Best Personal Loans for Credit Score 550 & Under - Bad Credit (2024)

What are the best personal loans for a 550 credit score today?

The best personal loans for a 550 credit score will depend on what you prioritize. Loan amount, repayment period, APR, monthly payment amount, and additional fees can all be a deciding factor in what the best loan for you looks like. Unfortunately, personal loans for credit scores under 550 can be difficult to obtain, so you may not have the luxury of several offers to choose from.

Consider boosting your credit score or applying with a cosigner with good credit to increase your chance of approval. Offers are more likely to be returned for borrowers with fair, good, or excellent credit. This means that the better your credit score, the better the options that may be available to you.

The online marketplace for personal loans may contain more subprime lenders, thus expanding options for borrowers to find the best personal loan with a 550 credit score.

How do you compare 550 credit score loans?

Comparing loan offers with a 550 credit score can be more challenging than comparing offers with an excellent credit score. With fewer options available, you may need to get creative and/or enlist some patience. The best place to start is by checking your credit score. Identify ways to improve your score before applying for a loan, if possible. You may have to skip this step if you need a loan now. To compare offers, find lenders that you have the best chance of qualifying with. Some lenders make their minimum credit score requirement available, along with other requirements. At Acorn Finance, you can check personal loan offers. However, most of our lending partners have a minimum credit score requirement of 600.

What are the benefits of getting a personal loan with a 550 credit score?

We get it, life doesn’t always give you lemons that are juicy enough for lemonade. Time does not always permit you to

wait until the perfect time to apply for a loan. When you’re in a financial pickle, with no time to raise your 550 credit score before shopping for loans, there can still be benefits to taking out a personal loan.

Perhaps one of the biggest benefits of a personal loan is the opportunity to boost your credit score. While a loan may cost more for a borrower with bruised credit, you can make it pay off if you borrow responsibly. Additionally, it can grant you access to funds you need to make home improvements, improve cash flow, or get through a financial challenge.

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How big of a loan can I get with a 550 credit score?

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The amount you can qualify for with a credit score of 550 usually depends on the lender. One lender that considers borrowers with a credit score of 550 is Avant. They can lend up to $35,000, and their rates range from 9.95%-35.99%. OneMain does not have a minimum credit score, and the maximum amount they lend is $20,000. Their rates range from 18%-35.99%.

Can I get approved for a loan today with a 550 credit score?

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Some lenders grant quick approval times for loans, but this is more common if you have a good credit score. When people have poor credit scores, lenders usually take more time to investigate the file. Sometimes this can take a few days or more. If you want a quick turnaround time, try applying online.

What credit score is needed for a $5000 loan?

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The credit score needed for a $5,000 personal loan will depend on the lender. Most lenders like to see a credit score of at least 660. As you have seen from the chart above, this means the borrower's credit is on the high end of a fair credit rating. Some lenders like Avant may consider borrowers with a credit score of 550, while others, like OneMain, don't have a minimum credit score requirement. Before applying for credit, it is a good idea to check your credit score. Once you know what it is, you can approach lenders to see their minimum credit score requirements for a $5,000 loan.

How can I get a $3000 loan with bad credit?

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Personal loans for credit scores under 550 aren't easy to get, but it is possible to find lenders that are willing to loan small amounts. Sometimes it is easier to apply for a secured credit card with a $3,000 limit if you have bad credit. You can try online lenders or lenders that don't have a minimum credit score. Another alternative is a title loan, where you use the title of your vehicle as collateral.

What can I get with a 550 credit score?

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Some lenders like Avant can fund loans for up to $35,000 for borrowers with a minimum credit score of 550. You might also be able to qualify for a car loan or credit card. It depends on what you need the money for and how much you need. Different lenders have different criteria. You can contact lenders you would like to deal with to see what their criteria are and how much you would qualify for. While your credit score has a significant impact on your ability to borrow, it isn't the only thing lenders consider. Lenders also consider income, net worth, and if there are assets available to secure the loan.

Possible question: How can I raise my credit score from 550 to 700?

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Raising or rebuilding your credit score is an excellent idea if you think you might need to borrow in the future. Be aware that this may take several months, but it is well worth the investment and effort. The most important steps you can take to increase your credit score are as follows:

Pay all your debts and bills on time-no exceptions!

Reduce the amount of debt you are carrying by paying down your accounts and not using them again

Avoid applying for new credit or opening new accounts

Don't close old credit card accounts

Make sure you monitor your credit report for errors and report any inaccuracies

Doing all this should help you improve your credit rating significantly. As a result, you should have an easier time qualifying for credit at better rates.

Which lenders are best for a 550 credit score?

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If you need a personal loan with a 550 credit score, it is only natural to want to know who offers the best deal. If you need $10,000 or less, some lenders to consider are MoneyMutual, CashUSA, and CreditLoan. If you need a larger amount, you can consider OneMain for loans up to $20,000 or Avant if you need up to $35,000. Be sure to check rates and fees like origination fees and prepayment fees. Extra charges can add a lot of additional expenses to your loan. It's best to avoid them as much as possible.

Do lenders consider giving personal loans to borrowers with a 550 credit score?

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Even though borrowers with a 550 credit score may find it extremely difficult to find lenders willing to consider them for personal loans, there are still a few lenders out there that may be willing to work something out with a poor credit borrower. To find these lenders, it may be best to explore the online lending marketplace versus pursuing a personal loan at a traditional financial institution. Traditional banks may not even remotely consider someone with a 550 credit score for a personal loan whereas some online lenders may be more flexible. Because online lenders have much lower overhead costs, they may be able to be a little more flexible when it comes to taking on potential risk. That being said, if you have a credit score of 550, online lenders are not going to be lining up at the door to give you a personal loan. Online lenders are still going to complete a full risk assessment and they are going to want to see other factors that may lead them to believe that you are somewhat trustworthy although your credit score may not reflect it. They will want to see an extremely high monthly income with little to no existing debts. They may want to see some signs that you have been rehabilitating your credit history and that you are on an upward progression to which they can help you continue to build your credit. Lastly, they may ask you to secure the loan with some sort of collateral or by bringing on a cosigner to help with the payments if for some reason you are unable. If you do not have any assets of value that could be considered collateral, or you do not have a willing cosigner, there is still a chance you can qualify for an unsecured personal loan, however, you should understand that it could be quite expensive in the long run. Borrowers with a credit score of 550 may find that if they do qualify for an unsecured personal loan, it is most likely that they will be paying some of the highest interest rates that can sometimes reach up to 35.99%. In addition, they may need to pay an origination fee for the loan, and if they start to make late payments, the penalties will not be cheap either. If you are a borrower with a 550 credit score, you may want to consider taking a few months to build your credit in order to qualify for personal loans with much more favorable interest rates and terms. However, if you need the money immediately for an unexpected expense or an emergency, you should know that there still may be many options available to you through the online lending market.

What do lenders consider when evaluating a potential borrower with a 550 credit score?

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When evaluating a potential borrower, lenders typically review the same factors whether the borrower has a credit score of 550 or 800. Some of the main things that lenders consider include an individual's credit history, their cash flow versus their existing debts, the amount of money they have in savings, checking, and/or retirement accounts, whether they have any assets that could be used as collateral, and what the purpose and the amount of the loan is.

Are personal loans for a 550 credit score worth it?

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Whether or not a personal loan is worth it always depends on an individual's situation. There are many circ*mstances where a personal loan for someone with a 550 credit score may be worth it, and then there are many circ*mstances where it may not. For example, if you are looking for a personal loan to consolidate your debts and build your credit score back up, then a personal loan with a 550 credit score may be worth it. If you rely on your vehicle to get you to and from work and you have an emergency repair and not enough savings to cover the expense, then a personal loan with a 550 credit score may be worth it to ensure you have no interruptions in your ability to earn a living. If you have a 550 credit score and you are looking for a personal loan to do some unnecessary renovations on your home or you are looking to go on a long vacation, then you may want to reconsider whether or not the loan may be worth it. For home renovations, if they are not inhibiting your ability to live in your home, you may want to consider waiting a few months and using that time to improve your credit score. Doing so could save you thousands of dollars in interests and fees over the life of the loan.

How does the FICO credit score rating work?

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A FICO credit score is a number between 300 and 850 that represents your creditworthiness. This score is one of the first things that lenders look at when you apply for a new line of credit. A FICO credit score is generated by calculating your payment history, the total amount owed, length of credit history, new credit inquiries, and the types of accounts. The closer your credit score is to 850, the better. A credit score between 800 and 850 is considered exceptional. A score between 740 and 799 would be considered very good. A score between 670 and 739 is good. A score between 580 and 669 is considered fair, while a score below 580 is considered poor.

What are the causes of a 550 credit score?

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A credit score may be the result of missed payments, delinquent accounts, and possibly the occurrence of a negative credit event like home foreclosure. However, it could also simply be because the borrower has yet to establish a significant credit history.

How can I improve my 550 credit score?

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There are many ways to improve your credit score from 550. First, make sure all your current accounts are current and pay off as much credit card debt as you can. If you have any accounts in collections, try to make some additional income and use it to pay off those delinquent accounts. If you have a credit score of 550 because you do not have a credit history, then you may want to consider a secured credit card. A secured credit card is a credit card that you can use normally to go to restaurants, buy groceries, and get gas, however, each month you send the credit card company a particular amount, and then you can use that amount to pay for goods and services until it is gone. Repeat next month, and each time you make a payment, the credit card company will report the payment to the three major credit bureaus helping you to build your credit gradually.

How long does it take to raise a 550 credit score to 600?

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Raising your credit score by 50 points is not an easy task, however, it is not impossible. It really depends on the reason your credit score is at 550. Did you file for bankruptcy recently? If that is the case then it could take years to increase your credit score from 550 to 600. Is it because you do not have an existing credit history? Then it could take as little as 6 to 9 months to increase your credit score from 550 to 600.

What does it mean to prequalify for a personal loan with a 550 credit score?

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Prequalifying for a personal loan with a credit score of 550 simply means that lenders are willing to loan you a particular amount based solely on a soft pull of your credit history. It does not guarantee that you will qualify for the loan once you complete the full loan application, however, it can let you know where you stand and what interest rates lenders are willing to loan you money at.

The first thing to do before you apply for credit is to check your credit score. It's a good idea to make sure that there are no errors on your credit report impacting your score. Second, figure out how much you want to borrow and how long you will need to pay it off. You can use an online loan calculator to figure out how much payment will cost you to make sure the payments fit your budget. Third, do your research. Have a look at what lenders offer in terms of rates and fees so that you can find the best deal for yourself. Lastly, you may want to gather documents such as proof of income and identification. If you have a 550 credit score, your income may play a big role in whether or not you qualify. During the application process you should make sure to submit accurate information. This means, check your pay stubs to determine your annual or monthly income, don't estimate. While you should rebuild your credit score before applying for a loan, this may not be an option. If you need a loan now and have completed preparation steps, you will need to get pre-qualified. Within 60 seconds or less you can check personal loan offers without impacting your credit score.

How long does it take to fix a 550 credit score?

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Unfortunately, you won’t see much credit action overnight. Raising a 550 credit score can be a process. With continuous on-time payments, low credit utilization, and a growing credit age, your 550 credit score should be on its way up. While it may take months for your credit score to jump to the fair range, your hard work should pay off in time. Stay diligent and focused on the credit score you desire.

Best Personal Loans for Credit Score 550 & Under - Bad Credit (2024)

FAQs

Best Personal Loans for Credit Score 550 & Under - Bad Credit? ›

If you need $10,000 or less, some lenders to consider are MoneyMutual, CashUSA, and CreditLoan. If you need a larger amount, you can consider OneMain for loans up to $20,000 or Avant if you need up to $35,000. Be sure to check rates and fees like origination fees and prepayment fees.

How big of a personal loan can I get with a 550 credit score? ›

Best Personal Loans for a 550 Credit Score
LenderLoan AmountsAPRs
Upstart$1,000 - $50,0006.4% - 35.99%
Oportun$300 - $18,50010.07% - 35.95%
OneMain Financial$1,500 - $20,00018% - 35.99%
RISE$500 - $5,00060% - 299%
1 more row
Aug 26, 2022

How to get a loan when no one will approve you? ›

What Are My Options for Bad Credit Loans?
  1. Peer-to-Peer Lending. ...
  2. Car Title Loans. ...
  3. Borrow Money From a Friend or Family Member. ...
  4. Pawnshop Loans. ...
  5. Payday Loans. ...
  6. Credit Card Cash Advance.
Dec 17, 2021

How can I get a personal loan with a credit score of 550? ›

What Steps Can Be Taken Instead?
  1. Ask a friend or a family member for financial help. ...
  2. If you have property or jewellry, try keeping that as collateral for a loan. ...
  3. Try to avail a loan with the help of a guarantor or co-signer who has a good credit score. ...
  4. Focus on increasing your credit score as much as possible.

What is a hardship loan? ›

Hardship personal loans are a type of personal loan that is designed to help you overcome financial difficulties. This type of loan is generally offered by small banks and credit unions, and has lower interest rates, lower maximum loan amounts, and shorter repayment periods than standard personal loans.

What is the easiest loan to get approved for? ›

The easiest types of loans to get approved for don't require a credit check and include payday loans, car title loans and pawnshop loans — but they're also highly predatory due to outrageously high interest rates and fees.

How to borrow $500 quickly? ›

5 Types of $500 Loans and How to Get One
  1. Personal loan. A personal loan is a lump-sum loan that's repaid through monthly installments over a set term, usually between two and seven years. ...
  2. Cash advance via an app. ...
  3. Cash advance via credit card. ...
  4. Payday alternative loans. ...
  5. Payday loan.

Why is no one approving me for a loan? ›

Credit score, income and debt-to-income ratio are the main factors lenders consider when reviewing applications. Paying down debts, increasing your income, applying with a co-signer or co-borrower and looking for lenders that specialize in loans within your credit band could increase your approval odds.

Why is nobody giving me a loan? ›

You can often check your eligibility for a loan before applying to see how likely you are to get approved without affecting your credit score. Lenders may decline a loan application if you have a poor credit score, don't have sufficient income, or don't meet their eligibility criteria, for example.

Which type of loan does not require a credit check? ›

Some BNPL lenders don't require a credit check, while others may perform a soft inquiry that doesn't affect your score. Payday and title loans. Title loans are secured by your car title and payday loans are similar to paycheck advances.

How big of a loan can you get with 500 credit score? ›

Best Personal Loans for a 500 Credit Score
LenderLoan AmountsAPRs
Oportun$300 - $18,50010.07% - 35.95%
OneMain Financial$1,500 - $20,00018% - 35.99%
RISE$500 - $5,00060% - 299%
Jora Credit$500 - $4,00099% - 349%
1 more row
Aug 26, 2022

What is the lowest credit score for a personal loan? ›

Many give preference to borrowers with good or excellent credit scores (690 and above), but some lenders accept borrowers with bad credit (a score below 630). The typical minimum credit score to qualify for a personal loan is 560 to 660, according to lenders surveyed by NerdWallet.

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

Can You Get a $10,000 Personal Loan With Bad Credit? In general, you need a credit score of 640 to qualify for a personal loan. If you have bad credit (say, in the lower “poor” or “very poor” range), you might still be able to secure a loan, but potentially at a higher interest rate.

Is the National financial Hardship loan real? ›

The email claims to be from a government agency or organization that offers financial assistance to those in need. The email says you have been approved for financial support and to call a phone number to finish enrolling in the program. However, it is all fake.

What is the difference between a hardship loan and a personal loan? ›

An unsecured hardship loan is a type of personal loan that doesn't require collateral to back the loan. Lenders determine how much you can borrow by assessing your credit score and financial situation.

How do you get money in an emergency? ›

I need money now. Where can I borrow from fast?
  1. Emergency credit. We do not recommend payday loans or other forms of high-cost credit. ...
  2. Credit unions. Credit unions are local, member-owned alternatives to banks. ...
  3. Grants. ...
  4. Trust funds. ...
  5. Help from your local council. ...
  6. Track down money you have missed out on.

What credit score do I need for a $60000 personal loan? ›

Know your credit history: Because $60,000 is such a large sum of money and there are fewer lenders that offer such large loans, you'll find it's harder to qualify for. You'll typically need good or excellent credit (a FICO score of 670 or higher) and may need to meet certain income requirements.

What credit score do I need for a $5000 loan? ›

Requirements for a $5,000 loan vary by lender. But in general, you should have at least Fair credit, which is a score of 580 or above. Lenders may also look at other factors, such as your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), during the application process.

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