Best Personal Loans for Good and Bad Credit in New York of October 2024

Ray Prince
Last Update: September 25, 2023 Personal Loans by States and Cities

There is no shortage of legit funding sources in New York, with the main draws being online lenders, banks, and credit unions. Each lending institution has its eligibility requirements, APRs, borrowing terms, and max loan amount limits for borrowers of all types, from no/limited credit to stellar 700+ credit score holders.After researching a little more than 100 NY-based lenders (~80 small/medium/large banks, ~40 credit unions, and ~15 online lending platforms) and carefully examining their pros, cons, amount, APR, terms, credit scores, and overall performance, we put the best below:

Lender:Loan Amount:APR:Min. Credit Score:Best For:
NextDayPersonalLoan$100 – $40,0005.99% – 35.99%0Bad credit
LifeLoans$100 – $40,000Not Listed0Bad credit
Upstart$1,000 – $50,0004.6% – 35.99%300Low credit scores, high DTI ratios
SoFi$5,000 – $100,0005.74% – 20.28%680No-fee unsecured loans
Upgrade$1,000 – $50,0008.49% to 35.99%560No prepayment fees on an unsecured loan
ZippyLoan$100 – $15,00012.00% – 35.99%0Bad or no credit
Citibank$600 – $50,0009.99% to 23.99%UndisclosedCitibank customers
Santander Bank$5,000 – $50,000As low as 6.99%UndisclosedSantander Bank customers
Wells Fargo$3,000 – $100,0005.74% – 19.99%660Wells Fargo customers
Alliant Credit Union$1,000 to $50,0006.24% – 27.24%640People who prefer online-only banks
PenFed$600 – $50,0007.74% – 17.99%610PenFed customers

Those who want to find all loans in one place can visit our marketplace:

ElitePersonalFinance allows you to compare quotes from multiple lenders. Make a well-informed decision with insights from our top finance experts from ElitePersonalFinance.

Why Trust ElitePersonalFinance Guides?

ElitePersonalFinance’s guides are a by-product of extensive research and hands-on testing, written and verified by staff with more than ten years in the industry.

We constantly compare terms, rates, APRs, and fees from multiple lenders, providing only the most up-to-date information on our publication. Therefore, only reputable companies have a chance of being featured (goodbye, payday and outrageously high APR lenders!)

Know a lender not listed here that you highly recommend? Then, contact one of our ElitePersonalFinance experts by emailing – and lend us a hand!

NextDayPersonalLoan

Loan Amount:$100 – $40,000
APR:Not Listed
Min. Credit Score:Not Listed
Approval:1 – 7 Days
Terms:Not Listed
Fees:
  • Loan origination fees vary by lender
  • Late payment fees vary by lender
  • Most lenders don’t charge prepayment fees
Qualification Criteria:
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Have recurring employment income or government benefits
  • Fill out your information through NextDayPersonalLoan’s online portal
Average Borrower Profile:
  • NextDayPersonalLoan’s connects borrowers with personalized financial product offers from banks and other lenders
  • If you have bad, fair, good, or excellent credit, financing options are available
Best For:Comparing bad credit loans
Check rates

NextDay is an excellent choice for bad credit, fair credit, good credit, and excellent credit New Yorkers looking to comparison shop hundreds of lenders to find the right personal loan for all types of expenses, such as unexpected medical bills and home improvement projects.

Unlike direct lenders, Nextday is an online marketplace acting as an intermediary. Participating lenders in its network offer loans from $100 to $40,000 with varying APRs and approval times of 1 to 7 business days. Origination, prepayment, and late payment fees vary by lender.

To qualify for a NextDay loan, you must be at least 18 years old with recurring employment income and a completed online application through NextDay’s online portal.

Pros:

  • Soft inquiry
  • Loans from $100 to $40,000
  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Good source of small loans (as little as $100)

Cons:

  • Not a direct lender
  • Highest APR loans match that of some payday loans
  • Origination, prepayment, and late payment fees vary by lender

The impact of COVID-19:

Since NextDay is not a direct lender, all hardship and forbearance options are managed by each participating lender. Please call or refer to the lender’s website for more information. If you need assistance, NextDay can be reached by phone at 866-829-4551.

LifeLoans

Loan Amount:$1,000 – $40,000
APR:7.46% – 35.97%
Min. Credit Score:560
Approval:1 Day
Terms:2 – 7 Years
Fees:
  • Loan origination fees of 1.85% – 8.99%.
  • Late payment fee of $10, after a 15-day grace period.
  • Insufficient funds fee of $10.
  • There are no prepayment fees.
Qualification Criteria:
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Have a credit score of at least 560.
  • Have a DTI ratio that doesn’t exceed 75%.
  • Have recurring employment income or government benefits.
  • Fill out your information through Upgrade’s online portal.
Average Borrower Profile:
  • Has a credit score of 678
  • Has an annual income of $78,000