Getting a personal loan makes sense if you need money to pay off or consolidate credit card debt. You can also use personal loans to pay for other expenses, including home improvements, a move, or an emergency.
Online lenders are one possibility when deciding where to get a personal loan.
OneMain Financial offers personal loans for people who need funding but may have been denied loans elsewhere because of poor or limited credit history. It’s the largest personal installment loan company in the U.S., with more than 2.2 million customers.
If you need a loan and you’re worried that poor credit will prevent you from being approved, OneMain could be the right lender for you.
This OneMain Financial review takes you through the most important things to know about the company’s loan options.
Pros and Cons of a OneMain Financial Personal Loan
Personal loans can have both advantages and disadvantages that borrowers should be aware of.
If you’re considering OneMain Financial for personal loans, here are the pros and cons.
Pros
- There’s no minimum credit score required to be approved for a loan
- Applying and getting a loan decision can take as little as 10 minutes, with funds available as soon as the next business day
- Check your rates without affecting your credit scores
- Borrow between $1,500 and $20,000 for a wide variety of purposes
- Potentially lower your loan interest rate by offering collateral or adding a co-signer
Cons
- Since these loans are designed for people with poor credit, interest rates are higher than what you might find with other lenders
- Borrowers are subject to origination fees, which may range from $25 to $500 or 1% to 10% of the loan amount, depending on which state they live in
- There’s no interest rate discount for enrolling in autopay
- Not offered in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Vermont
- No online chat support
Top Features of OneMain Financial
OneMain Financial does have some attractive features that make it worth considering if you need a personal loan. Some of the top benefits of borrowing with OneMain include:
Who Is OneMain Financial For?
OneMain Financial caters primarily to borrowers who have limited or poor credit scores. This lender could be good for you if you:
- Have been denied personal loans elsewhere because of your credit history
- Need to borrow between $1,500 and $20,000
- Don’t mind accepting a higher interest rate on a loan
- Need fast loan funding
- Have the opportunity to add a cosigner or collateral to the loan, which could reduce your interest rate
- Are comfortable with paying an origination fee for a personal loan
- Live in a state in which OneMain Financial originates loans
If you have a higher credit score, say 660 or better, then you may want to consider another personal loan option.
A score in that range or higher could help you qualify for personal loans at lower rates and potentially fewer fees.
The good news is that if you have poor credit, a OneMain Financial loan could help you to improve your credit score.
Loan activity is reported to the three major credit bureaus. So if you’re making payments on time and paying the loan in full, that could help add points to your credit scores.
Which Lenders Have the Best Personal Loan APY for You?
The rate you receive on your personal loan depends on many factors, including your credit score and income. Compare offers from competing lenders.
How to Apply
You can first check your rates if you want to apply for a personal loan with OneMain Financial. Remember, this doesn’t affect your credit score.
You can do that online if you choose to move ahead with a full application. You’ll need to share details about your finances and employment history. And you’ll need to share:
- A copy of a valid, government-issued photo ID
- Proof of residence (i.e. driver’s license, utility bill, signed lease, etc.)
- Proof of income (i.e. pay stubs, bank statements, tax forms, etc.)
Once you apply, you’ll be connected with a OneMain Financial loan specialist. They’ll ask for any additional information needed to make a loan decision.
If you’re approved, you can review the loan terms, sign the required documentation, and receive loan funding. The money can be deposited into your bank account by the next business day after approval.
Which Lenders Have the Best Personal Loans?
Finding the best personal loan to meet your needs is as simple as using our search tool. Compare personal loans and find the best rates being offered right now.
Rating the Features
Before taking on any personal loan, it’s important to know what you’re signing up for. To wrap up this OneMain Financial personal loan review, here’s more on how the various features compare:
User experience
Overall, OneMain Financial offers a positive user experience. The website is easy to navigate, and you can check your rates or submit a full application.
You can also get help with applying over the phone or in person at a OneMain Financial branch.
Loan funding is fast once you’re approved. In terms of the company’s reputation,
OneMain Financial has a 4.8 rating on Trustpilot. So if you’re wondering whether OneMain is legit, the answer is yes.
Fees and rates
OneMain Financial doesn’t charge prepayment penalties if you decide to pay your loan early. But it’s important to keep the origination fees in mind.
Again, this fee can range from $25 to $500 or 1% to 10%, depending on your state. Compared to other online lenders that don’t charge origination fees, that can make borrowing with OneMain more expensive.
It’s also important to consider the rates. Since these loans are designed for people with bad credit or no credit, the rates are higher compared to what other lenders offer.
Transparency
OneMain Financial allows you to review your rates and loan terms before moving ahead with a loan.
Once you’re approved, your loan activity is reported to the major credit bureaus.
If you have questions, there’s an extensive FAQ library that covers the most important aspects of getting a loan.
Flexibility
Personal loans from OneMain Financial can be secured or unsecured, co-signed, or signed by just one person. As mentioned, there are multiple loan terms, and you can choose your loan due date initially and then change it up to two more times over the life of the loan.
Loans are not offered in every state, which may be a disadvantage for some. However, they are widely available overall, with few exceptions.
Customer support
Customer support is available by phone or at a OneMain Financial branch. Branches are available in all states where OneMain personal loans are offered. Customer service is offered by phone Monday through Friday, but there is no online chat support.
Bottom Line
OneMain Financial is suited for borrowers who need smaller loans and may be hindered from getting other loans by low credit scores.
We can help you find the best rates with OneMain Financial and other lenders.
