Personal Loans for 550 Credit Score & Under
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Compare Personal Loans for Credit Score Under 550
How Can I Get a Personal Loan with a 550 Credit Score?
A 550 credit score can affect whether you can borrow or not, how much you qualify for, the rates you are offered, the amount of time you can take to repay a loan, and whether you need to secure the loan or not. Still, there is a lot of confusion around what a credit score is, how it is calculated, and whether it is good or bad. In this blog, we will take a look at a credit score of 550 to see how it impacts your borrowing ability. Your credit will not be affected by the initial application.
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Learn More About Personal Loans for Credit Score Under 550
If you need a personal loan with a credit score 550 or under 550, it may be challenging. Some sources may fluff the truth, but the hard truth is that your credit score has a significant impact on your ability to borrow.
Is a 550 a bad credit score?
The credit score most lenders use is called a FICO score. Your FICO score is generated by pulling information from your credit report. Your FICO score pulls data from three credit reports: Experian, Transunion, and Equifax. Your score is based on how much debt you have, the length of time you have had credit, if there are new accounts, and your payment history.
The ranges are as follows:
- 300-579-poor or bad credit
- 580-669-fair credit
- 670-739-good credit
- 740-799-very good credit
- 800-850-exceptional credit
As you can see, a credit score of 550 is poor or bad. If your credit score falls into a poor or bad category, see this as an opportunity not an obstacle. Take advantage of the opportunity to rebuild your credit score and graduate to a fair or good category.
Can you get a personal loan with a 550 credit score?
You may be able to get a personal loan with a credit score of 550, but it will probably be challenging. Lenders can see that you have had problems repaying your debt in the past and might be reluctant to lend to you if you have a credit score of 550. If you are approved, they may want to secure the loan with an asset of yours. They may want a cosigner. Lenders usually charge a much higher rate for personal loans for 550 credit scores. It is up to you to decide if the terms being offered, if you qualify, make sense or not for your situation.
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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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List pros & cons of 550 credit score personal loan:
Taking out a personal loan of any size with any credit score can be a big decision, but a personal loan for a 550 credit score may require some extra consideration. Smart financial decisions require a lot of thought; a pros and cons list can be helpful in deciding if applying for a personal loan with a 550 credit score is a good idea.
Pros
- The opportunity to rebuild your credit. It takes on-time payments to prove your credibility, so having some credit to display that with is helpful. With regular on-time payments, your bad credit personal loan can be pivotal in boosting your score.
- The opportunity to overcome your financial hurdle. Whatever you need a 550 credit score personal loan for, it can be a sign of relief to have the funds to complete your financial task.
- More manageable than a lump sum. Again, whatever your financial needs are, it’s often more feasible to break down that cost into monthly payments versus one large expense.
Cons
- Potential negative impact on your credit score. You may see an initial dip in your credit score after any hard inquiry, which can happen when you apply directly with the lender. Don’t worry, though, as this should be temporary. Additionally, your credit score can be impacted if you are late on payments or default on your loan agreement.
- High interest rates. While you can mitigate the raised interest rates with collateral or a co-signer in some cases, generally speaking, bad credit borrowers will get stuck with higher interest rates. This is because lenders assume a larger risk when loaning someone with no proven credibility.
- Added financial obligations. It’s possible that financial setbacks may have been what caused your credit to fall into the bad range in the first place. Be cautious of falling into a cycle of credit drowning.
Pros and cons of lenders for 550 Credit Score Personal Loan:
LightStream
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 660 or above
- Minimum income of $50,000 a year
PROS:
- Allows the addition of a cosigner to loan agreements
- No origination fees
- May offer lower interest rates, longer repayment periods, and higher loan amounts than some other lenders
CONS:
- Qualification requirements can be strict
- You may be subject to a hard credit pull when pre-qualifying for a loan directly through the Lightstream website (no preapprovals)
SoFi
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 680 or above
- Minimum income of $50,000 a year
PROS:
- Allows the addition of a cosigner to loan agreements
- No origination fees
- May offer lower interest rates than some other lenders
- Flexible loan amounts and repayment terms for well-qualified borrowers
CONS:
- Longer approval times when compared to many online lenders
- High credit card requirements
Best Egg
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 600 or above
PROS:
- No minimum income requirements
- Works with fair credit borrowers
- Fast funding times
CONS:
- Origination fees may apply up to 6.99%
- May see offers with higher APRs than some other lenders
Prosper
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 600 or above
PROS:
- Peer-to-peer lending
- No minimum income requirements
- Flexibility with payment due dates
CONS:
- Origination fees may apply
- Funding may take some time
Upgrade
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 560 or above
PROS:
- No minimum income requirements
- Joint applications allowed
- Willing to work with bad credit borrowers
CONS:
- Origination fees of up to 8%
- May see offers with higher APRs than some other lenders
Axos Bank
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 700 or above
- Minimum incomes of $48,000 a year
PROS:
- Low origination fees
- Mobile app is available for easy loan and payment management
- Fast funding
CONS:
- Origination fees up to 2%
- High credit score requirements
OneMain Financial
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 600 or above
- Minimum income of $7,200 a year
PROS:
- OneMain offers secured loan options for borrowers with subprime credit
- Low-income requirement
CONS:
- Origination fees up to 10%
- Higher APRs than some other online lenders
LendingPoint
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 600 or above
- Minimum income of $30,000 a year
PROS:
- Low origination fees
- Fast funding times
- May be easier to qualify due to relaxed qualifications
CONS:
- No joint applications
Lending USA
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 620 or above
PROS:
- No interest will be charged to the principal balance if your loan is repaid within six months
- Fast funding
- Small loans amounts available (as little as $1,000)
- High approval rates
CONS:
- Higher APRs than some other lenders
While Lending USA is not an Acorn Finance lending partner, you can visit their website to check offers.
Universal Credit
Qualifications needed:
- Credit score of 560 or above
PROS:
- Low credit score requirements
CONS:
- Higher APRs than some other lenders
Reprise Financial
Reprise Financial assists customers in finding the loan that suits their financial goals and needs. Reprise works by streamlining the personal loan search process. Check for offers at Reprise Financial.
How big of a loan can I get with a 550 credit score?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
Whether or not a personal loan is worth it always depends on an individual's situation. There are many circumstances where a personal loan for someone with a 550 credit score may be worth it, and then there are many circumstances 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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
Unsecured personal loans with a credit score of 550 can be more challenging to qualify for than if you had a good credit rating. However, it is still possible to find lenders willing to work with you. If you can't delay borrowing until you improve your credit score, do some research to find a lender who will give you the best deal. Make sure to compare amounts, rates, terms, and conditions to make sure the offer works for you.
How long does it take to fix a 550 credit score?
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.
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