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Mariner Finance personal loans review
Borrowers don't need good credit to qualify — but watch out for high rates.
finder.com’s rating: 3 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Best for borrowers with less-than-perfect credit who’ve struggled to qualify with other lenders.
- Pick something else if you have good credit — you can find more competitive rates elsewhere.
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$25,000
Max. Loan Amount
18.99% to 35.99%
APR
Not stated
Min. credit score
Details
| Min. Loan Amount | $1,000 |
|---|---|
| Loan Amount | $25,000 |
| APR | 18.99% to 35.99% |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
| Min. credit score | Not stated |
| Origination Fee | $100 |
| Late Fee | $10 |
| Loan term | 12 to 60 months |
| Turnaround Time | As soon as one business day |
Review by
Shannon Terrell
shannon.terrell@finder.comShannon Terrell is a lead writer and spokesperson at NerdWallet and a former editor at Finder, specializing in personal finance. Her writing and analysis on investing and banking has been featured in Bloomberg, Global News, Yahoo Finance, GoBankingRates and Black Enterprise. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and English literature from the University of Toronto Mississauga.
Expert review
Mariner Finance may be a good option if you have less-than-perfect credit and have struggled to qualify for a personal loan elsewhere. It doesn’t have any hard-and-fast credit requirements. And you may be able to get your funds the next business day.
But interest rates start high at 24.99% — and that’s without factoring in the 4% origination fee. Plus its loans max out at $25,000. You also need to visit your local branch to submit your application in person if you’re looking to borrow more than $7,000. Plus, you’ll need to live in one of the 24 states it lends in to be eligible.
Not sold on Mariner Finance? Compare your other options below.
WATCH: our short take
How much will this loan cost me?
Mariner Finances personal loans come with APRs that start at 35.99%. This includes a 4% origination fee, which Mariner Finance adds to your balance before you receive your funds.
How much your loan costs you also depends on the loan amount and term. Through Mariner Finance you can borrow between $1,000 and $25,000 with terms from one to five years. Use the calculator below to find out what your loan will cost based on different rates and terms.
See how much you'll pay
Calculate monthly and overall costs
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Fill out the form and click on “Calculate” to see your
estimated monthly payment.
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You can expect to pay back
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per month
$
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Based on your loan terms
| Principal | $ |
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| Interest | $ |
| Total Cost | $ |
How it works
Rates, fees and loan amounts depend on factors like your credit score, income and debts. Most applicants won’t qualify for that 26.96% APR — and if you can, you’ll likely be able to find a better deal elsewhere.
One way to get a better deal if you don’t qualify for the lowest rate is to secure your loan with a car. Using a vehicle as collateral can help you qualify for a lower interest rate, and is required for the longest term.
Your loan amount also depends on where you apply. Loans from $1,000 to $15,000 are available online. If you need to borrow more, you’ll have to visit a branch. Maximum loan amounts can also vary depending on your state of residence.
What do I need to qualify?
To be eligible for a personal loan with Mariner Finance, you must meet the following criteria:
- US citizen or permanent resident
- Age 18 or older
- Valid bank account
- Established credit history
- Live in a state serviced by Mariner Finance
What states is Mariner Finance available in?
Mariner Finance has over 450 locations in 24 states.
- Alabama
- California
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Washington
- Wisconsin
What information do I need to apply?
Before you start your application online, have the following documents and information on hand:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Social Security number
- Proof of residence
- Proof of income
- Most recent tax return if you’re self-employed
Pros and cons
Mariner Finance isn’t right for everyone. Make sure the pros outweigh the cons before you apply.
Pros
- Turnaround in as little as one business day
- Poor credit accepted
- No prepayment fees
Cons
- High starting APR of 26.96%
- No fee transparency
- In-person application needed for loans of $15,000 or more
Does Mariner Finance own Pioneer Credit?
Yes. As of November 2018, all Pioneer Credit branches have officially switched to Mariner Finance. Your loan terms will still be the same, but Mariner Finance will have taken over your loan. If you’re not comfortable with this change, you may want to consider refinancing your personal loan with a new lender.
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Is Mariner Finance legit?
Yes, Mariner Finance is a legitimate lender — you can easily view its state licenses on its website. It also protect the information you send through its website with SSL encryption. While it shares your information with third parties for marketing purposes, you can limit that sharing by calling 877-310-2373 and selecting option 3.
Mariner Finance reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | A+ |
| BBB customer reviews | 1.07 out of 5 stars, based on 59 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 3.3 out of 5 stars, based on 9 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 19 October 2020 |
Positive reviews are limited, and customers have filed almost 250 complaints against Mariner Finance. Some borrowers claim it uses predatory methods to persuade borrowers into accepting additional funding and warn of deceptive preapproval offers by mail. Multiple customers complain that the company does not send statements, bills or late notices — which makes it easy to get behind on payments if you aren’t careful.
How do I apply?
Filling out an application with Mariner Finance should only take a few minutes.
- Visit Mariner Finance’s website and click Apply now.
- Select the loan amount you’re interested in and click Continue.
- Enter information about yourself, including your Social Security number and income.
- Create an account by entering a password and reviewing Mariner Finance’s Terms of Service.
- Follow the instructions to complete the application.
What happens after I apply?
Mariner Finance will assess your information and let you know if you prequalify for a loan. Then you may need to visit your nearest Mariner Finance branch to provide your loan officer with the necessary documentation.
How do repayments work with Mariner Finance?
Log in to your online account. From here, you can make payments, set up automatic withdrawals, update your information and review the terms of your loan. Keep up with your payments and be aware of late fees. Loan fees with Mariner Finance vary by state, so review your loan agreement to familiarize yourself with potential penalties and fees.
Mariner Finance reports payments to TransUnion and Equifax.
Compare Mariner Finance to the competition with our guide to personal loans.
Frequently asked questions
Will applying for a loan with Mariner Finance hurt my credit score?
It may. Mariner Finance performs a soft credit check on its potential borrowers. But after you’re preapproved, Mariner Finance will run a hard credit check to verify your account, which could temporarily impact your credit score.
What other loan products does Mariner Finance offer?
In additional to personal loan products, Mariner Finance also offers car loans and home financing.
Personal loan ratings
★★★★★ Excellent
★★★★★ Good
★★★★★ Average
★★★★★ Subpar
★★★★★ Poor
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