How our personal loan request service works

Start by entering the amount you want to borrow, from $500 to $5,000, what it is for and the state you live in. These three details decide which lenders in our network can review your request.

Request the amount you need plus any origination fee a lender might deduct. If you are unsure of the right amount, our personal loan calculator shows the payment for any amount and term. The purpose helps lenders understand the request; it does not usually change the rate.

Next, add your contact details, date of birth, address, Social Security number, income, employment and housing costs. Lenders use these to confirm your identity and to judge whether the payment fits your budget.

The form takes about five minutes. It is submitted over an encrypted connection, and our privacy policy explains how your information is shared with lenders in our network. Answer accurately, since lenders verify details before funding.

After you submit, lenders in our network review your request on their own terms. Many respond within minutes; some take longer if they need to verify income or identity. Submitting may lead lenders to check your credit.

Each lender decides independently whether it can make an offer. Some use a soft credit check, which does not affect your score; accepting an offer usually involves a hard inquiry. Not every request receives an offer, and approval is never guaranteed.

If a lender can help, you will see its offer with the APR, fees, term, monthly payment and total cost. Compare these before deciding, and remember you are never obligated to accept.

Look first at APR and total of payments, then at the amount you will receive after any fee and whether you can pay early without a penalty. Our compare lenders page shows published ranges for 20 lenders, which helps you judge whether an offer is competitive.

If you accept an offer, you complete the process with that lender, which may ask for documents and run a full credit check before you sign. Funds usually arrive by direct deposit one to three business days after signing.

From then on, the lender is your point of contact for payments and questions. Set up autopay to avoid missed payments, and contact the lender early if money gets tight. Ready to start? Our application page takes about five minutes.

Our service is free. Lenders may charge interest and fees on any loan you accept, all of which must appear in the loan agreement before you sign, and lenders may pay us when a loan is made.

That payment does not change the terms a lender shows you. Our advertiser disclosure explains how we are paid and how lenders in our network are selected.