When you need some quick cash to see you through until your next paycheck, personal loans are the best choice. Fast personal loans, like the ones that Dollar Connect used to offer, are a quick way to borrow money in a financial emergency. And if you have bad credit, most lenders can still cater to you.
There are various lenders that have personal loans, and in recent times, Dollar Connect used to be a marketplace for connecting people to such lenders. With the platform shutting down, many people in search of lenders for poor credit and personal loans in an emergency might face inconvenience. At The Simple Dollar, we have rounded up the four best alternatives to Dollar Connect, based on the interest rates, loan amounts, customer satisfaction and support and fees using the SimpleScore methodology.
We found results in California.
We follow a rigorous editorial policy designed to keep our writers and editors independent. Articles may reference products from our partners, so here’s more information on
How we make money
The Simple Dollar is an independent, advertising-supported publisher and comparison service. The Simple Dollar is compensated in exchange for featured placement of sponsored products and services, or your clicking on links posted on this website. This compensation may impact how, where and in what order products appear. The Simple Dollar does not include all companies or all available products.
The best alternatives to Dollar Connect personal loans
Compare the best alternatives to Dollar Connect
Lender | APR | Terms | Loan Amount |
---|---|---|---|
OneMain Financial | 18%–35.99% | 24–60 months | $1,500–$20,000 |
RISE Credit | 50%–299% | 4–26 months | $500–$5,000 |
LendingPoint | 9.99%–35.99% | 24–48 months | $2,000–$25,000 |
Avant | 9.95%–35.99% | 24–60 months | $2,000–$35,000 |
Best for joint applications – OneMain Financial
Not all personal loans allow co-signers but OneMain Financial has you covered with its quick and easy loans.
As one of the largest personal lenders in the country, OneMain Financial stands apart from other companies by focusing on customers with poor credit. Headquartered in Indiana, OneMain Financial has offices in 1600 locations across the country, and you do not require a minimum credit score to be able to qualify. The rates are fixed, there are no prepayment fees, and the loan can be repaid in easy monthly payments. Applications can be filed online and loans are usually funded in one business day. The best part? You get to add a second borrower and file a joint application.
All the perks aside, OneMain Financial tends to charge steep interest rates for personal loans. There’s a seven-day grace period but the longer you take, the more expensive the loan becomes. For larger loans, you may also require a collateral, and you must visit the lender’s office to be able to close a loan.
However, you cannot add a co-signer or have your debts paid off directly to the creditors in case of debt consolidation. Avant also charges an origination fee of 4.75%.
Medical expenses
If you or a family member takes ill and requires immediate treatment or hospitalization, it can lead to unforeseen expenses. Even if you have insurance, it might not cover everything. Personal loans are usually funded in less than a day but also come with exorbitant interest rates, which might be more expensive than the cost you are trying to cover. As an alternative, borrowing money from a friend or relative or using your credit card are easier and more flexible ways to get urgent money.
[Read: The Common Types of Personal Loans, Explained]
Emergency repairs
A leaking roof, a burst pipe or a broken car call for emergency repairs. Your insurance might reimburse you later, but when it’s an urgent need, you have to pay out of your pocket. Personal loans are often used for covering such expenses, but the interest rates might leave you with expensive repayments over the next several months. If you have a credit card, you can use it for emergency funding at a much lower interest rate and more flexible terms. You can also borrow money against fixed deposits or sell assets like jewelry or art for quick cash.
Supplementing income after job loss
In uncertain times, being laid-off from work can make it harder to pay for emergency expenses. It isn’t difficult to get personal loans even if you have bad or no credit with no income, but you will be saddled with steep repayments for many months, which can be almost impossible without a job or another source of income. If you’re still taking out a personal loan, it is best to have a collateral and make it a secured loan.
Personal loan FAQs
According to the Federal Reserve, the average rate for a two-year personal loan is 9.65%, though this can vary based on where you live, your credit score and income.
Terms for personal loans can differ from one lender to another, but the typical term is anywhere between 24 and 60 months.
A secured loan, where you borrow money against an asset, is the easiest personal loan to be approved for and much quicker than an unsecured loan. Typical assets you can borrow against include vehicles, jewelry, expensive art and collectibles.
Lenders that offer personal loans of all types are available all over the country. You should choose the lender according to your credit history and if you aren’t sure, it is best to select a bad credit lender. Approval and finding usually take less than a day, and since these are short term lending, they often come without the complicated processes of a traditional loan.
Dollar Connect was not a lender; it was an online marketplace that matched borrowers with lenders. The platform is no longer in business.
Too long, didn’t read?
Personal loans can save you from financial tragedy when you have bad credit but interest rates can be sky-high in most cases. Even in an emergency, it is best to look for personal loans with a reasonable interest rate or alternatives that are easier and more flexible.
We welcome your feedback on this article and would love to hear about your experience with the lenders we recommend. Contact us at [email protected] with comments or questions.
Source: thesimpledollar.com