Updated on30/04/2023

Best Personal Loans in Milwaukee

Navigating the personal loan market in Milwaukee can be challenging with so many options available. This article will guide you through the best personal loans in Milwaukee, comparing interest rates, loan terms, and additional features, to help you make an informed decision for your financial needs.

Written by:**Daniel Lewis**
MBA accredited investment professional

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This may affect which companies we write about and where the company appears on a page. However, any analyses, or reviews expressed in this article are those of the author’s alone, and have not been approved or endorsed by any partner.

At Finimpact, we've meticulously picked the best lender options in Milwaukee by conducting a thorough vetting and review process for each lender. Our comprehensive evaluation includes examining factors such as interest rates, loan terms, fees, and customer satisfaction. This extensive analysis ensures that our loan reviews can be trusted, providing you with a reliable source to make informed decisions when selecting a loan in Milwaukee.

Best Personal Loans for 2023 reviewed by Finimpact.com

Top Picks for Personal Loans in Milwaukee

LightStream - Best Overall Personal Loan
Avant - Best for Small Personal Loans
SoFi - Best Overall Personal Loan
Upgrade - Best for Emergency Loans
OneMain Financial - Best for Loans with Bad Credit

By using a trusted source like Finimpact, you can be confident in finding the most favorable loan terms, tailored to your specific financial situation. In Milwaukee, where the average credit score is 707 and the median household income is $45,473, choosing the right loan in Milwaukee is crucial for meeting your financial goals

Top Personal Loans in Milwaukee: Full Overview

LightStream — Best Overall Personal Loan

LightStream is our best personal loan overall because of their high loan amounts and the many repayment terms they offer. This provider advertises some of the lowest rates in the business, and offers an auto-pay interest discount, if you choose that payment option.

Pros

Low APRs for good credit

Loan amounts up to $100,000

Check your rate with no impact on your credit

Auto-pay discount available

Cons

Not available for borrowers with bad credit

Rates without auto-pay are .50% higher

Minimum loan amount of $5,000

The amount you can borrow with a LightStream personal loan varies based on the loan purpose, yet amounts up to $100,000 are available and loan terms can be up to 20 years. These loans come with no origination fees and no hidden fees, and a generous .50% auto-pay discount is available. Borrowers who qualify can expect interest rates from 3.49% to 19.99% with auto-pay.

To qualify, you need to have good credit that includes several years of credit history, sufficient income and assets to support your existing debt obligations and requested loan amount.

LightStream also has an app where customers can make payments, apply for new loans, track payment due dates, and track loan balances.

The Bottom Line

LightStream loans offer some of the industry’s lowest interest rates and some of its highest personal loan limits. If you have strong credit, this lender is ideal for you.

Try LightStream

Read more in the full LightStream review.

Avant — Best for Small Personal Loans

Avant is a solid option for borrowers who need a small personal loan from $2,000 to $35,000. Avant has a mobile app that lets you track your repayment progress and make payments using your mobile device.

Pros

Low loan amounts available

Check your rate with no impact on your credit

Mobile app available

Available for fair and poor credit

Cons

Administration fee up to 4.75%

Potential for a high APR

Lower borrowing limits than other lenders

To qualify for a personal loan from Avant you’ll need a minimum credit score of 580. Consider these fair to poor credit loans if you need a smaller amount of $2,000 to $35,000, less an administration fee (similar to an origination fee) of 4.75%. Interest rates range from 9.95% to 35.99% based on creditworthiness, and the loans are repayable over 24 to 60 months.

The Bottom Line

Avant personal loans work for borrowers who need less cash than the other personal loan companies offer. Borrowers can get prequalified without a hard inquiry, and can get funds deposited in their bank account the next business day after approval.

Try Avant

SoFi — Best for Loans with No Origination Fee

SoFi offers personal loans, student loans, investing, and banking services. The personal loan personal loan comes with no origination fees and no hidden fees, which is ideal for borrowers who want to get a personal loan at minimal cost. SoFi also generous loan limits for those who qualify, and borrowers can check their rate without any impact to their credit.

Pros

Loan amounts up to $100,000 available

Check your rate with no impact on your credit

No origination fees or hidden fees

Unemployment protection offered

Same-day funding available

Cons

High minimum loan amount of $5,000

Not available for bad credit

Lowest rates require auto-pay

SoFi offers personal loans in amounts from $5,000 to $100,000, and interest rates range from 5.99% to 21.78% with auto-pay depending on creditworthiness. Borrowers can repay their loans over 24 to 84 months, and there are no origination fees or hidden fees. While SoFi does not disclose their minimum credit score requirements, this company offers loans to individuals with good or excellent credit.

The Bottom Line

SoFi personal loans are perfect for borrowers with good credit who want to avoid origination or other fees. These loans also work well for borrowers who need a high loan amount, as well as those who already use other financial products from this financial services company.

Try SoFi

Upgrade — Best for Emergency Loans

Upgrade personal loans are available for up to $50,000, and you can get your loan funded in as little as one day. This makes Upgrade a smart option if you need an emergency loan. You can get prequalified without a hard inquiry to determine your approval odds before making a full application. Then, once you apply, get approved within minutes.

Pros

Check your rate with no impact on your credit

Funding in as little as one day

Generous loan amounts available

Choose from flexible repayment terms

Cons

Origination fee charged on every loan

Potential for a high APR

Personal loans through Upgrade come in amounts from $1,000 to $50,000, and borrowers can choose repayment terms that last from 24 to 84 months. Interest rates will fall between 5.94% to 35.97% depending on your creditworthiness. Also be aware that each Upgrade personal loan comes with an origination fee of 2.9% to 8%.

The Bottom Line

Upgrade personal loans can be funded as soon as the day after you apply. That makes them ideal for people who need a loan quickly , whether funds are required for a large purchase or an emergency expense.

Try Upgrade

OneMain Financial — Best for Loans with Bad Credit

OneMain Financial does not disclose their minimum credit score requirements. But, their loan options, interest rates, and terms make them ideal for borrowers with poor credit who may not get approved for other loans. Loan amounts are lower than some competing lenders offer, but OneMain Financial personal loans can still help you if you need access to cash. This company is also one of the few on our list that offers in-person branches you can visit if you need personalized help.

Pros

Available for bad credit borrowers

Visit 1,400 nationwide locations

Check your rate with no impact to your credit

Flexible repayment options

Cons

Lower loan amounts than other lenders

Potential for a very high APR

High origination fees likely

Borrowers who apply for a loan with OneMain Financial may get approved for from $1,500 to $20,000. Repayment terms are from 24 months to 60 months, and interest rates may fall between 18% and 35.99% depending on creditworthiness. An origination fee of 1% to 10% may apply, although applicants in some states may be asked to pay a flat fee instead.

The Bottom Line

If you have poor credit but you need a loan, OneMain Financial might be your answer. Interest rates and fees are high, but you could borrow up to $20,000, if you can prove your ability to repay.

Try OneMain Financial

Read more in the full OneMain Financial review.

Identifying Your Financial Needs and Goals

Before applying for a loan in Milwaukee, it's essential to identify your financial needs and goals. This will help you determine the right type of loan and the most suitable terms, ensuring that your borrowing decision aligns with your long-term financial objectives. To do this, start by assessing your current financial situation and defining your priorities.

Financial Needs	Description
Emergency funds	Prioritize accessible and low-interest loans for building an emergency fund, which helps avoid future debt.
Debt consolidation	Save money and simplify financial management by consolidating high-interest debts into a single, lower-interest loan.
Home improvement	Use home equity loans or personal loans to fund renovations, increasing your property's value and improving your living space.
Education	Finance your education with student loans or personal loans, investing in your future earning potential.
Medical expenses	Reduce stress during challenging times by using personal loans to cover unexpected medical bills.
Starting a business	Launch or grow a small business with the capital provided by business loans or personal loans, supporting your entrepreneurial ambitions.
Vacation or major purchase	Fund your dream vacation or big-ticket item with personal loans, but always weigh the cost against your overall financial goals.

Importance of Credit Scores and Debt-to-Income Ratio

A strong credit score and a healthy debt-to-income ratio are essential factors when considering a loan in Milwaukee. These factors play a significant role in determining loan eligibility, interest rates, and terms. Lenders assess these metrics to evaluate an applicant's creditworthiness and repayment capacity. Here are seven practical points to help you understand their importance:

Credit scores: Higher credit scores often result in better loan terms and lower interest rates, as they indicate a history of responsible borrowing and timely payments.
Building credit: Make timely payments, maintain low credit utilization, and diversify your credit mix to build a strong credit score over time.
Checking credit reports: Regularly review your credit reports to ensure accuracy and address any discrepancies promptly.
Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): DTI measures your monthly debt payments as a percentage of your gross monthly income. Lower ratios indicate better financial health and lower risk for lenders.
Improving DTI: Pay off high-interest debts, avoid taking on new debt, and increase your income to improve your debt-to-income ratio.
Loan pre-approval: Knowing your credit score and DTI can help you estimate loan eligibility and better negotiate with lenders.
Responsible borrowing: Borrow only what you need, make timely payments, and consider the long-term impact of loans on your overall financial health to maintain a strong credit score and DTI