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First Midwest Bank personal loans review
Borrow up to $35,000 if you have good credit.
finder.com’s rating: 3.8 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Best for borrowers looking to consolidate debt or fund home improvements.
- Pick something else if you need to borrow more than $25,000.
Details
| Min. Loan Amount | $5,000 |
|---|---|
| Max. Loan Amount | $35,000 |
| APR | 5.16% to 16.31% |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
| Min. Credit Score | 680 |
| Loan Term | 1 to 5 years |
First, am I eligible?
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for a personal loan from First Midwest Bank.
- 680+ credit score
- Live in eligible sate
- Clean credit history
- Minimal credit inquiries
- Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio under 50%
Eligible states
First Midwest Bank has branches in Illinois, Iowa and Indiana. But its personal loans are available in the following states:
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Wisconsin
Pros
- Low maximum APR of 15.44%
- Loan terms as short as 1 year
- Coapplicants and self-employed applicants welcome
Cons
- Only available in 26 states
- Low maximum loan amount of $35,000
- Personal loans only for debt consolidation or home improvement
- $100 documentation fee
Compare other personal loan providers
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First Midwest Bank reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.6 out of 5 stars, based on 18 customer reviews |
| BBB customer complaints | 20 |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 16 October 2020 |
Most reviews were complaints about customer service — several were hit with unexpected fees and had problems with important paperwork not being processed properly. Reviews on its loans were mixed, with some rating it well and some stating they were turned down despite having met First Midwest’s criteria.
How do I apply?
To get started online, follow these steps:
- Go to the personal loans page on the First Midwest Bank website.
- Click Apply Online Now to begin the online application.
- Select whether you’re applying individually or jointly and your state.
- Enter information about yourself, your employment and your income.
Only residents of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa and Wisconsin are eligible for home improvement loans.
What information do I need to apply?
First Midwest Bank requires you to submit the following information when you apply:
- Social Security number or tax identification number (TIN)
- Driver’s license or state ID number
- Current landlord or mortgage lender
- Gross monthly income
What happens after I apply?
First Midwest should contact you within one to two business days with an approval notice. If conditionally approved, you will need to submit extra documentation, typically your most recent W2 form and your last three pay stubs. You will then be able to review and sign your loan contract.
How do repayments work with First Midwest Bank?
Now that you have your funds, it’s time to start making repayments. Ask your banker if you can sign up for autopay — that way you won’t have to remember to make a repayment each month. You also have the option of making a repayment over the phone by calling customer service at 800-322-3623. Or, mail a check to the following address:
First Midwest Bank
Payment Processing
P.O. Box 125
Bedford Park, IL
60499-0125
Reach out to customer service as soon as possible if you have any questions or concerns about your account.
See how First Midwest Bank stacks up to the competition with our guide to personal loans.
Frequently asked questions
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We analyze top personal loan providers and rate them one to five stars based on factors that are most important to you. These factors include: rates and fees, customer reviews, loan amounts, loan processing and borrower experience.
Read the full methodology of how we rate personal loan providers.
Review by
Anna Serio
anna.serio@finder.comAnna Serio is a trusted lending expert and certified Commercial Loan Officer who's published more than 1,000 articles on Finder to help Americans strengthen their financial literacy. A former editor of a newspaper in Beirut, Anna writes about personal, student, business and car loans. Today, digital publications like Business Insider, CNBC and the Simple Dollar feature her professional commentary, and she earned an Expert Contributor in Finance badge from review site Best Company in 2020.
Expert review
First Midwest Bank is ideal for borrowers looking to take out a personal loan for debt consolidation or home improvements — those are the only two things you can use its personal loan for.
Its rates max out relatively low compared to other lenders that have APRs upwards of 36%. And self-employed applicants are welcome — many providers shy away from working with individuals who don’t have a traditional income.
But First Midwest only works with residents of 26 states — even less if you’re looking to take out a loan for home improvements. You also can’t borrow more than $25,000 — relatively low compared to other personal loan providers.
Not sold? Compare your other options below.