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Personal Loans for First Timers with No Credit History

Getting a first-time personal loan with no credit history can be challenging, but you have a few options.

Getting a personal loan with no credit history is a bit of a catch-22. In general, you need good credit to get a loan, but it’s difficult to build credit if you can’t get a loan. However, some lenders — particularly online lenders — may look beyond your credit history when determining loan approval or offer secured or cosigned loan options for first-time borrowers.

Can you get a loan with no credit?

It can be harder to get first-time personal loans with no credit history, but it’s not impossible. Some lenders are willing to give loans based on other criteria — such as income, employment history and other factors — rather than your credit score. But, because borrowers with no credit history are considered higher risk, lenders usually offset that risk by charging higher rates and fees.

However, there are some options to qualify for personal loans with lower rates, such as secured loans that use collateral to back the loan. Another option is to get a loan with a cosigner or co-borrower with good credit on your loan application. You may also want to talk to your bank or credit union, which may have loan options for existing customers in good standing.

Compare first-time personal loans for people with no credit history

Consider these lenders that may accept borrowers with no credit history. Or, alternatively, lenders that offer secured, cosigned or joint applicant personal loans for first-time borrowers.

LenderInterest rateLoan amountLoan termTurnaround time
Upstart7.40% to 35.99%$1,000 to $50,00036 or 60 monthsAs soon as the same day
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OppLoans160% to 179%$500 to $4,0009 to 18 months1 business day
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OneMain Financial18% to 35.99%$1,500 to $20,00024, 36, 48 or 60 monthsAs soon as one hour
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Achieve8.99% to 29.99%$5,000 to $50,0002, 3, 4 or 5 yearsAs soon as same business day
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SoFi8.99% to 29.99% fixed APR$5,000 to $100,0002 to 7 yearsUp to 2 business days
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Prosper8.99% to 35.99%$2,000 to $50,0002 to 5 yearsAs soon as 1 business day
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Lending Club8.98% to 35.99%$1,000 to $40,0002 to 5 yearsAs soon as 24 hours after approval
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Navy Federal Credit Union8.99% to 18.00%$250 to $50,000Up to 5 yearsAs soon as the same day
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What to consider when comparing first-time personal loans

It’s important to know what you’re getting into with a first-time personal loan, so carefully consider these key components.

  • APRs. Your interest rate is what you’re charged to borrow money, but the APR — the annual percentage rate — includes your interest rate plus any additional fees. Pay close attention to the APR because that gives you the most accurate picture of how much a loan really costs.
  • Origination fees. Many lenders charge origination fees on top of interest, and they could reach as high as 12% of the loan amount. To save money, it’s ideal to find a loan with no (or low) origination fees, although that may be more difficult for a first-time borrower.
  • Additional fees. It’s also important to be aware of non-mandatory fees such as late charges and fees for insufficient funds.
  • Loan terms. Your loan term is how long you have to repay the loan. A longer loan term allows you to have lower monthly payments, but you’ll pay more interest. Shorter terms save you money on interest, but your payments are larger. Consider what you can afford to pay each month to determine the right loan term for your budget.
  • Repayment terms. Personal loans usually come with monthly repayments, but some lenders may require bi-weekly payments. Consider if your budget can handle the strain of more than one payment per month before choosing a lender that requires this.
  • Credit requirements. Personal loan lenders typically have a minimum credit score requirement — usually at least 620 or higher — but other lenders may have more lenient requirements or no minimum score to qualify. As a first-time borrower, you’ll most likely want to approach lenders with more flexible credit criteria to borrow.
  • Other eligibility requirements. You’ll also need to be sure you can meet a lender’s other conditions to qualify, such as employment and income requirements and banking history.
  • Reputation of the lender. It’s always a good idea to do your research, ask around and read customer reviews and complaints before committing to a lender. Start by looking into top personal loan lenders first.

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Tips to increase your chances of getting a loan with no credit

There are a number of things you can do to improve your chances of getting a personal loan with no credit history.

Build your credit

While this isn’t an immediate solution, building a credit history will help you qualify for loans and other credit for the rest of your life. Ways to build your score include becoming an authorized user on someone else’s credit card or applying for your own credit card. If those options aren’t feasible, almost anyone can get a secured credit card or a credit builder loan, both of which put you on the path to creating a solid credit profile.

Apply for a secured loan

Loans that are secured with collateral — like a car loan — are usually easier to qualify for than unsecured personal loans with no credit history, and they typically have lower rates. But you may have to look around a bit to find a lender willing to take a chance on a borrower with no credit.

Get a cosigner

If you have a trusted friend or family member — with good to excellent credit — willing to cosign a loan with you, that can practically guarantee loan approval. Plus, a history of on-time payments helps to build your credit profile for the future.

But keep in mind that if you have late or missed payments, both you and your cosigner’s credit will be negatively impacted. And, if you default on the loan, your cosigner is responsible for repaying the loan, which is a difficult position to put someone in.

Get a co-borrower

Cosigner and co-borrower — sometimes called a joint applicant — are often used interchangeably, but there are important distinctions. When you have a co-borrower on your loan, you are both equally responsible for repaying it, and you’re both entitled to the funds. Some lenders, such as Prosper, do not allow cosigned loans but accept joint applicants

Talk to your existing bank or credit union

If you’re a customer in good standing with your bank or credit union, you might be able to get a loan or personal line of credit there. The amount could be small, but it probably won’t charge an exorbitant rate, and it can help you build a credit profile. You might even be able to use your savings or emergency fund as collateral to get an even more competitive rate.

How to apply for your first personal loan

Follow these steps when applying for a first-time personal loan.

  1. Define your loan purpose. Before you get a personal loan, have a clear idea of how you plan to use the loan and how much you think you’ll need.
  2. Determine your loan type. Decide which kind of loan makes sense for you, such as secured or unsecured, or if you’ll have a cosigner or co-borrower.
  3. Find a lender. For new borrowers, your first move might be to see if your bank or credit union can help. If not, your best bet is most likely with an online lender. You might also want to ask friends or family for recommendations.
  4. Check lender requirements. Before you apply, it’s important to know if you can meet the basic requirements to qualify, including income, employment and banking history.
  5. Compare lenders. Your choices may be limited as a new borrower, but compare as many lending options as you can, paying attention to interest rates, fees and loan terms to find the best deal.
  6. Gather your documents. Most lenders require you to submit documentation to verify your address, income and other details. Some documents and information you may need to provide include a government-issued ID, Social Security number, employment verification, pay stubs, W-2s, proof of income and bank statements.
  7. Apply. Once you’re ready, apply online, over the phone or in person, making sure you have the required documents on hand.
  8. Review your agreement. If approved, read your loan agreement carefully before signing so you don’t run into any surprises down the road.

No credit loans to watch out for

There are a few types of loans that don’t check your credit or don’t care if you have a credit history. Most commonly, these are payday loans, title loans or loans from tribal lenders. They can be tempting because almost anyone with an income can get one and funding is typically fast.

However, these loans are a bad idea for a number of reasons. Most notably, they are an expensive form of financing with interest rates usually in the triple digits. Also, loan terms are often short or require weekly or bi-weekly payments, which can really stretch your budget and lead to a dangerous cycle of debt. Plus, these high-risk loans don’t normally report to the credit bureaus, meaning they won’t do anything to help you build credit or improve your chances of qualifying for loans in the future.

Alternatives to personal loans that are good for borrowers with no credit history

Despite your best efforts, you may not be able to qualify for a first-time personal loan without establishing a credit history. But cash advance apps are available to almost anyone with a bank account and regular income — and they typically don’t require a credit check.

Name Product USFSL Filter Values Loan amount Turnaround time Requirements
Cleo
Finder Score: 4.1 / 5: ★★★★★
Cleo
Up to $250
3 to 4 days or instant for a fee.
Not stated
Automatically monitor your spending plus access cash advances up to $100 at a time.
EarnIn
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
EarnIn
Up to $750 per pay period, but only $150 per day
1 to 3 business days or instant for a fee
Direct deposit sent to a checking account, a regular pay schedule, a fixed work location or an online timekeeping system at work
No mandatory fees, no interest and no credit checks. Subject to EarnIn terms & conditions.
OppLoans Installment Loans
Finder Score: 4.7 / 5: ★★★★★
OppLoans Installment Loans
$500 to $4,000
As soon as the same business day
+18 years old, Receive paychecks through direct deposit, $1,500 minimum monthly income, Live in eligible state
Not available in: CO, CT, GA, IA, MD, MA, NY, SD, VT, WA, WV. Comes with the option to change your due date so you won’t fall behind on repayments.
Dave ExtraCash
Finder Score: 4.2 / 5: ★★★★★
Dave ExtraCash
Up to $500
Up to 3 business days or instant for a fee
At least two direct deposit paychecks to your bank account from your employer, extra money in your bank account
Borrow up to $100 to avoid hefty overdraft fees.
Wisely
Not rated yet
Wisely
Undisclosed, based on earned wages
Instant to Wisely card
Go to site
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Bottom line

Getting a first-time personal loan with no credit history can be a challenge, and you could end up with high rates and unfavorable loan terms. There are some options, such as secured or cosigned loans, but if you can wait until you’ve built a credit history before applying for a personal loan, you’ll be in a position to qualify for better rates and terms.

Frequently asked questions

Should you wait until you build your credit to apply for a personal loan?

It really depends on your circumstances. For example, if you’re looking to buy a car and a parent will cosign a loan with you, that can be a great way to start building your credit profile. However, if you can only qualify with a predatory lender that charges triple-digit rates, you’re better off considering alternatives until you’ve earned a decent credit score.

How can I find my credit score?

You’ll find your credit score in your credit reports, which you can find online for free. As you start to build your credit, it’s a smart move to regularly check your credit reports to make sure the information is accurate and to track your progress.

What’s the easiest first-time loan to get?

The easiest first-time loans to get are usually payday loans, title loans and pawn shop loans. But the rates are incredibly high, the loan terms are super short and they often lead to a cycle of debt that can be difficult to break.

How big of a loan can I get with no credit history?

You’ll probably only qualify for loans under $1,000 when you don’t have a credit history — unless you have collateral or a cosigner.

Megan B. Shepherd's headshot
To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Megan B. Shepherd as part of our fact-checking process.
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Written by

Writer

Lacey Stark is a freelance personal finance writer for Finder, specializing in banking, loans, investing, estate planning, and more. She has 20 years of experience writing and editing for magazines, newspapers, and online publications. A word nerd from childhood, Lacey officially got her start reporting on live sporting events and moved on to cover topics such as construction, technology, and travel before finding her niche in personal finance. Originally from New England, she received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and completed a postgraduate journalism program at Metropolitan State University also in Denver. She currently lives in Chicagoland with her dog Chunk and likes to read and play golf. See full bio

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