How the loan-matching process works
One short request, lenders that may be able to help, and offers you compare on your own schedule. Here is each step, what to expect and how long it usually takes.
On this page
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Step 1: Tell us what you need
Start by completing the free request form. You choose an amount between $500 and $5,000, describe what it is for and share basic income and contact details so lenders can review your request.
The form asks for information lenders commonly use: your name, date of birth, address, email, phone number, employment or income source, monthly take-home pay and whether you rent or own. Some lenders also ask for the last four digits of your Social Security number at this stage so they can identify you. Having a recent pay stub or bank statement nearby makes the later steps faster, because lenders often ask you to confirm income before funding.
Request the amount you actually need. Asking for $3,000 when a $1,800 repair is the real cost adds interest you do not have to pay.
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Step 2: We share your request with lenders
After you submit, we pass your request to lenders and lending partners in our network that may serve your amount, state and profile. We do not review, approve or decline anything ourselves.
Each lender applies its own criteria, which can include income, existing debts, credit history and where you live. Because lending rules and lender coverage differ by state, the number of lenders that see a request from Texas may differ from one in Vermont. Whether a lender runs a soft inquiry, which does not affect your credit score, or a hard inquiry, which can, depends on that lender. Many use a soft check to show a preliminary offer and a hard check only when you choose to move forward.
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Step 3: How lenders contact you
Lenders that may be able to help usually present an offer on screen, by email, by text or by phone. Timing ranges from a few minutes to about one business day, depending on the lender.
You might see an offer page right after submitting, receive an email with a link to review terms, or get a call from a lender asking a clarifying question about income. A legitimate lender will identify itself by name and explain its terms in writing. It will never ask you to pay an upfront fee, buy a gift card or wire money to receive a loan. If you get a message like that, stop and contact us. If no lender can help, you may see a message saying so or receive no offer at all.
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Step 4: Compare offers on total cost
Compare offers by monthly payment, total repayment, APR, origination fee and funding speed. The lowest monthly payment is not always the cheapest option over the life of the loan.
Here is how two offers for the same $2,000 request can differ. The figures are illustrative estimates:
| Detail | Offer A | Offer B |
|---|---|---|
| APR | 24% | 29.99% |
| Term | 12 months | 18 months |
| Monthly payment | $189.12 | $139.33 |
| Total repaid | $2,269.44 | $2,507.94 |
| Interest paid | $269.44 | $507.94 |
Offer B saves about $50 a month but costs roughly $238 more overall. If an offer includes an origination fee, check whether it is deducted from the amount you receive, since a 5% fee on $2,000 would leave you with $1,900. Our personal loan calculator and rates guide can help you run your own comparison.
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Step 5: Finish with the lender you choose
Once you pick an offer, you complete the application directly with that lender, verify your information and sign the loan agreement. If approved, funds may arrive as soon as the next business day.
Verification can include uploading a pay stub, linking a bank account or confirming your identity with a photo ID. Read the agreement before signing, paying attention to the due date, the late fee, whether autopay is required and whether there is a prepayment penalty. From this point on the loan is between you and the lender: you make payments to the lender, and questions about balances or due dates go to the lender as well.
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Typical timing from request to funds
The whole process often takes one to three business days from request to deposit, though it can be faster or slower depending on the lender, your bank and how quickly you complete verification.
| Stage | Typical time (estimate) |
|---|---|
| Completing the request form | About 5 minutes |
| Seeing a first offer | A few minutes to 1 business day |
| Lender application and verification | 15 minutes to 1 business day |
| Deposit after approval | As soon as the next business day |
Requests submitted late on a Friday or before a bank holiday often fund later because banks do not process deposits on weekends. Answering lender calls and uploading documents promptly is the simplest way to avoid delays.
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What we never do
We never charge borrowers a fee, never promise approval and never pressure you to accept an offer. Using our service creates no obligation to borrow anything.
- We never ask you to pay upfront to see or receive an offer.
- We never tell you a lender has already approved you before it has.
- We never set your rate, term or fees; lenders do.
- We never ask for passwords to your bank or email accounts.
- We never hold or move the money you borrow.
You can find more on how we handle your information in our privacy policy, and on how lenders compensate us in our advertiser disclosure.
Ready to compare personal loan offers?
One free request, about five minutes, and no obligation to accept any offer.