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Best Personal Loans in Seattle, WA

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Updated: December 28, 2023

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

To analyze the strengths and weaknesses of personal loan lenders in Seattle, MoneyGeek factors in more than 30 data points, including interest rates, availability, auxiliary fees, loan terms, borrowing limits, disbursement periods, credit score requirements, perks and usage restrictions.

Our study concludes that the overall best personal loan lender in the city is LightStream, for its excellent ratings in most of our ranking criteria. However, your personal requirements, as well as your financial profile (income, credit score, etc.), can change your definition of the best lender. For instance, individuals with good and bad credit will find that SoFi and Upstart, respectively, are your best bets. Meanwhile, Upgrade is the best lender for debt consolidation, while Best Egg is our top pick for home improvement personal loans.

Best Personal Loan Lender Overall in Seattle: 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

    In the overall category, MoneyGeek's best option for personal loans in Seattle, Washington, is LightStream. It is SunTrust Bank's online consumer lending division, which was formed in 2013.

    For people in need of large quantities of money, LightStream is ideal. This is because it provides a $100,000 loan with interest rates as low as 4.49% and a payback duration of two to seven years. You can receive cash as soon as the same day of approval, which is ideal for individuals who require finances quickly. The Better Business Bureau has given it an A+ rating and there are no fines for late payments, prepayments or origination.

    With that said, LightStream has its fair set of drawbacks as well, such as the fact that it makes a hard credit pull, which might harm your credit score. Additionally, you can't utilize the money you borrow for college or post-secondary education expenses, stock and bond purchases or business-related costs.

    Pros

    • Potentially low APR
    • Up to $100,000 borrowing limit
    • Same-day funding
    • No late fees
    • No origination fees

    Cons

    • Hard credit pull
    • Good credit score requirement
    • Some restrictions on fund usage
    • Doesn’t allow co-signers
    LightStream

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Seattle: 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

    The Upstart AI finance platform was founded in 2012. If you need a personal loan in Seattle but are working on repairing your credit, Upstart could be a good fit. Only a credit score of 300 is required, which is among the lowest attainable. Upstart also gives you a grace period before charging you a late penalty fee, although paying on time is still the best option.

    However, unlike some other lenders who allow you to borrow up to $100,000, Upstart only allows you to borrow up to $50,000. Origination fees are also imposed. While Upstart has a very low 3.22% minimum APR, its APR range goes all the way up to 35.99%, which is extremely high.

    Pros

    • Low credit score requirement
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Next-day funding
    • Conducts soft credit pull
    • No prepayment penalty

    Cons

    • Borrowing limit of $50,000
    • 8% origination fee
    • Doesn’t disclose rates online
    • Potentially high interest rates
    • No mobile app
    Upstart

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Seattle: 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 has been around since 2011 and offers a range of financial products such as personal loans. The company requires a high minimum credit score of 680. SoFi uses soft credit checks, so applying will have no impact on your credit score. When you take advantage of the auto-payment feature, you'll get a 0.25% discount and you won't have to worry about prepayment, origination or late fees because they're not included in your monthly charge.

    But the problem is that, apart from having a strong credit score, SoFi also demands a minimum gross income of $50,000. It also does not readily disclose rates on its website, and it can take a few days to get your loan funded.

    Pros

    • $100,000 loans available
    • Performs soft credit inquiry
    • No prepayment penalty
    • No origination fee
    • No late payment fee

    Cons

    • 680 minimum credit score
    • $50,000 minimum gross income requirement
    • May take several days to release funds
    • Only reports to Experian
    • No co-signers allowed
    SoFi

Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Seattle: 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 is a fairly new business, having been founded in 2016. If you want to consolidate your debts, Upgrade pays the third-party lenders directly, which contributes to the firm's strong rating in this area. Soft credit checks are used by Upgrade to guarantee that your credit score is not damaged.

    Furthermore, those who set up automatic payments receive a 1% reduction on their premiums. Buyers also will not be charged extra for prepaying. However, the lender has a number of limits on how the funds might be used. Their loans may have a high interest rate depending on your credit score, making them potentially inappropriate for consumers looking for a Seattle loan with a low APR.

    Pros

    • Direct payment for debt consolidation
    • Soft credit inquiry
    • No prepayment penalty
    • 1% autopayment discount rate
    • 15-day grace period before charging a late fee

    Cons

    • $50,000 loan limit
    • Up to 8% origination fees
    • Enforces restrictions on loan usage
    • Has $10 late fee
    • As high as 35.47% interest rate
    Upgrade

Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Seattle: 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 was founded in 2014 and has since built a reputation as a low-cost online loan provider. If you're searching for a local home repair loan, a Best Egg home renovation loan is an excellent option because it doesn't require appraisals and you might get your money in as little as one business day.

    It does a soft credit check that will not harm your credit score, and using its automated payment feature will save you about 0.5%. Best Egg also has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and provides borrowers with a mobile app to manage their loans online.

    On the flip side, the lender charges up to 6% origination fees as well as roughly $15 if you make a late payment. Best Egg also requires borrowers to have at least a $50,000 gross annual income and to be employed at the time of application in order to be considered.

    Pros

    • A+ rating from the BBB
    • No prepayment penalty
    • Soft credit pull
    • Convenient mobile app
    • Easily discloses rates on its website

    Cons

    • 700 credit score requirement
    • Up to 6% origination fee
    • $50,000 loan limit
    • Late fee
    • High gross income requirement
    Best Egg

How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Seattle for You

Personal loans are taken out for a variety of reasons, including home upgrades, debt consolidation, vehicle financing, moving expenditures, medical bills and college tuition. To determine your eligibility for a personal loan, examine your credit score, monthly income and debt-to-income ratio. In Washington, the average personal loan debt is $14,822, with a typical interest rate of 9.54%.

MoneyGeek recommends the following steps to help make the application process smoother:

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions

First, determine whether a personal loan is your best option at the moment. After that, figure out which of the lenders' qualifications you meet. Think hard about whether the personal loan you're seeking is appropriate for you. Sometimes, asking yourself the right questions can go a long way. Consider the following:

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

Lenders operate differently and their rates and fees may vary. Before filing a loan application, you should evaluate multiple companies to see which one is best for you.

Taking out a personal loan is a significant commitment, as you will be responsible for repaying it for two to four years, and maybe longer. Before you act, make sure it's the best decision for you. Also, bear in mind that our recommendations are mostly general ideas; thus, you should do your own research.

3
Wait

You should think over your alternatives for a few days once you've investigated different lenders' features, offers, rates and costs. Take a step back and consider your financial obligations to determine which lender would be the best fit for you. Because taking out a personal loan is such a huge financial commitment, it's important to think about whether it's the right option for you.

4
Read the Fine Print

The next step is to read the fine print that comes with the personal loan's terms and conditions. Pay attention to the things that might save you money or drive you to spend more. Origination fees and prepayment expenses are examples of these. Late fees are imposed by most lenders, although some are lower than others and some offer grace periods.

5
Apply

You can apply once you've chosen a lender and studied all of the information you need. During the application process, lenders are required to seek proof of identification, residence verification and proof of income. If an online application is available, it is usually more convenient, but an in-person visit or phone contact allows you to clarify more details.

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

If your application was initially turned down, you should contact the lender to find out why and ask whether modifications are possible. You could make your application more acceptable by shortening the loan terms or lowering the loan amount, for example. If you're having problems getting approved, a cosigner or collateral-based loan may be a good alternative for you. You may apply for a loan with a new lender if it's necessary. This option, however, should be avoided until you've addressed whatever issue caused your application to be rejected in the first place.

Some people may be tempted to seek payday loans with exceptionally high interest rates after being rejected, but we caution against it. Your credit score will not improve even if you pay on time and in full. And if you don't pay on time, you may be accountable for any unpaid interest as well as the remaining sum. If you continuously pay late, a collection agency may get involved, potentially damaging your credit.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Seattle

Several factors will influence which lender will provide you with the best personal loan in Seattle. These include individual needs, credit and income requirements, loan terms, maximum loan amounts and other lender features. These are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions that might assist you in making better judgments.

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

Our Personal Loan Methodology

We looked at 35+ unique data points from more than 30 personal loan providers in six major categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

We analyzed many unique data factors under each ranking criteria category that we believe hold the most weight when choosing a personal loan provider. APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application costs and disbursement time are all aspects to consider.

We appreciate you, the consumer, so we consider each lender's customer service, company ratings and additional services like prequalification, payment alternatives and mobile applications that might make your experience easier and more accessible.

Our recommendations are made with your best interests in mind after rigorous analysis and assessment. Our personal loan suggestions and professional advice are intended to assist you in selecting the right lender for your circumstances.

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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.