Best Personal Loans in San Francisco, CA

The Police Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in San Francisco, California, with a MoneyGeek Score of 96 out of 100. It offers quality service, competitive interest rates and a quick application and approval process. Alternatively, for online personal loans, Laurel Road is the best with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. It offers strong customer service, a quick application and approval process, and credibility and transparency in its loan terms and process.

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 Francisco, California. We also looked at online-only lenders licensed to do business in the state.

325Lenders Analyzed Nationally

Overall Best Personal Loan in San Francisco, CA

Company logo for The Police Credit Union
The Police Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
96/ of 100

APR RangeFrom 9.34%
Loan Amount RangeUp to $50,000
Repayment Terms1 to 72 months
Time to Receive FundsSame day
Overview

The Police Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in San Francisco, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 96 out of 100. Established in 1953, it is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA). Borrowers benefit from not having a prepayment penalty, meaning you can pay off your loan early without extra charges. Additionally, you don't need membership to apply for a personal loan, though you'll need one to receive funds. However, the borrowing limit is $50,000, which may not suit those seeking larger amounts.

Best Online Personal Loan in San Francisco, 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 Francisco, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. It offers a loan amount range of $5,000 to $45,000 and repayment terms between 36 to 60 months, providing flexibility for borrowers to choose a plan that fits their financial situation. Laurel Road grants a 0.25% reduction in interest for payments made automatically, and it has origination fees. However, it has a high minimum loan amount, which could be a hurdle for those seeking smaller loans. Additionally, missing a payment might result in a stiff late fee of 5% or $28, which is an extra cost borrowers should be mindful of.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment in San Francisco, CA

According to the United States Census Bureau, San Francisco, California's median annual household income in 2022 is $136,692. 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, if you take a $10,000 personal loan with a 10% interest rate over three years, your monthly payments will be $323. Annually, this adds up to $3,876, which is approximately 3% of the median annual household income in San Francisco, CA.

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Estimate the monthly payment for your loan.

Updated: Dec 21, 2024

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

Company logo for San Francisco Federal Credit Union
San Francisco Federal Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
95/ of 100

APR Range4.99% to 17.99%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $50,000
Repayment Terms1 to 84 months
Time to Receive FundsSame Day
Overview

San Francisco Federal Credit Union is the runner-up for the best personal loans in San Francisco, CA, with a MoneyGeek score of 95 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1954. It offers an appealing APR starting at 4.99%, and without an origination fee, each borrower saves right from the start. Additionally, it provides the convenience of same-day funding. However, its borrowing limit caps at $50,000, which could be a restriction if you need more substantial financing. Also, the lack of disclosed rate discounts on its website might limit your ability to find potential savings.

Other Option for Personal Loans in San Francisco, CA

Company logo for Redwood Credit Union
Redwood Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
94/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score94
APR Range8.79% to 19.54%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $50,000
Repayment Terms36 to 84 months
Time to Receive FundsUndiclosed
Overview

Redwood Credit Union is a suitable choice for personal loans in San Francisco, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1950. It offers an APR as low as 8.79%, which can be beneficial for minimizing interest costs, and there is no annual fee, making the loans more budget-friendly. The borrowing limit is $50,000, which may not be adequate for those in need of larger loans, and the lack of prequalification options on its website could make it challenging to compare offers effectively.

National Lenders With Physical Locations in San Francisco, CA

Borrowers in San Francisco, CA, looking for 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 Francisco, CA

In San Francisco, California, your personal loan application can get denied due to a low credit score, negative financial history or an unfavorable debt-to-income ratio. If this happens, taking specific steps can help you move forward effectively.

  1. 1

    Find out the reason for the denial

    Some lenders may deny your loan application due to a poor credit score, high debt-to-income ratio, insufficient income or errors in your 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 get approved. 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 City and County of San Francisco's Office of Financial Empowerment 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 Francisco, CA

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

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

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

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

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

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

Is there a difference between credit union loans and bank loans in San Francisco, 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.