loan is a serious undertaking. Certain creditors conduct rigorous credit checks, which might have a negative impact on your credit rating. In addition, the average payback term is between two and four years, and you will need to make your monthly payments on time.
MoneyGeek has assembled pertinent information to help you choose the best St. Louis personal loan for your requirements. Each provider has its benefits, drawbacks and criteria. Although MoneyGeek recommends particular lenders, always research alternative options.
Wait
Wait a few days once you've narrowed down your choices, and give yourself time to reflect. A personal loan is a substantial, long-term obligation, so be sure it’s your best financial option. Reconsider taking out a personal loan if other options meet your financial needs.
Read the Fine Print
Occasionally, borrowers overlook minor but crucial elements in their personal loan’s fine print. MoneyGeek strongly recommends carefully examining your personal loan's terms to identify important costs, such as origination and late fees, prepayment penalties and other applicable fees.
The fine print can include ambiguous terminology, so contact a lender agent or financial professional if you have any questions about the loan terms. When you’re fully aware of your personal loan's terms, you can plan for future costs and better manage your budget.
Apply
After following the preceding steps and ensuring you meet the lender's eligibility requirements, you can submit your application. Generally, lenders require identification, proof of income and address verification. However, you may be required to submit additional supporting documentation. Depending on the lender, you can apply for a personal loan in St. Louis online, in person or over the phone.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in St. Louis
If your application for a personal loan is declined, don't worry. Lenders reject applications for various reasons, including inadequate income, poor credit scores or other issues. MoneyGeek suggests you ask the lender why it denied your application. Typically, you can open negotiations and modify your application. For example, the lender may allow you to reduce the loan duration or the loan amount.
Nevertheless, if your application for a personal loan is still denied, you can always apply with a different lender. However, we only recommend doing so after you have addressed the issue that led to your initial application’s rejection.
We strongly suggest taking out a payday loan. Payday loans are available immediately but have exceptionally high interest rates and short repayment durations. As a result, you may lose money in the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in St. Louis
Navigating the personal loan market can be overwhelming. To assist you with the process, MoneyGeek provides answers to frequently asked questions. The best personal loan lender in St. Louis for you will depend on your financial circumstances and objectives.
LightStream is the best personal loan provider in St. Louis. However, the best lender for you will be contingent upon your requirements. For example, Best Egg is suitable for individuals who wish to renovate their homes, whereas Upgrade is ideal for those who want to consolidate their debt.
LightStream's interest rate is the lowest in St. Louis. However, this rate is dependent on your financial history and creditworthiness.
Yes, many lenders provide personal loans for vacations. Some lenders do limit how you may use the money you borrow, so always double-check the loan terms.
Absolutely. Best Egg is the top company in St. Louis for home improvement personal loans.
It differs depending on the lender. Some firms may restrict funds for postsecondary education, investments and other purposes. Others, however, do not restrict the usage of funds.
Typically, you can borrow between $1,000 and $100,000. Lenders will assess how much you can borrow based on your ability to satisfy certain eligibility conditions.
It depends. LightStream provides access to funds on the same day. Other providers may take up to one week.
Yes, you can. Note that certain lenders levy prepayment penalties.
Our Personal Loan Methodology
MoneyGeek assessed over 30 personal loan providers using more than 35 distinct data points in six major categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
Within each category of ranking criteria, we analyzed a number of data factors that, in our opinion, bear the most weight when selecting a personal loan lender. These variables include APR ranges, minimum credit score, minimum income, possible loan amount, application costs and disbursement time.
MoneyGeek values you, the customer, so we also consider each lender's customer service, business ratings and added services that may make your experience more convenient, such as prequalification, payment alternatives and mobile access.
After deliberation and calculation, our recommendations are made with your best interests in mind. We compile personal loan tips and professional advice to assist you in selecting the best lender for your specific needs.
sources
- LightStream. "About Us." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- LightStream. "LightStream." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- SoFi. "About Us." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- SoFi. "Credit Card Consolidation Loans." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- Upgrade. "About Us." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- Upstart. "About." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- Upstart. "Personal Loans: Apply Online, Quick Rate Check." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- Best Egg. "Personal Loans." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- Best Egg. "Easy Personal Loans." Accessed September 9, 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
our editorial policies and expert editorial team.