Best Personal Loans in San Bernardino, CA

Thinkwise Federal Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in San Bernardino, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 99 out of 100. It offers quality service, competitive interest rates and a quick application and approval process. The best lender for online personal loans is Laurel Road, earning a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. It offers strong customer service, broad repayment terms, and a transparent approach to loan terms.

MoneyGeek prioritized local lenders and scored them based on factors like interest rates, loan terms, loan application process and speed of loan funding to gather our best city recommendations. If you're looking for national lenders, we also compiled our top picks for the best personal loans in California.

MoneyGeek analyzed hundreds of lenders based on a rubric that includes APR ranges, loan amounts and repayment terms, among other key areas. We use a point-based system, assigning scores according to the presence or absence of certain desirable features in various critical categories.

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Our overall analysis was completed in October 2024. Here we considered banks and credit unions with brick and mortar locations in San Bernardino, California. We also looked at online-only lenders licensed to do business in the state.

325Lenders Analyzed Nationally

Overall Best Personal Loan in San Bernardino, CA

Company logo for Thinkwise Federal Credit Union
Thinkwise Federal Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
99/ of 100

APR RangeFrom 9.25
Loan Amount RangeUp to $25,000
Repayment Terms36 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Thinkwise Federal Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in San Bernardino, California, with a MoneyGeek Score of 99 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has served members since 1952. With an APR as low as 9.25%, you get to save on interest, making it a great choice for budget-conscious borrowers. It also has multiple loan calculators on its website, helping you to understand your borrowing situation. However, the borrowing limit is $25,000, which might be restrictive if you're looking for larger loans.

Best Online Personal Loan in San Bernardino, CA

Company logo for Laurel Road
Laurel Road
MoneyGeek Score:
94/ of 100

APR Range8.99% to 24.25%
Loan Amount Range$5,000 to $45,000
Repayment Terms36 to 60 months
Time to Receive Funds7 Business Days
Overview

Laurel Road is the best online lender for personal loans in San Bernardino, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. It offers borrowers personal loans ranging from $5,000 to $45,000 with repayment terms of 36 to 60 months. Its services include a 0.25% interest rate discount when you enroll in autopay, adding convenience while saving you money, and no origination fees, meaning you won't be paying extra just to process your loan. However, potential borrowers should be aware that it sets a high bar for the minimum loan amount, which could be more than what some people require. It also charges a late fee of 5% or $28, which is something to consider if you sometimes have trouble meeting payment deadlines.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment in San Bernardino, CA

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, the median annual household income in San Bernardino, California, in 2022 was $62,801. Whether your income is above or below this median figure, the key factor to consider is whether you can manage the monthly payments for a personal loan. To better understand these potential payments, use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly loan payments and the total cost of the loan, based on the loan amount, rate and terms.

For example, with a $10,000 personal loan at a 10% interest rate and a repayment period of three years, the monthly loan payment would be $323 and $3,876 per year. This amount represents 6% of the median annual household income in San Bernardino, CA.

Personal Loan Calculator

Estimate the monthly payment for your loan.

Updated: Dec 21, 2024

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Runner-Up for Best Personal Loan in San Bernardino, CA

Company logo for Valley Hills Federal Credit Union
Valley Hills Federal Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
96/ of 100

APR RangeFrom 8.50%
Loan Amount RangeUp to $20,0000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Valley Hills Federal Credit Union is the runner-up for the best personal loans in San Bernardino, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1967. Borrowers can benefit from its low APR starting at 8.50%, which offers a favorable financial option. Additionally, its BBB rating of A+ reflects its positive customer service reputation. Its maximum loan amount and repayment terms vary based on the length of your membership.

Other Options for Personal Loans in San Bernardino, CA

Company logo for Arrowhead Credit Union
Arrowhead Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
91/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score91
APR Range12.99% to 22.99%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $25,000
Repayment Terms12 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Arrowhead Credit Union is a suitable option for personal loans in San Bernardino, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 91 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1949. It offers a loan amount as low as $500 and has no prepayment penalties. Note that its loan amount is $25,000, which may be a limitation for some, and the absence of prequalification could add uncertainty for potential borrowers.

Company logo for 1st Valley Credit Union
1st Valley Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
90/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score90
APR RangeFrom 10.50%
Loan Amount RangeUndisclosed
Repayment TermsUndisclosed
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

1st Valley Credit Union is another option for personal loans in San Bernardino, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. This federally insured credit union by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) has been serving members since 1951. Its strengths include having a BBB rating of A+ and allowing mobile deposits, which makes it a trustworthy and convenient choice for many borrowers. However, borrowers should note that it does not disclose much information about personal loans on its website, and there is a $40 loan application fee for non-members.

National Lenders With Physical Locations in San Bernardino, CA

Borrowers in San Bernardino, California, seeking the best personal loans have the advantage of choosing from a range of national lenders known for their in-person customer service. These established lenders include OneMain Financial, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo, each with a presence in the city to cater to your personal loan needs.

OneMain Financial18.00% to 35.99%$1,500 to $20,00024 to 60 months
U.S. Bank8.74% to 24.99%$1,000 to $50,00012 to 84 months
Wells Fargo7.49% to 24.99%$3,000 to $100,00012 to 84 months

What to Do if You Can't Get a Personal Loan in San Bernardino, CA

Your personal loan application in San Bernardino, California, can get denied due to a low credit score, negative financial history or an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio. If this happens, there are some steps you can take to navigate this setback.

  1. 1

    Find out the reason for the denial

    If your loan application gets denied, this could be due to issues such as a low credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, insufficient income or mistakes on the application. Reviewing these reasons will help you address weaknesses and avoid future rejections.

  2. 2

    Modify your loan terms

    Consider asking your lender to change your loan amount or repayment terms to secure approval. Adjustments could make the loan more manageable for you and meet the lender's approval criteria.

  3. 3

    Look for another lender

    Lenders differ in their personal loan eligibility criteria. To find a suitable lender, compare the minimum credit score requirements, interest rates, loan terms, additional fees, and customer service.

  4. 4

    Explore credit counseling services

    Your debt-to-income ratio is a key factor lenders assess for loan applications. Engage with a credit counseling service to get assistance in managing your credit card debt and budget. The Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's published list of nonprofit credit counseling agencies provides credit counseling resources. Alternatively, the Department of Justice's list of approved credit counseling agencies is another valuable resource.

FAQ About Personal Loans in San Bernardino, CA

We addressed common questions about personal loans in San Bernardino, offering insights to support your informed decisions.

Who is the best overall personal loan lender in San Bernardino, CA?

What are personal loans used for in San Bernardino, CA?

What are the interest rates on personal loans in San Bernardino, CA?

What are the benefits and drawbacks of personal loans?

What are some personal loan red flags to look out for?

How to apply for a personal loan online?

Can I get a personal loan with bad credit in San Bernardino, CA?

What are the best low-interest personal loans in San Bernardino, CA?

What is an installment loan? Is there a difference between personal loans and installment loans in San Bernardino, CA?

Is there a difference between credit union loans and bank loans in San Bernardino, CA?

About Zachary Romeo, CBCA


Zachary Romeo, CBCA headshot

Zachary Romeo is a certified Commercial Banking and Credit Analyst (CBCA), and the Head of Loans and Banking at MoneyGeek. Previously, he led production teams for some of the largest online informational resources in higher education, with over 13 years of experience in editorial production.

Romeo has a bachelor's degree in biological engineering from Cornell University. He geeks out on minimizing personal debt and helping others do the same through people-first content.


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The content on this page is accurate as of the posting/last updated date; however, some of the rates mentioned may have changed. We recommend visiting the lender's website for the most up-to-date information available.

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions, reviews, analyses and recommendations are the author’s alone and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any bank, lender or other entity. Learn more about our editorial policies and expert editorial team.