Check your Approval Odds for a $1,000 loan
Image: 00How (and where) to get a $1,000 personal loan
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If you’re planning to take out a $1,000 loan to consolidate debt, fund a major purchase or advance another financial goal, it’s important to weigh your options.
Traditional personal loans tend to have lower rates than credit cards, so they can be an attractive option. But you’ll want to consider your personal finances and what terms you’re likely to qualify for, as well as how payments will fit into your monthly budget.
We’ll review lenders you may want to consider and guide you through the process of applying for a loan.
Average monthly payments for a $1,000 unsecured loan by loan duration and credit score range
| Loan duration | Poor credit | Average credit | Good credit | Excellent credit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–12 months | $134.17 | $123.42 | $116.45 | $125.70 |
| 13–24 months | $124.96 | $93.02 | $71.92 | $59.41 |
| 25–36 months | $46.06 | $40.94 | $37.59 | $33.78 |
| 37–48 months | $39.74 | $34.83 | $31.94 | $28.24 |
Average monthly loan payments update regularly based on aggregate TransUnion credit report data from Credit Karma members with active personal loans.
The best $1,000 personal loans
PNC Bank
A PNC Bank personal loan might be worthwhile if you need a personal loan and have good credit or can apply with a co-applicant with a solid credit history. But it’s not available in every state, and you’ll need to borrow a larger sum of money to lock in the lowest rate.
Affirm
The Affirm app is worth considering if you want to make online or in-store purchases and pay for them with four (potentially interest-free) installments. But you might need a down payment, and if you spread out your payments over a longer period, you may face interest.
Personify
Personify Financial might be a good option if your credit isn’t great and you need to borrow a small amount of money quickly. You’ll likely have to pay a very high interest rate and an origination fee, which can make your loan more expensive. But the lender offers prequalification, which can help you see your potential rate and other terms before applying.
PenFed Credit Union
PenFed Credit Union is worth considering if you have good credit and need a small personal loan. You don’t need to be a member to apply, but the credit union charges late fees and returned payment fees.
Upgrade
Upgrade offers some flexible loan terms and amounts, and you’ll have the option to prequalify. The lender doesn’t charge prepayment penalties (which is good if you pay your loan off early), but it does charge an origination fee that will add to your costs.
How to get a $1,000 loan
Before searching for a $1,000 loan, it’s a good idea to check your credit scores and reports. Understanding your credit situation can help give you a sense of your ability to get a $1,000 loan and the kinds of loans that might be available to you.
After checking your credit, you can begin to shop around for a loan. It might be helpful to see what your bank or credit union has to offer, but it’s best to compare potential options from various lenders so you can find the best rates and terms for you.
If a lender offers prequalification, you can see the terms you might be offered without affecting your credit. Just keep in mind that you might need to provide personal information required to run a soft inquiry on your credit reports. And there’s no guarantee your estimated terms will be your final ones.
Once you’ve researched available loans, you can start to assess the best option for you. Making sure your lender will offer you a loan at your preferred amount is a necessity, but the lender might also have eligibility requirements and state availability restrictions that determine your ability to apply, including your intended use for the funds. You might also want to consider how fast the lender may send you your funds after approval.
Your potential interest rate, the length of the loan and any fees will affect the overall cost. We recommend using a loan calculator to determine how much you might end up paying over the life of the loan.
FAQs about $1,000 loans
Depending on the lender and your bank, you may see personal loan funds within a few days — or even on the same day — of approval. But there’s no guarantee and ultimately it’ll depend on the policies of the lender and your bank. Some lenders may promise same-day payday loans or fast funding, but they can come with a high interest rate or costly fees. Consider if the speed is worth any associated costs or other compromises.
$1,000 loans may be available to borrowers with different kinds of credit histories, but each lender will have its own requirements for approval. It’s worth keeping in mind that the best loan terms usually go only to people with excellent credit. If a lender advertises rates starting in the single digits, try to find out their full range of available rates and fees to get a better sense of their offerings.
$1,000 loans may be available to people with no credit or bad credit, these options likely will come with higher interest rates, fees, or even the need to provide collateral to get approved. If you don’t have a strong credit history, lenders might consider you a risk and structure your loan terms with that in mind. It’s a good idea to apply to prequalify with various lenders so you can shop around and compare potential offers without a hard credit inquiry that can temporarily hurt your credit scores.
*Approval Odds are not a guarantee of approval. Credit Karma determines Approval Odds by comparing your credit profile to other Credit Karma members who were approved for the personal loan, or whether you meet certain criteria determined by the lender. Of course, there’s no such thing as a sure thing, but knowing your Approval Odds may help you narrow down your choices. For example, you may not be approved because you don’t meet the lender’s “ability to pay standard” after they verify your income and employment; or, you already have the maximum number of accounts with that specific lender.