How Do I Secure a Personal Loan If I Have Very Poor Credit? 5 Tips

Personal loans are kind of the holy grail of loans. What could be better than a loan that is easy to get, for which you do not have to put up any collateral, and for which you do not have to explain to anyone how you are planning on using the cash?

Unlike mortgage, auto, and boat loans, personal loans are a pretty good deal all around. Of course, you will have to pay a higher interest rate for a personal loan than you would if you were going to take out a loan to buy a home or a car. But, the bright side is that, if you pay back the loan within a few months or years, the total amount in interest you pay does not have to be all that much.

The trouble that a lot of folks run into when considering applying for this type of loan is the concern about their credit score. After all, you may be wondering, “How do I secure a personal loan if I have very poor credit?” This is a legitimate question. If you are not putting anything up as collateral, how can the lender know that you are good for it?
Here are 5 tips that can help you get the personal loan you need, even if you have bad credit:

1. Fish where the fish are:

There is an old saying among sportsmen and outdoors types: “Fish where the fish are.” This is simple, commonsense advice that you would think everybody would just naturally know. But, believe it or not, there are plenty of fishermen out there who continue to fish in places where there literally are no fish anywhere to be found.

Similarly, if you have been looking for a loan in all the wrong places, it is no wonder that you may be feeling discouraged about your chances for getting funded, given your poor FICO (credit) score and all. Know where to look for your loan and that is half the battle.

2. See out “bad credit personal loan lenders”:

Start your search by doing an online search for “bad credit personal loan lenders.” Also, try consulting reputable online resources about where to find such a lender. Make a list of at least 3 such lenders.

3. Come to the conversation armed with knowledge about your credit score:

Make sure that you approach any conversation you start with these lenders as a knowledgeable person. This means, for starters, that you have researched your credit score ahead of time.

4. Get at least 3-5 loan offers:

Now, start applying for loans. Remember, even though you are fishing in the right “pond” of lenders, it still helps to cast your line into the water multiple times. Meaning: be sure to keep applying until you get at least 3 or more offers. Multiple offers means a better chance of landing that low interest rate you deserve.

5. Have your bank account information ready:

Hint: as you call around or apply online, have your bank account information – including the routing number and account number – nearby. You will need to supply this to the lenders so that they can fund your account.

Follow these 5 tips for securing a personal loan even if you have very poor credit.