Best Personal Loans in Santa Ana, CA

California Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in Santa Ana, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100, due to its competitive interest rates, flexible repayment terms and expedient application and approval process. Laurel Road, on the other hand, is the best lender for online personal loans with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100, offering a transparent approach to loan terms, a quick application process and strong customer service.

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

325Lenders Analyzed Nationally

Overall Best Personal Loan in Santa Ana, CA

Company logo for California Credit Union
California Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
100/ of 100

APR Range8.99% to 19.50%
Loan Amount RangeUp to $50,000
Repayment TermsUp to 120 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

California Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in Santa Ana, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1931. It offers a 45-day grace period before the first loan payment is due, which can provide borrowers some breathing room. Additionally, it features a useful loan calculator, aiding users in better planning their finances. On the other hand, the borrowing limit is capped at $50,000, which might not meet the needs of those seeking higher funding.

Best Online Personal Loan in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. This lender offers a range of loan amounts from $5,000 to $45,000 and flexible repayment terms of 36 to 60 months. It has a 0.25% autopay discount, which can lead to significant savings over the life of your loan, as well as the absence of origination fees, which can keep upfront costs lower. However, it has a high minimum loan amount, which might be more than what some borrowers require. Additionally, a late fee of 5% or $28 might apply, which is something to keep in mind if you sometimes have trouble making payments on time.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment in Santa Ana, CA

According to the United States Census Bureau, the median annual household income in Santa Ana, California, in 2022 is $79,351. Whether your income is above or below this median value, your ability to afford the monthly loan payments is what truly matters. Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments and the total cost of the loan by entering the loan amount, rate and terms.

For example, if you take a $10,000 personal loan with a 10% interest rate and a repayment term of three years, your monthly payment will be $323, which totals $3,876 per year. This payment accounts for approximately 5% of the median annual household income in Santa Ana, CA.

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Estimate the monthly payment for your loan.

Updated: Nov 21, 2024

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Runner-Up for Best Personal Loan in Santa Ana, CA

Company logo for Schools First Federal Credit Union
Schools First Federal Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
98/ of 100

APR Range9.99% to 18.00%
Loan Amount Range$100 to $50,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Schools First Federal Credit Union is the runner-up for the best personal loans in Santa Ana, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1934. As a lender, it offers a flexible option to skip up to three payments over the life of the loan, and there are no origination or prepayment fees.

Other Options for Personal Loans in Santa Ana, CA

Company logo for Santa Ana Federal Credit Union
Santa Ana Federal Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
93/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score93
APR Range10% to 17.95%
Loan Amount RangeUndisclosed
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Santa Ana Federal Credit Union is a suitable choice for personal loans in Santa Ana, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1950. It allows you to manage your personal loan through a mobile app. Additionally, it offers the opportunity for a joint application, which may benefit those who want to apply with a co-borrower. However, it does have some limitations, such as no option to prequalify for a personal loan and the lack of specified eligibility requirements, including income or credit score criteria.

Company logo for Orange County's Credit Union
Orange County's Credit Union
MoneyGeek Score:
90/ of 100

MoneyGeek Score90
APR Range12.50% to 22.50%
Loan Amount Range$500 to $25,000
Repayment TermsUp to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Orange County's Credit Union is another good choice for those seeking personal loans in Santa Ana, California, with a MoneyGeek score of 90 out of 100. Federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), it has been serving members since 1938. It offers the flexibility of a minimum loan amount as low as $500, which can be beneficial if you're looking for a smaller loan. Additionally, its absence of origination fees and no prepayment penalty might save you some extra expenses over the loan term. However, its borrowing limit is capped at $25,000, which may be restrictive if you need a larger amount. Another consideration is that it doesn't offer an option to prequalify for the loan, which means you won't be able to gauge potential terms without a full application.

National Lenders With Physical Locations in Santa Ana, CA

Borrowers in Santa Ana, CA, seeking best personal loans with a preference for face-to-face interactions can select from some reputable national lenders with a presence in the city. Among the options are Wells Fargo, U.S. Bank and OneMain Financial, each offering a range of loan products to meet the financial needs of various customers.

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 Santa Ana, CA

In Santa Ana, California, your personal loan application might get denied due to factors like 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

    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 the reasons for denial helps improve weak areas and prevents future loan application denials.

  2. 2
    Modify your loan terms

    You can try asking your lender if you can adjust the loan amount or repayment terms to get approved.

  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, 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. You can get credit counseling services from Department of Financial Protection and Innovation's published list of nonprofit credit counseling agencies. Alternatively, Department of Justice's list of approved credit counseling agencies is another valuable resource.

FAQ About Personal Loans in Santa Ana, CA

We addressed common questions regarding top personal loans in Santa Ana, California, offering valuable insight for informed decision-making.

Who is the best overall personal loan lender in Santa Ana, CA?
What are personal loans used for in Santa Ana, CA?
What are the interest rates on personal loans in Santa Ana, 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 Santa Ana, CA?
What are the best low-interest personal loans in Santa Ana, CA?
What is an installment loan? Is there a difference between personal loans and installment loans in Santa Ana, California?
Is there a difference between credit union loans and bank loans in Santa Ana, California?

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.