Small Online Personal Loans: What You Need To Know

As of the second quarter of 2022, statistics suggest there is as much as $192 billion in personal loans for consumer debt.

Why so much?

When consumers borrow money, it is not just about buying a house or a car. Small online personal loans are brilliant solutions to help people get the funds they need to overcome one of life’s hurdles.

When you need a little cash for an emergency or to pay for something small that will help you live a better life, but you don’t have the money in your savings, small loans help. They are a temporary patch-up.

If you are thinking about a small online personal loan to help you cross a bridge and get to the other side, there are some things you need to know. With these tidbits, you will be ready to make the best decision with online personal loans.

Here are the essential details to consider.

Online Personal Loan Requirements

It will vary by lender. However, there are some considerations that every consumer must understand and be ready for when requesting small loans, such as your income and your credit score.

It’s good to shop around. When you do, you want to know what the typical qualifications are so that you can meet their requirements. Plus, it is good to have standard documentation readily available to move through the application process quicker.

Here are the standard documents that many lenders require.

Credit Score and History

This is usually the most important factor in determining if you will get an online personal loan. Usually, your credit score must fall in the range of 300 to 850. Your score comprises many factors, including your length of credit history, your history of payments, and outstanding debt.

Often a lender will ask for a 600-credit score or higher to get approval for a loan. However, depending on the lender, you could get approval for a small online personal loan even if you have no credit history.

Income

Lenders must know you can pay back their loan. Each lender will require a different threshold. Many lenders will not disclose to you what their minimum income requirement is.

When applying for loans online, there are a few ways to prove how much you make. Pay stubs, recent tax returns, and monthly bank statements are options. If necessary, you could have your employer sign a letter on your behalf.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

This will tell the lender your gross monthly income. It is a percentage of how much of your payment goes toward debt.

A lender uses your debt-to-income ratio to predict your ability to repay a small online personal loan. DTI should be at 36%, which would be ideal. However, if an applicant seems highly qualified, they could raise their ratio to 50%.

Documentation for Personal Loans

When you are ready to request a small online personal loan formally, lenders will ask for some documentation. It is to confirm who you are and where you live and work.

Usually, the lender will ask for the following documents.

Online Loan Application

You must complete a form to begin the lending process. Each lender will have its own application. However, in the most basic form, you will need to give the lender your personal information, how much the small loan is for, and the reason for the loan.

Proof of Identity

Usually, you need two forms of identification that are government issued. This can include:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• State-issued ID
• Military ID
• Birth certificate

For any other forms of identification, you can check with the lender to see if they will accept it or not.

Verification of Income and Employer

It is vital to establish proof that you can pay back the new small online personal loan. You can usually do this by providing evidence of your current earnings and showing your employment history.

You can prove this with W-2s, 1099s, tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and providing your employer’s contact information.

Proof of Address

Some lenders want to see you have a stable living situation. Part of this is by providing the lender proof of your address. It can be a lease agreement, recent utility bill, voter registration card, etc.

How to Get Small Online Personal Loans

You could help a lender reach their decision on the same day if you have everything complete and ready to go. So, when you are prepared to request a small online personal loan, here is what you need to come to the table ready.

1. Check your credit score and that it meets the minimum requirements
2. Boost your credit score if you can by paying down debt or checking for inaccuracies
3. Know how much you want to request
4. Shop around with lender prequalification
5. Gather competitive rates
6. Choose your lender and submit a formal application

If you request a small online personal loan and they deny you, ask for a specific reason that your small loan did not get approval. Double-check that your application did not contain any errors in it, too.

You could consider asking someone you know to co-sign if you cannot get the small online personal loan on your own.

The Online Personal Loan Experts

Do you need a little cash to make it over a hurdle life has thrown your way?

Fast Loan Direct is here to help. We make applying for small online personal loans simple, so you can get approval fast, receive the funds, and be on your way to a better quality of life.

With Fast Loan Direct, it is just one simple form. After approval, you could receive the funds on the next business day.

Don’t let financial worry weigh you down any longer. We have a solution. Start your prequalification now!