What we look at besides the score
A credit score compresses years of history into three digits and loses most of the context. A 580 caused by a medical collection three years ago, followed by two years of clean rent and utility payments, is a different risk from a 580 that is still deteriorating. Our underwriting looks at the pattern, not just the number.
- Income and its stability. Regular verifiable income from work, self-employment, or benefits carries real weight.
- Existing debt payments. What you already commit each month, and whether a new payment realistically fits.
- Recent payment behaviour. The last 12 to 24 months matter far more than something from 2019.
- Direction of travel. A file that is recovering reads differently from one that is still slipping.
- Credit data. Used as one input, not as a gate.
Checking your rate is a soft inquiry, so finding out where you stand costs you nothing in score terms.
What you can realistically expect
Honesty is more useful here than encouragement. With impaired credit you are likely to be offered a smaller amount at the higher end of our APR range, because that is what the risk supports.
| Amount | Term | Representative APR | Monthly payment | Total repayment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | 6 months | 29.9% | $90.75 | $544.50 |
| $1,000 | 12 months | 29.9% | $97.44 | $1,169.28 |
| $2,500 | 18 months | 22.9% | $165.41 | $2,977.38 |
| $5,000 | 24 months | 22.9% | $261.62 | $6,278.88 |
Sample pricing with no origination fee, for illustration. Your rate depends on your credit profile, income, and state.
First approvals for applicants with damaged credit typically land between $200 and $1,000 at 29.9% to 35.9% APR. Larger amounts in the lower APR bands generally become available after a repayment history with us.
Nobody can guarantee approval
Any site advertising guaranteed approval or no credit check with certain funding is either not a lender or is charging for something else. Real lenders assess applications, and any lender asking for a fee before funding is running an advance-fee scam. See the security page for how to check.
Why we decline, and what to do about it
Every declined applicant receives a written adverse action notice listing the specific principal reasons, as the Equal Credit Opportunity Act requires. The most common reasons and what actually helps:
| Reason | What helps |
|---|---|
| Payment does not fit alongside existing debt | Apply for a smaller amount or a longer term, or clear a small balance first |
| Income could not be verified | Connect the account income is actually deposited into, or supply recent statements |
| Very recent delinquency | Three to six months of clean payments changes the picture materially |
| Pattern of recent borrowing | Speak to a nonprofit counsellor first; another loan will not fix this one |
| State rules do not permit the request | Check what your state allows on state lending limits |
Using a loan to rebuild credit
We report on-time payments to the major credit bureaus. Payment history is the largest single component of most scoring models, so a completed installment loan with a clean record adds something a card balance cannot: evidence you can hold a fixed obligation for a fixed period and finish it.
It also adds account-type variety to a thin file. None of this works in reverse, though. Missed payments are reported too, so borrowing more than you can service will do more damage than the loan can repair.
What we will not do
- We do not charge higher fees to applicants with weaker credit. There is no origination fee at any credit level.
- We do not offer rollovers, so a loan cannot be extended by paying a fee.
- We do not take collateral, so no vehicle title is ever at risk.
- We do not lend to someone borrowing to service an existing loan. Our reasoning is in the responsible lending policy.
Cheaper routes worth trying first
If your credit is impaired you are being quoted higher prices everywhere, which makes the free options more valuable, not less. Credit union payday alternative loans are capped at 28% APR. LIHEAP and 211 cover utility and rent emergencies. Billers frequently offer interest-free hardship plans if you ask the right team. And if debt itself is the underlying problem, the NFCC at nfcc.org offers free counselling that will cost you less than any loan on this page.
Questions about borrowing with bad credit
What we assess, what you can realistically expect to be offered, and what to do if the answer is no.
What credit score do I need?
There is no published cut-off, because the score is one input among several. Applicants in the fair and rebuilding range regularly qualify, usually for smaller amounts at higher APRs. Income, existing obligations, and recent payment behaviour all carry weight alongside the score.
Can I get a loan with no credit check at all?
Not from us, and you should be wary of anyone offering it. Lending without assessing whether you can repay is how people end up in a debt spiral, and it is a defining feature of the products this page exists as an alternative to. We use a soft inquiry to show your rate, which does not affect your score.
Will applying damage my credit further?
Checking your rate uses a soft inquiry, which is invisible to other lenders and has no effect on your score. A hard inquiry is recorded only if you accept an offer, and typically costs a few points temporarily.
How much can I borrow with bad credit?
Usually toward the lower end of our $200 to $5,000 range on a first loan. Larger amounts in the cheaper APR bands generally become available after you have repaid with us.
Do you offer guaranteed approval?
No, and neither does any legitimate lender. Approval always depends on review of income, obligations, and credit data. Sites promising guaranteed approval are usually collecting fees or personal data rather than making loans.
Will this loan improve my credit score?
It can. On-time payments are reported to the major bureaus, and payment history is the largest factor in most scoring models. A completed installment loan with no missed payments is a positive addition, particularly to a thin file. Missed payments are reported too.
What if I am declined?
You receive a written notice with the specific reasons. Most are fixable: apply for a smaller amount, verify income through the account it is deposited into, or wait three to six months of clean payments. If the reason is a pattern of recent borrowing, speak to a nonprofit counsellor before applying anywhere else.