If you’re an individual with a history of bad credit, you’re not alone. According to the Fed, nearly half of Americans have a credit score of 680 or less. In the United States, if you have a score of below 680, traditional banks will not approve your credit — that means that you have to look for alternative funding sources.
The good news is that it’s possible to get a loan with a bad credit score — but you have to know your options.
What Is Bad Credit?
Your credit score is comprised of multiple components, including payment history, the amount of credit outstanding, and your credit mix.
If you took a car loan and financed a furniture purchase at your apartment, that new credit will lower your score. If you’re borrowing habits continue, your credit scores will drop further, and you may even lose access to credit from traditional lenders such as banks.
Payday Loans
Yes, you really can get bad credit loans. There are a number of options: There are both brick-and-mortar and online payday loan providers. Of course, it’s difficult to know which sites to trust with your sensitive information online — so before getting loans for poor credit, always make sure that the lender is licensed to operate in your area. You can also check online for reviews, and seek assistance from both family and friends. Only get a loan from licensed institutions.
Most payday lenders will give you a loan instantly; once you submit your application, it usually takes less than five minutes to get a response. Just be wary of rogue lenders who will lure you with lower interest rates and then inflate your loan with hidden charges; they’ll apply unrealistic rollovers and attach unclear interest rates on your principle.
Secured Loans
You can boost your bad credit score with a secured loan that uses your home or car as collateral. However, if the loan is not fully repaid, you risk losing your assets. Secured loans are better than short term loans that come with higher interest rates.
Personal Installment Lenders
Personal installment loans can be used to cover emergency expenses. You can also use a personal installment loan to consolidate a higher-interest debt. Still, these lenders consider many factors before giving out loans.
Sign Up For A Credit Union
If you have bad credit, joining a credit union can help improve your score. Credit unions are similar to banks. However, when you apply for a loan, they don’t evaluate your application based on your credit score. Instead, they check your membership standing. So, if you are a member, you have the upper hand when it comes to the processing of your loan.
Peer-to-Peer Loans
A peer-to-peer (PTP) loan is a lending platform consisting of private investors who are willing to lend you. The lending system matches you with individuals willing to lend you money. This type of loan typically has lower interest rates than banks and other lenders. Still, peer-to-peer lenders will reject your application if your credit score is less than 600. Another downside to peer lending is that it takes a lot of time before you are matched with a potential lender.
Get a Co-Signer
What is another way to get a loan with bad credit? Well … you can get a co-signer. If you get a co-signer, the interest rates will be based on the credit rating of your signatory. Therefore, you’ll want to find someone with good credit scores to sign for you. However, that may be easier said than done because the cosigner is responsible for payment if you default.
The Bottom Line
If you succeed in getting a loan with bad credit scores, good for you! But it’s important to remember that you pay your loan on time to improve your creditworthiness.
Photo Credit: stock photo
[…] to ensure that you meet a lender’s essential installment loan eligibility criteria before applying for the loan itself. A typical mistake that applicants make is applying to lots of moneylenders without going […]