We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What are the Different Types of Personal Loans for Bad Credit?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

When someone's credit has gone through some difficult times, it may be hard to obtain a personal loan. Fortunately, there are some types of loans that do not require perfect credit in order to qualify. In fact, there are several different kinds of personal loans for bad credit that may be ideal, depending on the specifics of a situation.

One quick and easy option is to go with a payday loan. Personal loans of this type usually require nothing more than proper identification, proof of a permanent residence, and verification of income. Some will also require a copy of the most recent checking account statement as well. There are usually limits on the amount of the loan and the interest can be extremely high.

Payday loans are perhaps the easiest of all personal loans for bad credit to manage. When a loan is approved, the borrower must provide the lender with a check that covers the amount of the loan plus the applicable interest. The check is held for the agreed-upon period of time, usually two weeks. At the end of that period, the lender deposits the check. Assuming that the bank does not return the check, that is the end of the transaction.

If someone needs a little more money than a payday loan can accommodate, a car title loan may be an option. Personal loans for bad credit of this type are based on the current value of a vehicle, and often allow the borrower to make payments over several months. The title to the vehicle is held as collateral for the loan. Once the borrower has repaid the loan in full, the lien on the title is lifted and the car title is returned.

If the credit is less than excellent but overall still fairly good, there is a good chance someone can qualify for a high-risk secured loan. Banks, finance companies, and other lending institutions sometimes offer these types of personal loans for bad credit, just at a higher rate of interest. As with most secured loans, the borrower will need to provide proof of employment, have some type of collateral that is at least equal to the amount being borrowed, and be willing to undergo a credit check. While the interest is likely to be somewhat high, lenders who offer these kinds of loans often report timely payments to the major credit reporting agencies quickly, which may help the overall credit rating.

Just because someone can’t walk into a bank and get an unsecured loan does not mean that he or she is without options. Personal loans for bad credit can be a a gateway to healing a damaged credit rating, especially if the borrower makes use of these options in a responsible manner.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum , Writer
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Discussion Comments

Malcolm Tatum

Malcolm Tatum

Writer

Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Read more
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.