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USAA personal loans review
Last updated:
Small personal loans — but only for current and former members of the military.
finder.com’s rating: 3.8 / 5.0
★★★★★
- Best for current USAA account holders who only need $5,000.
- Pick something else if you don’t have the best credit or don’t qualify for an account.
$5,000
Max. Loan Amount
7.24% to 17.65%
APR
Varies
Min. Credit Score
Details
| Product Name | USAA personal loans |
|---|---|
| Max. Loan Amount | $5,000 |
| APR | 7.24% to 17.65% |
| Interest Rate Type | Fixed |
| Min. Credit Score | Varies |
| Late Fee | 5% of payment due |
| Loan Term | Up to 2 years |
Expert review
Review by
Aliyyah Camp
aliyyah.camp@finder.comAliyyah Camp is a writer and personal finance blogger who helps readers compare personal, student, car and business loans. Aliyyah earned a BA in communication from the University of Pennsylvania and is based in New York, where she enjoys movies and running outdoors.
Expert review
USAA personal loans are ideal if you’re an active or former member of the military. Its loans come with no origination fee, an autopay discount and the option to sign up for debt protection. And its turnaround is quick. You can apply online and hear back about approval within one to two business days.
But its rates start relatively high compared to other lenders, so you may be able to find a better deal if you have good to excellent credit. Its loans are also extremely limited: You can only borrow between $2,500 to $5,000. This narrow range may mean you aren’t able to get a personal loan that may suit you.
Can’t qualify for membership? Need more funds? You can use our table and compare your other options.
How much will this loan cost me?
Because USAA only offers personal loans from $2,500 to $5,000, you won’t be paying an arm and a leg in interest. That being said, its rates do start high — 7.49% without an APR discount.
Terms are also limited, ranging from one to two years. Fortunately, this will help keep the amount you owe in interest down. Your monthly payments, on the other hand, may be higher than with other lenders.
You can use the calculator below to estimate your potential monthly payment with a small personal loan from USAA.
Monthly repayments calculator
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Fill out the form and click on “Calculate” to see your estimated monthly payment.
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Compare personal loans nowBased on your loan terms...
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$ in principal and $ in interest charged Compare personal loans nowHow it works
USAA doesn’t outline strict guidelines for who is eligible for its loans. That being said, the better your financial situation and credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for the lowest rates. Borrowers with less-than-perfect credit may not be eligible, while borrowers with good credit will likely only be eligible for loans for USAA’s maximum APR.
What do I need to qualify?
To apply for a personal loan with USAA, you must meet a few requirements:
- Be USAA member
- Have good to excellent credit
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Be at least 18 years old
What information do I need to apply
You will need to enter some basic information to apply with USAA if you don’t already have an account.
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Details about you or your family member’s military service
- Current employment and financial information
Pros
- Autopay APR discount of 0.25%
- No origination fee
- USAA Debt Protection program
Cons
- Extremely limited loan amounts
- High starting APR of 7.24%
- Must be a USAA member
- Strong credit required
See other personal loan options
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Is USAA legit?
Yes, USAA is a large national bank and is FDIC-insured. Its website is encrypted to keep your personal information secure. It also has a full page on privacy that covers how your information is kept confidential, what information it collects and how you can protect yourself against identity theft.
Does USAA get good customer reviews?
While the most recent reviews don’t focus on USAA’s personal loans, many customers complain about poor customer service. USAA leaves form responses to complaints, if it responds at all, and members who have had accounts for years are upset with recent problems with communicating with USAA representatives.
How do I apply?
To get started with its online application, follow these steps:
- Visit USAA’s personal loans page and click Apply now.
- Sign in to your account or join USAA if you qualify.
- Fill out the application with basic personal information, including details about your finances.
- Submit your application and wait for a response from USAA.
What happens after I apply?
Once you’ve submitted your info, a specialist considers your loan request. You’re usually notified of the loan decision within one to two business days. If approved, you may have your loan funded within 24 hours.
How do repayments work with USAA?
USAA offers an autopay discount of 0.25% off your APR — which can help you avoid its 5% penalty for late payments. If you run into any problems or have questions, visit a USAA branch or contact customer service.
You can browse more loans offered by USAA. And if you can’t open an account, compare other personal loan options to find a good fit for you.
Frequently asked questions
Personal loan ratings
★★★★★ — Excellent
★★★★★ — Good
★★★★★ — Average
★★★★★ — Subpar
★★★★★ — Poor
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Read the full methodology of how we rate personal loan providers.