Best Secured Personal Loans for January 2026
Best Secured Personal Loans for January 2026 View All Best Secured Personal Loans for January 2026
- Top Picks
- Patelco Credit Union
- Upgrade
- OneMain Financial
- See More (2)
- Best Egg
- First Tech Federal Credit Union
- Compare Providers
- Why Trust Us
- How It Works
- Who Is It Good For?
- Common Terms
- Pros & Cons
- Methodology
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What to Know First
Personal loans are a useful tool for funding large purchases or keeping you afloat in an emergency, but they can also be rather costly. Secured loans let you put down an asset as collateral in exchange for a lower rate, and Investopedia has put together a list of five outstanding institutions that offer this option.
Investopedia’s experts researched and ranked 59 lenders based on several factors, including criteria informed by a survey of hundreds of borrowers. Patelco was determined to be the best secured personal lender because of its low interest rates and wide range of loan amounts.
Today’s Top Picks
- Best Overall, Best Credit Union: Patelco Credit Union
- Best for Fair or Bad Credit: Upgrade
- Best for Range of Vehicles: OneMain Financial
- Best for Homeowners: Best Egg
- Best for Large Loan Amounts: First Tech Federal Credit Union
Why Trust Us 59 Lenders reviewed 45 Loan features considered 2,655 Data points analyzed 284 Primary data sources used Investopedia collected data from dozens of lenders to evaluate the factors most important for borrowers. We used this data to rank each lender based on APRs and fees, loan amounts, repayment terms, customer experience, and more to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews and help you make the right borrowing decision for your needs. Read our Full Methodology
What to Know First
Personal loans are a useful tool for funding large purchases or keeping you afloat in an emergency, but they can also be rather costly. Secured loans let you put down an asset as collateral in exchange for a lower rate, and Investopedia has put together a list of five outstanding institutions that offer this option.
Investopedia’s experts researched and ranked 59 lenders based on several factors, including criteria informed by a survey of hundreds of borrowers. Patelco was determined to be the best secured personal lender because of its low interest rates and wide range of loan amounts.
Today’s Top Picks
- Best Overall, Best Credit Union: Patelco Credit Union
- Best for Fair or Bad Credit: Upgrade
- Best for Range of Vehicles: OneMain Financial
- Best for Homeowners: Best Egg
- Best for Large Loan Amounts: First Tech Federal Credit Union
Why Trust Us
59 Lenders reviewed 45 Loan features considered 2,655 Data points analyzed 284 Primary data sources used Investopedia collected data from dozens of lenders to evaluate the factors most important for borrowers. We used this data to rank each lender based on APRs and fees, loan amounts, repayment terms, customer experience, and more to provide unbiased, comprehensive reviews and help you make the right borrowing decision for your needs. Read our Full Methodology
Best Secured Personal Loans for January 2026
If youre not seeing anything in the results that are a good fit for your needs, consider warranties from these companies:
- Best Home Warranties
- Best Emergency Loans for Bad Credit
- Best Personal Loans for Bad Credit
| Company | APR | Credit Score est. | Loan Amount | More Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall, Best Credit Union : Patelco Credit Union
- APR Range: 9.30% – 17.90%
- Loan Amount: $300 – $100,000
- Loan Terms: 6 months – 84 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
On top of their exceptionally low minimum APR, Patelco Credit Union’s secured loans offer incredible funding flexibility and have no origination fees. Plus, you’ll get access to all of the perks and resources that come from joining a credit union.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Minimum APR of 2.50%
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Borrow up to 100% of your Patelco savings balance
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Doesn’t charge an origination fee
Cons
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Patelco savings account required
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Membership required
Overview
Patelco Credit Union offers secured savings loans. As the name would suggest, the collateral backing the loan is your Patelco savings account. A major benefit of this product is that the lender permits borrowing up to 100% of your savings balance. You can take out as little as $300, and there’s no specified maximum, so borrowers can really tailor a specific loan amount to suit their needs. This does come with the drawback of having only one option for collateral, and you need to save up for the amount of money that you want to borrow.
Even by secured loan standards, Patelco’s are exceptionally affordable. Its starting annual percentage rate (APR) is the lowest of any lender on this list, and it also doesn’t levy origination fees. And while its maximum repayment term is a little on the shorter side, the minimum term is just six months, which would save you a great deal on interest payments. This affordability does come with the catch that you must join the credit union, but Patelco membership has many perks, including partner discounts, educational resources, and personalized assistance.
Founded in 1936, Patelco is headquartered in Dublin, California, and has 36 additional offices in the Northern California area.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | 640 |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% |
| Membership Requirement | Work for a Patelco partner employer; live, work, attend school, or worship in certain areas of California, have a Patelco member as a family member or roommate, or join the Financial Fitness Association |
| Available Discounts | 1.50% LevelUp Program |
Read the Full Patelco Credit Union Personal Loans Review
Best for Fair or Bad Credit : Upgrade
- APR Range: 7.74% – 35.99%
- Loan Amount: $1,000 – $50,000
- Loan Terms: 24 months – 84 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
Another benefit of secured loans is that the collateral reduces the credit risk for the lender, making it easier for borrowers to qualify. Despite that, those with fair or bad credit can still have trouble getting approved. Upgrade’s lower minimum credit score makes their auto-secured loans more accessible, and their many rate discounts help offset the costs of a poor credit score.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Minimum credit score of 580
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Several rate discounts available
Cons
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Limited to auto loans
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Maximum APR of 35.99%
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Maximum origination fee of 9.99%
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Minimum loan term of 24 months
Overview
When you apply for an auto-secured loan from Upgrade, the car’s value will be considered while your loan request is being evaluated. If you’re approved, you’ll then be asked to provide your car’s title to finalize the loan, and you’ll be given a discount on your interest rate. You can also get additional discounts by enrolling in autopay and using at least part of your loan funds to pay off existing debt.
Upgrade also offers another option that’s useful for borrowers with poor credit: joint applications. This allows you to apply with another person; both of you are responsible for repaying the loan, and both of your credit scores are taken into account, which can help you get a better rate. If you do apply for an Upgrade loan, it’s worth submitting a joint application (and getting every discount you can), as the high maximum APR and origination fees still make them fairly pricey.
Founded in 2017, Upgrade’s headquarters is located in San Francisco. The lender also has additional offices in Phoenix; Atlanta; Orange County, California; and Montreal.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | 580 |
| Origination Fees | 1.85% to 9.99% |
| Membership Requirement | None |
| Available Discounts | Autopay, debt consolidation, and auto-secured loan discounts |
Read the Full Upgrade Personal Loans Review
Best for Range of Vehicles : OneMain Financial
- APR Range: 18.00% – 35.99%
- Loan Amount: $1,500 – $20,000
- Loan Terms: 24 months – 60 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
Some of the best secured loans are inaccessible for borrowers without good credit or the right kind of collateral. OneMain Financial allows a greater degree of flexibility in both departments, as it works with non-prime borrowers and accepts practically any type of vehicle.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Multiple types of collateral accepted
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Accepts borrowers with less-than-stellar credit
Cons
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Minimum APR of 18%, maximum of 35.99%
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Minimum loan amount of $1,500, maximum of $20,000
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Maximum origination fee of 10%
Overview
If you own a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, RV, or trailer, you can get a secured loan from OneMain Financial. The vehicle must be insured, and it will also need to be appraised to determine whether it's of sufficient value. You can also get a secured loan from this lender to refinance existing debt, though larger loan amounts will require that the collateral be less than 10 years old.
OneMain Financial’s secured loans also have the benefit of being easier for borrowers with poor credit to qualify for. While it doesn’t list a minimum score requirement, the lender is dedicated to serving non-prime borrowers. The lender also doesn’t permit joint applications, but pre-qualification is available, so you can check whether you’ll qualify without fear of a hard inquiry. All that said, OneMain Financial’s 18% minimum APR is as high as other lenders’ maximums, and the origination fee added on top of that makes this a fairly expensive option.
OneMain Financial, which was originally founded in 1912 as Commercial Credit Company, is headquartered in Baltimore. It has an additional 1,300 branches spread across 44 states.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | Not disclosed |
| Origination Fees | $25 to $500 or 1% to 10% of loan amount, whichever is higher |
| Membership Requirement | None |
| Available Discounts | None |
Disclosures
You must complete a loan application and continue to meet any criteria used to select you for a loan offer. Not all applicants are approved. Loan approval and actual loan terms depend on applicant’s state of residence and ability to meet OneMain Financial credit standards such as a responsible credit history, sufficient income after monthly expenses, and if applicable, availability of eligible collateral. Not all approved applicants qualify for larger loan amounts, lower APRs, or the most favorable loan terms. For example, larger loan amounts typically require a first lien on a motor vehicle that is no more than ten years old, meets our value requirements, and is titled in applicant’s name with valid insurance. APRs are generally higher on loans not secured by a vehicle. Example Loan: A $6,000 loan with a 24.99% APR that is repayable in 60 monthly installments would have monthly payments of $176.07. OneMain charges origination fees allowed by law. Depending on the state where the loan is opened, the origination fee may be either a flat amount or a percentage of the loan amount. Flat fees vary by state, ranging from $25 to $500. Percentage-based fees vary by state, ranging from 1% to 10% of the loan amount subject to certain state limits on the fee amount. For information about these fees and minimum and maximum loan sizes available in certain states, visit omf.com/loanfees. Current OneMain Customers: Loan offers presented to a consumer assume the individual has no active loan with OneMain or one of its affiliates. If a customer applies for a new loan offer, a OneMain representative will discuss available options. Active-duty military, their spouse or dependents covered by the Military Lending Act (MLA) may not pledge any vehicle as collateral. If you are covered by the MLA, you are not eligible for secured loans.Loan proceeds cannot be used for postsecondary educational expenses as defined by the CFPB’s Regulation Z such as college, university or vocational expense; for any business or commercial purpose; to purchase cryptocurrency assets, securities, derivatives or other speculative investments; or for gambling or illegal purposes. Time to Fund Loans: Funding within one hour after loan closing through SpeedFunds® must be disbursed to a bank-issued debit card. Disbursement by check or ACH may take up to 1-2 business days after closing.
Read the Full OneMain Financial Personal Loans Review
Best for Homeowners : Best Egg
- APR Range: 6.99% – 35.99%
- Loan Amount: $2,000 – $50,000
- Loan Terms: 36 months – 60 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
The greatest danger of a secured loan is your collateral being seized should you default, and with most home equity loans, that could mean losing your house. Best Egg is a much safer option, as the loan is backed using fixtures in your home, and the massive APR discount lessens your likelihood of default.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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No risk of foreclosure
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Average APR discount of 20% for homeowners
Cons
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Maximum APR of 35.99%
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Maximum origination fee of 9.99%
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Loan will need to be paid in full if you sell your home
Overview
There’s a lot to like about Best Egg’s secured loans. Instead of using your home as collateral, you can use the fixtures within it, such as built-in cabinets, light fixtures, and bathroom vanities. Alternatively, you can put your vehicle down as collateral and borrow up to 250% of its value, to a maximum amount of $100,000. The lender’s auto-secured loan has a minimum loan amount of $2,000, an APR range of 10.99%–29.99%, and offers repayment terms of 24 to 84 months.
On top of that, homeowners can qualify for an average rate discount of 20%. Even with its maximum APR and origination fee of 35.99% and 9.99%, respectively, you can still save a great deal with this lender. The biggest downside of its secured loan for homeowners is perhaps that selling your home will cause the loan to become due in full. Fortunately, you can pay off your loan during the closing process, so long as there are sufficient proceeds.
Founded in 2014, Best Egg is headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | 640 |
| Origination Fees | 0.99% to 9.99% |
| Membership Requirement | None |
| Available Discounts | Average 20% homeowner discount |
Best for Large Loan Amounts : First Tech Federal Credit Union
- APR Range: 6.99% – 18.00%
- Loan Amount: $500 – $50,000
- Loan Terms: 6 months – 84 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
First Tech Credit Union offers three different types of secured loans, each of which would be backed by a different kind of asset. Although only one of these products lets you borrow up to $1 million, all three are good options if you require a significant amount of funding.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Minimum loan amount of $500, maximum of $1,000,000
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Minimum APR of 3%
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Doesn’t charge any origination fees
Cons
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Stock-secured loans have a minimum amount of $25,000
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Membership required
Overview
First Tech Credit Union’s secured stock loan allows you to borrow up to 75% of your stock’s value, maxing out at a whopping $1 million. The stock must be listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), the NYSE American, or the Nasdaq. This product has a minimum loan amount and APR of $25,000 and 6.99%, respectively, but it also has a maximum repayment term of 12 years. While certainly an expensive option, the cost is somewhat offset by the lender not levying any origination fees, annual fees, or pre-payment penalties.
If you don’t need to borrow more than $500,000, then First Tech has two other types of secured loans that are more affordable. Both the certificate-secured and savings-secured loans have minimum APRs of 3% (plus the respective account’s rate), and you can borrow at least $500 and up to $500,000. The savings-secured loan’s maximum repayment term is 96 months, while the certificate-secured loan’s term can be up to its maturity date. Just keep in mind that you’ll only be able to borrow as much as you already have in the account.
First Tech was founded in 1952 and is headquartered in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | Not disclosed |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% |
| Membership Requirement | Work for a First Tech partner employer or the State of Oregon; live or work in Lane County, Oregon; have a First Tech member as a family or household member; or join either the Computer History Museum or the Financial Fitness Association |
| Available Discounts | None |
Read the Full First Tech Federal Credit Union Personal Loans Review