Finder experts pick LightStream Personal Loans as a 2020 best pick for personal loans.
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LightStream personal loans review
Last updated:
Borrowers with excellent credit may qualify for loans up to $100,000 at competitive rates.
finder.com’s rating: 4.9 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Best for borrowers looking for high amounts and long terms.
- Pick something else if you don’t have good to excellent credit.
$100,000
Max. Loan Amount
Competitive
APR
Good to excellent credit
Min. Credit Score
Details
| Product Name | LightStream Personal Loans |
|---|---|
| Min. Loan Amount | $5,000 |
| Max. Loan Amount | $100,000 |
| APR | Competitive |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
| Min. Credit Score | Good to excellent credit |
| Minimum Loan Term | 2 years |
| Maximum Loan Term | 7 years |
| Turnaround Time | Varies |
Expert review
Review by
Anna Serio
anna.serio@finder.comAnna Serio is a trusted loans expert who's published more than 800 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 Fundera, Business.com, and ValueWalk feature her professional advice, and she earned an Expert Contributor in Finance badge from review site Best Company in 2020.
Expert review
Lightstream is ideal if you’re looking to take out a large loan, want a long loan term or need funds fast. It offers personal loans up to $100,000 at competitive rates — with loan terms as long as seven years. You also might be able to get your funds the same day you apply if you meet specific criteria.†
But you need to have good to excellent credit to qualify. And if you’re looking to borrow less than $5,000, you’ll have to look elsewhere. Lightstream also doesn’t have a customer service phone number listed on its website, meaning you’ll have to reach out via an online form with any questions you might have.
Not sure Lightstream is for you? Compare your other options below.
How much will this loan cost me?
LightStream has some of the most competitive rates out there and doesn’t charge any origination fees. And since loan terms can stretch up to seven years, opting for a longer term can help keep monthly repayments low — though you’ll pay more in interest in the long run.
To see how much borrowing from LightStream might cost you, use the calculator below to enter your desired loan amount, loan term and APR.
How it works
Your exact APR is determined by your credit score and history, income and current debts. If you have near-perfect credit and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, you’ll likely qualify for a low rate.
On the other hand, if you just meet LightStream’s eligibility requirements, you might see a rate on the higher end of its spectrum.
What is LightStream’s Rate Beat Program?
The Rate Beat Program offered by LightStream ensures that you get the most competitive APR. LightStream will beat any other lender’s APR by 0.1%, provided the other lender’s APR meets certain terms and conditions.
What do I need to qualify?
To qualify for a loan from LightStream, you need to meet a few basic criteria:
- Good to excellent credit.
- Sufficient income and assets to support your existing debt obligations and requested loan amount.
- An American citizen or permanent resident of the US.
- At least 18 years old.
What information do I need to apply?
You’ll need to provide the following when you fill out LightStream’s online application:
- Social Security number
- Last four digits of your driver’s license number
- Annual income
Pros
- May receive funds on the same day you apply
- Competitive rates
- High 0.5% autopay rate discount
- Borrow up to $100,000
- Get $100 if you’re not completely satisfied with your borrowing experience
- Rate Beat Program beats competitor rates by 0.1%
Cons
- High minimum loan amount
- Tough credit requirements
- No preapproval process
- No customer service line listed on website
See other personal loan options
Updated March 30th, 2020
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Is LightStream legit?
Yes, LightStream is a legit business with an encrypted website to protect your personal information. But while it has dedicated pages detailing its security and privacy policies, its customer service options are limited. There’s no dedicated phone number or email. You’ll need to fill out an online form — located on its FAQ page — during business hours to get help from a customer service representative.
LightStream is now a product of Truist
SunTrust and BB&T have recently merged to become Truist, the sixth largest bank in the US. Because of this transition, previous loans will now be serviced by Truist. If you already have a loan, reach out to Truist for more information. If you’re thinking about borrowing, don’t worry: Loan terms haven’t changed, just the name behind LightStream.
Does LightStream get good customer reviews?
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | Not rated |
| BBB customer reviews | 2 out of 5 stars, based on 19 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot score | 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 2 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 12 December 2019 |
It’s a mixed bag. Despite being around for almost a decade, LightStream doesn’t have very many customer reviews on its Better Business Bureau (BBB) or Trustpilot pages. Those that are positive praise the lender for its fast turnaround, competitive rates and hassle-free process.
A lot of the negative reviews seem to be spam, though there are a few that appear legit. A few people complained about getting denied for a loan — even with good to excellent credit and minimal debts. Others had issues with rude or unhelpful customer service representatives.
How do I apply?
LightStream has a simple online application that should only take a few minutes to complete. Follow these steps to get started:
- Click the Check my rate button to view LightStream’s application.
- Select whether you’re applying individually or jointly, then select your loan purpose and enter your ZIP code, loan amount, desired term and preferred payment method.
- Enter information about yourself, your employment and your annual income.
- Create a LightStream account.
- Review your application, read LightStream’s disclosures and click Submit.
What happens after I apply?
LightStream will email you shortly after you apply with an approval decision. Depending on when you apply and what other documents are needed, you may be able to receive your funds the same day.
How do repayments work with LightStream?
LightStream allows you to pick your repayment method when you apply. If you choose automatic payments, you may receive a 0.5% APR discount — but it’s only available if you select autopay during the application process.
Alternatively, you can receive an invoice each month and pay manually online. For borrowers who choose to pay by invoice, you must pay at least two days before your due date for it to be processed on time.
Not sold on Lightstream? Find out how it compares to other lenders or read our guide to personal loans to find the best deal available to you.
Frequently asked questions
How does Lightstream calculate interest?
Like most personal loan providers, LightStream calculates interest using the simple interest formula. It’s one of the least-expensive types of interest, in which lenders calculate it daily based on your loan balance between repayments.
Can I use a LightStream personal loan for business purposes?
No, unlike some personal loan providers, LightStream doesn’t allow you to take out a personal loan for business purposes.