In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product details
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question
Finder makes money from featured partners, but editorial opinions are our own. Advertiser disclosure

Big Picture Loans review

  • Aliyyah Camp's headshot
Big Picture Loans

Big Picture Loans isn't available on Finder right now.

Min. Amount
$200
Max. Amount
$3,500

Our verdict

Flexible short-term loans — but higher than normal rates.

Big Picture Loans, formerly Castle Payday, is a tribal lender that offers installment loans that can be used to cover just about any expense. Unlike other lenders, Big Picture Loans follows the laws of its tribe to determine your loan terms. That means you may be stuck with an APR far above the legal limit in your state.

Big Picture Loans could be helpful when you’re face with a large expense a payday loan won’t cover, but you’ll still need to be cautious. With so many mixed reviews, you’ll have to do your own research and compare your other short-term loan options before you borrow.

In this guide

  • Our verdict
  • Details
    • Product details
  • Your reviews
  • Ask a question

Details

Product details

Product Name Big Picture Loans
Min. Amount $200
Max. Amount $3,500
Loan Term 4 to 18 months
Requirements Have an operational bank account, be a US citizen or a permanent resident, be at least 18 years old and earn a minimum of $700 per month

Big Picture Loans rates, fees and terms

Big Picture Loans is upfront about its rates — and it isn’t cheap. First-time borrowers can expect an APR between 350% to 699%, which is much higher than many states allow. And while Big Picture Loans lowers rates for repeat borrowers, it never drops below a high 35%.
You can borrow between $200 to $3,500 for a term of 4 to 18 months. The exact APR you receive, as well as your repayment schedule, will depend on how frequenly you get paid and how much you can afford.

Compare alternatives to Big Picture Loans

To browse providers based in the US, select your state and click Show me my options.

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.
LendYou Short-term Loans
Finder Score: 2.5 / 5: ★★★★★
LendYou Short-term Loans
Up to $1,000 for payday loans and up to $5,000 for installment loans
1 business day
$1,000+ monthly income, direct deposit, US citizen or permanent resident, ages 18+
Get offers from potential lenders in minutes by filling out just one online form.
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
Finder Score: 3.5 / 5: ★★★★★
Fast5kLoans Short-term Loans Connection Service
$100 to $35,000
As soon as the next business day
Regular source of income, Verifiable bank account, US citizen, Ages 18+
Get connected with multiple lenders you might qualify with — even if you have bad credit.
Go to site
loading

How to qualify

In order to apply for an installment loan, you’ll need to meet a few basic requirements:

  • Minimum monthly income of $700+
  • Operational bank account
  • US citizen or a permanent resident
  • At least 18 years old

Big Picture Loans reviews and complaints

BBB accreditedNo
BBB ratingA+
BBB customer reviews1.38 out of 5 stars, based on 65 customer reviews
BBB customer complaints268
Trustpilot score4.6 out of 5, based on 10,757 customer reviews
Customer reviews verified as of16 October 2020
While Big Picture Loans receives a high volume of positive reviews on Trustpilot, customers on its BBB page reported problems with payments and high interest rates. Because complaint details are unavailable, it’s difficult to say if there is a trend to these problems. Before you borrow, you should ensure you understand the full cost and that you’ll be able to repay your loan funds.

How the application works

Big Picture Loans only accepts online applications. You will need to provide basic information about yourself and your income, including your current employer. It should take around 15 minutes to fill out.

Should I verify my bank account?

Big Picture Loans asks you to verify your bank account by entering your username and password. Many lenders will ask for your bank’s routing number and your account number, but not your login info. While it claims the process is secure, it doesn’t state that it’s using a service like Plaid to keep your information safe. And when I selected skip and continue, Big Picture Loans denied the application without providing any specific details.
This may be a red flag — and could put your bank account at risk. While Big Picture Loans is a legit service, compare lenders with better defined application processes before you sign in to your account through a third party.

What sets it apart

Big Picture Loans is a short-term lender that is completely owned and operated entity of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. This tribally-owned lender is registered with the tribe’s reservation in Watersmeet, Michigan. While this means it can offer loans in many states short-term lending may otherwise be illegal, it also results in extraordinarily high APRs.
If Big Picture Loans receives all the required information through your application before 5 p.m. CT Monday to Friday, you may be able to receive your loan by the next business day. If not, it may take multiple business days to fund.

Is Big Picture Loans legit?

Yes. Big Picture Loans has a secure website and outlines its safety measures and privacy policy in the Terms of Use page. Your personal information is kept safe by a standard security certificate. If you have any questions, Big Picture Loans is easy to contact by mail, email or phone.
Big Picture Loans is an expensive choice. If payday loans are legal in your state, it may make more sense to compare US-based options to avoid extremely high APRs.

Frequently asked questions

Your reviews

No reviews yet. Write a review

Ask a question

Ask a question
Avatar

Aliyyah Finder

Contributor

Hi there, looking for more information? Ask us a question.

Error label

You are about to post a question on finder.com:

  • Do not enter personal information (eg. surname, phone number, bank details) as your question will be made public
  • finder.com is a financial comparison and information service, not a bank or product provider
  • We cannot provide you with personal advice or recommendations
  • Your answer might already be waiting – check previous questions below to see if yours has already been asked
Accept and continue

Finder only provides general advice and factual information, so consider your own circumstances, or seek advice before you decide to act on our content. By submitting a question, you're accepting our finder.com Terms of Use and Privacy and Cookies Policy.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Avatar

Denise

December 13, 2018

If approved on Friday mornin, will my loan be available on Saturday or Monday?


Avatar

nikkiangco

December 17, 2018

Hi Denise,


Thanks for getting in touch! The release of funds will depend on Big Picture Loans and will be disclosed when you are approved. Hope this was helpful. Don’t hesitate to message us back if you have more questions.


Best,

Nikki


Avatar

Jennifer

September 25, 2018

If your maximum loan amount is $1500.00, why did I get preapproved for up to $3000.00?


Avatar

Jhezelyn Finder

September 25, 2018

Hello Jennifer,


Thank you for your comment.


Please note that pre-approved loan means that a lender has independently determined that you meet their requirements for a credit opportunity through a soft inquiry credit check. Pre-approved offers state that you may qualify for a certain amount. This can also mean that you may not qualify for the loan or credit card once your credit reports are reviewed. Hence, pre-approval still changes when a formal application is submitted.


Should you wish to have real-time answers to your questions, try our chat box on the lower right corner of our page.


Regards,

Jhezelyn


Show more Show less
Avatar

Helen Conroy

March 28, 2018

How much would the interest be on a $1200 loan


Avatar

Joshua Finder

March 28, 2018

Hi Helen,


Thanks for getting in touch with finder.


I may not be able to give you the exact interest rate for a $1,200 loan. The reason is that the interest rate will depend on how often your payments are scheduled and the duration of the loan as well as your current financial situation. The loan contract you receive lists all applicable charges so be sure to review these carefully before you sign.


If you want to get a quote, you might want to get in touch directly with the lender.


I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.


Have a wonderful day!


Cheers,

Joshua


Show more Show less
Avatar

Fallon

January 24, 2018

How long do you have to pay the loan back?


Avatar

Rench Finder

January 31, 2018

Hi Fallon,


Thanks for your inquiry.


With Big Picture Loans, you are offered with installment loans which you repay over time with a set number of scheduled payments. Though you can also pay off your installment loan early and no penalties charged to you when you do this. Your scheduled payments is outlined in your contract.


Meantime, in the Big Picture Loans website, you can find and use their personal loan calculator if you like to get an idea on what would be your repayment schedule will look like.


Hope this information helped.


Best regards,

Rench


Show more Show less
Avatar

Kathyrn

January 11, 2018

I was,applying for loan and at the bottom it asked for my bank information like routing number is that lagit


Avatar

Arnold

January 11, 2018

Hi Kathryn,


Thanks for your inquiry


That information is required by Big Picture loans so that you may be able to receive your approved funds in your bank account electronically. Please note that to qualify, you have to meet basic eligibility criteria. Please check them out before applying.


Hope this information helps


Cheers,

Arnold


Show more Show less
Go to site