When life’s expenses come at you fast, you don’t need to resort to payday lenders. What you might be looking for is a personal loan. You can use personal loans for a wide variety of purposes. You can often get quick funds, and they offer better terms.
In Tennessee, you have plenty of options for a personal loan, including national, online, and local lenders. We’ll explain how to find the best personal loans in Tennessee, evaluate top lenders of personal loans, and help you choose a personal loan that works for you.
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How to find the best personal loans in Tennessee
Finding the best personal loan in your home state won’t lead you to a single lender. Instead, you’ll want to evaluate your credit score, what you plan to use the loan for, and find lenders that will suit your needs.
The Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions ensures lenders comply with local laws. It sets the cap on interest rates charged on loans in the state.
When you’re looking for a personal loan, you may want to consider national as well as local lenders. We have you covered.
| Lender | What you need to know |
| Credible | Compare multiple lenders at once |
| LightStream | Low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on up to $100,000 |
| Upgrade | Excellent prequalification tool |
| SoFi | High loan amounts for borrowers with good credit |
| Happy Money | Geared toward consolidating credit card debt with a personal loan |
| First Citizens National Bank | Great in-person loan experience |
| Tennessee State Bank | Expedited loan process for current customers |
| Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union | Because it makes lending decisions locally, it may be an option for borrowers with bad credit |
| Ascend Federal Credit Union | Can complete the online application before becoming a member |
Online unsecured personal loans in Tennessee
Credible
Why Credible is the best marketplace
Credible is our favorite marketplace for personal loans, offering several lenders and financing solutions all in one convenient location. We like the user-friendly comparison tool, which can streamline your decision-making.
With Credible, you can find loans that best suit your financial needs. Credible’s high customer satisfaction ratings make it an excellent choice if you want to explore multiple loan options.
- Compare loans from multiple curated lenders
- Get prequalified loan offers in as little as 2 minutes
- Get funded within a few business days
- No option to apply for joint loans
| Rates (APR) | 6.99% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – $200,000 |
| Repayment terms | 1 – 10 years |
Eligibility requirements
- Soft credit check? Yes
- Minimum credit score: Varies
- Minimum income: Not disclosed
- States: Loan partners may not be available in all states
Repayment terms
Credible loans have repayment terms ranging from one to 10 years. Some lenders may charge a prepayment penalty if you pay your loan off early.
Upgrade
Why Upgrade is the best personal loan for fair credit
Upgrade is a great solution for individuals with FICO credit scores between 580 and 669, offering personal loans to those who might not qualify with other lenders. Upgrade’s free credit health tools show Upgrade’s commitment to helping borrowers improve their credit scores.
Upgrade’s approach to lending focuses on accessibility and support, making it ideal for anyone working to improve their financial health and seeking reasonable borrowing options.
- Choose your monthly payment and loan term
- Joint applications accepted
- Loan funds may be available in as little as 1 day
- Smaller loan maximum limit
- 1.85% to 9.99% origination fee
| Rates (APR) | 8.49% – 35.99% |
| Loan amounts | $1,000 – $50,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 7 years |
Eligibility requirements
- Soft credit check? Yes
- Minimum credit score: 580
- Minimum income: Not disclosed
- States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms
Upgrade loans have repayment terms from two to seven years, and your monthly due date is adjustable to fit your budget. A short-term financial hardship program is available if you’re temporarily unable to manage payments.
SoFi
Why SoFi is the best personal loan for good credit
SoFi offers a comprehensive experience that extends well beyond personal loans. The company’s no-fee policy ensures you save on common costs elsewhere.
SoFi sets itself apart with its member benefits, including financial planning, discounts, and bonuses. These unique features make SoFi not just a lender but a holistic financial wellness provider, catering to Tennesseans with FICO credit scores of 670 and up.
- No required origination fees, no late payment fees, no prepayment penalties
- Check rates in as little as 60 seconds
- Some borrowers may qualify for same-day funding
- Higher minimum loan amount
- Autopay discount is lower than what some lenders offer
| Fixed rates (APR) | 8.99% – 29.99% with all discounts |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $100,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 7 years |
Eligibility requirements
- Soft credit check? Yes
- Minimum credit score: 660
- Minimum income: Not disclosed
- States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms
SoFi personal loans feature terms from two to seven years. If you enroll in autopay, you’ll get a 0.25% rate discount. There’s no penalty if you decide to pay your loan off early.
Happy Money
Why Happy Money is the best personal loan for credit card debt
Happy Money can help you manage and overcome credit card debt. It offers tools and educational resources to empower you in your financial journey.
Happy Money fosters a supportive community, offering guidance and support from like-minded individuals. This comprehensive approach to debt management can not only help you tackle your current financial challenges but also equip you with the knowledge and resources to achieve financial wellness in the future.
- Send payments directly to creditors
- Choose your loan repayment term and due date
- Free monthly credit score monitoring
- Origination fee from 1.5% to 5.5%
- Not available for uses other than credit card debt
| Rates (APR) | 12.45% – 17.99% |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $40,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 5 years |
Eligibility requirements
- Soft credit check? Yes
- Minimum credit score: 640
- Minimum income: Not disclosed
- States: Loans not offered in Nevada or Massachusetts
Repayment terms
Happy Money lets you choose personal loan terms ranging from two to five years, so you can get a payment that reflects your budget. There are no prepayment penalties, and you won’t be charged a fee if your payment is late. Happy Money doesn’t offer rate discounts at this time.
LightStream
Why LightStream is the best personal loan for excellent credit
LightStream is the go-to lender if you have a FICO credit score of 740 or higher. It offers competitive interest rates and substantial loan amounts.
LightStream designed its application process for convenience, ensuring a smooth, hassle-free loan acquisition journey. Because LightStream doesn’t allow borrowers to check rates with a soft credit inquiry, we think it’s best for borrowers with excellent credit and who are confident they’ll be approved.
- Rate match guarantee ensures that you get the best rate possible
- Same-day funding may be available
- Take advantage of a longer repayment term if you need lower payments
- No option to prequalify or check rates with a soft credit pull
- Minimum loan amount is $5,000
| Rates (APR) | 7.49% – 25.49% |
| Loan amounts | $5,000 – $100,000 |
| Repayment terms | 2 – 12 years |
Eligibility requirements
- Soft credit check? No
- Minimum credit score: 660
- Minimum income: Not disclosed
- States: All 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Repayment terms
LightStream offers some of the longest repayment terms of any lender, giving you up to 12 years to repay your loan. You can pay your loan off early, without a prepayment penalty and rate discounts can help bring the cost of your loan down.
Local Tennessee personal loans
Some personal loan lenders are only available in Tennessee and the surrounding region. These include local credit unions and banks that may provide unsecured or secured personal loans.
| Lender | What you need to know |
| First Citizens National Bank | Great for in-person loan experience |
| Tennessee State Bank | Expedited loan process for current customers |
| Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union | Because it makes lending decisions locally, it may be an option for borrowers with bad credit |
| Ascend Federal Credit Union | Can complete the online application before becoming a member |
If you like personal attention and in-person banking, it’s worth checking out what loans, interest rates, terms, and services they offer.
How to choose the best Tennessee personal loan
After looking at a handful of lenders, you’ll want to choose one that works best for your situation: likely the one with the lowest APR and repayment terms that match what you’re looking for.
Evaluate your personal goals, shop around for a personal loan with different lenders, compare offers, and choose a loan that works for your needs.
Many personal loans will be funded in a day or two after the loan underwriter verifies the information you submitted. However, some lending institutions take longer than others, so it’s important to shop around for funding times and interest rates.
Recap of the best online personal loans in Tennessee
About our contributors
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Written by Alene LaneyAlene Laney is a personal finance writer specializing in mortgages, home equity, and consumer financial products. A credit card rewards enthusiast and mother of five, Alene enjoys sharing money-saving and money-making strategies.
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Edited by Kristen Barrett, MATKristen Barrett is a managing editor at LendEDU. She lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her wife and their pack of senior rescue dogs. She has edited and written personal finance content since 2015.
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Reviewed by Erin Kinkade, CFP®Erin Kinkade, CFP®, ChFC®, works as a financial planner at AAFMAA Wealth Management & Trust. Erin prepares comprehensive financial plans for military veterans and their families.