Top Lenders & Best Picks for You
Best Personal Loans in Los Angeles, CA
Updated: December 28, 2023
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- The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Los Angeles
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Los Angeles
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Los Angeles
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Los Angeles
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in Los Angeles
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan Lender for You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Los Angeles
MoneyGeek’s Pick for Best Lender in Los Angeles, CA: Lightstream
MoneyGeek used a comprehensive scoring system to identify the best personal loans in Los Angeles. We used more than 30 data points to score the best lenders for various profiles and needs. MoneyGeek analyzed lenders based on interest rates, repayment terms, fees, penalties and loan limits. We also analyzed and compared minimum income and credit score requirements set by different lenders as well as BBB ratings.
The best lender for you may vary depending on factors such as your credit history, employment status and more.
Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Los Angeles: Lightstream
Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Los Angeles: Upstart
Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Los Angeles: SoFi
Best Lender for Debt Consolidation in Los Angeles: Upgrade
Best Lender for Home Improvement in Los Angeles: Best Egg
How to Choose the Best Personal Loan Lender in Los Angeles For You
The average personal loan debt in California is $16,790, but this amount can vary depending on your profile and the lender. When shopping for the best personal loans in Los Angeles, it is important to understand how your credit score, gross income and debt-to-income ratio may affect interest rates, loan limits and your chances of approval.
If you plan on applying for a personal loan, the following steps can help.
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Take the time to evaluate your financial profile and what you need a loan for before you fill out an application. This can help you determine the most important factors to analyze as you start researching potential lenders. It can be beneficial to ask yourself the following important questions:
- How much funding do you need?
- What is your credit score?
- Can you afford the monthly payment?
- How much debt do you already have?
Do Your Research
Fees, interest rates, minimum credit score requirements and income needs can vary greatly depending on the lender. Doing your own research will help you find the best rates and terms for your specific needs. Researching rates and applicable fees will also help you plan ahead and understand the potential costs associated with the personal loan that you are applying for. Personal loans are long-term commitments, so it is important to make sure that you have all the information you need to make the best decision before applying.
You can use MoneyGeek’s recommendations as a guide to find the best lenders. However, since your profile may differ, doing your own research will help you find the best personal loans in Los Angeles for your needs and profile.
Wait
After doing your research, it is important to take some time to think through your options and consider the long-term implications of getting a personal loan. Waiting a day or two will give you time to weigh the pros and cons of taking out the loan, consider other alternatives for funding and prepare for the financial obligations of your loan.
If you find that taking out a personal loan might not be good for your overall finances, it could be best to look for an alternative or put off getting the loan.
Read the Fine Print
Depending on the lender, you may find that charges like early payment fees, late payment and origination fees can drive up the cost of your loan. Therefore, it is important to read the fine print and understand all the applicable fees and rates. This information will also be useful when you want to compare lenders and find the most affordable options. Some lenders might be high on fees, which will ultimately increase your debt burden even more. By having a thorough understanding of your loan’s fine print, you can save money.
Apply
When you have made a decision about the best lender for your needs, you can submit your loan application. Most lenders have an online application process that allows you to apply from anywhere. However, you can also call or visit the lender if these options are available in case you need more information about their personal loans. Lenders will typically require your personal information such as your address, financial history and proof of income when you apply.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Los Angeles
Your personal loan application might be declined due to factors such as your credit score, financial history or debt to income ratio. However, these factors can be improved over time. In some cases, you might be able to modify your application to meet the lender’s requirements.
Always find out the exact reason why your loan application was declined. This will help you figure out what you need to work on. You may find that you didn’t meet the credit score or income requirements of that lender but may satisfy the minimum requirements of a different lender.
Avoid applying for another loan until you have determined why you were declined. Also, avoid seeking payday loans since they tend to have high-interest rates and short repayment periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Los Angeles
The best personal loans in Los Angeles will depend on your particular profile and needs. The answers to commonly asked questions below will give you more information on the best options.
LightStream is the best lender for personal loans in Los Angeles for the average borrower. However, the best lender for you can vary based on your needs and borrower profile.
Upstart has the lowest interest rates in Los Angeles, starting at 3.22%.
Yes, you can use a personal loan to fund a vacation. However, depending on the lender, there may be restrictions on the usage of personal loan funds. Always check with your particular lender before applying so you can ensure your loan can be used how you would like to use it.
Yes, you can use a personal loan for home improvement in Los Angeles, but this will depend on the lender that you choose. Lenders such as Best Egg give personal loans for various uses, including home improvement.
Most lenders in Los Angeles do not allow the use of personal loan funds for college tuition, investments, gambling or any illegal activity. Restrictions on funds usage vary depending on the lender, so always check for applicable restrictions with your particular lender before applying.
You can borrow $1,000 to $100,000 in Los Angeles. However, the loan limit you qualify for will depend on your creditworthiness and the lender you choose.
Some lenders in Los Angeles offer same-day funding, while others can take up to seven days to disburse funds.
Yes, you can pay off your personal loan early in Los Angeles. Most lenders will not charge you any fees for early payment. However, some lenders charge early payment fees, so check with your lender to see if they have any prepayment penalties before applying for a loan.
Our Personal Loan Methodology
We reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.
Within each ranking criteria category, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.
Here at MoneyGeek, we value you, the consumer, so we also factor in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible, like prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.
After careful consideration and calculation, our picks are determined with your best interest in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.
The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the rates mentioned may have changed. We recommend visiting the lender's website for the most up-to-date information available.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, lender or other entity. Learn more about
our editorial policies and expert editorial team.