MoneyGeek’s Pick for Best Personal Loan Lender in Columbus, OH: Truist

MoneyGeek reviewed lenders to find the best personal loans in Columbus for different borrower profiles. We used a variety of data points to score lenders, including interest rates, loan limits, repayment terms and fees. We also factored in minimum credit score and gross income requirements, accessibility and user experience to find the best lenders.

MoneyGeek found that the best lender for personal loans in Columbus varies based on your particular profile and needs.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Columbus: 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

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Columbus: 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

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Columbus: 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

    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Columbus: 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

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Columbus: 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

    Best Egg

How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Columbus For You

The average personal loan debt in Ohio is $24,808. Factors such as the amount you qualify for, interest rates and repayment terms can vary widely depending on the lender and your financial profile. MoneyGeek recommends using the following steps to find the most suitable lender for your profile.

1

Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Before taking out a personal loan, you need to determine whether you qualify for a loan, if you can afford the monthly payments and how it will impact your debt-to-income ratio. This means you should ask yourself the following questions:

  1. How much funding do you need?
  2. What is your credit score?
  3. Can you afford the monthly payments?
  4. How much debt do you already have?
2

Do Your Research

When shopping for the best personal loans in Columbus, it pays to compare lenders and analyze your options. Rates and fees tend to vary from one lender to the next, so doing your own research will help you find the most affordable rates. Loan payments are a long-term commitment, which means that it is important to ensure that you choose the best lender available to avoid incurring high costs and fees.

MoneyGeek’s recommendations highlight the best lenders for different profiles. However, your specific needs will determine the best lender for you. Explore your options and do a thorough analysis based on your financial profile and what you need a loan for.

3

Wait

It is important to wait a day or two before submitting a personal loan application. This will allow you to weigh your options, consider the pros and cons and make an informed decision. You may find that a personal loan is the best option for you or that you can meet your funding needs in a different way. Avoid rushing this decision since personal loans are long-term obligations that will impact your finances for two years or longer.

4

Read the Fine Print

Apart from interest rates, personal loans may also result in origination fees, late fees and other types of charges. It is important to make sure that you are aware of all the charges and rates that apply to your loan by reading the fine print. In some cases, charges like late fees can add up over time, making your personal loan more costly than you expected.

Always seek clarification from the lender if there are rates you do not understand to avoid incurring unnecessary penalties or fees. Some lenders also charge more money for fees than others, so reading the fine print can help you compare rates and find the most affordable personal loans in Columbus.

5

Apply

Once you have determined the right lender for you, you can submit your application for a personal loan. It is standard for lenders to ask for personal information such as your address, proof of income and financial history during the application process. Have this information handy before you start your application.

Most lenders have online applications that you can use to apply for a loan. However, you can also call or visit the lender if they offer these options. Taking advantage of these application options can help you if you need more information or have questions during the application process.

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

Loan applications can sometimes be declined if you do not need the lender’s eligibility requirements. If your loan is declined, don’t worry. This happens to many people.

Factors such as your credit score and debt-to-income ratio may cause your loan to be declined. Fortunately, these factors can be improved over time. Always find out from the lender why your loan is declined. This will help you understand what you need to improve on to increase your chances of approval next time.

In some cases, you may find that the lender has a higher credit score requirement or gross income than you can satisfy. In such cases, you may qualify for a loan with a different lender. However, it is best to avoid re-applying for a loan before improving the factors that caused you to get declined in the first place.

Additionally, payday loans are not a good option since they usually have high interest rates.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Columbus

Your specific needs, credit history and other factors will determine the best lender for personal loans in Columbus for you. You can get more information in the frequently asked questions section below.

Our Personal Loan Methodology

We reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each ranking criteria category, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.

Here at MoneyGeek, we value you, the consumer, so we also factor in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible, like prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.

After careful consideration and calculation, our picks are determined with your best interest in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

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.