Best Personal Loans in Kansas City, KS

In 2012, LightStream was formed as an online-lending division of Truist Bank. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) awarded the lender an A+ rating for its superior customer service.

We chose LightStream as the top lender for the best personal loans in Kansas City for several reasons. Its personal loan products feature high loan limits, up to $100,000, and relatively low interest rates ranging from 2.49% to 20.49%. With this lender, there are no hidden costs from prepayment penalties, late fees or origination fees, so you can save money. Furthermore, borrowers can save even more — up to 0.5% on their rate — by setting up automatic payments.

However, this lender limits the use of funds; the personal loan cannot be used to refinance an existing LightStream loan, fund businesses, buy bonds or stocks or fund illegal activities. To be eligible for a loan, borrowers must also meet the lender’s high minimum credit score requirement of 660.

Upstart, founded in 2012 by former Google employees, is a lending platform that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline and improve access to affordable credit. It received an A+ rating from the BBB.

Anyone can easily apply for a loan online using the lender’s AI technology. However, bankers may contact you for security verification. Because they have no minimum credit score requirement, Upstart makes it easy for those with no credit history to apply for a loan.

The lender's loan amount ranges from $1,000 to $50,000, with repayment terms ranging from 36 to 60 months. Borrowers can use their Upstart loans for debt consolidation, home improvement projects, moving expenses, medical expenses and personal reasons, like starting a business or getting married.

SoFi began as Social Finance in 2011. It provides a wide range of loans and products to its customers. For many reasons, the BBB gave it an A+ rating, and MoneyGeek ranked it as the best for Kansas City borrowers with good credit. The lender does not charge its customers origination fees, late fees or prepayment penalties.

Borrowers with a minimum credit score of 680 credit score can borrow up to $100,000. Those that set up automatic payments can save 0.25% on their interest rate. SoFi also performs soft credit checks, which have no effect on your credit score. Its unemployment protection program allows borrowers to pause their monthly payments if they unexpectedly lose their job.

However, the lender’s strict minimum credit score of 680 and income requirements of $50,000 may make it difficult for certain borrowers to qualify for a loan.

Upgrade is a relatively new lending platform. Though it was only founded in 2016, it has already received an A+ BBB rating. We chose it as the best debt consolidation lender for personal loans in Kansas City. This lender pays third-party lenders directly, which contributes significantly to the firm's high rating in this category.

Upgrade offers personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $50,000 with repayment terms between 24 and 84 months. When you set up automatic payments, your premiums are reduced by 1%. Furthermore, borrowers are not penalized for repaying their loans early.

However, Upgrade limits how your loan can be used. Borrowers are not permitted to use loans for investments, student loans, illegal activities or gambling of any kind. Loans may also have higher interest rates depending on your credit score — interest rates for its personal loan products are between 5.94% and 35.97%.

Best Egg is an online lending platform that began in 2014 and now operates in 47 states, including Kansas. The lender received an A+ rating for its superior customer service. Based on our evaluation, the lender provides the best personal loans in Kansas City for home improvements.

The lender performs soft credit checks, so your credit score won’t be negatively impacted. Borrowers can also receive an autopay discount of 0.5% discount if you set up automatic payments. If you repay your loan early, you won’t be penalized.

However, the lender has a high minimum income and credit score requirement of $50,000 and 700, respectively. Furthermore, Best Egg charges origination and late fees.