Bank of America Personal Loans 2023 Review | Bankrate (2024)

Bank of America Personal Loans 2023 Review | Bankrate (1)

Alexandr Dubynin/Getty Images

Unlike many banks, Bank of America does not offer personal loans. It has quite a few credit card options — and a small loan for unexpected expenses — but you will need to look elsewhere if you want to borrow a large personal loan.

Alternatives to Bank of America loans

Although there are a wide variety of national and local banks that offer personal loans, some of the best options are online lenders. But don’t worry: most are backed by a larger bank.

LightStreamSoFiDiscover
Bankrate Score4.64.74.8
Better forSame-day fundingJoint loansBorrowers with good credit
Loan amounts$5,000 to $100,000$5,000 to $100,000$2,500 to $40,000
APRs7.99% to 25.49% Fixed APR (with Autopay)8.99% to 25.81% Fixed APR7.99% to 24.99%
Loan term lengths24 to 84 months24 to 84 months36 to 84 months
FeesNoneOptional feesOptional fees
Minimum credit score695680660
Time to fundingAs soon as same dayWithin a few days3 to 5 days

LightStream

LightStream is a top online lender that offers personal loans up to $100,000. It has generous terms — up to 84 months — and its rates start as low as 7.99 percent with automatic payments through its AutoPay program. It is also backed by Truist, a national bank. You can expect quick turnaround and no fees. However, there is a high minimum loan amount of $5,000 and no preapproval process. LightStream will check your credit when you apply, which may hurt your score even if you aren’t approved.

SoFi

While it is not backed by a bank, SoFi personal loans are highly rated. This online lender offers joint applications, optional fees and a wide range of loan amounts — up to $100,000 with a starting APR of 8.99 percent. You must have good credit to qualify, but a short credit history won’t necessarily mean rejection. Unlike LightStream, there is a preapproval process so you can check your rate before you submit a full application.

Discover

Borrowing a loan from Discover may be a good choice if you want to work directly with a bank. It offers loans up to $40,000 and accepts borrowers with good credit. Its rates are competitive with many other top lenders, and unlike most other lenders, there are no origination fees when you borrow. It also has a preapproval process similar to SoFi, which lets you check your rate without hurting your credit score.

Why doesn’t Bank of America offer personal loans?

Bank of America does not have a history of offering personal loans. However, it does have a program called Balance Assist. Provided you have a Bank of America checking account with a positive balance, you may qualify.

The Balance Assist loan allows you to borrow up to $500 for a $5 fee. It is similar to small loans offered by federal credit unions. But unlike traditional personal loans, it is not flexible and won’t be useful for covering large expenses.

If you don’t have or don’t want to open an account with Bank of America, you can explore other personal loans.

As an expert in personal finance and lending, I'd like to shed light on the details presented in the article regarding Bank of America's absence in the personal loan market and the alternatives available for individuals seeking such financial products.

Firstly, it's crucial to emphasize that Bank of America has chosen not to venture into the realm of personal loans traditionally. Instead, it provides a limited option known as Balance Assist, offering a small loan of up to $500 with a nominal fee of $5. This program is specifically designed for Bank of America checking account holders with a positive balance. However, it's essential to note that this option is not flexible and may not suit those seeking larger amounts for significant expenses.

The article then provides viable alternatives to Bank of America, with a focus on online lenders, which have gained prominence in the personal loan market. Let's delve into the key concepts and information related to the mentioned alternatives:

  1. LightStream:

    • Loan Amounts: $5,000 to $100,000
    • APRs: 7.99% to 25.49% Fixed APR (with Autopay)
    • Loan Term Lengths: 24 to 84 months
    • Features: Backed by Truist, a national bank; quick turnaround; no fees; high minimum loan amount of $5,000; no preapproval process.
  2. SoFi:

    • Loan Amounts: Up to $100,000
    • APRs: 8.99% to 25.81% Fixed APR
    • Loan Term Lengths: 24 to 84 months
    • Features: Highly rated online lender; joint applications; optional fees; good for individuals with good credit; preapproval process available.
  3. Discover:

    • Loan Amounts: Up to $40,000
    • APRs: 7.99% to 24.99%
    • Loan Term Lengths: 36 to 84 months
    • Features: Direct banking option; competitive rates; no origination fees; preapproval process similar to SoFi.

These online lenders provide diverse options catering to different financial needs, credit scores, and preferences. LightStream stands out with its substantial loan amounts and competitive rates, SoFi offers joint applications and a user-friendly preapproval process, while Discover provides a direct banking experience with no origination fees.

In conclusion, individuals seeking personal loans have a range of alternatives beyond traditional banks, and online lenders like LightStream, SoFi, and Discover offer competitive options with varying features and benefits. Understanding these options allows borrowers to make informed decisions based on their financial goals and requirements.

Bank of America Personal Loans 2023 Review | Bankrate (2024)

FAQs

How long does it take for a personal loan to be reviewed? ›

Underwriting generally takes from a few days to a week, depending on the lender. In some cases, it can be done on the same day you apply. Disbursem*nt of funds: Once the loan terms are agreed upon, the loan funds are disbursed to the borrower, usually as a direct deposit or written as a check.

What are the best chances of getting approved for a personal loan? ›

How to boost your personal loan approval odds
  • Check the accuracy of your credit report. ...
  • Improve your credit score. ...
  • Prequalify before formally applying. ...
  • Work on reducing your debt. ...
  • Find ways to increase your income. ...
  • Don't apply for too much money. ...
  • Adding a cosigner or a co-borrower.
Aug 30, 2023

How much can you get for a personal loan from Bank of America? ›

Bank of America — like some other large U.S. banks — does not offer large unsecured personal loans. For customers with a checking account, the lender does provide a short-term, small-dollar loan called Balance Assist, but the loan is capped at $500.

How do you know if you will be approved for a personal loan? ›

  1. Credit Score and History. An applicant's credit score is one of the most important factors a lender considers when you apply for a personal loan. ...
  2. Income. ...
  3. Debt-to-income Ratio. ...
  4. Collateral. ...
  5. Origination Fee. ...
  6. 4 Personal Loan Documents Your Lender May Require.
Apr 10, 2024

What does it mean when your loan is being reviewed? ›

It means a credit check is done on your profile or if it's getting more than 24 hours + of working hours and even after that the status of your approval is pending then you can expect it's rejected.

Why is my loan review taking so long? ›

Different lenders have different processes in place for loan approvals. Some lenders take a little longer to review your materials and process your application. They may also take longer to approve larger loan amounts. In many cases, the type of lender you use can also impact your approval timeline.

What credit score do I need for a $10000 personal loan? ›

Requirements will vary across lenders. However, qualifying for a $10,000 personal loan typically requires a credit score that exceeds 640, an active checking account, and a steady, verifiable income, among other factors.

What credit score do you need to get a $30000 loan? ›

You will need a credit score of 580 or higher to get a $30,000 personal loan in most cases, along with enough income to afford the monthly bill payments. Other common loan requirements include being at least 18 years old, being a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, and having a valid bank account.

Is it better to go through a bank or lender for personal loan? ›

Since the process of getting a bank loan is more rigorous, banks are typically able to offer lower interest rates and sometimes provide perks for existing customers. Online lenders are less regulated than banks, allowing faster application processes and more lenient eligibility requirements.

Does Bank of America give out personal loans? ›

Bank of America doesn't offer personal loans. But if you were hoping to borrow for a home or a car, or if you have enough equity in your home, you could consider the following Bank of America products.

Will Bank of America let me borrow money? ›

Apply to borrow up to $500 when you need it, for only a low flat fee. You must have had a qualified Bank of America checking account for at least one year before applying. (A SafeBalance® account does not qualify). Balance Assist® is available online or in the Mobile Banking app.

Which Bank is best for personal loan? ›

Lowest interest rates charges by banks on their personal loans:
BankMinimum interest rate on personal loan (%)
HDFC Bank10.5
State Bank of India12.30
Bank of Baroda13.15
Punjab National Bank13.75
6 more rows
Jan 24, 2024

What credit score do you need for a $20000 personal loan? ›

Requirements for a $20,000 Personal Loan

Requirements vary by lender, but most lenders require borrowers to have a credit score in the good to excellent range — meaning a score of at least 670.

What is the easiest loan to get approved for? ›

Some of the easiest loans to get approved for if you have bad credit include payday loans, no-credit-check loans, and pawnshop loans. Personal loans with essentially no approval requirements typically charge the highest interest rates and loan fees.

Why would a bank not approve a personal loan? ›

The Bottom Line

In general, though, if you're denied a personal loan, it most likely has to do with your credit score, income situation, or DTI. Before you apply, check the lender's criteria to determine if you're likely to qualify. Federal Trade Commission.

How long should it take to hear back about a loan? ›

The fastest you can get a personal loan is the same day you apply. The longest the process can take is over 30 business days. There are many factors that go into a personal loan decision and how long it takes to come. Two important ones are your creditworthiness and the accuracy of the information on your application.

How long does underwriting take for a personal loan? ›

Collecting Documentation And Underwriting: A Few Days To A Few Weeks. Once the details of your loan and application have been prepared, an underwriter will look over every aspect of your file and verify that you qualify for the loan and that the lender isn't taking on too much risk by lending to you.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Chrissy Homenick

Last Updated:

Views: 5998

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 81% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Chrissy Homenick

Birthday: 2001-10-22

Address: 611 Kuhn Oval, Feltonbury, NY 02783-3818

Phone: +96619177651654

Job: Mining Representative

Hobby: amateur radio, Sculling, Knife making, Gardening, Watching movies, Gunsmithing, Video gaming

Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.