Fiona is an online marketplace that connects borrowers with some of the best lenders in the business. It doesn’t offer personal loans directly but provides you with a quick and easy way to search for financial services.
Minimal Credit Score: 580
Fortunly Rating
Fortunly's Rating: Our editorial team determines the rating based on a set of evaluation criteria developed for each product and service category.
- Funding for personal needs exclusively
- Low credit score requirements
- Reputable lenders
- Free to use
- Quick and easy application process
- Fast funding
- Automatic repayments
- Pre-approvals for certain lenders
- Small lender network
- Some lenders charge origination fee
Fiona Overview
Based in New York, this loan marketplace has been around since 2015. Fiona was set up by Even Financial, another leading platform for financial product services that sought to expand its market reach to personal lending. This partnership gave the Fiona platform a head start by delivering an established network of borrowers.
Fiona is not a direct lender but a middleman between people looking to get a loan and the companies that provide them. The site operates with a handpicked group of lenders, employing algorithms to provide the best possible lending terms to borrowers. More importantly, perhaps, the site is completely free to use, so it won’t cost you a dime to browse around and check whether you qualify for any of the loans.
Many customers commend the site’s efficiency and the speed at which it processes data. We wholeheartedly echo those endorsements because our experience with the platform was also phenomenal. Everything is designed to be fast and transparent. You just type in the loan amount, choose a credit score category that fits your current financial situation, and the site immediately lists the offers.
The lending requirements vary, but this is to be expected. The good news is that you have a chance of getting a loan even if your credit scores are low.
The terms and conditions are also satisfactory. These are some of the best personal loans you can get without having to go to a bank, even though the selection of lenders is smaller compared to other marketplaces.
How Does Fiona Compare to Other Similar Services?
4.99% to 35.99%
580
5.99% - 35.99%
N/A
3.99% to 35.99%
N/A
Fiona Financing Types
At Fiona, financing options are centered on personal use. That’s why many of the platform’s lenders offer small loans with short repayment terms. It’s one of the few places where you can request loans as low as $1,000 even if you have poor credit. Of course, everything comes down to the site’s network of lenders, but the diversity of the lending rates is highly commendable.
This might be a personal loan marketplace, but that doesn’t mean that you are getting your loan from Fiona. The loans come from the site’s lenders and each of those has a list of requirements that determine the applicant’s eligibility. Below are some of the more common requirements.
- A minimum credit score of 580
- Applicants must be 21 or older
- Applicants must be US citizens
- Allow the lender to do a credit pull
A personal loan from Fiona can be used for a number of things.
Debt Consolidation
At Fiona, debt consolidation doesn’t translate into your options being limited. You can still request a loan upwards of $100,000 and see what the lending network has in store for you. Chances are you’ll get to repay your debts at the best possible rates.
Credit Card Refinance
Credit card debt is common, and anyone who has ever had unexpected expenses has experienced it. While refinancing doesn’t actually rid you of your credit card debt, it can help you avoid going further into debt. It can also save you quite a bit of money down the line.
Home Improvement and Large Purchases
Your loan can also be used to improve your living space. We’re not just talking about getting a new sofa or a cupboard, but installing new windows, doors, and maybe redoing your patio.
Further Reading
Find the Most Suitable Financial Product for Your Needs
Fiona Application Process
You can begin the application process by going to the company's website. There is no need to waste hours on the phone. It takes just a few clicks, and you’re good to go.
The initial form allows the platform to familiarize itself with the applicants and their financial situation. Aside from some personal details like your address and Social Security number, you’ll also be asked to disclose your annual income, education, and marital status.
You are required to submit all of this information before the company evaluates your application and determines your eligibility. You only have to go through this process once to set up an account. Of course, if there are any changes in your financial situation, you are required to update the data accordingly.
After completing the form, the site does a soft pull of your credit history which doesn’t affect your credit score. Then, it gathers all other relevant information and shares it securely with its partners who provide you with loan offers. Keep in mind that applying for a loan through Fiona subscribes you to a constant stream of offers, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t get the best offer right away.
Once you settle on a loan, Fiona’s job is done. A direct line of communication is established between you and the lender, and all additional terms are negotiated with them.
What Do I Need to Apply?
We’ve already touched on some of the information that Fiona gathers for its personal finance connection service. In order to apply for the platform’s services, you’ll also have to provide a list of other details.
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Date of birth
- Estimated credit score
- Social Security number
- Employment status
- Marital status
- Annual income (before taxes)
- Whether you rent or own property
- Desired amount and loan purpose
This might seem like a lot of information, but you don’t have to deal with any documents or send your ID. If Fiona can successfully pull your credit report, it means you didn’t make any mistakes during the application process. It usually takes around 24 hours for the site to produce a selection of relevant loan offers.
Fiona Features
Having to divulge any kind of personal information online these days can make people uncomfortable. Many are concerned about third parties getting a hold of their details. But Fiona users don’t need to worry. The site uses 256-bit encryption to protect all of the data that travels through its servers. There is no way for snoopers to access your transactions and personal information.
We also have to compliment the platform for having an on-site calculator. The site initially greets you with a table of loans that can be sorted and filtered in many different ways. After you enter the desired amount, your credit score, and why you need the loan, Fiona will immediately present you with a list tailored to your specific needs.
The list shows what each of the loan providers has in store. You’ll get an estimate of how much you’ll need to pay each month, the fixed APR, and the length of the repayment period.
If you are one of those people who hates applying for a personal loan, you’ll find Fiona to be very accommodating. After the company reviews your initial application, it might determine that you prequalify with a lender.
What really sets this service apart from the competition is that you may also be pre-approved for a loan. This means that the site’s calculations determined that you are guaranteed to secure the loan, and the remaining steps are mere formalities.
Although Fiona’s services are completely free to use, many lenders charge an origination fee. So, be sure to read the terms and conditions before proceeding with your personal loan application.
Loan Amount and APR Details
Longer term loans always result in higher interest charges. But with Fiona you’re presented with offers from different lenders, and each of them has both a fixed APR and payment terms. All this brings a lot of variables into the mix. So here’s what you can expect from this personal finance platform:
- Loan amount: $1,000 to $100,000
- APR: 4.99% to 35.99%
- Origination fee: 5-6% (depending on lender)
- Other fees: none
- Loan term: Two to Seven years
- Repayment options: monthly
Fiona personal loans come in many different shapes and sizes. In our experience, the single most important factor that affects the APR is credit score. The better the credit score, the lower the APR, and vice versa. Many lenders and marketplaces are unlikely to disclose this information, let alone include a tool on their website which allows you to check how your loan changes if your credit score improves.
Although this is one of the best personal loan providers with excellent repayment terms, we would have really liked to have the option of choosing the length of the repayment period. Instead, you might have to pass up a good deal just because it requires you to pay off your loan faster than you planned.
Fiona Repayment Terms
We also love the sheer simplicity of Fiona. You pick a loan, you pay it off monthly, and it’s all automated. It really sets the bar high in this department.
Of course, your repayment terms don’t depend on Fiona, but the lending company you chose. You may get your first charge at the end of the week or current month, with subsequent payments scheduled at regular intervals. In some cases, you may get to discuss the repayment dates with an agent if the lender has one.
The loan term cannot be longer than seven years or 84 months, and there are usually no discounts for paying off the loan early.
The Bottom Line
In just five years, Fiona grew from a side project to one of the biggest names in credit card funding and debt consolidation. The experience is also evident in the simple but highly functional design of the website. Fiona might not be perfect, but it’s a fine example of innovation in the field of personal financing.
FAQ
Is Fiona a reputable company?
In short, yes. Fiona has been in business for half a decade, operating alongside leading American companies. The platform was set up by Even Financial, another big name in the world of financial product services.
Does Fiona hurt your credit?
Signing up and applying for a loan through Fiona doesn’t impact your credit score at all. The site does a soft pull of your credit history, only receiving information about your previous loans. Your credit will only be impacted when you actually take out a loan.
How can I contact Fiona’s customer service?
Fiona’s customer support can be reached via phone (800-614-7505), email ([email protected]), and web form. The company will respond to all inquiries within 24 to 48 hours, and there is a comprehensive FAQ and blog on the site that can provide a lot of answers. In case you need to get to Fiona’s offices in person, the HQ is located in West 24th Street, New York.