
Lending Club for debt consolidation can be a game-changer for those struggling with multiple debts. By consolidating debts into one loan, individuals can simplify their finances and potentially save money on interest.
Lending Club offers a range of loan options, with interest rates starting as low as 6.95% APR. This can be a significant reduction compared to credit card interest rates, which can range from 15% to 30% or more.
The application process is relatively quick and easy, taking just a few minutes to complete online. This streamlined process allows borrowers to get the funds they need to pay off their debts quickly.
With Lending Club, borrowers can choose from a variety of loan terms, including 3 and 5-year options. This flexibility can help individuals create a repayment plan that works for them.
Benefits of Lending Club
Lending Club offers borrowers a simple online application process that doesn't impact their credit score.
The entire process is online, using technology to lower the cost of credit and pass the savings back to borrowers in the form of lower rates.
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You can get a loan of up to $35,000 for personal use, or up to $300,000 for business use, with rates starting as low as 6.16%.
One of the best things about Lending Club is that you'll never have to worry about hidden fees or prepayment penalties.
Here are some of the key benefits of using Lending Club:
- Easy online application
- Low fixed rates, starting at 6.16%
- Fixed monthly payments
- Flexible terms
- No prepayment penalties
- No hidden fees
- Friendly service
Debt Consolidation Process
Consolidating your loan through Lending Club is a straightforward process that can be completed in a small fraction of the time it would take for a traditional debt consolidation loan. Just follow the 4 steps below to get started.
To begin, you'll need to apply for a loan on the Lending Club website. They'll evaluate your credit score, income, employment, credit history, debt-to-income ratio, and other factors to determine your loan grade and interest rate.
Your loan grade is based on a risk rating system, which assigns interest rates accordingly. The better your credit, the lower your interest rate will be.
Lending Club has handled over $20 billion in loans since its inception in 2007, and has paid nearly $600 million in interest to investors.
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Loan Approval and Rates
You can get approved for a Lending Club loan and receive a competitive rate based on your credit profile.
For example, Matt and his wife Betsy were able to secure an $11,000 loan to consolidate their debts, with a rate of 9.32%. This was a significant reduction from the high interest credit cards they were paying off.
The origination fees for the loan were $85, but they ultimately saved $500 in interest expense by consolidating their debts through Lending Club.
The rate you're offered will depend on your credit profile, but with Lending Club, you may be able to secure a lower rate than you're currently paying on your high interest credit cards.
Caveats and Considerations
Before taking out a debt consolidation loan through Lending Club, it's essential to understand the realities of debt consolidation. Debt consolidation isn't a get-out-of-jail free card – once you've done the consolidation, you still owe the same amount of money that you did before.
To make debt consolidation work for you, the loan should either provide you with a lower monthly payment or a quicker payoff of the combination of the loans that you are consolidating. A payment reduction should be used to increase your principal payments, so that you repay the debt consolidation faster than the original term.
Here are some key considerations to keep in mind:
- Debt consolidation should be used to get you out of debt – not make your debt easier to live with.
- You should not borrow money from any other sources until the debt consolidation loan is completely paid – otherwise the debt consolidation will become just another loan.
Caveats on Debt Loans
Debt consolidation loans can be a great way to simplify your finances, but it's essential to understand the realities involved. Debt consolidation isn't a magic solution that makes all your debt disappear.
To get the most out of a debt consolidation loan, you need to make sure it either provides a lower monthly payment or a quicker payoff of the combined loans. This means you should use any payment reduction to increase your principal payments, allowing you to repay the debt faster than the original term.
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Here are some key things to keep in mind when considering a debt consolidation loan:
- Debt consolidation doesn't erase your debt; you still owe the same amount of money.
- The loan should help you pay off your debt faster or with a lower monthly payment.
- Don't borrow more money until the consolidation loan is paid off.
- The goal of debt consolidation is to get out of debt, not just make it easier to live with.
Remember, a debt consolidation loan is a tool to help you manage your debt, not a way to avoid paying it off. By understanding these realities, you can use debt consolidation loans effectively to achieve financial stability.
Does Hurt Credit Score?
Having a credit score is not a static thing, it's dynamic and can change over time. This is because your credit score is based on your credit history, which is constantly being updated.
Missing payments can drop your credit score by up to 100 points. This can happen if you forget to pay a bill or if a payment is returned due to insufficient funds.
Late payments can also hurt your credit score, with a 30-day late payment potentially dropping your score by 60 points. A 90-day late payment can drop your score by 110 points.
Closing old accounts can actually hurt your credit score, not help it. This is because closing old accounts can increase your credit utilization ratio, which can negatively impact your credit score.
Credit inquiries can also hurt your credit score, with multiple inquiries in a short period of time potentially dropping your score by 10-30 points.
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Pros and Cons
As you consider debt consolidation, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons carefully. The specifics may vary depending on the loan you're using and the types of debt you're consolidating.
One of the main advantages of debt consolidation is that it can lower the interest rate on your debt. This can save you money over time and make your debt more manageable.
Lowering your monthly payments is another benefit of debt consolidation. This can be a huge relief if you're struggling to make ends meet.
However, debt consolidation may require good credit. If your credit score is poor, you may not qualify for a consolidation loan.
A fixed repayment term can take longer to repay your debt, which may not be ideal for those who want to pay off their debt quickly.
Streamlining multiple monthly payments into one can be a huge advantage of debt consolidation. This can make it easier to keep track of your finances and make timely payments.
On the other hand, debt consolidation might increase the risk of losing collateral, depending on the loan type. This is something to consider carefully before making a decision.
Debt consolidation may also charge fees, which can add to the overall cost of your debt. Be sure to factor these fees into your decision.
Here's a summary of the pros and cons of debt consolidation:
Features and Options
A credit card consolidation loan can be a game-changer for managing debt.
With a credit card consolidation loan, you can roll multiple high-interest credit card debts into a single loan with a fixed rate and term. This can help you save money over the life of the loan with a competitive rate.
By consolidating your debt, you'll have the benefit of making just one monthly payment, which can be a huge relief.
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New LendingClub Feature for Direct Card Payoff
The new LendingClub feature lets customers pay off card debt directly by sending loan proceeds to their credit card company.
This feature is optional for borrowers and can simplify the process of consolidating card debt.
LendingClub officials said that borrowers who agree to pay off their credit card balances directly may qualify for better terms than they would otherwise receive.
Borrowers can list the creditors they'd like to pay and how much each one should get, and the money they didn't use to pay debt goes into their bank account.
Balance transfer loans from LendingClub have fixed terms and fixed APRs, unlike balance transfer credit cards which often feature introductory periods with 0% annual percentage rates.
Personal loans from LendingClub have three- to five-year terms and APRs between 6.95% and 35.89%.
At the end of the first quarter of 2019, 67% of the borrowers in LendingClub’s prime program reported using their loan proceeds to refinance existing loans or pay off their credit cards.
LendingClub has facilitated more than $47 billion in loans in its 12-year history and reported loan originations of about $8 billion in the first nine months of last year.
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Personal Loans vs. Credit Cards
Personal loans are a great option for consolidating debt, as they often come with fixed interest rates and flexible repayment terms. You can use the money to pay off multiple debts, such as credit cards and medical bills.
One of the main benefits of personal loans is that they're unsecured, meaning you don't risk losing any property if you default on the loan. This can be a big advantage over credit cards, which can put your assets at risk.
Debt consolidation loans, including personal loans, should provide a lower monthly payment or a quicker payoff of the combined debt. If the loan only reduces your monthly payment without speeding up the payoff, it's not doing its job.
With a personal loan, you can consolidate multiple debts into one loan, making it easier to manage your payments. However, some debts, such as student loans, can't be consolidated with a personal loan.
Here are some key differences between personal loans and credit cards:
Remember, debt consolidation isn't a get-out-of-jail free card – you still owe the same amount of money, but with a more manageable payment plan.
Comparison and Decision
Compare the best loan offer with your current debts to see if refinancing makes sense. You can also pick and choose—you don’t need to refinance all your debts.
Refinancing can be a smart move if you find a lower interest rate or better terms. This can save you money in the long run and make your debt more manageable.
You don't need to refinance all your debts at once. You can start with one or two high-interest accounts and see how it goes before making further decisions.
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Application and Process
To apply for debt consolidation through Lending Club, you'll need to create an account and provide personal and financial information. This includes your income, employment history, and credit score.
Lending Club offers a variety of loan options with terms ranging from 36 to 60 months. Borrowers can choose from loans with fixed or variable interest rates.
You can apply for a loan online, either by visiting the Lending Club website or through the mobile app. The application process typically takes around 10-15 minutes to complete.
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Lending Club uses a peer-to-peer lending model, where investors fund loans rather than a traditional bank. This can result in lower interest rates and more flexible repayment terms.
Once your application is approved, the funds will be deposited directly into your bank account. You can then use the money to pay off high-interest debts, such as credit card balances.
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Financial Management
Financial Management is a crucial aspect of debt consolidation. By consolidating debts into one loan, you can simplify your payments and potentially save money on interest.
Lending Club offers a range of loan options with fixed interest rates, ranging from 6% to 36%. This means you'll know exactly how much you'll be paying each month.
Consolidating debts can help you pay off high-interest loans faster. For example, if you have a credit card with a 20% interest rate, consolidating it into a Lending Club loan with a 12% interest rate can save you thousands of dollars in interest over time.
With Lending Club, you can borrow between $1,000 and $40,000, depending on your creditworthiness. This flexibility allows you to tackle a wide range of debt consolidation needs.
Paying off debt can also improve your credit score, which can help you qualify for better loan terms in the future. By consolidating debts and making regular payments, you can demonstrate your creditworthiness to lenders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does consolidating debt hurt your credit score?
Consolidating debt may temporarily lower your credit score, but making on-time payments can help it recover over time. To minimize the impact, keep existing credit lines open and avoid new debt.
Does using LendingClub hurt your credit?
Checking your loan rate on LendingClub may not affect your credit score, but a hard inquiry could happen when your loan is funded, potentially impacting your score
Sources
- https://seedtime.com/how-to-consolidate-your-debt-with-lending-club/
- https://www.americanbanker.com/news/new-lendingclub-feature-lets-customers-pay-off-card-debt-directly
- https://www.lendingclub.com/personal-loan/debt-consolidation
- https://www.lendingclub.com/personal-loan/credit-card-consolidation-loan
- https://www.lendingclub.com/resource-center/personal-loan/what-is-debt-consolidation
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