Best Personal Loans in Missouri

Quick Look: The Best Personal Loans in Missouri

• Best for Comparing Lenders: Credible
• Best for No Origination Fees: SoFi
• Best for Credit Card Consolidation: Payoff
• Best for Joint Loans: Prosper
• Best for Consolidating Debt: Upstart

Trying to budget for a large expense or paying down debt can feel impossible sometimes. If you find yourself needing more cash than you can afford to set aside, why not check out a personal loan? A personal loan is a great way to spread an expense over an extended period of time. Benzinga found the best personal loans in Missouri, so use our list as a launching point.

Best Personal Loans in Missouri 

When you’re looking for the best funding for emergencies or unusual expenses, remember that there are several lenders out there that can either help you find the best deal or that offer quick funding for your situation. Irrespective of your situation, you can find a loan that will meet the needs of any Missourian here.

Credible

Credible is an online lender offering loan flexibility combined with an easy and transparent application process.

Terms range from 1 to 7 years. You can choose loan amounts anywhere from $600 to $100,000, a higher limit than typical standard loans.

Mortgages and student loans are also accessible through Credible. You can refinance either, too. Credible is a great online lender for any borrower.

If you consider yourself a techie, you'll enjoy using Credible for its functionality.

If you usually prefer analog over digital, Credible is super easy to use and the personal loan application process is painless.

SoFi

SoFi is an online lender offering unsecured personal loans along with private student loans and student loan refinancing. 

Student loan debt can get in the way of many of life’s milestones like getting married or buying a home, especially as interest compounds. You can look into refinancing a student loan to pay off the debt quicker at a lower rate, saving you money over time.

SoFi has no origination or prepayment fees. This is a plus when paying off student loans as you can put as much money as possible toward the loan. You can borrow with flexible terms: 2 to 7 years at a fixed rate. Loans range from $5,000 to $100,000.

SoFi offers mortgage refinancing and home equity lines of credit, too. You can use SoFi for investment accounts, cryptocurrency investments, savings accounts and insurance.

Happy Money

If you specifically want to consolidate your debt into easier monthly payments, Happy Money, formally Payoff is a great lender to help you meet that goal.

Loans range from $5,000 to $45,000 at a fixed rate APR. Terms fall between 2 to 5 years with origination fees of 0% to 5%. Your creditworthiness determines your exact rates and terms. 

Unlike many lenders, Happy Money is 100% transparent about its borrower standards. If you meet the following requirements, you should be eligible for a loan from Happy Money.

Borrower Requirements:

• Credit score of at least 660 
• Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio under 50% 
• 3+ years of credit history
• 2 open credit lines with no more than 1 installment plan loan 
• No current delinquent accounts
• No delinquencies occurring in the last 12 months for over 90 days 

Use Happy Money for a personal loan that can help improve your credit score and tackle your debt.

Prosper

Prosper personal loans are designed to be as easy as possible for Missouri residents to manage. You can select how much cash you need, look at the best uses for these loans and check your rate without affecting your credit.

You can choose a 3 or 5-year term, there are no prepayment penalties and then you can get your loan funded right away. This is among the simplest options for Missouri residents, and it ensures that you can manage emergencies, unexpected expenses, home improvements, etc.

Plus, this is a good option for anyone who doesn’t want to visit or use a traditional bank. Even though the terms aren’t as flexible as other platforms, they’re quite common when borrowing smaller amounts of money.

Upstart

Upstart is a lender that makes customer support easy by offering a whole page on its website on loan information and customer service. Plus, Upstart allows you to access cash with no minimum credit score, which is perfect for those who have experienced bankruptcy. This could also be helpful for Missouri residents who are in college, starting new businesses, or who simply don’t want the hassle of dealing with a traditional bank.

You can choose from a wide range of loan values, and you can also avail yourself of:

• No prepayment fees
• Soft credit checks for eligibility
• Flexible payment options

Currently, you can borrow up to $50,000, but remember that your borrowing power changes based on your credit score, the recency of any credit issues, and other items that are addressed on the application. You can always reach out to their customer service team for additional information if you require more guidance.

Personal Loan Considerations

Not sure if you need a personal loan? Think about the following: Do you need a lump sum of cash? Do you think you can stick to rigid payment terms? Are you trying to raise your credit score or consolidate debt into 1 monthly payment? If so, a personal loan sounds like an option worth exploring.

Personal Loans vs. Credit Cards

Personal loans and credit cards are similar in that they extend credit to borrowers who need to cover expenses that they aren’t able to with their current income. They differ in that personal loans have fixed rates and terms, while credit cards typically have variable rates and terms. Personal loans are usually a lump sum of cash that you close upon final payment; credit cards are a revolving line of credit that you can reuse after paying on your balance.

Should You Get a Personal Loan?

Do you want to consolidate your debt or add value to your home by upgrading your appliances or getting a new roof? A personal loan is a great way to cover these and other expenses. If you have decent credit, you can usually find reasonable rates and terms. If you don’t, a lender may work with you anyway, and you’ll get the added benefit of improving your creditworthiness by raising your debt limit and lowering your DTI ratio.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens if I can’t repay my personal loan on time?

A: If you miss payments, pay off a loan late (or early in some cases), you may face consequences. These can include collateral seizure and steep fees. Make sure loan terms work for you before agreeing to one.

Q: Can I get a personal loan with bad credit?

A: In short, you can. Some lenders seek out borrowers with bad credit; others will work with you with higher rates and stricter terms. Personal loans can help with bad credit as well, so weigh the pros and cons for your specific financial situation to make the best decision.

Q: What are the requirements of a personal loan?

Most lenders want to see your credit score, your annual income, and all of your current debts before considering you for a personal loan.