If you are looking for a personal loan but don’t have the most impressive credit score, OppLoans may be an option.
Its solutions are designed to empower everyday consumers with loans for unexpected expenses and help them build their credit scores.
No minimum credit score requirement.
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.
- No credit score requirement
- No origination or hidden fees
- Online application process
- Quick approvals
- No prepayment penalty
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus
- High APR rates
- Not available in all 50 states and rates vary by state
OppLoans Overview
OppLoans is an online lender focused on making loans accessible to millions of Americans with a bad or poor credit score.
The platform works with state-chartered lending partners that originate loans through OppLoans, while OppLoans services those loans.
Loan Requirements
Since these services are geared toward those with less than stellar credit scores, it is relatively easy to meet the requirements.
Unlike traditional lenders that rely heavily on credit scores, OppLoans does not base funding decisions exclusively on a borrower’s FICO score or credit history.
Instead, the lender also considers factors like income, bank transaction data, and the ability to repay.
But ultimately, the approval depends largely on the borrower’s income and overall ability to repay the loan.
During our review, we’ve identified the key eligibility requirements for one of the lender’s loans. The requirements are outlined below:
- Applicants need to be residents in one of the states that OppLoans operates in.
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a bank account or savings account
- Have a regular source of income
- Receive your paychecks through direct deposits or otherwise show regular income activity
Since the lender doesn’t consider your FICO score as the only approval factor, these requirements are rather understandable.
The actual loans are issued through the platform’s partners, such as FinWise Bank, First Electronic Bank, and Capital Community Bank.
Since OppLoans operates in a number of states, the bank offering the unsecured personal loan depends on where you apply from.
Why Should You Choose OppLoans?
OppLoans tailors to consumers with no credit score or one that is less than stellar. Let’s check its features aimed at helping you build your credit.
No Fees
All of the loan types included in the company's offer come without the fees that other lenders rely on for profit, such as origination fees or prepayment fees.
The absence of prepayment fees enables customers to pay the amount in full before the loan is due without having to worry about penalties.
There are also no hidden fees that would take up a large chunk of your loan amount. OppLoans offers fully amortizing loans, and you don’t have to worry about ballooning payments.
The company also says its bank partners offer simple, fixed-rate interest rather than variable-rate pricing.
Short-Term Loans
Furthermore, OppLoans doesn’t offer long-term loans, which can help you build your credit score while saving money on interest payments that you would otherwise pay on long-term loans.
All of the loans have a term of 18 months, which means you’re not locked into paying substantial interest rates for several years. Plus, you can skip the monthly payments by settling the debt early at no additional cost.
Considering that it doesn’t offer large amounts either, these are ideal solutions for covering immediate expenses without having to resort to a high-interest payday loan.
Still, borrowers should be cautious, because triple-digit APRs can make even short-term installment loans expensive.
Customer-Centric Process
OppLoans is often praised for its accessibility and customer-centric approach, which is why it's important to discuss this aspect of the company as well.
With OppLoans, you can apply and get approved for a loan online. Its website is highly transparent about the process, fees, and other aspects of taking out an online loan.
Furthermore, its experienced team, called Loan Advocates, is there to provide you with the support you need, and you can reach them via phone, email, and other support channels listed on its contact page.
Most of the user testimonials online echo our positive experience with the support agents, who are extremely helpful in assisting consumers through the application process.
Another significant advantage of going with OppLoans is that its website offers extraordinary financial health information. It provides valuable guides for taking out a loan and a set of free interactive courses to help you “master your money.”
Those resources now sit under OppU, the company’s financial education hub, which focuses on topics like credit, debt, saving, and budgeting.
Quick Approval Times
The ideal time to submit an application is early enough for verification and final approval to be completed before 12:00 p.m. CT on a business day.
If approved, you can have funds in your account the same business day to handle any pending expenses without stressing about it.
See the disclaimer at the bottom of the page for further details about timely approvals. If approval happens after that cutoff, funds may be delivered as soon as the next business day, depending on your bank’s processing time.
OppLoans also says it does not offer instant funding.
Reports Payments to Bureaus
As expected from a lender that promises to help you build your credit score, the company reports all payments you make to the three major credit bureaus.
After securing a loan from this lender, you can expect your payments to be reported to Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian.
OppLoans also notes that the account may appear on your credit report under both OppLoans and the name of the lending partner.
If you need a smaller personal or installment loan quickly, but your credit score is making you ineligible with most lenders, OppLoans can offer a more accessible alternative than many traditional lenders.
These credit building loans are best viewed as a tool for borrowers who need emergency funding and can repay the debt quickly.
With its no-fees policy even for prepayment, useful educational content, and helpful Loan Advocates, it’s a practical fit for borrowers who have limited borrowing options and want their payments reported to all three major credit bureaus.
Where OppLoans Falls Short
Even though advertised as a better solution than payday loans or high-interest bad credit loans, products from OppLoans come with high APR rates.
While better than the payday loan rates, which are, on average, as high as 1,250%, the interest rate is nothing to brag about.
Since the rates are 160% - 195%, it is recommended that you weigh your options carefully before committing to those high rates.
OppLoans makes clear that rates and terms vary by state, lender, and applicant profile, so borrowers should review the state-specific rates and terms page before accepting an offer.
Additionally, the availability of these loans may depend on your location.
Also, make sure to contact OppLoans and inquire about the APR rates, as they will differ from state to state and from different lenders that provide it.
At the moment of writing this review, the company’s services are available in 39 states.
If you decide that OppLoans is the way to go, make sure to sort out your budget and find the money to pay off the loan as soon as possible.
While this is an excellent option when you are faced with a financial predicament, it could turn out to be a costly loan that doesn’t end up helping you improve your credit score.
For that reason, OppLoans makes the most sense as a last-resort borrowing option rather than a lender you turn to first.
Our Verdict
All in all, this is an excellent choice for borrowers who need money quickly but don’t have a strong credit score to qualify for other options.
It is also a good solution for building your credit score and improving your overall financial health, as OppLoans promises to help borrowers find the ideal loan for their individual needs.
However, it is important to keep the APR rates in mind and calculate the overall cost of your loan. Most of the time, it pays to work on improving your credit score before you decide to get a loan.
If you have exhausted cheaper alternatives and need a small-dollar installment loan fast, OppLoans can serve a purpose, but its extremely high borrowing costs remain the biggest reason to think twice.
Funding Time Disclaimer: Subject to credit approval and verification. Actual approved loan amount and terms are dependent on standard underwriting guidelines and credit policies. Funds may be deposited for delivery to your bank via ACH as soon as the same business day if verification is completed and final approval occurs before 12:00 PM CT on a business day. If approval occurs after 12:00 PM CT on a business day or on a non-business day, funds may be delivered as soon as the next business day. Availability of the funds is dependent on how quickly your bank processes the transaction.
FAQ
Does OppLoans check your credit?
Yes, but OppLoans says checking your rate does not affect your FICO score, as it uses a soft credit check.
Does OppLoans charge origination or prepayment fees?
No. OppLoans says loans made through its platform do not include origination fees, prepayment fees, or hidden fees.
How fast can OppLoans fund a loan?
Same-day funding is possible if verification is completed and final approval occurs before 12:00 p.m. CT on a business day. If approval happens later, funds may arrive as soon as the next business day.