Best Personal Loans in Akron, OH: 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 Akron, OH

MoneyGeek evaluated 30 lenders for over 35 key features, like customer service ratings, APRs, loan amounts, repayment terms, discount opportunities and more, to find the best personal loan lender in Akron.

Based on our review, Truist offers the best personal loan in Akron for the average borrower. However, the best lender will vary depending on a borrower’s financial history and needs. For instance, we also found that Upstart and SoFi are the best lenders for those with bad and good credit, respectively, while Upgrade and Best Egg are our top choices for debt consolidation and home improvement personal loans.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Akron: 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

    Truist Bank was founded in 2019 from the merger of BB&T and SunTrust. MoneyGeek found that it provides the best personal loans in Akron due to its competitive rates, quick funding and flexible repayment terms.

    Truist allows borrowers to obtain a loan for up to $50,000. Its varied repayment terms from 6 to 60 months permit borrowers to choose a repayment schedule that best fits their financial goals. Furthermore, Truist doesn’t impose commonly charged fees like prepayment penalties, late fees and origination fees.

    Though Truist doesn’t explicitly list any credit score requirements on their website, only those with excellent credit scores are likely to qualify for its personal loan offerings. With a Truist personal loan, borrowers aren’t allowed to use their funds to pay for postsecondary education or buy stocks or bonds.

    Pros

    • Relatively low APRs
    • Flexible repayment terms
    • No origination or late fees
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • Low maximum loan limit
    • Hard credit check
    • Co-signers not permitted
    Truist

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Akron: 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 was named the best personal loan provider for individuals with poor credit in Akron because of its low minimum credit score requirement of 300. The lender, which was founded in 2012, uses AI technology to analyze data when examining loan applications.

    Upstart’s loan products feature loan amounts ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 and repayment terms of 36 or 60 months. There are no prepayment fees associated with making partial or full repayments of your loan at any time.

    Because the lender’s maximum loan amount is $50,000, this lender isn’t ideal for those that need a large loan. Furthermore, it should be noted that even though you can qualify for a personal loan with a low credit score, you could receive an extremely high interest rate.

    Pros

    • Low minimum credit requirement
    • Soft credit check during initial application
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Low minimum loan amount

    Cons

    • Origination fees
    • High maximum APR
    • Late payment fees
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Akron: 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

    Social Finance, or SoFi, was established in 2011 and began offering personal loans in 2015. MoneyGeek's study shows that SoFi offers the best personal loans in Akron for borrowers with good credit, specifically those who have a credit score of 680 or more.

    SoFi personal loans feature loan amounts of $5,000 to $100,000. SoFi’s APR range is among the lowest of the lenders that MoneyGeek reviewed. This means that you’ll likely pay less money in interest with a loan from this lender.

    Furthermore, Upstart allows borrowers to prequalify online without negatively impacting their credit score. Unlike other lenders, Upstart doesn’t charge any fees for late payments, prepayment or loan origination. Borrowers can also receive a reduced interest rate by signing up for automatic payments.

    However, SoFi's personal loans might not be the ideal choice if you only need a small loan, since the minimum amount you can borrow is $5,000. Its high minimum credit score requirement of 680 may make it difficult for some borrowers to qualify.

    Pros

    • High maximum loan amount
    • Autopay discount
    • No late fees
    • No origination fees
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • High minimum loan amount
    • Co-signers not permitted
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Akron: 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 established in 2016 and offers personal loans to borrowers nationwide. Our analysis shows that this lender is the best option for Akron residents who are looking to take out a personal loan to consolidate debt.

    Upgrade offers personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000. Though it’s possible to qualify for a very low APR if you have an excellent credit score, those with fair-to-poor credit run the risk of receiving an extremely high APR.

    The lender’s fees for loan origination and late payments may also significantly contribute to the overall cost of your loan. Borrowers looking for a large loan may find that the lender’s maximum amount of $50,000 isn’t enough for their needs.

    Pros

    • Direct payment to creditors available
    • Flexible repayment terms
    • Low starting APR
    • Soft credit check during initial application

    Cons

    • Relatively low maximum loan limit
    • High maximum APR
    • Origination fees
    • Late fees
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Akron: 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

    The online lender, Best Egg, was established in 2014. It’s the top personal loan provider in Akron for borrowers wishing to fund home improvements, according to MoneyGeek's research.

    Best Egg offers loans between $2,000 and $50,000, making it an ideal lending option for both small refurbishing projects and massive remodeling ventures. While its starting APR is relatively low, only those with excellent credit scores will receive it. If you simply meet the lender’s minimum credit score requirement of 700, you may receive an extremely high interest rate.

    The lender does offer a way to reduce your interest rate by providing a discounted rate to borrowers that sign up for automatic payments. Even with the discount, you may still obtain a lower rate from a different lender.

    Pros

    • Autopay discount
    • Low minimum loan amount
    • No restrictions on the usage of funds
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • Relatively low maximum loan amount
    • Relatively high maximum APR
    Best Egg

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

Personal loans are frequently used in Akron to pay for both planned and unforeseen expenses. In Ohio, the average personal loan debt is $24,808.

Before you apply for a loan, MoneyGeek encourages you to consider if it’s the best option for you. To make a well-informed decision, we recommend taking the following steps:

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Prior to applying for a personal loan, it’s important to consider if it’s the best option for you. Reviewing your current finances and reflecting on your intended use of the loan can help you decide if a personal loan will set you up for financial success or financial failure. At a minimum, you should ask yourself the following questions:

  • How much funding do I need? It’s important to only take out the amount of money you need to avoid paying more in interest or having to take out a second loan. This will also help you narrow down your choice of lenders, as some lenders may not offer your desired loan amount.
  • What is my credit score? Your credit score impacts your loan eligibility and the rates available to you. Having a higher credit score will make you eligible with more lenders and allow you to qualify for a lower interest rate.
  • Can I afford the monthly payment? Check your finances to see if you can make your loan payments and still afford to pay for living expenses.
  • How much debt do I already have? Your debt-to-income ratio will be evaluated by lenders. If you are currently repaying a debt, determine if your ratio — your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income — meets the lender’s requirements.
2
Do Your Research

Before you apply for a loan, you should have compared lenders for their terms, rates, fees and eligibility requirements. That way, you can only apply with the lender or lenders that best fit your needs. MoneyGeek's guide is a great starting point, but you should still complete your own research to find a lender that best aligns with your unique financial situation.

3
Wait

After you’ve chosen your lender, you should wait a day or two before applying. You can use this time to complete an in-depth analysis of your lender or find an alternative funding solution.

Ask yourself if you actually need a personal loan before applying for it. Would setting money aside rather than getting a loan be preferable for your financial future? Is there a family member or friend you can ask to borrow money from instead? Taking a step back to contemplate your decision might give you the space to find a new solution or assure you that taking out a personal loan is the best move for your finances.

4
Read the Fine Print

It’s essential to read the fine print of your loan agreement to identify any fees, like those for early repayment, loan origination or late payment. These hidden fees can add up over the life of your loan. If you have any questions on the terms of your loan agreement, you should contact your lender for clarification.

5
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 Akron

If your loan application is turned down, don't give up. In Akron, lenders may reject personal loan applications for a variety of reasons, including poor credit, insufficient income or a high debt-to-income ratio.

We advise that you contact the lender and ask why your application was denied. Inquire if changing the amount or repayment terms of the loan could help your application be approved. You can also find out if adding a co-signer will improve your chances of getting accepted.

It's not a good idea to instantly apply for a personal loan at another organization, even though you can. Before approaching a different lender, it’s preferable to enhance your profile and address the concerns raised by the previous lender. By doing this, you may have a better chance of getting a loan the next time you apply.

Even if you require emergency funding, we strongly advise against risky financial arrangements, such as payday loans with high interest rates and short repayment periods. These unfavorable terms might easily trap you in a debt cycle.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Akron

The ideal personal loan provider for you will be based on your unique circumstances and financial requirements. To help you learn more about personal loans in Akron, MoneyGeek has provided answers to some frequently asked questions.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

MoneyGeek evaluated 30 personal loan providers for 35+ distinct data points in six critical areas, namely accessibility, loan affordability, customer service, consumer friendliness, flexibility and lender transparency.

We evaluated lenders for factors that we believe are the most important when selecting a personal loan lender within each category of the ranking criteria. These factors included, but weren’t limited to, APR ranges, loan amounts, minimum credit score requirements, minimum income requirements, application costs and fund disbursement times.

At MoneyGeek, you, the consumer, are our top priority, so we also took into account each lender’s customer service, business ratings and any extra features, like prequalification, payment alternatives and mobile apps, that improve consumer experience.

Our selections are made with your best interests in mind after considerable deliberation and analysis. We hope that our personal loan suggestions and advice from industry professionals will enable you to select a lender that best suits your needs.

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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