Best Fast Personal Loans for January 2026 View All Best Fast Personal Loans for January 2026
- Top Picks
- LightStream
- SoFi
- Alliant Credit Union
- See More (4)
- Upgrade
- U.S. Bank
- Patelco Credit Union
- Lake Michigan Credit Union
- Compare Providers
- Why You Should Trust Us
- How Does a Fast Personal Loan Work?
- Who Is a Fast Personal Loan Good For?
- Common Terms
- Pros & Cons
- Methodology
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What to Know First
Personal loans can cover unexpected expenses, but emergencies don’t always afford you the luxury of waiting for funds to be disbursed. In this case, you’ll need a lender with the quickest funding time possible; luckily for you, Investopedia has found several worth your consideration.
Investopedia’s experts researched and ranked 59 businesses based on several factors, including criteria informed by a survey of hundreds of borrowers. LightStream proved to be the best fast personal lender due to its same-day funding, lack of fees, and low interest rates.
Today’s Top Picks
- Best Overall, Best With a Co-Signer or Co-Borrower: LightStream
- Best for Debt Consolidation: SoFi
- Also Good for Co-Borrowers: Alliant Credit Union
- Best for Fair or Poor Credit: Upgrade
- Best Big Bank: U.S. Bank
- Best Credit Union: Patelco Credit Union
- Best for Small Loans: Lake Michigan 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 can cover unexpected expenses, but emergencies don’t always afford you the luxury of waiting for funds to be disbursed. In this case, you’ll need a lender with the quickest funding time possible; luckily for you, Investopedia has found several worth your consideration.
Investopedia’s experts researched and ranked 59 businesses based on several factors, including criteria informed by a survey of hundreds of borrowers. LightStream proved to be the best fast personal lender due to its same-day funding, lack of fees, and low interest rates.
Today’s Top Picks
- Best Overall, Best With a Co-Signer or Co-Borrower: LightStream
- Best for Debt Consolidation: SoFi
- Also Good for Co-Borrowers: Alliant Credit Union
- Best for Fair or Poor Credit: Upgrade
- Best Big Bank: U.S. Bank
- Best Credit Union: Patelco Credit Union
- Best for Small Loans: Lake Michigan 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 Fast Personal Loans for January 2026
- 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 With a Co-Signer or Co-Borrower : LightStream
- APR Range: 6.49% – 24.89%
- Loan Amount: $5,000 – $100,000
- Loan Terms: 24 months – 240 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
On top of its fast loan disbursement time, LightStream stood out thanks to its low rates, lengthy repayment terms, and competitive loan amounts. In fact, it has the lowest minimum annual percentage rate (APR) of any lender on this list, so borrowers with exceptional credit really stand to benefit. LightStream’s credit score requirement is on the higher side, so if you have poor credit, your best chance of qualifying is with the help of a co-signer or co-borrower.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Same-day funding
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Maximum loan amount of $100,000
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Maximum repayment term of 20 years
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Doesn’t charge an origination or late fee
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Co-signers and co-borrowers permitted
Cons
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Minimum loan amount of $5,000
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Minimum credit score requirement of 680
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Pre-qualification not available
Overview
LightStream’s low APR is complemented by the fact that it charges neither an origination fee nor a late fee and offers a 0.50% autopay discount. It also has a maximum loan amount of $100,000 that few other lenders can match, while its maximum repayment term of 144 months is the longest on this list.
This makes for a cost-effective option for borrowers with great credit; however, because Lightstream only approves good-to-excellent credit profiles, those with bad credit are ineligible by default. You can always apply with a co-signer or co-borrower, though the lender will still equally review each applicant’s credit report, so it’d be wise to improve your score before applying. Additionally, Lightstream doesn’t offer pre-qualification, so bad-credit borrowers will have to face a hard inquiry just to find out if they qualify.
LightStream is a division of Truist Financial Corporation and was founded as FirstAgain in 2005. Its headquarters is located in San Diego, and it has an additional office in Atlanta.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | 680 |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% |
| Membership Requirement | None |
| Available Discounts | 0.50% autopay discount and 0.10% rate beat |
Read the Full LightStream Personal Loans Review
Best for Debt Consolidation : SoFi
- APR Range: 8.74% – 35.49%
- Loan Amount: $5,000 – $100,000
- Loan Terms: 24 months – 84 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
If you need to consolidate credit card debt quickly, SoFi minimizes delays by directly paying your creditors when you take out one of its personal loans. Not only that, but you’ll get a 0.25% rate discount for doing so.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Same-day funding
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Maximum loan amount of $100,000
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Minimum origination fee of 0.00%
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Direct creditor payment offered
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Co-signers and co-borrowers permitted
Cons
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Minimum loan amount of $5,000
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Minimum credit score required not disclosed
Overview
SoFi® is one of the few personal lenders on this list with a maximum loan amount of $100,000, though its minimum loan amount is also one of the highest (tied with LightStream). Its interest rates and loan terms, meanwhile, are competitive if not particularly noteworthy. The lender also offers bank accounts, insurance, and investment options.
After finalizing your personal loan agreement, you’ll have the option of giving SoFi permission to pay off your credit card debt on your behalf. This will expedite the process and net you a 0.25% interest rate discount on your new consolidation loan. You can further lower your rate with a 0.25% autopay discount, and if for some reason you don’t want SoFi to pay your creditor for you, you’ll get a 0.25% discount for setting up direct deposit with one of SoFi’s checking and savings accounts.
SoFi was founded in 2011. It’s headquartered in San Francisco, and it has additional offices in Del., Fla., Mont., N.Y., Texas, Utah, Va., and Wash.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | Not disclosed |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% to 7.00% |
| Membership Requirement | None |
| Available Discounts | 0.25% autopay, 0.25% direct deposit, and 0.25% direct creditor payment discounts |
Disclosures
Fixed rates from 8.74% APR to 35.49% APR. APR reflects the 0.25% autopay discount and a 0.25% direct deposit discount. SoFi Platform personal loans are made either by SoFi Bank, N.A. or, Cross River Bank, a New Jersey State Chartered Commercial Bank, Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. SoFi may receive compensation if you take out a loan originated by Cross River Bank. These rate ranges are current as of 11/03/25 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See SoFi Personal Loan eligibility details at https://www.sofi.com/eligibility-criteria/#eligibility-personal. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors. Loan amounts range from $5,000– $100,000. The APR is the cost of credit as a yearly rate and reflects both your interest rate and an origination fee of 9.99% of your loan amount for Cross River Bank originated loans which will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive and for SoFi Bank originated loans have an origination fee of 0%-7%, will be deducted from any loan proceeds you receive. The SoFi 0.25% autopay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account. Autopay is not required to receive a loan from SoFi. To be eligible to receive an additional (0.25%) interest rate reduction on your Personal Loan (your “Loan”), you must set up Direct deposit with a SoFi Checking and Savings account offered by SoFi Bank, N.A., or enroll in SoFi Plus by paying the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee, all within 30 days of the funding of your Loan. Once eligible, you will receive this discount during periods in which you have enabled Direct Deposit to an eligible Direct Deposit Account in accordance with SoFi’s reasonable procedures and requirements to be determined at SoFi’s sole discretion, or during periods in which SoFi successfully receives payment of the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. This discount will be lost during periods in which SoFi determines you have turned off Direct Deposit to your Checking and Savings account or in which you have not paid for the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee. You are not required to enroll in Direct Deposit or to pay the SoFi Plus Subscription Fee to receive a Loan.
Read the Full SoFi Personal Loans Review
Also Good for Co-Borrowers : Alliant Credit Union
- APR Range: 8.74% – 18.00%
- Loan Amount: $1,000 – $100,000
- Loan Terms: 12 months – 60 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
Though its funding time isn’t as fast as some of the other lenders on this list, Alliant Credit Union has one of the lowest maximum APRs. That makes it a safe option for borrowers with poor credit, though a bad score can make it harder to qualify for a personal loan. Fortunately, this lender does allow you to apply with a co-borrower.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Maximum loan amount of $100,000
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Doesn’t charge an origination fee
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Co-borrowers permitted
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Direct creditor payment offered
Cons
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Maximum repayment term of 5 years
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Membership required
Overview
Aliant Credit Union doesn’t offer same-day funding, but if you can afford to wait one business day, there’s a lot to like about it. It has a high maximum loan amount ($100,000) for borrowers who need to cover a large expense and a short minimum repayment term (1 year) for those who want to pay as little in interest as possible. Not to mention it doesn’t levy an origination fee or prepayment penalty, and you can rest easy knowing that its rates can’t go higher than 18% thanks to the interest rate ceiling that credit unions are subject to.
This lender doesn’t allow you to apply with a co-signer, but you can still apply with a co-borrower. So if your credit score is poor and you want a loan from Alliant, finding a co-borrower is your best bet, though keep in mind that you’ll both need to be members or joint owners on the primary account holder's main savings account. Considering its slower funding time and the time needed to apply for a membership, Alliant may be better suited for current members or those not short on time.
Alliant was originally founded in 1935 as United Airlines Employees’ Credit Union. It’s currently headquartered in Chicago.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | Not disclosed |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% |
| Membership Requirement | Current or retired employee of an Alliant partner employer, have an Alliant member as a domestic partner or immediate family member, live or work in certain areas of Chicago, or become an Alliant Credit Union Foundation digital inclusion advocate |
| Available Discounts | 0.40% autopay discount |
Read the Full Alliant Credit Union Personal Loans Review
Best for Fair or Poor 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
Excluding those without a stated minimum, Upgrade has the lowest minimum credit score requirement of any lender on this list: 580. This makes it an ideal choice for borrowers with fair or poor credit (i.e., scores of at least 580 and less than 580, respectively) who need funds quickly. While you might not need a co-applicant to qualify, if you want to improve your chances or secure a better rate, you still have that option.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Minimum credit score requirement of 580
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Both secured and unsecured loans are available
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Co-applicants permitted
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Multiple options for loan discounts
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Direct creditor payment offered
Cons
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Charges both an origination fee and a late fee
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Maximum APR of 35.99%
Overview
The low minimum credit score makes this an appealing option for borrowers with fair or poor credit, but this comes at a cost. With a maximum APR of 35.99%, higher than any other on this list, these personal loans can be rather expensive for bad credit borrowers. This makes the option of applying with a co-applicant all the more valuable, though the lender doesn’t specify whether or not it also allows co-signers.
One of the lender’s more unique options is an auto-secured loan. By agreeing to use your car as collateral for a secured loan, you could qualify for a rate discount. This can be a good way to make an Upgrade loan more affordable, but bear in mind you risk losing your vehicle if you default on your loan. Additional discounts are available for setting up autopay and using some or all of your loan funds to pay off existing debt.
Upgrade was founded in 2017. It’s headquartered in San Francisco and 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 Big Bank : U.S. Bank
- APR Range: 8.74% – 24.99%
- Loan Amount: $1,000 – $25,000
- Loan Terms: 12 months – 60 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
If you’re more comfortable working with an established bank, then U.S. Bank is a good option for getting a fast personal loan, especially if you’re an existing customer. However, if you don’t already bank there, then you won’t be able to access its highest loan amount and longest repayment term.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Physical branches located in 27 states
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Doesn’t charge an origination fee
Cons
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Maximum loan amount of $25,000 for non-customers
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Maximum repayment term of 5 years for non-customers
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In-person support isn’t available nationwide
Overview
Big banks can provide a sense of security and a proven track record that many smaller lenders can’t. On top of these aspects, institutions like U.S. Bank typically have a greater number of physical branches. If you’ve read about or experienced the frustration of spending hours on hold after calling a customer service line, then you understand the value of having access to in-person support. That said, U.S. Bank only has branches in 27 states, so not every borrower will be able to utilize this benefit.
U.S. Bank is a good lender to work with whether you’re an existing customer or not, but the latter will have limited options. Specifically, non-customers can only take out a maximum of $25,000, and their repayment term can’t be longer than 60 months. Meanwhile, existing customers can apply for personal loans of up to $50,000, with repayment terms as long as 84 months. If the former isn’t sufficient for your needs, and you don’t have time to open a checking account, then you may be better off with a smaller lender.
U.S. Bank was originally founded as First National Bank of Cincinnati in 1863. Its headquarters is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and it has additional offices scattered throughout 27 states.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | Not disclosed |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% |
| Membership Requirement | None |
| Available Discounts | 0.50% autopay discount |
Read the Full U.S. Bank Personal Loans Review
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
Patelco combines same-day funding with a wide range of loan amounts and repayment terms, making it an excellent credit union for those who need cash fast. That said, you’ll have to apply for membership first (assuming you aren’t already a member), which may cost you more time than you can afford to spend.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Same-day funding
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Minimum loan amount of $300, maximum of $100,000
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Both secured and unsecured loans are available
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Doesn’t charge an origination fee
Cons
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Membership required
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Physical branches limited to California
Overview
While Patelco’s interest rates are certainly competitive, its main appeal comes from how flexible its loan amounts and repayment terms are. If you only need a few hundred dollars and want to pay as little interest as possible, you can get a personal loan for just $300 with a repayment term of six months. Conversely, if you require a great deal of funding and would rather spread your payments out over several years, you can apply for a $100,000 loan with an 84-month repayment term. Secured loans are also available.
While Patelco does have physical branches, all of them are concentrated in Northern California. Fortunately, membership is available to borrowers nationwide by joining the Financial Fitness Association, which costs $8 annually, and the lender will pay for your first year. California residents have additional options for joining Patelco; either way, if you’re in a rush to get your loan funds, you’ll have to decide if you can spare the time to jump through one of these hoops.
Patelco was founded in 1936. Its headquarters is located in Dublin, California, with 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 and 0.10% new member discounts |
Read the Full Patelco Credit Union Personal Loans Review
Best for Small Loans : Lake Michigan Credit Union
- APR Range: 9.99% – 18.00%
- Loan Amount: $250 – $25,000
- Loan Terms: 1 month – 60 months
On Investopedia
Why We Chose It
If you need an even smaller loan than what you could get at Patelco, or you just want to work with a different lender, then Lake Michigan Credit Union (LMCU) is a good alternative. However, it is the slower of the two, with a funding period of one business day.
Pros & Cons
Pros
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Minimum loan amount of $250
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Minimum repayment term of 1 month
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Doesn’t charge an origination fee
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Direct creditor payment offered
Cons
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Membership required
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Website contains few details about its personal loans
Overview
At $250 and one month, LMCU has the lowest loan amount and shortest repayment term, respectively, on this list. To put that into perspective, even with the maximum APR of 18%, you can borrow $250 in exchange for just $3.75 in interest (assuming you don’t miss your sole monthly payment and get charged a $4 late fee). If your credit is good enough to secure the 9.99%, that cost drops down to $2.08. Considering that riskier short-term lending options, such as payday loans, can have APRs in the triple digits, this is a much better deal.
However, this is still a credit union, so you’ll need to apply for membership. Add that to its single-day funding time, and it’s clear that Patelco or a non-credit union lender would be the faster option. Nevertheless, current members should consider LMCU if they need a small personal loan, and this is definitely still a viable option for non-members who can afford to wait a day or two.
LMCU was originally founded in 1933 as the Grand Rapids Teachers Credit Union. Its headquarters is located in West Michigan.
Additional Details
| Minimum Credit Score | 650 |
| Origination Fees | 0.00% |
| Membership Requirement | Live, work, or worship in Michigan’s lower peninsula area or anywhere in Florida, have a Patelco member as a family member or spouse, or make at least a $5 contribution to the ALS Foundation |
| Available Discounts | None |
Read the Full Lake Michigan Credit Union Personal Loans Review