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Need a $5,000 Personal Loan? Follow This Process to Get It Fast

Matt Carter Matt Carter Updated November 11, 2020

Our goal is to give you the tools and confidence you need to improve your finances. Although we receive compensation from our partner lenders, whom we will always identify, all opinions are our own. Credible Operations, Inc. NMLS # 1681276, is referred to here as "Credible."

If you’ve got unexpected expenses like home repairs, medical bills or moving expenses, a $5,000 loan might be a more affordable alternative than racking up charges on a credit card.

Keep reading to find out where to get a personal loan, what to consider, and how to apply for one that fits your needs.

Quick navigation:

  • Where to get a $5,000 loan
  • What to consider when comparing loans
  • Cost to repay a $5,000 personal loan
  • Alternatives to personal loans

Where to get a $5,000 loan

Since every lender has its own method of evaluating borrowers, it’s important to check prequalified rates from multiple lenders, rather than relying on advertised rates or comparison tables. Here are some places to look when you’re looking for $5,000 personal loan options.

  • Online lenders
  • Banks
  • Credit unions

Online lenders

Online lenders can be a good source for $5,000 loans because they typically offer a streamlined, digital loan application process. Some might even be able to approve and fund your loan the next business day. Depending on the lender, you might also be able to get a better interest rate from an online lender than a bank or credit union.

The personal loan companies in the table below compete for your business through Credible. You can request rates from all of these partner lenders by filling out just one form (instead of one form for each) and without affecting your credit score.

LenderFixed ratesLoan amounts
avant

View details
9.95% - 35.99% APR$2,000 to $35,000**
  • Rates: 9.95% - 35.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4, 5*
  • Loan amount: $2,000 to $35,000**
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except CO, CT, HI, IA, NV, NY, VT, and WV
  • Min. income: $24,000
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 580
  • Time to get funds: As soon as the next business day (if approved by 4:30 p.m. CT on a weekday)
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, emergency expense, life event, home improvement, and other purposes

Avant personal loans review

*If approved, the actual loan terms that a customer qualifies for may vary based on credit determination, state law, and other factors. Minimum loan amounts vary by state.

**Example: A $5,700 loan with an administration fee of 4.75% and an amount financed of $5,429.25, repayable in 36 monthly installments, would have an APR of 29.95% and monthly payments of $230.33.

axos

View details
6.49% - 29.99% APR$5,000 to $35,000
  • Rates: 6.49% - 29.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Loan amount: $5,000 to $35,000
  • Fees: No prepayment penalty
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all 50 states
  • Min. income: Does not disclose
  • Customer service: Phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 740
  • Time to get funds: Next business day
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes

Axos Bank personal loans review

best egg

View details
5.99% - 29.99% APR$5,000 to $35,000
  • Rates: 5.99% - 29.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 3, 5
  • Loan amount: $5,000 - $35,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except DC, IA, VT, and WV
  • Min. income: None
  • Customer service: Phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 600
  • Time to get funds: As soon as 1 - 3 business days after successful verification
  • Loan uses: Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes

Best Egg personal loans review

discover

View details
6.99% - 24.99% APR$2,500 to $35,000
  • Rates: 6.99% - 24.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Loan amount: $2,500 - $35,000
  • Fees: None as long as you pay on time
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all 50 states
  • Customer service: Phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 660
  • Time to get funds: Funds can be sent as soon as the next business day after acceptance
  • Loan uses: Auto repair, credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home remodel or repair, major purchase, medical expenses, taxes, vacation, and wedding

Discover personal loans review

freedomplus

View details
7.99% - 29.99% APR$10,000 to $35,000
  • Rates: 7.99% - 29.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Loan amount: $7,500 - $40,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: Does not disclose
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except CO, CT, HI, KS, MA, ME, NH, NV, NY, ND, OR, RI, VT, WV, WI, and WY
  • Min. income: None
  • Customer service: Phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Time to get funds: As soon as 2 business days
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, home improvement, wedding, travel, medical expenses, and other purposes

FreedomPlus personal loans review

lendingclub

View details
10.68% - 35.89% APR$1,000 to $40,000
  • Rates: 10.68% - 35.89% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 3, 5
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $40,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except IA
  • Min. income: None
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 600
  • Time to get funds: Usually takes about 3 days†
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, paying off credit cards, home improvement, pool loans, vacations, and other purposes

LendingClub personal loans review

†Based on a majority of borrowers from LendingClub's marketing partners who were issued loans between 1/1/19-12/13/19. The time it takes for your loan to be funded may vary.

lendingpoint

View details
15.49% - 35.99% APR$2,000 to $25,000
  • Rates: 15.49% - 35.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4
  • Loan amount: $2,000 to $25,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except CO, CT, HI, MA, MD, NV, NY, VT, WV, and WY
  • Min. income: $35,000
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 585
  • Time to get funds: As soon as the next business day
  • Loan uses: Home improvement, consolidate debt, credit card refinancing, relocate, make a large purchase, and other purposes

LendingPoint personal loans review

lightstream

View details
3.99% - 19.99% APR$5,000 to $100,000
  • Rates: 3.99% - 19.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (up to 12 years for home improvement loans)
  • Loan amount: $5,000 to $100,000
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except RI and VT
  • Min. income: Does not disclose
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: No
  • Min. credit score: 660
  • Time to get funds: As soon as the same business day
  • Loan uses: Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes

LightStream personal loans review

LightStream disclosure

marcus

View details
6.99% - 19.99% APR1$3,500 to $40,0002
  • Rates: 6.99% - 19.99% APR1
  • Loan terms (years): 3, 4, 5, 6
  • Loan amount: $3,500 to $40,0002
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available in all 50 states
  • Min. income: $30,000
  • Customer service: Phone
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 660
    (TransUnion FICO®️ Score 9)
  • Time to get funds: Many Marcus customers receive funds in as little as five days
  • Loan uses: Credit card refinancing, debt consolidation, home improvement, and other purposes

Marcus personal loans review

1Rate reduction of 0.25% available for AutoPay.

2You may be required to have some of your funds sent directly to pay off outstanding unsecured debt.

3After making 12 or more consecutive monthly payments, you can defer one payment as long as you have made all your prior payments in full and on time. Marcus will waive any interest incurred during the deferral and extend your loan by one month (you will pay interest during this extra month). Your payments resume as usual after your deferral. Advance notice is required. See loan agreement for details.

onemain financial

View details
18.00% - 35.99% APR$1,500 to $20,000
  • Rates: 18.00% - 35.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Loan amount: $1,500 to $20,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Must have photo I.D. issued by U.S. federal, state or local government
  • Min. income: Does not disclose
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: None
  • Time to get funds: As soon as the same day, but usually requires a visit to a branch office

OneMain Financial personal loans review

payoff

View details
5.99% - 24.99% APR$5,000 to $40,000
  • Rates: 5.99% - 24.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Loan amount: $5,000 to $40,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except MA, MS, NE, NV, and OH
  • Min. income: None
  • Customer service: Phone, email, chat
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 640
  • Time to get funds: As soon as 2 - 5 business days after verification
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation and credit card consolidation only

Payoff personal loans review

penfed

View details
6.49% - 17.99% APR$600 to $20,000
(depending on loan term)
  • Rates: 6.49% - 17.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  • Loan amount: $600 to $20,000 (depending on loan term)
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Does not disclose
  • Min. income: Does not disclose
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: No
  • Min. credit score: 670
  • Time to get funds: 2 to 4 business days after verification
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, home improvement, transportation, medical, dental, life events

PenFed personal loans review

prosper

View details
6.95% - 35.99% APR$2,000 to $40,000
  • Rates: 6.95% - 35.99% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 3, 5
  • Loan amount: $2,000 to $40,000
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except IA, ND, WV
  • Min. income: None
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 640
  • Time to get funds: On average, within 5 days of accepting your offer
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, home improvement, vehicles, small business, new baby expenses, and other purposes

Prosper personal loans review

sofi

View details
5.99% - 18.83% APR$5,000 to $100,000
  • Rates: 5.99% - 18.83% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
  • Loan amount: $5,000 to $100,000
  • Fees: None
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except MS
  • Min. income: Does not disclose
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: Does not disclose
  • Time to get funds: 3 business days
  • Loan uses: Solely for personal, family, or household uses

SoFi personal loans review

upstart

View details
6.94% - 35.97% APR$1,000 to $50,000
  • Rates: 6.94% - 35.97% APR
  • Loan terms (years): 3, 5
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $50,000 ($3,005 minimum in GA; $6,005 minimum in MA)
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: Autopay
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except IA and WV
  • Min. income: Does not disclose
  • Customer service: Email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 580
  • Time to get funds: Within a day of clearing necessary verifications
  • Loan uses: Debt consolidation, credit card refinancing, home improvement, and other purposes

Upgrade personal loans review

upstart

View details
8.13% - 35.99% APR4$1,000 to $50,0005
  • Rates: 8.13% - 35.99% APR4
  • Loan terms (years): 3 to 5 years4
  • Loan amount: $1,000 to $50,0005
  • Fees: Origination fee
  • Discounts: None
  • Eligibility: Available in all states except IA and WV
  • Min. income: $12,000
  • Customer service: Phone, email
  • Soft credit check: Yes
  • Min. credit score: 580
  • Time to get funds: As soon as 1 - 3 business days6
  • Loan uses: Payoff credit cards, consolidate debt, take a course or bootcamp, relocate, make a large purchase, and other purposes

Upstart personal loans review

4The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 15% and 36 monthly payments of $33 per $1,000 borrowed. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Average APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.

5This offer is conditioned on final approval based on our consideration and verification of financial and non-financial information. Rate and loan amount are subject to change based upon information received in your full application. This offer may be accepted only by the person identified in this offer, who is old enough to legally enter into contract for the extension of credit, a US citizen or permanent resident, and a current resident of the US. Duplicate offers received are void. Closing your loan is contingent on your meeting our eligibility requirements, our verification of your information, and your agreement to the terms and conditions on the www.upstart.com website.

6If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), loan funds will be sent to your designated bank account on the next business day, provided that such funds are not being used to directly pay off credit cards. Loans used to fund education related expenses are subject to a 3 business day wait period between loan acceptance and funding in accordance with federal law.

Compare rates from these lenders without affecting your credit score. 100% free!

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All APRs reflect autopay and loyalty discounts where available | LightStream disclosure | Read more about Rates and Terms

See the Full List: The Best Personal Loan Companies

Banks

Although the application process might not be as effortless, there can be advantages to borrowing from a bank. You might be able to get a small interest rate discount if you already have a bank account with a certain institution.

Like other lenders, banks often offer autopay discounts if let them take your monthly loan payments directly out of your checking account or savings account. Surprisingly, some big banks like Chase, Bank of America, and Capital One don’t offer personal loans.

Credit unions

You do have to join a credit union before it will consider lending money to you. But many have loose membership requirements that make it easy to join. If you’re borrowing from a credit union, check to see if it offers an autopay interest rate discount.

What to consider when comparing loans

If you’re looking for the right personal loan for your financial situation, here’s everything you should consider.

  • Amount
  • Interest rates
  • Repayment terms
  • Fees and total cost

Amount

A $5,000 personal loan might seem like a lot of money, but most lenders will go higher. The upper limit for many lenders is $35,000, but many will lend up to $50,000 or $100,000 — since some people take out larger loan amounts to consolidate credit card debt or pay off other high-interest debt.

Many lenders, however, won’t bother with loans of less than $1,000. If you need to borrow less than $1,000, you might run into some payday loans. You should proceed with caution, since payday loans often carry high interest rates and finance charges.

Interest rates

To get the lowest interest rate, it’s important to compare the rates and terms you can qualify for with multiple lenders. For example, although you might be able to get a $5,000 loan with poor credit, expect to pay a higher interest rate than you would with excellent credit.

Repayment terms

Repayment terms for personal loans are typically two to seven years. The shorter the loan term, the lower the interest rate offered by most lenders. But because you’ll be making fewer payments, you’ll also have a bigger monthly payment.

Choosing the loan term with the shortest repayment term and highest monthly payment you can afford can help you get a better interest rate and pay less in interest.

Fees and total cost

Although it’s easy to get fixated on interest rates and monthly payments, you should also keep a close eye on fees and total repayment costs.

Review the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) disclosure provided by your lender. When comparing loans, there are two numbers in the disclosure that are typically helpful:

  1. The finance charge: This outlines the costs associated with your loan, including interest and fees.
  2. Total payments: This is how much you’ll pay back altogether, including the loan principal and finance charges.

Note that the above costs can increase if you miss a payment or make a late payment.

[ Jump to top ]

Cost to repay a $5,000 personal loan

The table below shows the relationship between the loan repayment term, interest rate, monthly payment, and total interest charges. The interest rates in the table are hypothetical and are for purposes of illustration only.

Repayment termInterest rateMonthly paymentTotal interest
2 years
6%$222$318
3 years7%$154$558
4 years8%$122$859
5 years9%$104$1,228
7 years10%$83$1,972

You can use our personal loan calculator to estimate the monthly payment and total interest charges for loans with other rates and terms.

Enter your loan information to calculate how much you could pay

? Enter the total amount borrowed $
? Enter your annual interest rate %
or
? Enter the amount of time you have to repay your loan years
Total Payment $
Total Interest $
Monthly Payment $

With a $ loan, you will pay $ monthly and a total of $ in interest over the life of your loan. You will pay a total of $ over the life of the loan.


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Personal loan alternatives

If the limits on your credit cards are high enough, or you have multiple credit cards, you can consider using them for the amount you need — especially if it’s on the lower end, like $5,000 or less. But make sure you’re able to pay off your balance in full each month. If not, you’ll end up paying a lot in interest.

Since personal loans typically have a much lower interest rate than credit cards, getting a personal loan might be the better choice if you don’t expect to be able to pay it back quickly. Just make sure to do your research and choose whatever makes sense for your finances.

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About Rates and Terms: Rates for personal loans provided by lenders on the Credible platform range between 4.99-35.99% APR with terms from 12 to 84 months. Rates presented include lender discounts for enrolling in autopay and loyalty programs, where applicable. Actual rates may be different from the rates advertised and/or shown and will be based on the lender’s eligibility criteria, which include factors such as credit score, loan amount, loan term, credit usage and history, and vary based on loan purpose. The lowest rates available typically require excellent credit, and for some lenders, may be reserved for specific loan purposes and/or shorter loan terms. The origination fee charged by the lenders on our platform ranges from 0% to 8%. Each lender has their own qualification criteria with respect to their autopay and loyalty discounts (e.g., some lenders require the borrower to elect autopay prior to loan funding in order to qualify for the autopay discount). All rates are determined by the lender and must be agreed upon between the borrower and the borrower’s chosen lender. For a loan of $10,000 with a three year repayment period, an interest rate of 7.99%, a $350 origination fee and an APR of 11.51%, the borrower will receive $9,650 at the time of loan funding and will make 36 monthly payments of $313.32. Assuming all on-time payments, and full performance of all terms and conditions of the loan contract and any discount programs enrolled in included in the APR/interest rate throughout the life of the loan, the borrower will pay a total of $11,279.43. As of March 12, 2019, none of the lenders on our platform require a down payment nor do they charge any prepayment penalties.

About the author
Matt Carter
Matt Carter

Matt Carter is a Credible expert on student loans. Analysis pieces he’s contributed to have been featured by CNBC, CNN Money, USA Today, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post.

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Home » All » Personal Loans » Need a $5,000 Personal Loan? Follow This Process to Get It Fast

Personal Loan Basics


  • How to Get a Personal Loan
  • Qualify for a Personal Loan
  • Where to Get a Personal Loan
  • Time to Fund a Personal Loan
  • How to Get Out of Credit Card Debt

Personal Loan Amounts

  • Get a $5,000 Loan
  • Get a $10,000 Loan
  • Get a $20,000 Loan
  • Get a $50,000 Loan
  • Get a $100,000 Loan

Tools and Resources

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  • Get Personal Loan Rates
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