- The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Buffalo
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Buffalo
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Buffalo
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Buffalo
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in Buffalo
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan for You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Buffalo
MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Buffalo, NY
MoneyGeek ranked the best personal loans in Buffalo and determined the top lenders by exploring over 30 data points. Generally, the best option depends on your needs and how well you meet the lender’s terms. Our analysis indicates the top overall lender plus top picks for those with good credit, bad credit, home improvement, and debt consolidation based on factors such as the loan limit, repayment term, interest rates and penalties.
Based on MoneyGeek’s findings, LightStream offers most borrowers the best personal loan in the city. SoFi ranks highest for borrowers with good credit, and Upstart is our top choice for those with bad credit.
Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Buffalo: 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
Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Buffalo: 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
Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Buffalo: 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
Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Buffalo: 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
Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Buffalo: 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
Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Buffalo for You
Personal loan lenders offer a great way to finance unexpected expenses, fund home renovations and consolidate existing debt. Some lenders, like LightStream and Upgrade, restrict your use of borrowed funds. The average personal loan debt in New York is $17,892.
To determine specific personal loan terms for each borrower, lenders often consider factors such as income level and credit score. Generally, MoneyGeek recommends taking the following steps while applying for a personal loan in Buffalo.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
A personal loan has many benefits, including lower interest rates and predictable repayment periods. However, you need to have clear objectives for getting one and analyze your capacity to make monthly repayments. We suggest you ask yourself the following questions to establish whether a personal loan is the best option for your situation.
- 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
Research the best personal loans in Buffalo to ensure you have accurate information about your preferred lenders and their offers. Some factors to examine include loan amounts, interest rates and associated fees. Depending on your profile, you may find several options at different terms. Remember personal loans are long-term commitments with repayment periods that span many years. One way to avoid getting a loan that does not suit your needs is by comparing rates and terms across the lenders.
Our guide outlines the essential details of the best lenders across multiple borrower profiles and can help you find the most suitable company for you. However, our estimates represent an average borrower, and conducting your research may help find a more suitable lender for your circumstances.
Wait
After gathering the information you need about the lenders, take a day or two to think through your preferred options before applying. Waiting a few days ensures you are not making this critical financial decision in a rush and allows you to be more objective when reviewing your choices. You will commit to monthly payments for at least two to four years, a tremendous disadvantage if you use the funds to finance an unnecessary expense.
Read the Fine Print
Learn the vital details of your personal loan, such as its fees and penalties. Examine the terms and conditions in the loan agreement’s fine print and raise any questions and concerns. For instance, some lenders charge a prepayment penalty and an origination or a processing fee. Knowing about these charges in advance will help you determine which loan best suits your budget.
Apply
After completing the necessary steps and ensuring you have selected the best available personal loan option for your profile, start assembling the required documents for your application. Most insurers will ask for copies of your identification documents and proof of income. You may apply exclusively online or visit the lender’s office in person. Ensure you provide correct details at each stage of the application process to avoid delays in disbursing your funds. Your insurer may deny you a loan because of missing or inaccurate information.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Buffalo
Lenders can refuse personal loan applications for numerous reasons, including your credit score, financial background or gaps in your application information. Ask the lender for specific feedback on why you were denied and determine whether you can take steps to remedy the situation. For instance, would it help to have a co-signer or lower the loan amount?
You may also consider other lenders but only do so if you have addressed issues like a low credit rating or high debt-to-income rating. Although you may need urgent cash, payday loans are not a good option since they feature shorter repayment periods and high-interest rates.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Buffalo
Several Buffalo lenders offer personal loans to residents at varying rates and repayment terms. To make the lender selection process easy for borrowers, MoneyGeek responded to the common questions about personal loans in the city.
Our Personal Loan Methodology
MoneyGeek used over 35 individual data points across six categories, including loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency, to rank 30+ personal loan lenders.
Each of the six categories comprises several individual data points with the strongest influence on the personal loan lenders’ scores. Such factors include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.
We also included customer support and business ratings, among other features, to ensure our valued consumers find an option that makes their experience easier and more accessible. Specific data points for these features include prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.
Ultimately, MoneyGeek determines its top picks using a thorough process with your best interests in mind. Use our recommendations and expert tips to find the best lender for your financial situation.
sources
- LightStream. "FAQ." Accessed September 8, 2022.
- Upstart. "Personal Loans." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- SoFi. "Personal Loans." Accessed September 9, 2022.
- Best Egg. "Easy Personal Loans | Debt Consolidation." 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
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