How to Open a Lending Club Account for Investing and Borrowing

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To open a Lending Club account, you'll first need to create a profile. This involves providing some basic information about yourself, such as your name, email address, and social security number.

Lending Club requires a minimum account balance of $1,000 to get started with investing. However, this balance can be funded through a transfer from your bank account.

You'll also need to verify your identity through a process called Know Your Customer (KYC). This involves providing identification documents and a selfie to confirm your identity.

Lending Club offers a range of investment options, including notes with varying levels of risk and return.

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Getting Started

To get started with Lending Club, you'll need to meet the minimum FICO score requirement of 660.

Borrowers apply for a loan and if approved, their loan is added to Lending Club's online platform.

Investors can browse the loans on the platform and build a portfolio of loans with a minimum investment of just $25 per loan.

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Each portion of a loan is called a note, and investors build a portfolio of notes to spread their risk among many borrowers.

The verification process for borrowers happens in the background while investors are funding portions of the loans.

If a borrower fails verification, the loan will be deleted from the platform and all invested money will be returned to the investors.

A loan can stay on the platform for up to 14 days, but most are funded much quicker than that.

Once funded, the loan will be deleted from the platform and the borrower will receive their money in just a couple of business days.

Types of Loans

Lending Club offers a variety of loan options, making it a one-stop-shop for your financial needs.

You can borrow personal loans, which are a great option for covering unexpected expenses or consolidating debt.

Business loans are also available, providing access to funds for entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Loans can be made automatically from your bank account, eliminating the hassle of middleman platforms.

With Lending Club, you can enjoy low fixed rates on your loan, making it easier to manage your finances.

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Loan Grades

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Lending Club uses a loan grading system to categorize borrowers into seven different loan grades, ranging from A to G. Each loan grade has five sub-grades, resulting in a total of 35 loan grades.

A borrower's loan grade is determined by the data held in their credit report, with a better credit history leading to a higher loan grade. The very best borrowers receive an A1 grade, which comes with the lowest interest rate.

The interest rate for a loan is determined by the borrower's loan grade, as well as other factors like loan amount and loan term. Lending Club provides more information on their interest rates on their website.

A borrower's loan grade can significantly impact the interest rate they qualify for, so it's essential to understand how loan grades work.

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Borrowing Loans

Lending Club provides access to some of the best loan rates in the market.

You can choose from various kinds of personal and business loans, making it a versatile option.

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You can integrate your bank account with the Lending Club app, allowing for automatic payments and eliminating middleman platform hassles.

Lending Club offers low fixed rates that can be a significant advantage over other loan options.

You can use a loan to pay off your credit card bill with a much lower interest rate, reducing debt pressure.

The interest rate is fixed, so you won't incur a huge amount of extra debt on your loan.

You can choose a repayment term as long as 60 months for credit card loans.

Using Lending Club for debt consolidation can be a much better option than using a credit card due to the huge difference in interest rates.

You can enjoy a singular low fixed rate by consolidating your debts into one account.

For more insights, see: Opening Joint Credit Card Account

Home Improvement Loans

Home improvement loans are a great option for those who want to upgrade or repair their homes without putting their property at risk. Lending Club offers a no-collateral based loan that gives you the freedom to use the loan as you see fit.

Applying for a loan based on your credit score is often the preferred option. This allows you to access funds without having to use your property as collateral.

Account and Investment Details

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To create an account on Lending Club, you can visit their website at www.lendingclub.com and choose between a traditional investment account or a retirement account.

Residents of New Jersey and Oregon are now eligible to invest in consumer credit, a previously exclusive asset class for institutional investors.

As an investor, you can invest in loans in increments as low as $25, which can be diversified across hundreds or thousands of borrowers to quickly build a portfolio that fits your investment objectives.

Investors receive monthly payments of principal and interest as borrowers repay their loans, and can withdraw available cash at any time via a linked bank account.

Here's an interesting read: Investment Club Brokerage Account

Before Investing

Before investing in Lending Club, it's essential to meet the eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid social security number.

To invest, you'll also need to meet the financial requirements. This includes having an annual gross income of at least $70,000 and a net worth (excluding home, home furnishings, and cars) of at least $70,000 or a net worth of at least $250,000.

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You'll also need to reside in one of the approved states. Currently, these states include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

If you live in California or Kentucky, you'll need to meet slightly different net worth requirements. And, there's an option to invest via the Lending Club trading platform if you live in several other states.

It's worth noting that the eligibility rules can change over time, so be sure to check Lending Club's website for the latest information.

Here are the approved states where you can invest in Lending Club:

  1. California
  2. Colorado
  3. Connecticut
  4. Delaware
  5. Florida
  6. Georgia
  7. Hawaii
  8. Idaho
  9. Illinois
  10. Kentucky
  11. Louisiana
  12. Minnesota
  13. Missouri
  14. Mississippi
  15. Montana
  16. New Hampshire
  17. Nevada
  18. New York
  19. Rhode Island
  20. South Dakota
  21. Utah
  22. Virginia
  23. Washington
  24. Wisconsin
  25. West Virginia
  26. Wyoming

Starting to Invest

To start investing, you need to meet Lending Club's eligibility requirements. You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid social security number.

The annual gross income requirement is $70,000, and your net worth (excluding home, home furnishings, and cars) must be at least $70,000 or a minimum of $250,000. However, residents of California and Kentucky have slightly different net worth requirements.

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You also need to reside in one of the approved states, which currently include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Nevada, New York, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

You can invest via the Lending Club trading platform if you live in other states, but be aware that there may be some restrictions.

To give you a better idea of the eligibility requirements, here is a summary of the key points:

  • Must be at least 18 years old and have a valid social security number
  • Annual gross income of at least $70,000 and net worth of at least $70,000 or $250,000 (excluding home, home furnishings, and cars)
  • Reside in one of the approved states (currently 28 states)
  • Purchase notes up to 10% of your net worth

Leveling Up Savings

LendingClub's LevelUp Savings account offers a competitive 5.30% APY for account owners who deposit at least $250 cumulatively during the previous statement cycle.

This means you don't have to deposit the full $250 all at once, but can break it up over the period. If you miss a month of saving this amount, you'll still earn the standard rate of 4.80% the next month.

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There is no minimum balance or minimum deposit required to open this account, and no monthly maintenance fees. You can also request an ATM card for fast access to your money.

Here are the key benefits of the LevelUp Savings account:

  • Strong APY of 5.30% for meeting the $250 monthly deposit requirement
  • No minimum balance required
  • No monthly fees
  • Free ATM card and no ATM fees

To earn the highest APY, you need to make at least a $250 monthly deposit into the account. If you fail to meet the deposit requirement, you still earn a solid baseline APY higher than most accounts on the market.

Certificates of Deposit

Certificates of Deposit are a type of savings account that offers a fixed interest rate for a specific period of time.

LendingClub offers CDs with terms ranging from 6 months to 5 years. This flexibility can be beneficial for those who want to save money for a short or long period.

You'll need to make a minimum deposit of $2,500 to open a LendingClub CD account. This can be a barrier for those who don't have that much money to invest.

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LendingClub CDs offer APYs ranging from 3.40% to 4.25%. This is comparable to other CDs on the market.

Here are some key benefits of LendingClub CDs:

  • Above-average APYs
  • Range of CD terms
  • No monthly fee

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. You won't be able to access your money before your CD term ends, and early withdrawal penalty fees will apply.

Available to NJ and OR Retail Investors

New Jersey and Oregon residents can now create an account at www.lendingclub.com, choosing between a traditional investment account or retirement account.

To start investing, you can begin with a minimum investment of $25, diversifying across hundreds or thousands of borrowers to quickly build a portfolio that fits your investment objectives.

Historically, Lending Club Notes have returned 5.23% to 8.82% annually, with 99.9% of investors who own 100 or more Notes of similar size representing loans to different borrowers seeing positive returns.

Monthly payments of principal and interest are made to investors as borrowers repay their loans, and you can withdraw available cash at any time via a linked bank account.

As of September 30, 2015, Lending Club Notes have been offering returns in the range of 5 to 8 percent annually since inception, with the majority of investors experiencing positive results.

Debit Card

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The debit card from LendingClub is a great feature of their Rewards Checking Account.

You can earn 1% unlimited cash back on qualified purchases with your debit card, which is a rare benefit for debit cards.

To qualify for this cash-back benefit, you'll need to maintain an average monthly balance of at least $2,500 or receive at least $2,500 in qualifying direct deposits every month.

Here are the key details about the debit card:

  • APY rates: 0.10% for balances between $2,500.00 and $99,999.99, and 0.15% for balances of $100,000.00 or more
  • Minimum opening deposit: $25
  • No ATM fees and unlimited ATM fee rebates for ATM fees charged by other banks
  • No overdraft or maintenance fees

Bank Comparison

If you're considering opening a LendingClub account, you might also want to take a look at some of its competitors. Ally Bank and SoFi are two strong contenders that offer some attractive features.

Ally Bank's Savings Account has a high APY of 3.80% and doesn't require a minimum deposit, balance, or monthly fees. It also allows for unlimited withdrawals or transfers per statement cycle.

However, if you're planning to set up a monthly direct deposit, the SoFi Checking and Savings Account is a great choice. It has no monthly fees, minimum deposits, or minimum monthly balance requirements.

Broaden your view: Lendingclub Fees

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One thing to note is that SoFi offers a bonus of up to $300 for new account holders who set up a direct deposit of at least $1,000 during the Direct Deposit Bonus Period.

Here's a comparison of some key features:

  • LendingClub: High APY, ease of use
  • Ally Bank: High APY, no minimum deposit or balance requirements, unlimited withdrawals or transfers
  • SoFi: High APY, no monthly fees or minimum deposit requirements, bonus of up to $300 for direct deposit

Frequently Asked Questions

What credit score is needed for LendingClub?

To be eligible for a LendingClub loan, you'll need a minimum credit score of 600, which is evaluated using FICO 8, VantageScore 2.0, and LendingClub's proprietary scoring system.

Virgil Wuckert

Senior Writer

Virgil Wuckert is a seasoned writer with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in insurance and construction, he brings a unique perspective to his writing, tackling complex topics with clarity and precision. His articles have covered a range of categories, including insurance adjuster and roof damage assessment, where he has demonstrated his ability to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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