How to Get a $40,000 Personal Loan

Updated: October 18, 2024

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Whether you want to use your $40,000 personal loan to repay debt or fund a trip, it’s important to evaluate your eligibility for a loan and understand the loan application process.

There are several steps to get a personal loan, starting with pre-qualification and ending with your application. During pre-qualification, you’ll receive an estimate of the loan amount and terms that are available to you. Generally, lenders look at your credit score and financial history to assess your capacity to repay a loan. If these factors are insufficient, a lender may not be willing to give you a $40,000 personal loan.

If you aren’t sure if you need a $40,000 personal loan, we recommend reviewing the following guide to decide if it’s the right option for you.

Key Takeaways

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A $40,000 personal loan can be used for almost anything, including emergency expenses, refinancing debt or paying for a large purchase or event.

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You can take out a $40,000 personal loan from a bank, credit union or online lender.

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Managed properly, a $40,000 personal loan can help you build credit and repay costly expenses over time. Improperly managed, a personal loan can damage your credit score and require collateral.

WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON:

Pros & Cons of a $40,000 Personal Loan

While personal loans can provide funds quickly, they have advantages and disadvantages. By understanding both, you’ll be able to decide if taking out a $40,000 personal loan is the best option for you.

Advantages of $40,000 Personal Loans
  • Variety of uses: A $40,000 personal loan may be used to finance many expenses, like home renovation projects, medical emergencies, credit card debt and more.
  • Longer loan terms than other types of loans: Personal loans often come with longer loan terms, ranging from a few months to several years, depending on the provider.
  • No collateral required for unsecured loans: There are two types of personal loans: secured and unsecured. If you get an unsecured loan, you won’t need to provide collateral.
  • Opportunity to build credit: By repaying your loans regularly and on time, you can improve your credit score.
  • Spread costs out over time: Personal loans can be used to pay for large purchases, such as appliances or vacations, in monthly installments.
Disadvantages of $40,000 Personal Loans
  • Collateral required for secured loans: If you obtain a secured loan, you’ll be required to provide collateral. However, you will likely receive a significantly lower interest rate since your loan is backed by the collateral or asset you provide.
  • Ineligibility: Depending on the lender, you may not qualify for a loan of up to $40,000. Every lender has different borrower requirements, so you should research different lenders and only apply to those whose borrower requirements you meet.
  • Difficult to qualify: Low credit scores, limited financial histories and co-signer requirements might make it difficult for you to secure financing.
  • Fees and penalties: Personal loan lenders may charge fees for late payment, pre-payment or loan origination.
  • Potential to negatively impact credit score: Failure to make timely payments could negatively impact your credit score. Before you apply for a personal loan, you should make sure that you’re able to make your monthly payment.
RED FLAGS TO AVOID

When applying for a personal loan, it’s important that borrowers be mindful of scams. To avoid falling victim to a predatory lender, you should look out for the following in your lender of choice:

  • They boast a high acceptance rate regardless of your credit score or financial history
  • They do not provide an approximate interest rate before you apply
  • They have steep pre-payment penalties
  • Their marketing tactics are aggressive
  • The process is fee-intensive
  • They offer to fix future problems through refinancing

$40,000 Personal Loan Lenders

Several lenders offer personal loans for $40,000, but each lender has a slightly different set of borrower requirements. By comparing lenders, you can find the best one for your situation.

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ONLINE LENDERS

Most lenders do not have a physical location, so the entire application process is conducted online. Some online lenders have non-traditional requirements and may approve your application without the standard documents required by a bank. However, it’s still advised that you’re prepared to provide typical documents, like your credit history, proof of identification and proof of income. Compared to traditional lenders, online lenders may have fewer credit score requirements and offer smaller loan amounts.

When choosing an online lender, it’s important to review their loan terms and requirements. Sometimes, their websites also include reviews from current or former borrowers. Reviewing these can give you an idea of what to expect, in terms of service quality and customer support, from a lender.

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BANKS

Banks are the most traditional provider of personal loans. Their underwriting process relies heavily on your credit history, so if you have a poor credit score (FICO score of 300 - 579), you may want to consider another lending option. Banks also usually complete a hard inquiry of your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score. Furthermore, they typically require that you provide proof of identification, income and employment.

To find the right bank for your needs, you should look for lenders who offer pre-qualification. That way, you can estimate your loan’s interest rate without your credit score being impacted. Similarly to online lenders, you can read a bank’s reviews to see if other borrowers are satisfied.

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CREDIT UNIONS

A credit union is a nonprofit organization that offers more flexible personal loans than banks in terms of requirements, rates and loan terms. To access these, however, you will need to be a member of the credit union.

When looking for the best credit union, consider its services, perks and online banking capabilities. In comparison to banks, credit unions usually provide fewer financial services and benefits.

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INFORMATION NEEDED WHEN APPLYING FOR A LOAN

It’s important to gather the following information and required documents before you apply for a personal loan:

  • Proof of identification, such as a driver's license or passport
  • Proof of income, like W-2 statements and tax returns
  • Your employer's information, such as the company name, your manager's name and their phone number
  • Proof of residency, such as a utility bill or lease agreement

How to Apply for a $40,000 Personal Loan

If you’re confident that a $40,000 personal loan is the best financial decision for you, you should take the following steps to apply:

  1. 1
    Check your credit score

    Your credit score is one of the most important factors determining your eligibility for a $40,000 personal loan. If your credit score is low (FICO score of 300 - 579) and you aren’t actively working to improve it, you may want to reconsider obtaining a personal loan. Even if you qualify, you’ll likely receive a steep interest rate.

  2. 2
    Get pre-qualified

    Pre-qualifying for a loan is a great way to find out your potential loan terms with a given lender without impacting your credit score. The pre-qualification process can usually help you determine what rates and terms you’ll receive based on your credit score, financial situation and funding needs.

  3. 3
    Compare quotes

    Since every provider has different loan terms and borrower requirements, you need to consider several factors. These include the lender’s offered annual percentage rate (APR), repayment period, monthly payments and qualification requirements. By comparing different lenders, you’ll be able to find the one that best meets your needs.

  4. 4
    Choose a loan offer

    Once you’ve thoroughly researched and compared different lenders, it’s time to choose the lender that’s most ideal for your situation.

  5. 5
    Submit application

    Depending on your chosen lender, you may be able to apply online, in person or over the phone. Before you apply, ensure that you’ve gathered all pertinent documents to expedite the application and approval process. Be mindful that you’ve fully completed your application before submitting it; failure to provide all requested information could cause your application to be rejected.

  6. 6
    Receive and use funds

    Once your application is approved and you accept the loan terms, it can take anywhere from one day to a week to receive funds. Some lenders offer same-day funding, so you may have access to your personal loan even sooner.

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HOW TO COMPARE LOANS
  • Review the repayment terms offered by different lenders: Short repayment terms often feature higher interest rates. Longer repayment terms typically have lower interest rates but may accrue more interest over the life of the loan.
  • Be mindful of fees: Some lenders may charge fees for loan origination, early repayment or late payments. If you aren’t sure about a lender’s terms, you should contact them directly.
  • Keep an eye out for additional perks: Some lenders offer discounts, such as those for automatic payments or existing membership.

Frequently Asked Questions About $40,000 Personal Loans

Deciding whether to take out a $40,000 personal loan can be difficult. To help make your decision easier, MoneyGeek answered some of the most frequently asked questions about the loan application process.

How hard is it to get a $40,000 personal loan?
What credit score do I need for a $40,000 personal loan?
Is taking out a $40,000 personal loan a good idea?
Is it possible to get a $40,000 personal loan instantly?
Can I take more than one $40,000 personal loan?
What are other alternatives to $40,000 personal loans?

About Christopher Boston

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Christopher (Croix) Boston was the Head of Loans content at MoneyGeek, with over five years of experience researching higher education, mortgage and personal loans.

Boston has a bachelor's degree from the Seattle Pacific University. They pride themselves in using their skills and experience to create quality content that helps people save and spend efficiently.

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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.

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