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The 8 Best Bad Credit Personal Loans for 2026

Last updated: 2026-10-15

Getting a loan when your credit score is low is tough. Most traditional lenders rely heavily on those scores to decide if you even qualify, and they’ll use them to set your interest rates. Because of that, people with poor credit often end up looking for unsecured options that use alternative data or offer faster approvals to cover urgent costs.

1. Avant

2. 59 Cash

3. OneMain Financial

4. Truist

5. Prosper

6. NetCredit

7. Chase

8. Seattle Credit Union

When you’re picking a lender, don’t just look at the monthly payment. You need to look at the total cost of borrowing. That means checking the APR, any origination fees, and how fast you’ll actually get the cash in your hand. Some lenders prioritize speed, while others offer more stability through fixed terms or local branches you can actually walk into.

How We Evaluated These Lenders

We looked at these eight providers to see how well they serve borrowers with less-than-perfect credit. Our comparison focused on how much they lend, how fast they fund, and how transparent the application process is. We wanted to find lenders that offer clear terms and won’t ding your credit score just for checking your options.

The type of lender mattered too. Credit unions often have different rules than online lenders, and big banks usually want to see an existing relationship or a specific type of checking account. We prioritized lenders that put specific info about loan limits and repayment structures right on their websites.

Lender	Loan Amount	Terms	Speed	Requirements
Avant	$2,000 – $35,000	see site	see site	see site
59 Cash	$500 – $50k	see site	same day decisions	All credit types welcome
OneMain Financial	$1,500 – $30,000	24-60 months	as soon as 1 hour	see site
Truist	see site	see site	see site	see site
Prosper	$2,000 – $50,000	up to 6 years	Fast funding	see site
NetCredit	up to $10,000	Flexible terms	Same-day funding available	see site
Chase	see site	see site	see site	see site
Seattle Credit Union	see site	see site	see site	see site

1. Avant

Avant focuses on credit cards and loans for people who might not qualify for standard bank products. You can use their loans for debt consolidation, emergencies, or home improvements. Their platform is built for users who want to handle everything online with simple tools.

They offer various options, including installment loans. They try to make things easier by giving clear answers to financial questions and providing flexible choices for different life stages. Since they’re digital-first, the whole process is built for speed.Pros:

• Multiple loan purposes including debt consolidation
• Online application process
• Offers credit cards in addition to loans

Cons:

• Specific APR and terms are not listed on the landing page

2. 59 Cash

59 Cash is a comparison service. They connect you to a network of licensed lenders, which is helpful if you want to see multiple offers without filling out a dozen different applications. They say checking your options through them won’t affect your credit score.

If you need cash fast, 59 Cash can give you a decision the same day you ask. That’s great if you’re in a pinch. They handle amounts from $500 up to $50,000.Pros:

• Comparison tool does not affect credit score
• High maximum loan amount of $50,000
• Fast decision turnaround

Cons:

• You are seeing offers from a network rather than a single lender

3. OneMain Financial

OneMain Financial is a massive lender with over 1,300 physical branches. This is a good choice if you’d rather talk to a person in an office than deal with a screen. They lend between $1,500 and $30,000.

Rates start at 11.99% APR, and they use fixed monthly payments. If you already have a mailed offer, you could potentially get your funds as soon as an hour after signing. They offer terms from 24 to 60 months.Pros:

• Physical branch locations for in-person support
• Fast funding options for mailed offers
• Fixed monthly payments help with budgeting

Cons:

• Minimum loan amount is $1,500

4. Truist

Truist is a large bank that does everything from checking and savings to mortgages. They have many different lending products, ranging from basic personal banking to more complex commercial loans.

Because they’re a traditional bank, they offer integrated services. For instance, some clients can get checking accounts with no overdraft fees. This is handy if you want to keep your loan and your daily banking in one place.Pros:

• Wide variety of banking products
• Comprehensive financial services

Cons:

• Lending details for bad credit specifically are not detailed on the main page

5. Prosper

Prosper is a peer-to-peer lending platform that offers personal loans up to $50,000. They have high ratings on various review sites and are a big name in online lending. You can get terms as long as six years.

The application is fast. You can see your rate in about a minute without hitting your credit score, so it’s a good way to check your eligibility before you commit to anything.Pros:

• Fast rate checking with no credit impact
• Longer terms available up to 6 years
• High maximum loan amount

Cons:

• Peer-to-peer model can sometimes involve different approval nuances than traditional banks

6. NetCredit

NetCredit claims to look at more than just your credit score. They use algorithms to evaluate applicants, which helps people with limited credit history who have other financial strengths. They offer online loans up to $10,000.

They offer same-day funding and flexible terms. Their loans are facilitated through partnerships with banks like Quill Bank and Republic Bank & Trust Company, so professional lenders handle the actual underwriting.Pros:

• Uses more than just FICO scores for decisions
• Same-day funding availability
• Flexible repayment terms

Cons:

• Lower maximum loan amount compared to other top lenders

7. Chase

Chase is one of the biggest banks in the US. They have almost everything, credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, and more. They’re usually a top choice for people looking for mainstream, established banking.

While they have a lot of products, they don’t list specific terms for “bad credit” loans on their main page. Most of their products are geared toward people with established credit profiles.Pros:

• Extensive range of financial products
• Highly established institution

Cons:

• Not specifically focused on the subprime or bad credit market

8. Seattle Credit Union

Seattle Credit Union offers unsecured personal loans. These are loans you don’t have to back with collateral. They offer terms up to 60 months and maximum amounts up to $25,000.

Their interest rates can be competitive, with some estimates starting at 10.99% APR. Since they’re a credit union, they often have different lending criteria than national banks, and they usually cater to a specific membership base.Pros:

• Unsecured loan options available
• Long terms up to 60 months
• Competitive starting APR

Cons:

• Likely requires membership to access certain benefits

How to Choose a Loan

If you’re hunting for a loan with bad credit, watch out for the total cost. Keep in mind that personal loans are accessible to those with bad credit, but the rates can be higher. Always look at the APR instead of just the monthly payment to see what you’re actually paying. You can also improve your chances of getting a loan with a cosigner, which might help you land a lower interest rate.

Don’t make the mistake of only looking at the total amount you can borrow. A big loan with a massive interest rate can end up costing way more than a smaller loan with a better rate. Also, check if there are prepayment penalties if you plan to pay the thing off early.