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Citibank personal loans and lines of credit review
Aliyyah Camp is a publisher helping folks compare personal, student, car and business loans. Prior to joining Finder, she ran her own personal finance blog and wrote for numerous finance sites. Aliyyah earned a BA in communication from the University of Pennsylvania. She likes to go to the movies and go for runs outdoors.
Citibank offers current customers both personal loans and lines of credit with the ability to earn Citi Thank You Rewards in the process. But it’s not ideal for borrowers in a hurry — you’ll have to wait at least five days to get your funds via a check in the mail.
Citibank offers fixed-rate personal loans from $2,000 up to $50,000 with your choice to pay it back over one to five years. Its APRs start relatively high at 7.99%, though they top out at just 17.99% — lower than other lenders out there.
While these loans are only open to Citibank customers, it’s easy to open a checking or savings account with the bank if you’re interested in borrowing. You can apply online for loans up to $30,000, though you’ll need to call or visit your local Citibank to apply for anything more than that. If approved, you’ll typically receive a check for your loan funds within five business days — not as fast as online lenders.
How does a line of credit from Citibank work?
Citibank’s Custom Credit Line starts at $1,500 and goes up to $25,000 — which you can draw from as you need. You’ll only pay interest on the amount you borrow, with variable rates that range from 10.49% to 22.49% depending on your state of residence.
However, it offers the flexibility to convert your variable-rate balances to fixed-rate, fixed-term payments any time you want. You’ll also be on the hook for a $50 annual fee, though it’s waived for Citigold and Citi Priority customers.
To qualify, you’ll need to have a Citibank deposit account of at least $500 as well as a Citibank mortgage, credit card or deposit account that’s at least three months old.
Compare other personal loan options
Updated October 24th, 2019
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What are the benefits of a Citibank personal loan?
There are a few perks of taking out a personal loan or line of credit from Citibank, including:
Flexible rates and terms. You can choose to pay back your personal loan in as little as one year — a relatively short term compared to other lenders. And its line of credit option lets you convert your variable-rate balances to fixed-rate, fixed-term payments whenever you want.
Lower rates for autopay. To qualify for the lowest rate, enroll in automatic deductions from your Citibank deposit account for monthly repayments.
Accepts joint applicantions. You can apply with your spouse, parent or another individual if you plan on sharing the expense.
Rewards for loyal customers. Personal loan accounts can help borrowers earn Citi ThankYou Points that you can redeem for gift cards, merchandise, travel rewards, cash rewards and other items.
Online tools. Citibank’s budgeting tools can help you determine how much of a loan you can take out and how much you can afford to repay each month.
What to watch out for
Consider these potential drawbacks before taking out a personal loan or line of credit from Citibank:
Slow turnaround. Citibank doesn’t allow you to have your personal loan funds transferred to your bank account, so you’ll have to wait up to five days to receive a check in the mail.
Missed or late payments will affect your APR. If you’re late on repayments or miss a month, Citibank may raise your APR by 2%.
Loans are for Citibank customers only. If you don’t currently hold an account or credit card with Citibank, you’ll need to become a member before you can apply.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for a Citibank personal loan, you must meet the following requirements:
Positive balance on a Citibank deposit account, credit card or mortgage
Minimum annual income of $10,500
Good to excellent credit
At least 18 years old
No more than one pre-existing loan with Citibank
How do I apply?
To apply for a Citibank personal loan online, you’ll only be able to borrow up to $30,000. However, you can borrow up to $50,000 by visiting a branch or calling 877-362-9100. Follow these steps to begin the process online:
Visit Citibank’s website, navigate to the lending tab and click the Apply Online button on the personal loans page.
Follow the prompts, signing into your account or entering your invitation number if you aren’t already a Citibank account holder.
Fill out the loan application with information about yourself and your finances.
Submit your application and wait to be contacted by a Citibank representative.
What information do I need to apply?
When applying for any personal loan with Citibank, you’ll be required to provide personal information that includes:
Your full name and contact details
Proof of government-issued ID
Your date of birth and Social Security number
Tax returns and financial statements
Your banking and other financial details, such as pay stubs
I have a personal loan from Citibank. Now what?
It’s time to start thinking about repayments. Whether you took out a personal loan or line of credit, you can make repayments at a branch, by check, online, at an ATM or through an automatic deduction from your account.
To qualify for the lowest rates possible and avoid late penalties, you might want to opt for autopay. Otherwise, missed payments could result in Citibank increasing your APR by 2%.
Want to get the most out of your loan or credit line? Enroll your account in the Citi ThankYou Rewards program to redeem points for gift cards, travel perks and more.
Bottom line
If you’re a member of Citibank, a personal loan or line of credit could provide the funds you need to make a big purchase, consolidate debt and more. It offers both variable- and fixed-rate options with an APR discount for signing up for autopay. But it’s not as fast as other lenders out there.
Yes, Citibank offers the Citi Mobile app for Android and iPhone. You can use it to manage your Citibank accounts and your Citi credit card accounts.
No, Citibank left the student loans game back in 2010. It sold its share of federal student loans to Sallie Mae and its private student loans to Discover. Check out our page on Citibank student loan alternatives to explore your other options.
It depends on your needs. Beyond the loan amount, the major difference is whether you want a variable or fixed rate. The Citibank Custom Credit Line comes with variable rates that may go up or down depending on changes in the lending market, whereas its personal loan comes with fixed rates that will stay the same throughout the life of your loan. You can learn more with our page on fixed-rate versus variable-rate personal loans.
As long as you are a member of Citibank or a Citibank cardholder, you are eligible for a Citibank personal loan. However, before you decide on any loan, make sure to compare other lenders and ensure that taking out a loan is financially feasible for you.
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