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In the competitive landscape of personal loans, we recommend LendingClub as a dependable and trustworthy option for people looking for personal, business, or auto refinance loans.
With its easy online rate checking and application process, it's a solid choice for borrowers. However, it's important to note that LendingClub does charge origination fees, which can impact the overall cost of borrowing.
We’ve prepared this guide to help you learn everything you need to make an informed decision about borrowing through LendingClub.
Key takeaways
- Pre-qualification for a personal loan from LendingClub won’t impact your credit score.
- LendingClub offers personal loans between $1,000 and $40,000.
- There is no application fee for LendingClub personal loans.
- LendingClub charges origination fees of between 3% and 8% for personal loans.
LendingClub: Is it worth it?
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| Pros | Cons |
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| Our verdict: The biggest drawback to personal loans from LendingClub is the origination fee. Some competitors don’t charge this fee. Otherwise, LendingClub is a good option for personal loans. Since applying for a LendingClub loan doesn’t cost and won’t hurt your credit, you may as well go through the pre-qualification process to see if it is worth it for you. | |
An overview of LendingClub
San Francisco-based LendingClub launched in 2007 as a peer-to-peer lender. As a peer-to-peer lender, it offered a platform for individuals to borrow small amounts of money from individuals or investors instead of taking a loan from a traditional bank.
By 2014, LendingClub had grown so much that it became the first peer-to-peer lender to go public on the New York Stock Exchange. Since then, the company has grown exponentially, lending customers more than $60 billion. More than three million members have used LendingClub.
In 2021, LendingClub acquired Radius Bank and is now the first public neobank, or fintech company offering online-only banking services, in the U.S. LendingClub no longer operates using a peer-to-peer lending model but still aims to help consumers get lower rates on loans.
What loan products does LendingClub offer?
LendingClub offers a variety of loans, including personal loans (which can be used for many purposes), business loans, and auto loan refinancing.
All of LendingClub’s loans start with a pre-qualification process to see how much you might be approved for when you apply for a loan. You’ll provide your personal information, including your Social Security number, address, and annual income. If you’re applying for a business loan, you’ll need to answer questions about your business. Then, the company will perform a soft credit inquiry to determine if you could be eligible for approval, for how much, and your interest rate options.
If you decide to move forward with an application, you may be given several loan options, terms, and rates to choose from. Once you make your selection, you may be asked to provide additional information, such as proof of income, before your loan approval is finalized.
After you’ve received the money, repayment of your loan can be done through an automatic monthly bank draft, pay-by-phone, or via check. You can also pre-pay or pay off your loan early with no fees or penalties.
Personal loans from LendingClub
LendingClub personal loans can be used for almost anything. Credit card debt consolidation, existing loan refinancing, medical and dental bills, home improvement projects, and big-ticket purchases are among the most common reasons borrowers take out personal loans. If you have any of these needs, you may want to consider looking into this type of loan.
With LendingClub’s personal loans, you can expect a repayment term of three or five years. The annual percentage rate (APR) you’re offered will depend on your creditworthiness. The higher your credit score and the lower your credit utilization percentage, the lower your APR will likely be.
One of the most appealing aspects of LendingClub’s personal loan product is the opportunity to get the loan proceeds in your bank account in just a few business days. There are also no application fees or prepayment penalties, but you will need to pay an origination fee, which will be taken out of your loan balance.
LendingClub is best for borrowers with good or excellent credit. If you fall below that mark, you could try applying with a co-signer. You must also be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident at least 18 years old to be eligible.
| Loan amount | $1,000 to $40,000 |
| Loan term | 3-5 years |
| APR | 8.98%-35.99% (as of 07/01/24) |
| Origination fee | 3% to 8% |
Business loans from LendingClub
LendingClub gives small businesses the chance to grow with loans from $5,000 to $500,000 that can be repaid over one to five years. These loans are offered in partnership with Accion Opportunity Fund — LendingClub no longer originates its business loans.
If you own a small business, this cash could help you make capital investments, create and store inventory, expand operations, and more. You’ll even get a dedicated client advisor to help you with the application process, and there are no prepayment penalties.
You’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- At least 12 months in business
- A minimum of $50,000 in annual sales
- Your business is based in the U.S.
- You own at least 20% of the company
| Loan amount | $5,000 to $500,000 |
| Loan term | 1-5 years |
| APR | Varies based on creditworthiness |
| Origination fee | Varies |
Auto refinancing loans from LendingClub
If your monthly car payment doesn’t fit your budget, replacing your current auto loan with a new loan to get a lower rate might be possible. Members who refinance car loans with LendingClub save an average of $80 on their monthly payments by achieving a lower interest rate. There’s also no origination fee or prepayment penalty with LendingClub’s auto refinancing loans.
You’ll need to meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Your vehicle is only for personal use
- Your car is 10 years old or newer and has fewer than 120,000 miles
- You’ve had your existing auto loan for at least one month
- You have at least 24 months of payments remaining
- Your current loan balance is between $4,000 and $55,000
| Loan amount | $4,000 to $55,000 |
| Loan term | 24 to 84 months |
| APR | 4.99%-24.99% (as of 07/01/24) |
| Origination fee | None |
Patient solutions
LendingClub partners with more than 23,000 providers nationwide to finance medical and dental care. If your provider is enrolled with LendingClub, you might be eligible for an installment loan or revolving line of credit to help pay for dentistry, fertility, hair restoration, or bariatric services. Loan terms and APR ranges vary by plan type:
| Fixed-rate plans | Promotional no-interest plans | Promotional low-rate plans | |
| Loan amounts | $2,000 to $65,000 | $499 to $32,000 | $1,000 to $32,000 |
| Loan term | 24, 36, 48, 60, 72, or 84 months | 6, 12, 18, or 24-month promotional period | 24, 36, 48, or 60-month promotional period |
| APR | 3.99%-30.99% (as of 07/01/24) | No interest during promotional period; 26.99% after that | 17.90% APR during promotional period; 26.99% after that |
| Plan type | Installment loan | Revolving line of credit | Revolving line of credit |
What to know before you apply
LendingClub’s loans start with a pre-qualification process, which will let you know how much you may be approved for when you apply for a loan. During this process, LendingClub will do a soft check on your credit history, which won’t have a negative impact on your credit.
LendingClub doesn’t charge application fees or broker fees on its loans. However, it does have origination fees on personal loans that range between 3% and 8%. Depending on your credit history, you can expect the APR on a LendingClub personal loan to range between 8.98%-35.99% (as of 07/01/24)
Factors that will help you get the lowest rates on a personal loan with LendingClub are:
- A high credit score
- A low debt-to-income ratio
- A healthy credit history
How to get started with LendingClub
Applying for a personal loan with LendingClub is relatively easy and only takes a few minutes. There is also no cost to apply. Here are the steps you need to take to get a personal loan with LendingClub.
1. Pre-qualification - The first step in applying for a personal loan is to provide LendingClub with some basic personal information through the pre-qualification process so they can give you an idea of the rate and terms they can offer you. You’ll need to provide the following information:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Street address
- Date of birth
- Phone number
- Total annual income
- Loan amount
- What the money wil be used for (debt consolidation, home improvements, etc.)
Throughout the pre-qualification process, you won’t be asked for your Social Security Number unless you decide to proceed with an application.
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2. Choose a loan offer - If you qualify for a personal loan, LendingClub will lay out your options on the interest rate, APR, and monthly payments for a 24, 36, 48, or 60-month loan. It also allows you to get the loan as cash in your bank or a balance transfer directly to your creditors. You’ll get a discount if you choose direct balance transfers to your creditors rather than cash in hand. The quote will also show you how much you will be charged for an origination fee.
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3. If you are denied - There is a chance that LendingClub denies lending to you. This could be because you have a low credit score, a high debt-to-income ratio, or other factors. If LendingClub can’t offer you a loan, it will suggest adding a co-borrower to your application.
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4. Finalizing your loan offer - If you decide to move forward with a personal loan, LendingClub will do a hard pull on your credit history. You may be asked to provide additional information, such as your Social Security number and proof of income. You can still be denied a loan at this point. If your loan is approved, LendingClub will deposit the money in your bank account or send it directly to your creditors.
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5. Paying on your loan - After you’ve received the money, repayment of your loan can be done through automatic payments from your bank account, pay-by-phone, or via check. You can also pre-pay or pay off your loan early with no fees or penalties.
What LendingClub customers are saying
More than 68,000 customers have reviewed LendingClub on the company website, rating the lender an average of 4.83/5 stars. Members commented positively about LendingClub’s customer service, rates, and ease of application process.
LendingClub reviews on third-party websites are also favorable. For example, LendingClub received an average rating of 4.7/5 stars from more than 5,100 reviewers on Trustpilot. On Consumer Affairs, more than 370 customers rated the lender an average of 4.1/5 stars. The lender also received an average rating of 4.49/5 stars from more than 1,900 customer reviewers on the Better Business Bureau.
Alternatives to LendingClub: SoFi or Credible
When looking for a loan, it’s wise to shop around to see where you can get the best rates and terms. You may want to look into other reputable lenders such as SoFi and Credible.
LendingClub vs. SoFi
Unlike LendingClub, SoFi® doesn’t charge any origination fees for its personal loans. SoFi also doesn’t charge late fees or prepayment penalties. With SoFi, you can borrow as much as $100,000. Its minimum loans start at $5,000, so it may not be the best choice if you need less. SoFi enables you to stretch your loan repayment out as long as 84 months (seven years), with a 2-year minimum.
Visit SoFi | Read our SoFi review
LendingClub vs. Credible
With Credible,1 you can get a personal loan for as little as $1,000 up to $200,000. Credible searches for the best rates on personal loans from other lenders such as LightStream, Avant, Upstart, and more. Rates vary from 6.94%-35.99% (as of Oct. 21, 2024). Origination fees depend on the lender. Credible can be a good option if you have a lower credit score because it works with lender partners who accept borrowers with credit scores as low as 600.
Visit Credible | Read our Credible review
FAQs
Is LendingClub legit?
Yes, LendingClub is a legitimate company that has been in business since 2007. The company has over 4.7 million members using its loan products, banking accounts, and investing tools.
What is the maximum amount of money you can borrow from LendingClub?
LendingClub offers personal loans up to $40,000. The company also provides business, auto refinancing, and healthcare loans. However, the maximum total amount you can borrow from all loan products is capped at $50,000.
Is LendingClub a bank?
Borrowing through LendingClub is the same as borrowing from any other type of lender. Your debt-to-income ratio and credit history will be assessed during the application process, first as a soft credit check to give you an idea of what you may be eligible to borrow. Once you decide to formally apply for a loan, the lender will perform a hard credit check, which might result in some negative impact on your score. This should only affect your score for a few months.
Once you have the money from LendingClub, you will have a new personal loan account on your credit report. Timely payments to your loan will keep your credit score healthy, while late payments might lower your score. If you use the funds from your loan to pay off credit cards, your credit score could potentially get a boost.
Can you pay off a LendingClub personal loan early?
LendingClub doesn’t specify a minimum credit score for applicants, but you’ll likely need good credit or excellent credit to qualify. If you have fair credit, you can apply with a co-borrower to increase your chances of getting approved.
Are LendingClub personal loans good?
Yes. Since acquiring Radius Bank, LendingClub bills itself as “the only full-spectrum fintech marketplace bank at scale.” While LendingClub once operated as a peer-to-peer lender, the lender’s business model has changed. When you borrow from LendingClub, you borrow from a financial institution rather than individual investors.
LendingClub review: Bottom line
LendingClub makes it easy to check your rate and apply for a loan online. It could be a great option for borrowers seeking a low fixed rate for a personal, business, or auto refinance loan.
However, it’s not the only online lender out there, so it’s a good idea to compare loan offers to find the lowest rates and the best terms. Some other online lenders can offer lower rates without origination fees to borrowers with excellent credit.
Still, we recommend checking your rate with LendingClub if you’re wondering how to get a loan. If you want to shop around, check out our picks for the best personal loans.