Best Personal Loans in Bellevue, WA: Top Lenders & Best Picks for You

Updated: December 28, 2023

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MoneyGeek's Picks for Best Personal Loan Lenders in Bellevue, WA

To help you find the best personal loan lender for your profile, MoneyGeek ranked lenders in Bellevue based on 30+ data points, including APRs, loan amounts, minimum requirements, repayment terms, fees and disbursement times. We also considered various borrower profiles, such as those with bad credit and those seeking loans for specific purposes (e.g., debt consolidation and home improvement), to identify the best lenders for different profiles.

Our analysis found that LightStream offers the best personal loans in Bellevue for most borrowers. However, the best for you may vary depending on your individual profile and needs.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Bellevue: 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

    LightStream offers the best personal loans in Bellevue for most borrowers. LightStream is headquartered in San Diego, California, and offers personal loans for various purposes. Funds can be used for debt consolidation, funding large purchases, emergency expenses and other purposes. However, you cannot use LightStream loans for postsecondary educational expenses or investments like stocks or bonds.

    If you are looking for a low-cost loan, LightStream is a solid option since APR rates are relatively low. LightStream is also low on fees — you will not incur any origination fees, prepayment fees or late charges. However, there is no prequalification option, so you cannot check rates before applying.

    LightStream offers flexible loan limits of up to $100,000, depending on your creditworthiness, with repayment terms of 24 to 84 months. Loans are funded on the same day, so this lender is a good option if you need funds quickly.

    Pros

    • Reasonable APRs
    • No origination fees
    • No early payment fees
    • Autopay discount

    Cons

    • No pre-approval feature
    • Hard credit checks
    • High minimum limit of $5,000
    • Restrictions on usage of funds
    • Requires significant credit history
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Bellevue: 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 found that Upstart is the best option for personal loans in Bellevue if you have bad credit. This lender accepts borrowers with a minimum credit score of 300, so even those with poor or incomplete credit can qualify. Upstart was founded in 2012, and its loans can be used for various purposes, including home renovations, debt consolidation, large purchases, education-related expenses and more.

    Upstart offers loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000, so it is ideal for those who need to borrow small amounts. However, APR rates can be high depending on your creditworthiness. Repayment periods are limited to three- and five-year terms, but you have the option to repay your loan early without incurring early payment charges.

    Loans are typically disbursed by the next day, and you have the option to check rates before applying on Upstart’s website.

    Pros

    • Low minimum credit score requirement
    • No early payment charges
    • Quick funding
    • Soft credit check
    • Low minimum APR

    Cons

    • High maximum APR
    • Charges origination fees
    • Does not accept co-signers
    • Maximum limit of $50,000
    • Term options limited
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Bellevue: 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

    MoneyGeek’s top pick for personal loans in Bellevue for borrowers with good credit is SoFi. Although SoFi has a relatively high minimum credit score requirement of 680, it offers borrowers competitive APRs.

    Loan limits range from $5,000 to $100,000, so SoFi is ideal if you need to borrow large amounts. You can check your rate before applying without impacting your credit score.

    SoFi disburses loans in a few days, so you can get your funds fairly quickly, but there are some restrictions on the usage of funds. SoFi loans cannot be used for investments, real estate or college education expenses.

    SoFi offers unemployment protection — if you lose your job, you can temporarily adjust your monthly payments.

    Pros

    • No origination fees
    • No prepayment fees
    • Soft credit inquiry
    • High loan limits of up to $100,000
    • Unemployment protection

    Cons

    • High credit score requirement
    • High minimum APR
    • Minimum loan of $5,000
    • Restrictions on usage of funds
    • Does not accept co-signers
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Bellevue: 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 founded in 2012 and offers personal loans for various purposes, including consolidating debt. Upgrade offers the option to pay your creditors directly with debt consolidation loans, making it easy to streamline your payments.

    You need a minimum credit score of 560 to be eligible for an Upgrade loan. Loan limits range from $1,000 to $50,000. To find out your rate, you can submit your details on the Upgrade website.

    In most cases, Upgrade loans are funded immediately, so this lender is a good option if you need funds soon. Keep in mind that you will pay a one-time origination fee of 1.85% to 8.99%.

    Pros

    • Pre-approval available
    • Soft credit check
    • No fees for early payment
    • Pays creditors directly for debt consolidation

    Cons

    • High maximum APR
    • Low maximum loan amount
    • Charges origination fees
    • Charges late fees
    • Does not accept co-signers
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Bellevue: 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

    MoneyGeek found that Best Egg offers the best loans in Bellevue for home improvement. Best Egg was founded in 2014 and offers personal loans to borrowers with a minimum credit score of 700.

    Borrowers with excellent credit are eligible for the lowest rates. You can check your rate before applying without impacting your credit score. Loan limits range from $2,000 to $50,000, repayable in terms ranging from 36 to 60 months.

    Best Egg loans have an origination fee of 0.99% to 8.99% of the loan amount. Most loans are funded by the next day, so this lender is a good option if you need funds quickly.

    Pros

    • Quick funding
    • No early payment fees
    • Soft credit check
    • Autopay discount

    Cons

    • Relatively high APRs
    • Requires a high credit score
    • Charges origination fees
    • Charges late fees
    • Limited repayment terms
    Best Egg

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

The average personal loan debt in Washington is $14,822. Personal loans can come in handy when you need funds for emergency expenses, large purchases, debt consolidation or other uses. However, before you borrow, it is best to ensure that you choose the right lender based on factors like your credit score, debt-to-income ratio and annual income.

MoneyGeek outlined some key steps to help you in getting the best personal loan for your needs.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

When you take out a personal loan, you will need to make monthly payments for years to repay it. Start by figuring out whether you can afford the loan. Consider your current finances and debts and how a personal loan will impact them. Also, consider how your credit history and income will impact your eligibility, as well as the APR rates and terms that you can get.

These questions will help you assess your finances and determine whether a personal loan is the best decision for you.

  • How much funding do I need?
  • What is my credit score?
  • Can I afford the monthly payment?
  • How much debt do I already have?
2
Do Your Research

Getting the best rates and terms can save you a lot of money in the long run. It pays to do some research and compare what different lenders have to offer. You will find that APRs, application fees and other charges tend to vary depending on the lender. The more you compare and research your options, the more likely you are to get the best rates for your profile.

You can always use Moneygeek’s top picks as a guide, but remember that every borrower’s situation is unique, so our recommendations may not fit every scenario. Do some research based on your specific needs and unique profile to identify the best options available to you.

3
Wait

Waiting a few days before submitting your application will help you avoid making an impulsive decision. Take a couple of days to weigh your options and consider if you are ready for the long-term commitment of a personal loan. Since you will be making monthly payments for years to repay your loan, take time to see if your finances can handle the debt.

You may also want to compare the cost of a personal loan with any other financing options available to you. This will ensure that you make the best financial decision without rushing into applying for a personal loan.

4
Read the Fine Print

You may miss important terms and rates if you do not take the time to thoroughly read through the fine print. It is important to understand all the applicable charges and rates before you sign on the dotted line. This is because origination fees, late charges and other fees can drive up the cost of your loan.

If the lender has stipulated terms in the fine print that you do not understand, always seek clarification before accepting the offer.

5
Apply

Once you are confident about your decision and happy with your choice of lender, you can submit your loan application. In most cases, you will be able to apply online. Keep your identification, income statements and financial history documents with you during your application, as they will be required. Be sure to provide all the required information to facilitate easier and faster processing of your loan.

If you need help with the application process, you can contact the lender online, via phone or visit them in person if allowed.

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

It is not unusual for loan applications to get declined. If your application was rejected, it might not be a big deal. Lenders can reject applications for a variety of reasons, such as not meeting the minimum credit score requirement, having a high debt-to-income ratio or other individual factors.

MoneyGeek recommends finding out the exact reason you were declined by the lender. This will give you insights into your creditworthiness and guide you on what you need to improve on before reapplying. In cases where your credit score or income is too low, you can always reapply with a lender with more flexible requirements. However, avoid reapplying immediately after being declined since this can dent your credit score.

MoneyGeek advises against turning to payday loans as an alternative. Although the requirements may be more favorable, interest rates for such loans are typically very high, which can make them quite costly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Bellevue

If you are looking for the best personal loans in Bellevue, your financial history and other credit and income factors will be major determining factors. We answered the frequently asked questions below to help you learn more about personal loans in Bellevue.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

MoneyGeek identified the best personal loans in Bellevue using more than 35 data points to evaluate lenders in the city. We factored in key data points across six main categories, including loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

MoneyGeek considered several factors within each ranking category, focusing on those that we feel carry the most weight when selecting a personal loan lender. Some of the factors we considered include APR ranges, available loan limits, minimum credit score requirements, minimum income requirements, application fees and funding times.

Here at MoneyGeek, we also factor in the lender’s customer support and business ratings because we value your experience. We also consider any additional features that could make your experience easier, such as prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.

MoneyGeek’s top picks are made with your best interest in mind to aid you in making the best decision when choosing the right lender for your financial situation and 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.