Get a $10,000 personal loan

Where to get a $10,000 loan

There are a variety of lenders that offer $10,000 loans — so it pays to compare options. Borrowers with bad credit can access these loans through nontraditional lenders, while those with good or excellent credit may be able to apply with their own bank for quick approval.

• Online lenders. Online lenders like Rocket Loans and Upstart are safe, quick ways to borrow a personal loan. You typically don't need to submit as many documents, and filling out the application only takes a few minutes if you're looking for preapproval.
• Peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms. Rather than fund your loan directly, peer-to-peer platforms get your loan from investors. The application process is similar to an online direct lender, but it can take as long as a week to get your money.
• Online marketplaces. Prequalify with multiple lenders through connection services and brokers. These platforms offer a way to make quick, accurate comparisons, although you might end up fielding calls from lenders after you've already taken out a loan.
• Banks. Banks are generally an option for borrowers with good to excellent credit. You can find competitive bank loan rates, though expect to provide a lot of documentation. Funding may also take longer than at a digital lender.
• Credit unions. It might be easier to qualify for a $10,000 loan through a credit union. They often have competitive rates since they're non-profit financial institutions. However, most credit unions require that you be a member for a few months before letting you apply.

How much does a $10,000 loan cost?

Your monthly loan payment and overall cost will depend on the loan term and the annual percentage rate — which is your interest rate and loan fees. In this example, your monthly payment could range anywhere from $192 to $360 on a $10,000 personal loan with a five-year term — it all depends on the APR you qualify for.

You can use our calculator to estimate your monthly repayment based off your expected loan term and interest rate.

What are my options if I want to borrow $10,000?

Bad credit or good credit, there are options available to you if you need to borrow a large amount of money.

Loans up to $10,000 are available from both traditional and nontraditional lenders and can come in a variety of forms: Secured or unsecured, short-term or long-term, for personal or business use. The first step to taking out a loan is understanding your options.

If you have bad credit

There are lenders that offer loans up to $10,000 for people with bad credit. You'll usually need to meet certain requirements, and you may be required to secure the loan with an asset. Some lenders may also allow you to submit a joint application if you don't meet the eligibility criteria on your own.

Remember to find out about all the options available to help your chances of being approved. The interest rate on these loans is usually set on an individual basis but may be higher than similar loans for borrowers with good credit.

If you have good credit

You'll probably have more options available to you if you're looking at borrowing $10,000 and you have a good credit score of 670 or higher. Traditional lenders, such as a bank, will likely be an option. And you'll enjoy lower rates and fees than if it were a bad credit loan.

You may also find that your current bank offers same-day funding to existing customers. Depending on your income and other financial circumstances, you may be eligible for a secured or unsecured loan.

If you're willing to secure your loan

Securing your loan with an asset may open up more loan options to you. Secured loans are less risky for lenders as they will be guaranteed to recoup their losses should you default. Because of this, these loans come with lending criteria that are more flexible than unsecured loans, and sometimes they even carry better APRs.

Typical assets used to secure a loan include a vehicle or equity in a property, but some lenders also allow for other things, such as jewelry.

If it's for a business

A $10,000 personal loan for business purposes is different from one taken out for personal use. Business loans usually come with higher maximum loan amounts, with some lenders able to approve loans of up to $5 million. Business loans may be available to both established businesses and startups, although small businesses may not have access to larger loan amounts.

How to find a competitive $10,000 loan

When considering what loan to apply for, it's important to compare features of each loan to make sure you'll receive a competitive offer. Here are some things to look at:

• Interest rate. Your interest rate will impact the total cost of your loan. The lower your interest, the less you'll pay overall. In general, lenders will charge either a variable or fixed rate — and the best rates go to borrowers with excellent credit.
• Fees. Common fees include origination fees and prepayment fees. You should also consider any ongoing fees as well. For the most part, these are all worked into the total cost of your loan — the one exception being that sometimes origination fees are taken out of the amount disbursed to you.
• Repayment term. While a longer repayment term will lower your monthly payment, it does mean you will pay more in interest. Try to find a sweet spot between month-to-month affordability and overall cost.
• Turnaround time. The time it takes to get your loan approved and for it to arrive into your bank account will differ between lenders. Make sure the lender you apply with can get your loan amount to you when you need it.

Compare loans

Our top 6 tips to get approved with bad credit

1. Review the eligibility criteria. Do this before you apply to make sure you are eligible. Look for things like minimum income, employment requirements, etc.
2. Submit all necessary documents. Check what documents are needed and make sure you are able to send everything that the lender requires.
3. Consider a joint application or guarantor. This can help if you don't have the best credit or if you don't meet the income requirements.
4. Back it with collateral. Putting up collateral like a CD or valuables offsets the risk to the lender and can help you qualify.
5. Pay off debt. Having a high debt load and bad credit can make it hard to get approved anywhere, even with a bad credit lender. If you can, take steps to pay down other loans or credit card debt before you apply.
6. Take advantage of good relationships. If you have a positive relationship with your bank or a lender you worked with in the past, they may be willing to overlook your credit score.

Bottom line

To compare your borrowing options, read our guide on personal loans. We discuss the different types of personal loans available, how much they can cost and where you can apply.

Frequently asked questions

Answers to common questions about $10,000 loans.

How can I get a $10,000 loan if I am unemployed?

It depends. Most lenders want you to have a steady source of income, but that doesn't necessarily mean you need to be employed. If the lender doesn't specify, make contact and ask if your income qualifies.

What's the average interest rate on a personal loan?

It depends on your credit score. For good to excellent credit, the average rate can range from around 10% to 12%. For poor credit, the average rate can range from 28% to 32%, though it can be as high as 36%.

How secure are my details?

Most lenders use either 128-bit or 256-bit SSL encryption to ensure your details are safe and secure. If your lender doesn't have this in place and doesn't have a secured page, visit a different lender that does.

What happens after I send my application?

Usually, you'll receive notification of the decision. If you've been approved, the lender will send along next steps.

How do I apply for a bad credit unsecured loan?

Apply after finding a lender that doesn't require collateral but accepts a lower credit score. Many lenders have fully online applications. If you want to go with a bank or credit union, be prepared to submit your documents in person.