Best Personal Loans in Cary, NC: 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 Cary, NC

MoneyGeek compared personal loan providers in Cary based on more than 30 factors, including each lender’s loan amount, customer service history, interest rates, credit score requirements and income requirements.

Based on our research, we found that Truist provided the most competitive terms for most borrowers. However, those with bad or good credit will receive the best rates from Upstart and SoFi, respectively. Meanwhile, Upgrade is our top choice for consolidating debt, and Best Egg is our lender of choice for funding home improvement projects.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Cary: 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

    MoneyGeek recommends Truist as the best personal loan provider in Cary. The lender offers loan amounts between $3,500 and $50,000 with flexible repayment terms from 6 to 60 months. In comparison to other lenders, Truist’s interest rates are significantly lower.

    Additional perks available through this lender include quick funding and a lack of origination or late fees. Its mobile application also allows borrowers to easily manage their funds and make payments.

    Though Truist doesn’t disclose a minimum credit score requirement, those with poor credit scores may not qualify for a loan. It’s important to note that Truist doesn’t make payments directly to creditors if you intend to use the loan to pay off credit card companies.

    Pros

    • Low minimum APR
    • Flexible repayment terms
    • Mobile application for loan management
    • No origination fees or late fees

    Cons

    • Co-signers not permitted
    • Relatively low maximum loan amount
    • No direct payment to creditors
    Truist

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Cary: 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 suggests those in Cary with low credit scores to check out Upstart. When evaluating your loan application, Upstart doesn't just look at your credit score, as most traditional lenders do. The company also considers criteria like your employment status and annual income when assessing your capacity for loan repayment.

    Loans can be used for select educational purposes, including undergraduate and graduate study, as well as certification programs and boot camps. However, it’s important to note that its loans aren’t permitted to be used for educational purposes in select states, including California, Connecticut, Illinois, Washington and Washington, D.C.

    Upstart also has a low minimum credit score requirement, starting at just 300. However, although those with poor credit can qualify for an Upstart loan, they may receive a high interest rate. You can use the lender’s online interest rate calculator to check your current rate without a hard credit check.

    Pros

    • Low APR
    • Low minimum credit score requirement
    • No prepayment fees
    • Funds can be used for some educational purposes
    • Low minimum loan amount

    Cons

    • High maximum APR
    • Limited repayment terms
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Cary: 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

    According to MoneyGeek's research, SoFi is the best option for borrowers with good credit in search of personal loans in Cary. Applicants with a good credit score may qualify for low interest rates. However, individuals with lower credit scores may not qualify for a SoFi personal loan because of the lender’s high minimum credit score requirement of 680.

    Those looking for a large personal loan may opt for this lender, as its maximum loan amount is $100,000. SoFi allows borrowers to choose a repayment plan that best fits their needs and budget. Furthermore, the lender charges no origination fees, prepayment fees or late payment fees. With SoFi, you can save 0.25% on your interest rate by opting for automatic payments.

    Pros

    • Automatic payment discount
    • Relatively low starting APR
    • No origination or prepayment fees
    • Flexible repayment terms

    Cons

    • High minimum loan amount of $5,000
    • High minimum credit score requirement of 680
    • Co-signers not permitted
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Cary: 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 was rated by MoneyGeek as the top debt consolidation lender in Cary. With Upgrade, you won’t have to worry about making payments to creditors, as the company directly pays creditors for you.

    Though its personal loan products feature a high maximum APR, those with excellent credit may qualify for the lender’s low advertised starting APR. In comparison to other lenders, Upgrade has one of the lowest starting APRs.

    Upgrade's origination fees for personal loans range from 1.85% to 8.99%, and late fees can accrue quickly. Although the loan origination fee is unavoidable, you can avoid paying late fees by making timely payments on your loan. If you aren’t sure if you qualify for a loan on your own with Upgrade, consider opting for a joint loan to increase your chances of approval.

    Pros

    • Joint or secured loans available
    • Direct payment to third-party creditors
    • Mobile application
    • Low minimum APR
    • Online prequalification available

    Cons

    • Origination fees
    • High maximum APR
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Cary: 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

    If you live in Cary and are interested in a home renovation loan, MoneyGeek recommends Best Egg for a personal loan lender. After you submit your application online, it may be approved within minutes, with funds being disbursed the following day for most applicants.

    Best Egg personal loans are a good option for borrowers in need of a smaller loan amount ranging from $2,000 to $50,000 with repayment terms between 36 and 60 months. The lender’s A+ BBB rating indicates it provides superior customer service.

    However, applicants must have a minimum credit score of 700 to be eligible. Loan products offered by this lender also feature a relatively high maximum APR. All loans are subject to an origination fee between 0.99% and 8.99% of the original loan amount; coupled with a potentially high interest rate, this could significantly increase the overall cost of your loan.

    Pros

    • No prepayment fees
    • Mobile application available
    • Q funding
    • A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating

    Cons

    • Relatively low maximum loan amount
    • Origination fees
    • Late fees
    Best Egg

Where to Start: How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Cary for You

You should consider your current finances, including your existing debt and credit score, if you’re thinking about applying for a personal loan. Though most people in North Carolina won’t have an issue qualifying for a personal loan — the average credit score in the state is 707 — your situation may be different.

If you're thinking about applying for a personal loan in Cary to cover a home renovation, an emergency crisis or other major expense, MoneyGeek offers the following suggestions to help you find the best fit.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Before applying for a personal loan, it’s important to determine if it will help you meet your financial objectives. To start, we recommend reflecting on the following questions:

  • How much money do I need? Prior to applying for a personal loan, you should approximate your loan amount. The more precise you can be in this calculation, the less money you’ll pay in interest by taking out a loan that’s too large. Failure to take out enough money may require that you take out an additional loan. Save your future self the time and stress by taking the time to calculate your monthly payment.
  • What’s my credit rating? Your credit rating or score will impact the lenders you’re eligible for and the loan terms available to you. If you have a low credit score and don’t require funds immediately, consider improving your credit score first before applying for a personal loan. With a higher credit score, you’ll receive a lower interest rate, which will reduce the overall cost of your loan.
  • What’s an affordable monthly payment for my current budget? While making a higher monthly payment will reduce the amount you’ll pay in interest, it’s important that you don’t deprive yourself in the process. Ensure that your monthly payment still permits you to meet your other financial objectives.
  • How much do I currently owe (existing debt)? If you already have existing debt and aren’t obtaining a personal loan for debt consolidation, consider alternative options. Those that have demonstrated that they’re able to make timely payments on their current loans may pursue an additional personal loan, but be mindful that your DTI remains below 50%.
2
Do Your Research

Compare lenders for their interest rates, minimum credit score criteria and fees to find the one that best suits your needs. If you decide to move forward, keep in mind that lenders complete a hard credit check when you submit your application. This will cause your score to temporarily drop. While MoneyGeek’s recommendations are a great place to start, our guide is based on general borrower profiles, rather than your specific situation. To find the best lender for you, it’s important that you complete your own research.

3
Wait

After you've found the best loan option for your needs, think about it for a few days before making a final decision. A personal loan is a long-term financial commitment, so it's important to weigh the pros and cons before signing any paperwork.

4
Read the Fine Print

Prior to applying, ensure that you’ve read and understand the terms of your loan agreement. The fine print of your loan agreement will outline any hidden fees, like those for loan origination, late payments and early repayment. Taking the time to carefully read this document and ask your lender any questions can save you money in the long term.

5
Apply

After you've completed the steps above, you can submit your application. Prior to applying, you should ensure that you have all the necessary documents, including proof of identification and employment, to expedite the process. Some providers only offer online applications, while others allow you to apply over the phone or in person.

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

Your loan application may be denied for a variety of reasons, including a low credit score, insufficient employment history, lack of income and other factors.

If your loan application is denied, you should ask your lender why it was rejected. Sometimes, changing the terms of your loan, like lowering the loan amount or modifying the repayment term, can help you get approved. If your application was rejected because of a low credit score, consider improving it first before reapplying.

Those that need funds quickly may be tempted to take out a payday loan. These loans feature extremely high interest rates and short repayment terms that can cost borrowers more money in the long run. Because of this, MoneyGeek strongly advises against taking out a payday loan.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Cary

MoneyGeek answered some commonly asked questions about personal loans in Cary to simplify the application process.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

For our analysis, 35 data points were collected and evaluated across six primary categories: loan cost, availability, user friendliness, service, adaptability and transparency to compare 30 different personal loan providers.

MoneyGeek considered a number of factors to rank each lender. Application fees, minimum credit score, minimum income and interest rate ranges are all key factors that we measured during this process.

We also take into account the quality of each lender's customer service, the reliability of their company and any supplementary tools they may provide that may enhance your experience, such as prequalification, payment options, and apps.

We want to make sure you get the best personal loan possible, so we provide reliable guidance and suggestions from industry experts.

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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