Best Personal Loans in Pittsburgh, PA of 2024

WHAT WE’RE GEEKING OUT ON

The Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Pittsburgh, PA
The Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Pittsburgh, PA
The Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Pittsburgh, PA
The Best Personal Loan Lender for Debt Consolidation in Pittsburgh, PA
The Best Personal Loan Lender for Home Improvements in Pittsburgh, PA
How to Choose the Right Personal Loan Lender for You
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Pittsburgh, PA

MoneyGeek’s Pick for Best Personal Loan Lender in Pittsburgh: Truist

MoneyGeek analyzed the personal loan products of many different lenders and found the ones that offer the best personal loans in Pittsburgh, PA. Our analysis was based on BBB rating, loan amount, repayment term length, interest rates, origination fee, credit score requirements, income requirements, debt-to-income ratio and many other important attributes.

MoneyGeek’s analysis shows that Truist is the best personal loan lender in Pittsburgh. That said, Upstart and SoFi offer the best personal loans for Pittsburgh residents with bad and good credit, respectively.

Best Overall Personal Loan Lender in Pittsburgh, PA: Truist

Truist
- 8.14% to 18.99%APR Range
- NoneMinimum Credit Score
- $3,500 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
- 6 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Next DayTime to Receive Funds
MoneyGeek analyzed different personal loan lenders and found Truist to be the overall best option in Pittsburgh, PA. Truist was formed after the merger of BB&T Bank and SunTrust in 2019. Since Truist does not charge an origination fee on its primary personal loan product, while offering next-day funding and a temporary relaxation in payments in case of financial hardship, MoneyGeek chose it to be the overall best lender in the city.
The company offers two personal loan products: standard personal loans and the Ready Now loan. The company’s standard personal loan lets you borrow up to $50,000, which can be used to cover home improvements, pay medical bills, consolidate debt, fund vacations and more. On the other hand, the Ready Now loan can help you pay for any emergency expenses up to $1,000.
Pros
No origination fee
No prepayment penalty
No late payment fee
Offers same-day funding option
Offers joint loans

Cons
High minimum APR
Does not accept people with new or no credit
Does not allow cosigners
Restricts fund usage
Conducts hard credit inquiry
APR range: 8.14%–18.99%
Minimum/maximum loan amount: $3,500–$50,000
Minimum credit requirements: None
Repayment terms: 6–60 months
Time to receive funds: Next day

Best Personal Loan Lender for Bad Credit in Pittsburgh, PA: Upstart

Upstart
- 3.22% to 35.99%APR Range
- 300Minimum Credit Score
- $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
- 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Next DayTime to Receive Funds
Since Upstart does not have a strict credit score requirement for its loans, MoneyGeek found it to be the best option for individuals with bad credit scores in Pittsburgh. The company was founded in 2012.
The company allows you to check if you qualify for their loan online and performs soft credit inquiries, not affecting your credit scores. Once Upstart approves your loan, the funds will be available for your use in two days or less. The company also allows you to apply for a second loan if you still have an outstanding loan. However, you will only be approved if you have been responsibly making payments.
With Upstart, you can manage your loan online through its borrower’s dashboard. However, the company does not offer a mobile app for its borrowers.
Pros
Next-day funding available
No prepayment penalty
Low credit score requirement
Soft credit inquiry that doesn’t affect credit score
Low income requirement

Cons
Potentially high interest rates
Debt-to-income limit of 45%
No mobile app
APR range: 3.22%–35.99%
Minimum/maximum loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
Minimum credit requirements: 300
Repayment terms: 36–60 months
Time to receive funds: 1–2 days

Best Personal Loan Lender for Good Credit in Pittsburgh, PA: SoFi

SoFi
- 5.74% to 20.28%APR Range
- 680Minimum Credit Score
- $5,000 to $100,000Loan Amount Range
- 12 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Two DaysTime to Receive Funds
SoFi started in 2011 by initially offering student loan refinancing. Nowadays, the company also offers personal loans, mortgages and other financial products. MoneyGeek’s research shows that SoFi provides the best personal loans for Pittsburgh residents with good credit scores.
The company allows you to apply for a joint loan with a co-borrower, who helps you qualify for the loan and takes on the responsibility of payments. However, the company does not allow co-signers. It can take a few weeks to get approval for a loan if you have applied with a co-borrower. SoFi also offers several member benefits, including unemployment protection and the ability to take out multiple loans.
SoFi offers relatively low interest rates, but we will note that it also has a high minimum income requirement and debt-to-income limits of 43%.
Pros
No origination fee
No prepayment penalty
No late payment fee
Auto payment discount of 0.3%
Soft credit inquiry that doesn’t affect your credit scores
No restrictions on fund usage

Cons
No same-day funding available
High minimum credit score
$50,000 minimum gross income requirement
APR range: 5.74%–20.28%
Minimum/maximum loan amount: $5,000–$100,000
Minimum credit requirements: 680
Repayment terms: 12–60 months
Time to receive funds: Two days

Best Lender for Debt Consolidation in Pittsburgh, PA: Upgrade

Upgrade
- 5.94% to 35.47%APR Range
- 560Minimum Credit Score
- $1,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
- 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Same DayTime to Receive Funds
MoneyGeek’s research shows that Upgrade offers the best personal loan for debt consolidation in Pittsburgh. The company was founded in 2016. It provides secured and unsecured personal loans, credit cards, auto loans and checking accounts to its customers.
Upgrade directly pays your creditors if you take out a loan to consolidate your debt and offers funds as quickly as the same day you apply. It also allows individuals with fair credit scores to apply for a loan, and the personal loan amount can range from $1,000 to $50,000, making it a good option for individuals looking for smaller loans. With Upgrade, you get a strong 1% discount for setting up automatic payments. It also has a mobile app, which can be used to manage your loan online.
However, Upgrade often charges high interest rates. If you have a good credit history, you might be able to find cheaper rates by shopping around and comparing quotes from different lenders.
Pros
Soft credit inquiry that does not affect credit scores
Directly pays creditors in case of debt consolidation
No prepayment penalty
1% auto payment discount
No income requirements

Cons
High APR
High origination fee of 2.9%–8%
Restrictions on the usage of funds
APR range: 5.94%–35.47%
Minimum/maximum loan amount: $1,000–$50,000
Minimum credit requirements: 560
Repayment terms: 36–60 months
Time to receive funds: Same day

Best Lender for Home Improvement in Pittsburgh, PA: Best Egg

Best Egg
- 4.99% to 35.99%APR Range
- 700Minimum Credit Score
- $2,000 to $50,000Loan Amount Range
- 36 to 60 monthsRepayment Terms
- Next DayTime to Receive Funds
MoneyGeek found that Best Egg offers the best personal loan in Pittsburgh for home improvement. The company was founded in 2014, and it’s owned by Marlette Funding, a financial services company.
Best Egg provides online pre-qualification to borrowers and initially performs a soft credit inquiry, which won’t affect their credit scores. Usually, the borrowers can receive loan funds in their bank account the same day or the next day after approval. However, sometimes it can take up to three business days. With Best Egg, you can borrow amounts ranging from $2,000 to$50,000 and use the funds for different purposes, including debt consolidation, home improvements, travel, birth and adoption, weddings and more.
However, the company charges a potentially high APR. Best Egg also has high minimum credit scores and gross income requirements for borrowers in Pittsburgh.
Pros
No prepayment penalty
Direct payments for debt consolidation
Auto payment discount of 0.5%
Performs soft credit inquiries
No debt-to-income limits

Cons
High interest rates
$50,000 minimum gross income requirement
High credit score requirement
APR range: 4.99%–35.99%
Minimum/maximum loan amount: $2,000–$50,000
Minimum credit requirements: 700
Repayment terms: 36–60 months
Time to receive funds: Next day

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST PERSONAL LOAN LENDER IN Pittsburgh, PA FOR YOU

In Pennsylvania, the average personal loan debt is $27,165. While it’s perfectly fine to take out a loan to cover any upcoming or emergency expenses like medical bills, funerals, home improvements, debt consolidation or any other significant expense, you should always analyze your needs and financial situation first to choose the best option for you.

MoneyGeek recommends that you follow the steps below when looking for a personal loan provider.

1
Ask Yourself the Important Questions
It’s essential to consider a few things before applying for a loan. You can start by analyzing your current financial situation and whether getting a personal loan would positively affect it. See if you can cover your emergency needs or expenses in any other way, as a personal loan is a long-term commitment that can take a few years to pay off.
Also, if you have any existing debt, it might be difficult for you to make monthly payments on the new loan. Lenders often have different requirements like income limits and minimum credit scores. Determine if you meet those requirements. You should ask yourself the following questions before proceeding:
1. How much funding do I need?
2. What is my credit score?
3. Can I afford the monthly payment?
4. How much debt do I already have?
2
Do Your Research
Each lender follows different criteria for analyzing your application and giving you a quote. Since the terms, conditions, rates and fees vary across different companies, they all follow various methods to process your application. MoneyGeek researched and analyzed the best personal loan options for you in this guide and reviewed the top companies' personal loan products.
It's also a good idea to do your own research by shopping around and comparing the rates of different lenders. This is important as you'll be paying off your loan for an extended period (2–5 years), and it might affect your long-term personal goals.
Also, do not apply for a personal loan until you have compared different lenders, as many lenders perform a hard credit check when you apply, which can negatively affect your credit scores.
3
Wait
Once you’re done comparing different lenders based on their features, offers, rates and fees, you should wait a few days to think through your decision. Take your time, think about your financial obligations and determine which lender would best fit your needs. As getting a personal loan is a big commitment, it’s best to reassess if taking one out is the best option for your financial situation.
4
Read the Fine Print
You should always look at the rates and fees associated with the personal loan before submitting an application. You will find this information in the lender’s loan agreement. While inquiring about the loan, it’s best to ask the lender about any upfront or hidden costs, including pre-payment penalties, late payment fees and origination fees.
It’s important to go through the fine print of the personal loan thoroughly to understand how much you would be paying for it and whether your financial situation would allow you to continue making payments in the long run.
5
Apply
After you have made the final decision about the lender and analyzed every important factor, you can proceed with the application. At this point, you should have gathered all the information the lender might ask for while submitting the application.
The lender will require personal identification, income details and address verification at this stage. There are many different ways of submitting an application. The easiest option would usually be to apply online. However, you can also call or visit the lender if available.

What to Do if You Can’t Get a Personal Loan in Pittsburgh, PA

You can be denied a personal loan for many different reasons, including bad credit scores, high debt-to-income ratio, low income, unstable employment or incomplete paperwork within your application. However, in many situations, the primary reason behind a denied loan is a low credit score.

The best way to proceed is to ask the lender to provide you with the reason for the denial of the loan application and work with them to improve it. While it may be tempting to apply with a different lender, you should avoid doing so until you have improved whatever factor caused you to be denied in the first place.

MoneyGeek advises against getting a payday loan as it has very high interest rates and can cause you to accumulate a lot of debt if you cannot make the payment on time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans in Pittsburgh, PA

The best personal loan lender in Pittsburgh for you will depend on your needs, credit score and income requirements. MoneyGeek gathered answers to the following frequently asked questions to help you choose the right option.

What is the best personal loan lender in Pittsburgh, PA?

MoneyGeek's research shows that Truist is the best personal loan lender in Pittsburgh, PA. Upstart and SoFi are the best options for those with bad credit and good credit, respectively.

Which lender in Pittsburgh, PA has the lowest interest rate?

Upstart offers the lowest interest rate for a personal loan in Pittsburgh, PA. The bank offers personal loans starting at 3.22% APR for eligible borrowers.

Can I use a personal loan for vacations in Pittsburgh, PA?

Yes, it’s possible to fund your vacation using a personal loan in Pittsburgh, PA. The majority of lenders allow you to cover vacation expenses through personal loans. However, it’s best to contact the lender and ask if there are any restrictions on how you can use your loan.

Can I use a personal loan for home improvement in Pittsburgh, PA?

Most lenders allow the use of a personal loan for home improvement and renovations in Pittsburgh, PA. It’s always a good idea to look over the lender’s loan agreement to see if there are any restrictions on the use of personal loans.

What can I not use my personal loan for in Pittsburgh, PA?

While you can use a personal loan to cover any emergency or a significant expense, lenders often prohibit the use of personal loans for paying college tuition, down payment for a home, business expenses, gambling or any unlawful activity.

How much can I borrow in Pittsburgh, PA?

Your maximum personal loan amount varies depending on your financial needs, profile and lender’s eligibility requirements. In Pittsburgh, PA, lenders typically provide personal loans ranging from $1,000–$100,000.

How long does it take to get a personal loan in Pittsburgh, PA?

The loan approval time varies from lender to lender. Usually, it takes about 1–7 days to process a personal loan. However, some lenders offer same-day funding.

Can I pay off my loan early in Pittsburgh, PA?

You can pay off your loan early. While some lenders charge you a fee for paying off your loan early, some do not charge a prepayment penalty. You can read the fine print of the lender’s loan agreement for more information.

Our Personal Loan Methodology

We reviewed more than 30 personal loan lenders using 35+ individual data points across six key categories: loan affordability, accessibility, consumer friendliness, customer service, flexibility and lender transparency.

Within each ranking criteria category, we considered several individual data points that we feel carry the most weight when choosing a personal loan lender. These factors include APR ranges, available loan amount, minimum credit score, minimum income amount, application fees and disbursement time.

Here at MoneyGeek, we value you, the consumer, so we also factor in each lender’s customer support, business ratings and additional features that could make your experience easier and more accessible, like prequalification, payment options and mobile apps.

After careful consideration and calculation, our picks are determined with your best interest in mind. Our personal loan recommendations and expert tips are meant to help you make the best decision when choosing a lender that meets your needs.

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About Christopher Boston

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.

Best Personal Loans in Pittsburgh, PA