Best Personal Loans in Columbus (OH)
We have found 116 personal loans to apply for in Columbus, OH. Add more criteria to compare personal loans and find the best one for you.
- Minimum credit:Fair (580-669)
- Autopay discount:0.5%
- Origination fee:No origination fee.
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Low rates
- No fees
- Fast approval and funding
- Rate discount for autopay
- Digital experience
- Cons:
- Minimum loan amount is a bit high
- Requires a long credit history
LightStream is the online lending division of Truist (formerly SunTrust Bank).
The key feature of LightStream's online personal loans is that they can be up to $100,000 and used for nearly any reason.
LightStream charges no fees on its personal loans. Plus, it offers to send you $100 if you’re unsatisfied with the loan process.
- Minimum credit:Fair (580-669)
- Autopay discount:0.25%
- Origination fee:No origination fee.
- Funds available in:5 business days.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- No fees
- Autopay discount
- Cons:
- Long time to receive funds
- No Cosigner Option
Marcus offers unsecured personal loans up to $40,000 with rates from 6.99% to 24.99%.
Marcus does not charge origination, late payment and check processing fees.
- Minimum credit:Poor (300-579)
- Origination fee:10%
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- No prepayment penalty
- Next day funding
- Cons:
- Origination Fee
- Extra Fees
Upstart loans range from $1,000 to $50,000. Not all applicants will qualify for the full amount.
The minimum loan amount: $7,000 (MA), $6,000 (Ohio), $5,100 (NM), $3,100 (GA), $2,100 (HI).
Borrowers need credit scores of 580 or higher.
Upstart offers fixed-rate APRs that vary from 5.60% to 35.99%. Loan terms are available for 3 or 5 years.
The origination fee ranges from 0% to 8%.
- Minimum credit:Good (670-739)
- Origination fee:5%
- Funds available in:3-6 business days.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- No prepayment or late fees
- Free monthly FICO score updates
- Cons:
- Co-signers are not accepted
- Origination Fee
- Slow funding
- Not available in all states
The Payoff Loan™ is an unsecured personal loan designed to consolidate your credit cards into one monthly payment. Payoff requires a minimum FICO credit score of 640 or higher. It provides loans of up to $40,000.
The Payoff platform provides loans with rates between 8.99% and 29.99% APR. Minimum loan amount and APR may vary in certain states.
- Minimum credit:Poor (300-579)
- Origination fee:3 - 6%
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Quick, easy online application
- Fast funding
- Cons:
- Origination fee
LendingClub offers loans of $1,000 to $40,000.
The APR range is from 8.30% to 36.00%. Loan terms are available for 3 or 5 years.
LendingClub charges an origination fee of 3% to 6% on personal loans.
- Minimum credit:Good (670-739)
- Autopay discount:0.25%
- Origination fee:No origination fee.
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Fast approval and funding
- Rate discount for autopay
- No Fees
- Cons:
- Not available to residents of Mississippi
- No secured loan option
SoFi loans range between $5,000 to $100,000.
The APR range is from 7.99% to 23.43% (with discounts). Loan terms are available for 2 or 7 years.
The loan is not available in Mississippi.
SoFi personal loans have no fees: no origination fees, no late fees, no prepayment penalties.
- Minimum credit:Poor (300-579)
- Origination fee:4.75%
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Fast approval and funding
- Low minimum credit score requirements
- No prepayment fees
- Cons:
- Fees
- No Autopay discount
- No Cosigner Option
Avant offers unsecured loans of $2,000 to $35,000. Rates range from 9.95% to 35.95%.
Avant charges an origination fee up to 4.75%.
Avant personal loans are not available in Colorado, Iowa, West Virginia, New York, Vermont, Hawaii, and Nevada.
- Minimum credit:Fair (580-669)
- Origination fee:2.41 - 5%
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Fast approval and funding
- Simple application process
- Cons:
- Origination fee
- Extra Fees
- No Autopay Discount
- Not available in all states
Prosper offers fixed-rate APRs that vary from 7.95% to 35.99%. Loan terms are available for 3 or 5 years.
The origination fee ranges from 2.41% to 5%. Prosper charges $15 for failed payments or returned checks. Payments that are 15 or more days late are assessed a late fee.
If you don't qualify for a personal loan with Prosper, consider applying with a co-applicant.
- Minimum credit:Good (670-739)
- Origination fee:0.99 - 8.99%
- Funds available in:1-3 business days.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Fast approval
- Low fixed rates
- Fast funding
- Cons:
- Fee charged
Best Egg is a national online lending platform offering personal loans starting at $2,000 for a variety of purposes.
Best Egg’s personal loans are ideal for consolidating debt or funding major expenses. Borrowers cannot use loans toward securities or postsecondary educational expenses.
There are no prepayment penalties, so you can pay off the loan ahead of schedule without extra fees.
Best Egg origination fees vary from 0.99% to 8.99%.
The quote you receive is based on multiple factors, including: Credit score and history, Income, Debt obligations, Loan amount, Repayment term (36 vs. 60 months).
- Minimum credit:Poor (300-579)
- Origination fee:$25 - $500
- Funds available in:1 business day.
- Loan Purpose:Personal Loan
- Pros:
- Secured and unsecured options
- Poor-credit applicants considered
- Cons:
- Origination fee
- Extra Fees
- High Rates
OneMain Financial offers loans that range from $1,500 to $20,000. The annual percentage rate ranges from 18.00% to 35.99%.
You may be approved for an unsecured or a secured loan. A secured loan requires you to provide collateral, such as a motor vehicle, while an unsecured loan doesn’t require any collateral at all.
OneMain charges late payment fees. These fees may range from a flat amount of $5 to $30 per late payment, or they may be a percentage of your entire monthly payment amount or a percentage of the delinquent portion of your monthly payment amount, ranging from 1.5% to 15%.
The lender charges an origination fee. Flat fees vary by state and range from $25 to $500. Percentage fees range from 1% to 10% of the loan.
TOP 5 banks offering personal loans in Columbus
- Bank name
- Total Assets
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How to Choose the Best Personal Loan in Columbus, Ohio?
To ensure you make a well-informed choice while selecting a personal loan in Columbus, Ohio, it is crucial to engage in comprehensive research and give careful thought to your alternatives. Our guide is designed to equip you with effective strategies and valuable perspectives, empowering you to compare and select the personal loan that best suits your unique financial requirements in Columbus, Ohio.
- APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, offers a comprehensive overview of the total cost of a loan, incorporating both the interest rate and associated fees. By comparing APRs, you can identify the loan with higher long-term expenses.
- Determining the loan amount is important. Research lenders in Columbus that offer loan sizes that match your specific needs. In Columbus, loans can range from $100 to $500,000. Look for lenders that provide flexible withdrawal options, enabling gradual access to funds and interest payments based solely on the utilized amount.
- It is crucial to evaluate monthly payments and ensure they comfortably fit within your budget. Meeting your regular financial obligations while repaying the loan, including the interest, is of utmost importance.
- Understanding credit requirements is essential. Most lenders prefer borrowers with good to excellent credit scores, typically 670 or higher. However, some lenders may consider individuals with poor to fair credit. While a high credit score does not guarantee a lower interest rate, it increases the likelihood of loan approval. In Columbus, the minimum acceptable credit score is Poor (300 - 579). Focus your search on lenders offering favorable loan terms based on your credit score.
- Consider the aspect of collateral. While most personal loans are unsecured and do not require collateral, there are some loans that may involve it. Secured loans generally have lower interest rates as collateral reduces the lender's risk. On the other hand, unsecured loans usually come with higher interest rates. If you are concerned about high interest rates (which can reach up to 36% in Columbus), you may want to explore secured personal loan options.
- Assess the origination fees associated with personal loans. Many lenders charge origination fees in addition to interest charges. The origination fee is typically a percentage of the total loan amount and can vary among lenders. Opting for a personal loan with lower origination fees can result in long-term savings.
Compare and choose the best personal loan in Columbus, Ohio
| Lender | APR | Loan Amount | Loan term | Origination Fee | Score Required | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
LightStream | 6.49 - 21.99% | $5,000 - $100,000 | 2 - 6 years | No origination fee. | From Fair (580-669) to Fair (580-669) | Check rates On partner's site |
Marcus by Goldman Sachs | 7.24 - 25.24% | $3,500 - $40,000 | 3 - 6 years | No origination fee. | From Fair (580-669) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
Upstart | 5.6 - 35.99% | $1,000 - $50,000 | 3 - 5 years | 10% | From Poor (300-579) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
Payoff® | 8.99 - 29.99% | $5,000 - $40,000 | 2 - 5 years | 5% | From Good (670-739) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
LendingClub | 8.3 - 36% | $1,000 - $40,000 | 3 - 5 years | 3 - 6% | From Poor (300-579) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
SoFi | 8.24 - 23.68% | $5,000 - $100,000 | 2 - 7 years | No origination fee. | From Good (670-739) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
Avant | 9.95 - 35.95% | $2,000 - $35,000 | 1 - 5 years | 4.75% | From Poor (300-579) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
Prosper | 7.95 - 35.99% | $2,000 - $40,000 | 3 - 5 years | 2.41 - 5% | From Fair (580-669) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
Best Egg | 7.99 - 35.99% | $2,000 - $50,000 | 3 - 5 years | 0.99 - 8.99% | From Good (670-739) to Good (670-739) | Check rates On partner's site |
OneMain Financial | 18 - 35.99% | $1,500 - $20,000 | 2 - 5 years | $25 - $500 | From Poor (300-579) to Excellent (740-799) | Check rates On partner's site |
5 Tips for Maximizing Personal Loan Approval Odds in Columbus, Ohio
- Improve Your Credit. Improving your credit score is the most effective way to increase your chances of credit approval. Make your debt payments on time, maintain a low credit utilization rate, minimize the number of new credit applications and eliminate any errors on your credit report.
- Increase Income. Lenders consider your debt-to-income ratio when evaluating loan applications. Increasing your income, such as through negotiating a raise at your current job or taking on a part-time job, improves this ratio and enhances your chances of approval.
- Avoid New Debt. Avoid taking on new debt while applying for a personal loan. Lenders perceive existing debt as a risk factor, so reducing your current debt and avoiding new obligations strengthens your loan application.
- Be Realistic About Loan Amounts. Lenders tend to be cautious about approving large loan amounts due to increased risk. In Columbus, while the maximum loan amount available is $500,000, it is challenging to obtain such a substantial sum. A more realistic approach is to request a loan amount that aligns with your income and financial capabilities. Applying for smaller loan amounts reduces risk and improves your chances of approval. In Columbus, lenders typically offer a minimum loan amount of $100.
- Consider a Joint Applicant or Co-signer. Exploring the option of a joint applicant or co-signer can enhance your loan approval odds. Lenders assess the credit scores and incomes of both applicants, potentially strengthening your application. Ensure that you choose a reliable joint applicant or co-signer, as your financial obligations will be interconnected.
Conclusion
By employing effective strategies and adhering to the following guidelines, you can greatly increase the likelihood of getting a personal loan that meets your financial requirements. It is crucial to approach your loan selection with a sense of responsibility, choosing a loan that fits your budget and repayment capabilities.