Bad credit loans · $200 – $5,000Your score is a number.
Your income is the story.
Lenders in our network don't start with a FICO score — they start with how you earn and how your checking account behaves. That's why fair, poor and thin credit files get real offers here.
What lenders actually weigh
An illustrative picture of how lenders in our network reach a decision. The score is in there — it just isn't in charge.
Weights are illustrative, not a lender's formula. Each lender decides independently. Requirements
What to expect, by score band
Typical first-time outcomes from lenders in our network. Income and bank history can move you up a row; recent overdrafts can move you down.
Ranges are indicative, based on offers we've seen; they are not a promise. Some lenders exceed these APRs for small amounts. Rates & fees
Thirty days to a better offer
You can't fix a credit score in a month. You can fix the two things lenders weigh more — and most of it happens in your checking account.
- Stop the overdraftsTurn off overdraft "protection" so declines don't become fees. Lenders read every one.
- Route your income through one accountDirect deposit into the checking account you'll apply with. Lenders want to see the rhythm.
- Clear anything in collections you canEven a payment plan shows on the statement as intent.
- Pay every card minimum on timeOne 30-day late costs more than a dozen on-time payments earn.
- Apply with a clean statementThirty days of no returns and steady deposits moves lenders from no to yes.
"Guaranteed approval" and "no credit check loans" are the two phrases we refuse to use. No legitimate lender can approve you before seeing an application, and every lender in our network runs at least a soft check. Sites that promise otherwise are usually collecting an upfront fee or your bank login. How the scams work · What "no credit check" really means
Borrow once, build a file
A bad-credit loan costs more. The way to get something back is to make sure it's reported — then every on-time payment is doing a second job.
- Ask if the lender reports. The agreement says which bureaus, if any. Prefer a reporting lender when the rates are close.
- Set autopay to the day after payday. Twelve on-time payments on an installment account is the best entry a thin file can get.
- Keep the term you can afford, not the shortest. A missed payment undoes months of history. Pay early when you can instead.
- Don't stack it. One installment loan plus your cards is a healthy mix; three small loans is a flag.
Asked by people with a bruised file
Can I get a loan with a 500 credit score?
Often, yes. Lenders in our network have no minimum score and weigh steady income and a clean checking-account history more heavily than the number. Expect a smaller first amount and an APR at the higher end of the range; on-time payments to a reporting lender improve both over time.
Is there really no credit check?
There is a soft check, which does not affect your score and isn't visible to other lenders. There is no hard inquiry unless you accept an offer. We don't use the phrase "no credit check" because it isn't accurate. Soft vs. hard checks
What APR should I expect with bad credit?
Higher than a prime borrower's. Our representative example is 35.99%; borrowers with scores under 580 commonly see offers at or above that, and some lenders go considerably higher for small amounts. The exact APR is on the offer. Compare it with a payday loan at 300%+ and with the alternatives we list.
Will applying hurt my credit?
No. Seeing offers is a soft inquiry. A hard inquiry — a small, temporary dip — happens only after you accept a specific lender's offer and that lender finalizes the loan.
Can a bad credit loan improve my score?
With a lender that reports to a credit bureau, yes: an installment account paid on time adds positive payment history and credit mix. Ask whether the lender reports before you sign; the agreement states it.
What does "guaranteed approval" mean?
Nothing good. No legitimate lender can guarantee approval before reviewing an application, and the phrase is a hallmark of advance-fee scams. We never use it. Any site that does should be treated with caution. Scam alerts
See what your income can get you
A soft check that doesn't touch your score, offers that show the real APR, and no fee to look.
Checking your rate does not affect your credit score.