Top Lenders & Best Picks for You
Best Personal Loans in Cincinnati, OH
Updated: December 28, 2023
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- The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Cincinnati
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Cincinnati
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Cincinnati
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Cincinnati
- The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in Cincinnati
- How to Choose the Right Personal Loan Lender for You
- Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Cincinnati
MoneyGeek’s Pick for Best Personal Loan Lender in Cincinnati: Truist
MoneyGeek evaluated Cincinnati's lenders based on more than 30 data points. We weighed their loan affordability and accessibility, APR ranges, terms, minimum credit score and income requirements, origination and late fees, disbursement time, customer service, BBB ratings and other features.
Based on this research, Truist is the best overall lender in Cincinnati. However, depending on your needs, a different lender might be right for you. For instance, SoFi is the best option for Cincinnati residents with good credit, Upstart is the top company for those with bad credit and Upgrade is our favorite lender for debt consolidation.
Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Cincinnati: Truist
Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Cincinnati: Upstart
Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Cincinnati: SoFi
Best Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Cincinnati: Upgrade
Best Loan Lender for Home Improvement in Cincinnati: Best Egg
How to Choose the Right Personal Loan Lender in Cincinnati for You
People get personal loans for purposes like home improvements, debt consolidation, auto financing, moving expenses and paying medical bills or college tuition. To choose a personal loan lender, consider your credit score, monthly income and debt-to-income ratio to determine your eligibility. The average personal loan debt in Ohio is $24,808, the fourth-highest amount among all 50 states.
To find the best lender in your state, MoneyGeek suggests the following steps:
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
Before you choose a lender and apply for a personal loan, you should ask yourself the following questions:
- How much funding do I need?
- How much debt do I currently have?
- What is my credit score?
- What monthly payment can I afford?
Do Your Research
Apart from having distinct terms and conditions, lenders quote and operate differently and their rates and fees may vary. Comparing multiple lenders is critical before submitting a loan application to determine which one is best for you.
Taking out a personal loan is a big commitment, as you’ll be paying it back for 2–4 years or even longer, in some circumstances. Make sure it’s the right option for you before you act. Also, keep in mind that our suggestions are general, so you should thoroughly research your options.
Wait
It's easy to become overwhelmed when faced with several features and offers from each lender, as well as numerous rates and fees to compare. Waiting a day or two before making a decision can be a good idea. Taking out a personal loan is a significant financial commitment, and you want to be completely certain that it's the best decision for you before proceeding. Once you've done your research, it's wise to take some time to consider your options before applying.
Read the Fine Print
It's common to overlook the details when researching personal loans. In addition to upfront fees that are clearly stated in the lender's terms and conditions, there may be hidden fees that you only discover after you have signed the loan application. Once you've decided on a company, research their fees — including prepayment penalties, late fees and origination fees — before proceeding. Also, look out for interest rates as well as any collateral requirements that may be in place. In the long run, paying attention to the small details can save you a lot of money.
Apply
After you've done your research, read the fine print and waited to make a decision, it's time to submit your application. By this point, you should be confident in your choice of lender and have outlined all the information you require to apply. Verification of personal identity, address and proof of income are normal requirements for lenders during the loan application process. Even though it may be more convenient for some to apply online, there is no harm in calling or visiting the lender in person if you’d rather.
What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Cincinnati
Even if your application was initially rejected, you should contact the lender to learn why and to see what changes you can make to your application. Shortening the loan terms or reducing the loan amount are examples of ways you could make your application more appealing. A co-signer or collateral-based loan may also be an option for you if you're having trouble getting authorized. If absolutely necessary, you may apply for a loan with a different lender. However, this should be avoided until you have rectified whatever reason led to your application rejection in the first place.
After a rejection, some people may seek payday loans with extremely high interest rates. However, even if you pay promptly and in full, your credit score won’t increase. And, if you don't pay promptly, you may be liable for any unpaid interest plus the balance amount. Paying late could result in a collection agency contacting you, which may harm your credit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Cincinnati
Your specific needs, as well as different credit and income considerations, will determine the best personal loan lender in Cincinnati for you. We've provided answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about personal loans in Cincinnati.
The best overall personal loan lender in Cincinnati, Ohio, is Truist. However, for those with good credit, the best lender is SoFi and for those with bad credit, the best is Upstart. For debt consolidation and home improvement loans, the best options are Upgrade and Best Egg, respectively.
Upstart offers the lowest possible interest rate for personal loans in Cincinnati. If eligible, you can get a personal loan at an APR of 3.22%.
Personal loans are used for a variety of reasons, including vacation expenses. However, not all lenders allow their loans to be used for any reason. Check with the lender to determine if there are any limits on how you may use your personal loan.
The majority of personal loans can be used for home renovation purposes. If in doubt, check with the lender to see if they have any restrictions in place.
Personal loans may be used for almost any purpose. However, depending on the lender, you may be limited in what you may use the loan for. Some lenders prohibit their loans from being used to refinance mortgages or other loans, pay for educational expenses, make business purchases, buy bonds or stocks or engage in unlawful or gambling activities.
The maximum amount you may borrow in a Cincinnati personal loan is different for each lender. You may be qualified for a loan ranging from $1,000–$100,000, depending on the lender.
Each lender has a distinct time frame for funding your personal loan in Cincinnati. In most cases, depending on the lender, processing a personal loan might take anywhere from one day to a week.
If you pay off a personal loan before the end of the term, the lender may charge a prepayment penalty. However, some lenders do not levy a penalty for making early payments. For further information, you should contact the lender or read the fine print of the lender's loan agreement.
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 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.
sources
- Best Egg. "Personal Loans." Accessed March 2, 2022.
- Truist. "Personal Loans." Accessed March 1, 2022.
- Upgrade. "Personal Loans." Accessed March 1, 2022.
- SoFi. "Disclosures & Disclaimers." Accessed May 4, 2022.
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
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