Best Personal Loans in Rochester, NY

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Family First of NY Federal Credit Union is the best personal loan lender in Rochester, New York, with a MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100, offering excellent service, competitive interest rates, and flexible repayment terms. Meanwhile, Laurel Road is the best lender for online personal loans with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100, providing competitive interest rates, broad repayment terms and a straightforward loan application process.

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

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 August 2024. Here we considered banks and credit unions with brick and mortar locations in Rochester, New York. We also looked at online-only lenders licensed to do business in the state.

325Lenders Analyzed Nationally

Overall Best Personal Loan in Rochester, NY

Company logo for Family First of NY Federal Credit Union
Family First of NY Federal Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score100
APR RangeFrom 8.24%
Loan Amount RangeFrom $1,500
Repayment Terms1 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Family First of NY Federal Credit Union stands out as the best personal loan lender in Rochester, New York, with a MoneyGeek score of 100 out of 100. As a lender, it is federally insured by the NCUA, providing added security for borrowers, and it offers an attractive APR starting at 8.24%, making it competitive in terms of interest rates. However, potential borrowers should be aware that membership is required to apply for a loan, and there is no option to prequalify, which could make the application process less convenient. Despite this, it remains a strong choice for those who meet the membership requirements and are comfortable proceeding without prequalification.

Best Online Personal Loan in Rochester, NY

Company logo for Laurel Road
Laurel Road

MoneyGeek Score93
APR Range9.49% to 24.50%
Loan Amount Range$5,000 to $45,000
Repayment Terms36 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsWithin 7 Days
Overview

Laurel Road is the best online lender for personal loans in Rochester, New York, with a MoneyGeek score of 93 out of 100. It offers personal loans with amounts ranging from $5,000 to $45,000 and repayment terms between 36 to 60 months. As a lender, Laurel Road provides a 0.25% autopay discount which can be an incentive for borrowers looking to save on interest. Additionally, it does not charge origination fees, which means lower upfront costs when securing a loan. However, borrowers should consider that it has a high minimum loan amount, possibly limiting accessibility for those who need smaller loans. Also, there is a late fee of 5% or $28, which could be a significant additional cost if a payment is missed.

Calculate Your Monthly Payment in Rochester, NY

According to 2022 data from the United States Census Bureau, the median annual household income in Rochester, New York is $43,631. Regardless of whether your actual income is above or below this median value, what matters is your ability to afford the monthly loan payments. Use our personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly loan payments and the total cost of the loan by entering the loan amount, rate and terms.

For example, consider a $10,000 personal loan with a 10% interest rate and a three-year repayment term; the monthly payment would be $323, totaling $3,876 per year. This amounts to approximately 9% of the median annual household income in Rochester.

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Updated: Dec 21, 2024

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Runner-Up for Best Personal Loan in Rochester, NY

Company logo for The Summit Federal Credit Union
The Summit Federal Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score99
APR Range7.95% to 15.75%
Loan Amount RangeUndisclosed
Repayment Terms13 to 60 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

The Summit Federal Credit Union ranks as the runner-up for the best personal loans in Rochester, New York, earning a MoneyGeek score of 99 out of 100. It offers an APR as low as 7.95% and is federally insured by the NCUA, making it an appealing choice for borrowers looking for security and cost-effective loans. Borrowers can also take advantage of joint applications, making it easier for them to qualify for a loan. However, the lender charges a late payment fee of $35, and lacks an option to prequalify for a loan. Additionally, there is little information about its loans on the website, which may make it harder for potential borrowers to gather the necessary details upfront.

Other Options for Personal Loans in Rochester, NY

Company logo for ESL Federal Credit Union
ESL Federal Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score98
APR RangeFrom 9.95%
Loan Amount RangeUndisclosed
Repayment TermsUp to 120 months
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

ESL Federal Credit Union is a strong option for personal loans in Rochester, New York, earning a MoneyGeek score of 98 out of 100. It offers no prepayment penalties, making it an attractive choice for borrowers who want to pay off their loans early without incurring extra costs. Additionally, its APR starts at a competitive 9.95%, providing potentially lower interest rates for qualified borrowers. However, prospective applicants should be aware that there is no option to prequalify, which might make the initial loan application less convenient. The credit union also charges a late fee of 10% on overdue payments of interest and principal, which can add up quickly if payments are missed.

Company logo for Rochester and Monroe County Employees Federal Credit Union
Rochester and Monroe County Employees Federal Credit Union

MoneyGeek Score94
APR RangeFrom 8.50%
Loan Amount RangeUp to $25,000
Repayment TermsUndisclosed
Time to Receive FundsUndisclosed
Overview

Consider Rochester and Monroe County Employees Federal Credit Union for personal loans in Rochester, New York. It received a MoneyGeek score of 94 out of 100. As a lender, it offers some appealing points such as being federally insured by the NCUA and providing an option to skip a loan payment, which can be quite flexible for borrowers. However, it has some potential downsides that borrowers should be aware of, such as no prequalification process and a $25 late payment fee.

National Lenders With Physical Locations in Rochester, NY

Residents of Rochester, New York seeking the best personal loans who value the traditional experience of working face-to-face can find options with certain national lenders in their locale. In Rochester, OneMain Financial and KeyBank both have a presence, offering personal loan services to those looking to manage their financial needs through in-person consultations and assistance. Other national institutions might not have branches in Rochester, limiting borrowers to these selections for their in-person banking needs.

Keybank10% to 22.50%$2,000 to $100,00012 to 84 months
OneMain Financial18.00% to 35.99%$1,500 to $20,00024 to 60 months

What to Do if You Can't Get a Personal Loan in Rochester, NY

Your personal loan application in Rochester, New York can get denied due to various reasons, 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, low income level, or errors in your application. Review the reasons to improve your weak areas and prevent another loan application denial in the future.

  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

    Different lenders have varying eligibility criteria for personal loan approval. It's essential to shop around and consider factors such as minimum credit score requirements, interest rates, loan terms, additional fees, and customer service to find the best lender for your particular needs and circumstances.

  4. 4

    Explore credit counseling services

    Lenders often look at your debt-to-income ratio when evaluating your loan application. You may consider a credit counseling agency to better manage your credit card debt and develop your budget. You can get credit counseling services from Rochester Financial Empowerment Center. The Department of Justice's list of approved credit counseling agencies can be another option.

FAQ About Personal Loans in Rochester, NY

We addressed frequently asked questions about the best personal loans in Rochester, New York, offering valuable insight for informed decision-making.

Who is the best overall personal loan lender in Rochester, New York?

What are personal loans used for in Rochester, New York?

What are the interest rates on personal loans in Rochester, New York?

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 Rochester, New York?

What are the best low-interest personal loans in Rochester, New York?

What is an installment loan? Is there a difference between personal loans and installment loans in Rochester, New York?

Is there a difference between credit union loans and bank loans in Rochester, New York?

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.