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Santander Bank Personal Loans review
Ready for a personal loan? Even if you aren't a member, this bank offers loans up to $35,000.
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Details
| Min. Loan Amount | $5,000 |
|---|---|
| Max. Loan Amount | $35,000 |
| APR | 6.99% to 16.99% (with autopay) |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
| Loan Term | 1 to 5 years |
What makes Santander Bank unique?
If you’re looking for a personal loan and live in the Northeast, you may have heard of Santander Bank. It offers unsecured loans that can be used for just about anything, and you don’t have to be a member to qualify, you just need to meet its eligibility criteria. This is different from a lot of other banks, which often require you to have an open account for months before you can take out a personal loan. However, Santander Bank offers the best rates to those that use autopay from a Santander Bank account.
How does a personal loan from Santander Bank work?
A personal loan from Santander Bank is unsecured and can be used for just about anything. This makes it easy to fund the big expenses of life, from debt consolidation to home repairs. You can borrow $5,000 to $35,000 for terms between 24 and 60 months. Depending on your credit, your loan’s APR will range from 6.99% to 16.99% (with autopay) from your Santander checking account. If you choose not to sign up for automatic payments, then your loan’s APR will increase 0.25%.
There’s no application fee, but you will need to reside in one of Santander’s serviced states before you apply: New Hampshire, Connecticut, Delaware, Rhode Island, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Washington, DC. This is because you’ll have to finish closing documents at a branch office, so be prepared to make an appointment once you’ve completed your application.
Santander Bank personal line of credit
Santander Bank also offers personal lines of credit for members and nonmembers alike. These function similarly to personal loans, but rather than receive your funds as a lump sum, you’ll have access to them whenever you need — much like a credit card. Santander personal lines of credit have low starting variable rates of 9.49%, and just like its personal loan, you can borrow between $5,000 and $35,000. You can expect to pay an annual fee between $25 to $50, but it may be waved if you have a Santander Select, Premier or Premier Plus deposit account.
Lines of credit have a five-year draw period, during which you’ll be required to make interest-only payments, though you can pay more if you desire. You can access your funds through checks or online account transfers. Once the draw period is over, you’ll enter your five-year repayment period when you’ll start paying on your principal plus interest.
Other loan options from Santander Bank
- Savings secured loan. A Santander savings secured loan can help you get access to money quickly. You can use funds in your Santander savings account, certificate of deposit or money market account to secure the loan. Since you’re providing collateral you can get a competitive APR. You can borrow a minimum of $1,000 through this loan. The maximum limits to 98% of your deposit balance.
- Auto loan. If you want to buy a new or used car you can think about getting a Santander auto loan. If you opt for automatic payments you can get an APR as low as 2.54% for a new car and 2.99% for a used car.
- Overdraft line of credit. If you have an existing Santander checking account you can apply for an overdraft line of credit. The maximum limit is $10,000. This line of credit gives you access to extra money as and when you need it.
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What are the benefits of borrowing from Santander Bank?
- Rate discount with autopay. If you sign up for automatic payments, Santander Bank will discount your interest rate by 0.25%. This could add up to large savings over time.
- No checking account required. You don’t have to have an account with Santander Bank in order to qualify for a loan.
- Coapplicants welcome. Strengthen your chances of approval with a low interest rate by applying with a creditworthy cosigner.
- Debt consolidation calculator. Santander Bank’s site offers a debt consolidation calculator that adds up the costs of your loans and credit cards and helps you choose whether you want to consolidate with a home equity loan, home equity line of credit, personal line of credit or personal loan. The results tab will show you how much you might save refinancing and whether it’s worth it to consolidate your debt.
Are there any drawbacks to borrowing from Santander Bank?
- Credit check required. When you apply for a personal loan from Santander Bank, you’ll have to submit to a credit check. This is common for most lenders and is usually a big part of determining your interest rate and loan terms.
- Not completely online. Thought you can complete the application process online, you have to visit a branch in your area to close on your loan.
- High APR. You don’t need to have the best credit to get a loan from Santander, but you’ll pay the price. Santander Bank charges higher interest to those they deem riskier borrowers. Some customers have reported APRs as high as 19%.
- Negative customer reviews. Not every person is pleased with Santander Bank. High fees and poor customer service, as well as problems processing payments mean many people have had problems with their loans and accounts.
How do former borrowers review Santander Bank?
Santander Bank is not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), but it does receive an A rating and 3.63 out of 5 stars based on 15 customer reviews. As of June 2018, the bank has over 200 customer complaints filed against it, with many individuals citing problems with Santander’s car loan services and its checking accounts, not its personal loan offerings. On TrustPilot, there are only a handful of reviews, but many have left a 1-star rating pointing to Santander Bank’s poor customer service.
When deciding whether Santander Bank is the right option for you, consider these negative ratings, but it should only be a portion of your decision. Consumers tend to leave reviews while angry or upset, which may color their opinions. Customer reviews should just be one of the many things you look out when deciding which personal loan provider is best for your situation.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for a personal loan from Santander Bank, you’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- A regular source of income
- At least 18 years old
- US citizen or current resident
How do I apply?
Before you start the application, make sure you know your Social Security number and have your employment and income information handy. This will help streamline the process and make your applicatoin easier to complete.
- Go to Santander Bank’s site and hover over Borrowing. Under Loans, select Personal Loans.
- Click Apply Now.
- Enter your full name, phone number and email. Select whether you’re applying with a coapplicant, confirm you’re not a robot and click Continue.
- Enter information about yourself, including your resident status, Social Security number and date of birth. Click Continue.
- Enter information about your residence, including your address, whether you rent or own, your monthly mortgage or rent payment and when you last moved. Click Continue.
- Select whether you’re employed full-time or part-time or whether you’re self employed, a homemaker, student or retired. Click Continue.
- Enter your employer’s name, phone number as well as your start date, occupation and how much you make annually, monthly, biweekly or weekly. Click Continue.
- Enter your prior employment if you’ve been employed for less than two years at your current position or are retired. Click Continue.
- Enter your additional income and its sources, if applicable. Click Continue.
- Enter your requested loan amount, your preferred term, whether you’d like a Santander Account and if you’ll be using the funds for debt consolidation. Click Continue.
- Select if you or someone you’re related to has been an official in the executive, legislative, administrative, military or judicial branches of a government and if you’re connected to a gambling establishment. Click Continue.
- Read and agree to the Electronic Communications and Military Lending Act disclosures.
- Authorize Santander Bank to collect your credit history.
- Select the branch you’d like to visit to close your personal loan.
- Review your application and click Submit.
Santander Bank will email you shortly after you finish your application with an application number. It will also mail you a letter within a few days to inform you of the credit decision and next steps you may need to take.
I got the loan. What happens next?
Once you receive your loan funds, you’ll need to start the repayment process. Follow the monthly payment schedule outlined in your loan contract. Santander Bank charges an annual fee if you get the loan without a Santander bank account.
You could pay late fees that vary by loan amount or returned check fees of $15. These can add to the cost of your loan, so if you’re unsure you’ll be able to make a payment on time, talk to a representative from Santander Bank to discuss alternate payment plans.
Bottom line
Santander Bank offers both personal loans and lines of credit for borrowers who need money for those big expenses in life. Unlike many other banks, Santander doesn’t require you to have an account to apply. However, you’ll save on your loan’s interest rate if you sign up for autopay with your Santander checking account. As always, compare your personal loan options before settling on a lender to ensure you find the right one for your situation.
