Best Personal Loans in Eugene, OR: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Updated: December 28, 2023

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MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Eugene, OR

MoneyGeek evaluated lenders for more than 30 data points to choose the best personal loan lender in Eugene. Based on our analysis, LightStream offers the best personal loans in Eugene due to its competitive rates, flexible repayment terms and fast disbursement time. Borrowers with good and bad credit may get the best rates from SoFi and Upstart, respectively. Lenders like Upgrade and Best Egg are worth considering if you need funding for debt consolidation or home renovation.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Eugene: 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

    Based on our analysis, LightStream offers the best personal loan in Eugene due to its varied loan amounts, flexible repayment terms and same-day funding.

    The lender offers loan amounts ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 with repayment terms from 24 to 84 months. While its maximum interest rate is relatively high in comparison to its competitors, its Rate Beat Program offers borrowers a potential discount of 0.10% if they can provide proof of loan approval at a lower rate two days prior to loan funding.

    As a trusted Truist subsidiary, LightStream is one of the few lenders that does not charge origination fees. You can also check out other lenders that have no origination fees when taking out a loan. Funds can be accessed the same day of approval. Borrowers can also monitor their account through the lender’s mobile app.

    Loan proceeds from LightStream have certain restrictions. Loans cannot be used for reasons other than what was included in the original loan application or to refinance an existing LightStream personal loan.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • Autopay discount
    • Quick fund disbursement
    • No prepayment, origination or late fees
    • Joint loans available

    Cons

    • Hard credit check
    • Restrictions on the usage of funds
    • Co-signers not allowed
    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • High minimum loan amount
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Eugene: 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 personal loans provide borrowers with a minimum credit score of 300 the opportunity to obtain a personal loan. This lender uses artificial intelligence when approving applications, which allows them to take into account other factors like a borrower’s education or employment history when deciding whether or not they’re approved.

    Upstart conducts a soft credit pull during the initial loan application, making it ideal for bad credit borrowers who want to check their rates but don’t want to risk hurting their scores. However, after you’ve accepted your rate and continued your loan application, the lender will conduct a hard credit check.

    Borrowers should also be mindful that they may receive a high interest rate depending on their credit score. The lender also charges fees for loan origination and late payments, which may increase the cost of your loan.

    Pros

    • No prepayment fees
    • Low minimum credit score requirement
    • Low minimum loan amount
    • Funds can be used for education-related expenses

    Cons

    • Only two repayment term options
    • No mobile applications
    • Origination and late payment fees
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Eugene: 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 Inc., also known as SoFi, is an alumni-funded fintech company that offers financial products like student loans, mortgages and personal loans. To qualify for a loan with this lender, borrowers must have a good credit score of at least 680.

    Loan products range from $5,000 to $100,000. Personal loans with this lender have some of the lowest interest rates in the industry. SoFi loans don’t have origination, closing costs or prepayment penalties.

    Borrowers who need immediate funding should consider lenders that offer instant approval. SoFi’s personal loan tool provides an estimated rate within 60 seconds and only conducts a soft credit pull during the initial application. Once approved, you can receive funding in a few days. SoFi offers unemployment protection, which adjusts or defers your payment when you lose your job.

    Pros

    • Soft credit pull
    • Unemployment protection
    • Autopay discount
    • A+ BBB rating
    • No prepayment, late or origination fees

    Cons

    • High minimum loan amount
    • No co-signers permitted
    • Minimum income requirements
    • Relatively high credit score requirement
    • Borrowers with no or new credit not accepted
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Eugene: 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 offers the best personal loan in Eugene for debt consolidation because the lender pays third-party creditors directly. Upgrade personal loans range from $1,000 to $50,000. Although most borrowers will qualify for a loan — the lender’s minimum credit score requirement is 560 — they may receive a high interest rate depending on their credit score.

    Although the maximum interest rate you may pay is relatively high, lenders can lower the interest rate when you sign up for automatic payments. Upgrade's A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau also shows that the lender delivers quality customer service.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB rating
    • Low fixed rates
    • No prepayment penalties
    • Autopay discount
    • Fair minimum credit score requirement

    Cons

    • High maximum APR
    • High origination fees
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Eugene: 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’re planning to renovate or upgrade your home in Eugene, you may receive the best personal loan from Best Egg.

    Best Egg is considered the best personal loan in Eugene for home improvement as its loan products feature fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments. Borrowers can obtain $2,000 to $50,000 with repayment terms between 36 and 60 months.

    While Best Egg may be considered the best lender for home improvement, only those with a minimum credit score of 700 will qualify. Furthermore, borrowers may receive a high interest rate if they don’t have excellent credit.

    Pros

    • A+ BBB ratings
    • Soft credit pull
    • Autopay discount
    • No prepayment penalties

    Cons

    • High minimum credit score requirement
    • Minimum income requirement
    • Co-signers not permitted
    • Late fees
    • Origination fees
    Best Egg

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

In Oregon, borrowers have an average of $17,066 in personal loans at an average interest rate of 9.84%. Lenders look at several factors to determine your eligibility and loan terms, including your credit score, current debt, income and debt-to-income ratio.

Borrowers in Eugene take out personal loans for various reasons, such as funding large expenses, consolidating debt and paying for home renovations. If you aren’t sure if a personal loan is right for you, we recommend taking the following steps to make the best decision for your situation:

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

Getting a personal loan is a huge financial decision. On average it takes between two and four years to repay a loan, so before comparing personal loans in your city, it’s important to have answers to the following questions:

  • How much funding do I need? It’s important to only borrow the loan amount that you need to avoid paying extra in interest or needing to take out a second loan. Accurately estimating your loan needs upfront can save you time and stress in the long run.
  • What is my credit score? Most lenders have a minimum credit score requirement when accepting loan applications. Knowing your credit score can help you identify which lenders you’ll qualify for a loan with.
  • Can I afford the monthly payment? One way to know if you can afford to pay the total amount of money you are borrowing is by calculating the monthly payments you are required to make.
  • How much debt do I already have? Ensure that you aren’t accumulating too much debt. Calculate your debt-to-income ratio, taking into account your new potential loan amount. Consider an alternative source of funding by reviewing the pros and cons of taking out a personal loan.
2
Do Your Research

To find the best lender for your needs, you can compare lenders for their APR ranges, disbursement period and credit score requirements. While MoneyGeek’s review is a great place to start, our findings were based on what’s best for a generic borrower profile, rather than your unique situation. Because of this, you should complete your own research, searching for features and coverages that are important to you.

3
Wait

After you’ve researched different lenders and chosen the best one for your situation, you should wait a few days before submitting an application. During this time, you can think about if your lender is the best option for you and search for other ways to obtain funding.

4
Read the Fine Print

Often, borrowers forget to read the fine print of their loan agreement before applying. MoneyGeek strongly recommends reading and understanding the terms of your agreement to avoid unexpected charges, like those for loan origination, late payment and early repayment. If any of the terms aren’t clear, you can ask your lender to clarify.

5
Apply

Lenders require that borrowers provide documents like proof of identification, address verification and proof of income. Because document requirements vary between lenders, you should contact yours directly to find out what exactly is required. Online-only lenders typically approve loans faster than when you visit a lender’s office and submit your documents.

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

It can be discouraging when you get denied for a personal loan. If your personal loan application is rejected, it’s important to contact the lender directly to find out why you weren’t approved. Sometimes, making simple modifications to your application, like reducing your loan amount, could lead to approval.

If your application is rejected because of a low credit score, we recommend waiting until you’ve improved your credit score before reapplying. This is because each time you submit a loan application, the lender completes a hard credit check which negatively impacts your credit score. You could always apply with a different lender that has a lower credit score requirement, but you still run the risk of getting rejected, further negatively impacting your credit score or receiving a high interest rate.

Besides personal loans, borrowers in need of funding may also consider home equity lines of credit, credit cards and other financial products available in Eugene. MoneyGeek cautions borrowers against resorting to payday loans, which come with high fees and unreasonable repayment terms.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Eugene

MoneyGeek answered the most frequently asked questions about personal loans to help borrowers in Eugene make the best financial decision.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

To help you find the best lender for your needs, MoneyGeek reviewed over 30 personal loan lenders for more than 35 individual data points across key categories, including loan affordability, lender transparency, consumer friendliness, customer service and accessibility.

For the above categories, we chose individual data points that carry the most weight. These factors include available loan amount, APR ranges, minimum income and credit score requirement, application fees and disbursement period. In addition to these factors, we also highlighted unique features, such as payment options, mobile applications, prequalifications and more, which you may find useful when choosing a lender.

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.