Select’s editorial team works independently to review financial products and write articles we think our readers will find useful. We may receive a commission when you click on links for products from our affiliate partners.
Personal loans have quickly become a convenient way to borrow small or large amounts of money. Not only can they be used to cover a variety of expenses — like a wedding, a funeral, a vacation, a surprise medical bill, a home repair and more — but lenders typically disburse funds directly to your bank account so you can start using that money as soon as possible.
In fact, some lenders will even get you funded as early as the very next day after you’ve been approved.
So Select rounded up some personal loan lenders that offer expedient funding so you can cover large expenses in a pinch.
When reviewing personal loans for funding in as little as one business day, we looked at key factors like interest rates, fees, loan amounts and term lengths offered, plus other features including how your funds are distributed, autopay discounts, customer service and how fast you can get your funds. (Read more about our methodology below.)
Subscribe to the Select Newsletter!
Our best selections in your inbox. Shopping recommendations that help upgrade your life, delivered weekly. Sign-up here.
Select’s picks for the best personal loans for funding in as little as one business day
Compare offers to find the best loan
When searching for a personal loan, it can be helpful to compare several different offers to find the best interest rate and payment terms for your needs. With this comparison tool, you’ll just need to answer a handful of questions in order for Even Financial to determine the top offers for you. The service is free, secure and does not affect your credit score.
Editorial note: The tool is provided and powered by Even Financial, a search and comparison engine that matches you with third-party lenders. Any information you provide is given directly to Even Financial. Select does not have access to any data you provide. Select may receive an affiliate commission from partner offers in the Even Financial tool. The commission does not influence the selection in order of offers.
Best overall
LightStream Personal Loans
-
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
2.49{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 19.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}* when you sign up for autopay
-
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, home improvement, auto financing, medical expenses, wedding and others
-
Loan amounts
-
Terms
-
Credit needed
-
Origination fee
-
Early payoff penalty
-
Late fee
Pros
- Same-day funding available through ACH or wire transfer
- Loan amounts up to $100,000
- No origination fees, no early payoff fees, no late fees
- LightStream plants a tree for every loan
Cons
- Requires several years of credit history
- No option to pay your creditors directly
- Not available for student loans or business loans
- No option for pre-approval on website (but pre-qualification is available on some third-party lending platforms)
Who’s this for? LightStream offers low-interest loans with flexible terms for people with good credit or higher, but if you have excellent credit, you’ll be able to take advantage of some of the lowest interest rates (which range from 2.49{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 19.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} APR when you also sign up for autopay).
This lender provides personal loans for just about every purpose except for higher education and small businesses. The interest rate ranges depend on the type of loan you’re taking out. Auto loans, for example, start at 2.49{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} and debt consolidation loans currently begin at 5.95{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}.
You can generally receive your funds on the same day if you apply on a banking business day, your application is approved and you electronically sign your loan agreement and verify your direct deposit banking account information by 2:30 p.m. ET. But if you can’t make this deadline, you should be able to receive your funds the next business day.
Another pro to using this lender is that LightStream doesn’t charge any origination, administration or early payoff fees, and repayment terms range from 24 to 144 months.
Best for borrowing higher amounts
SoFi Personal Loans
-
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
5.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 18.85{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} when you sign up for autopay
-
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation/refinancing, home improvement, relocation assistance or medical expenses
-
Loan amounts
-
Terms
-
Credit needed
-
Origination fee
-
Early payoff penalty
-
Late fee
Pros
- No origination fees, no early payoff fees, no late fees
- Unemployment protection if you lose your job
- DACA recipients can apply with a creditworthy co-borrower who is a U.S. citizen/permanent resident by calling 877-936-2269
- Can have more than one SoFi loan at a time (state-permitting)
- May accept offer of employment (to start within the next 90 days) as proof of income
- Co-applicants may apply
Cons
- Applicants who are U.S. visa holders must have more than two years remaining on visa to be eligible
- No co-signers allowed (co-applicants only)
Who’s this for? SoFi Personal Loans are not only fee-free but they’re also offered in higher amounts. Applicants can borrow as little as $5,000 and as much as $100,000, which makes this personal loan a great option for those who need more money to cover bigger expenses. Funds are also generally disbursed quickly — 92.6{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} of personal loan applicants receive same-day funding if they sign their agreement before 7 p.m. ET on a business day. Otherwise, you’ll receive your money the next day.
The interest rates on these loans can range from 5.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 18.85{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} when you sign up for autopay, and the lender will give you a 0.25{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} interest rate reduction for doing so.
There’s also some more flexibility when it comes to choosing the type of interest rate you receive. Loan applicants can chose between variable and fixed APR. Fixed APRs give you one rate that you pay for the entirety of your loan, and variable interest rates fluctuate, but SoFi caps them at 14.95{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}.
Best for smaller loans
PenFed Personal Loans
-
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
-
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses, auto financing and more
-
Loan amounts
-
Terms
-
Credit needed
-
Origination fee
-
Early payoff penalty
-
Late fee
Pros
- Credit union membership available to anyone
- Loans as low as $600
- Can pick up a physical at a branch
- May apply with a co-borrower
Cons
- Funds come as a physical check
- Must be a member to get funds (no membership needed to apply)
- Must pay for expedited shipping to get your funds next day
- Maximum loan amount of $35,000
- Late fee of $29
Who’s this for? PenFed is actually a federal credit union that provides many personal loan options for debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses, auto financing and more. You don’t need to be a member to apply, but you will need to sign up for a PenFed membership and keep $5 in a qualifying savings account to receive your funds.
You can get approved for a loan as little as $600 with this lender, which makes it a great option for those who don’t need higher amounts of financing. Personal loan interest rates range from 5.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 17.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}. Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest rate, since it will depend on your creditworthiness, but the higher your credit score the more likely you are to receive lower interest rates.
One thing to keep in mind, though, is that PenFed provides its funds in the form of a paper check. If you know a nearby PenFed location, you can pick up your check at any time directly from the bank. Otherwise, you can receive your funds as early as the next day if you pay for expedited shipping.
Best for a lower credit score
Avant Personal Loans
-
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
-
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, major expenses, emergency costs, home improvements
-
Loan amounts
-
Terms
-
Credit needed
-
Origination fee
-
Early payoff penalty
-
Late fee
Up to $25 per late payment after 10-day grace period
Pros
- Lends to applicants with scores lower than 600
- No early payoff fees
- Can pre-qualify with a soft credit check (no hard inquiry)
- Quick funding (often by the next day)
- Late payment grace period of 10 days
- Option to apply for secured loan (against title of your car) for potentially lower interest
Cons
- Origination fee
- Potentially high interest (caps at 35.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} APR)
- No autopay APR discount
- No direct payments to creditors (for debt consolidation)
- No co-signers
Information about Avant’s secured loans:
In 40 states, Avant offers an alternative to title loans for borrowers who want to use the equity from their car to potentially qualify for lower interest.
- Repayment options between two to four years.
- Applicant’s entire credit profile is evaluated, including credit score, income and borrowing history (not just the value of the car)
- Rates as low as 9.95{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} (capped at 35.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} APR)
Who’s this for? Avant can typically provide it as soon as the next business day after you’ve been approved. The lender also offers personal loan amounts as low as $2,000 and as high as $35,000, and interest rates range from 9.95{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 35.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}. Avant will consider applicants with credit scores under 600 but just keep in mind that the higher your credit score the more likely you are to receive the lowest rates. Before you decide to apply for this loan, you can see if you pre-qualify for a rate that’s on the lower end of the APR range.
While there are no penalties for early payoff, there is an origination fee of up to 4.75{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} and a late fee of up to $25 after the 10-day grace period.
Best for flexible terms
OneMain Financial Personal Loans
-
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
-
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, major expenses, emergency costs
-
Loan amounts
-
Terms
-
Credit needed
-
Origination fee
Flat fee starting at $25 to $500 or percentage ranging from 1{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 10{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} (depends on your state)
-
Early payoff penalty
-
Late fee
Up to $30 per late payment or up to 15{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} (depends on your state)
Pros
- Approves applicants with bad or fair credit
- No early payoff fees
- Reasonable loan minimums ($1,500) for smaller needs
- Can pre-qualify with a soft credit check (no hard inquiry right away)
- ACH funding within 1-2 business days (sometimes same day with proper paperwork)
- Option to apply for secured loan (with collateral) for potentially lower rates
- Borrowers can choose the date the bill is due each month
- Applicants may apply with a co-applicant or, if married, may apply for a loan separately from spouse
Cons
- High origination fee
- High interest rates
- No autopay APR discount
- No co-signers
Information about OneMain Financial’s secured loans:
While not required, applicants who don’t qualify for an unsecured personal loan with OneMain Financial may be offered a secured loan. A secured loan lets borrowers who want to use the equity from their car potentially qualify for lower interest that way. Rates, repayment terms and agreements vary by individual and the state in which apply. Learn more by checking for offers on OneMain Financial’s site.
OneMain Financial link provided by Even Financial.
OneMain Financial consumer loans are offered in 44 states (we do not lend in AK, AR, CT, DC, MA, RI, and VT). Loan proceeds cannot be used for postsecondary educational expenses as defined by the CFPB’s Regulation Z such as college, university or vocational expense; for any business or commercial purpose; to purchase securities; or for gambling or illegal purposes.
Example loan: A $6,000 loan with a 24.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} APR that is repayable in 60 monthly installments would have monthly payments of $176.07.
Additional conditions for secured offers: Secured offers require a first lien on a motor vehicle that meets our value requirements, titled in your name with valid insurance. The lender places a lien on the collateral until the loan is paid in full. Active duty military, their spouse or dependents covered by the Military Lending Act may not pledge any vehicle as collateral.
Funding options; availability of funds: Loan proceeds may be disbursed by check or electronically deposited to the borrower’s bank account through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) or debit card (SpeedFunds) networks. ACH funds are available approximately 1 to 2 business days after the loan closing date. Funds through SpeedFunds can be accessed on the loan closing date by using a bank-issued debit card.
Borrowers in these states are subject to these minimum loan sizes: Alabama: $2,100. California: $3,000. Georgia: Unless you are a present customer, $3,100 minimum loan amount. Ohio: $2,000. Virginia: $2,600.
Borrowers (other than present customers) in these states are subject to these maximum unsecured loan sizes: North Carolina: $7,500.
Who’s this for? OneMain Financial offers loan options that are a little more flexible compared to other lenders. Repayment terms run between 24 months and 60 months and OneMain Financial also allows borrowers the option to secure the loan with collateral in order to potentially receive an interest rate on the lower end of the lender’s range (APRs range between 18.00{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 35.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}). Plus, borrowers can actually choose the date their monthly payments are due and have the option to apply with a co-applicant.
The origination fee is on the higher end: either a fixed fee between $25 and $500 or up to 10{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} of the loan amount, depending on which state you live in. And while there aren’t any penalties for paying off the loan early, there is a late fee that will run you $30 or up to 15{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} (depending on your state). The minimum interest rate OneMain Financial offers is much higher than other lenders, meaning you could be paying a whole lot of interest.
According to the lender’s website, it generally takes less than 10 minutes to complete your loan application and receive your decision (but that may, of course, vary depending on how many documents you’ll need to provide). But once you sign the loan agreement, you’ll receive your funds as early as the next day.
Best for co-borrowers
Prosper Personal Loans
-
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
-
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation/refinancing, home improvement, auto/motor, medical or dental, big purchase and more
-
Loan amounts
-
Terms
-
Credit needed
-
Origination fee
2.41{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 5{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}, deducted from loan proceeds
-
Early payoff penalty
-
Late fee
5{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} of monthly payment amount or $15, whichever is greater (with 15-day grace period)
Pros
- Co-borrowers are permitted
- Repeat borrowers may qualify for APR discounts
- Option to change your payment date according to when works best for you
- Wide range of loan amounts
- No prepayment penalty
Cons
- High late fees
- Origination fee of 2.41{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 5.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}, deducted from loan proceeds
- Only two loan terms to choose from (3 or 5 years)
Who’s this for? Prosper allows co-borrowers to submit a joint application, which can certainly be a huge draw for some potential borrowers when you consider the fact that this is not the case for all loans.
A co-borrower can be beneficial if the primary borrower can’t qualify for favorable loan terms. A borrower may not qualify for favorable terms if they don’t have a long enough credit history or if they have a lower credit score. The co-borrower on a personal loan application shares the liability for repaying the loan with the primary borrower which is why lenders may see a borrower as less risky if they have another person applying alongside them.
Prosper offers loan amounts between $2,000 and $40,000 with the possibility of next-day funding. Term lengths, on the other hand, may be less flexible for some borrowers: You can choose term lengths of either three years or five years. And, the APR for Prosper personal loans ranges from 7.95{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 35.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}. Origination fees are between 2.41{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 5{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} and get deducted from the loan proceeds.
Catch up on Select’s in-depth coverage of personal finance, tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.
Our methodology
To determine which personal loans are the best, Select analyzed dozens of U.S. personal loans offered by both online and brick-and-mortar banks, including large credit unions, that come with no origination or signup fees, fixed-rate APRs and flexible loan amounts and terms to suit an array of financing needs.
When narrowing down and ranking the best personal loans for fair or good credit, we focused on the following features:
- Fixed-rate APR: Variable rates can go up and down over the lifetime of your loan. With a fixed rate APR, you lock in an interest rate for the duration of the loan’s term, which means your monthly payment won’t vary, making your budget easier to plan.
- Flexible minimum and maximum loan amounts/terms: Each lender provides a variety of financing options that you can customize based on your monthly budget and how long you need to pay back your loan.
- No early payoff penalties: The lenders on our list do not charge borrowers for paying off loans early.
- Streamlined application process: We considered whether lenders offered same-day approval decisions and a fast online application process.
- Customer support: Every loan on our list provides customer service available via telephone, email or secure online messaging. We also opted for lenders with an online resource hub or advice center to help you educate yourself about the personal loan process and your finances.
- Fund disbursement: The loans on our list deliver funds promptly through either electronic wire transfer to your checking account or in the form of a paper check. Some lenders (which we noted) offer the ability to pay your creditors directly.
- Autopay discounts: We noted the lenders that reward you for enrolling in autopay by lowering your APR by 0.25{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} to 0.5{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b}.
- Creditor payment limits and loan sizes: The above lenders provide loans in an array of sizes, from $500 to $100,000. Each lender advertises its respective payment limits and loan sizes, and completing a preapproval process can give you an idea of what your interest rate and monthly payment would be for such an amount.
After reviewing the above features, we sorted our recommendations by best for overall financing needs, quick funding, lower interest rates and flexible terms.
Note that the rates and fee structures advertised for personal loans are subject to fluctuate in accordance with the Fed rate. However, once you accept your loan agreement, a fixed-rate APR will guarantee interest rate and monthly payment will remain consistent throughout the entire term of the loan. Your APR, monthly payment and loan amount depend on your credit history and creditworthiness. To take out a loan, lenders will conduct a hard credit inquiry and request a full application, which could require proof of income, identity verification, proof of address and more.
Your LightStream loan terms, including APR, may differ based on loan purpose, amount, term length, and your credit profile. Excellent credit is required to qualify for lowest rates. Rate is quoted with AutoPay discount. AutoPay discount is only available prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} points higher. Subject to credit approval. Conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 3.99{797b2db22838fb4c5c6528cb4bf0d5060811ff68c73c9b00453f5f3f4ad9306b} APR with a term of three years would result in 36 monthly payments of $295.20.
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.