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Earnest was established in order to use advanced data analysis to make the loan approval process faster and better. Earnest aims to provide high-quality service, fast funding, and low rates to financially responsible borrowers with good credit scores who want better loan terms.
Earnest is expressly set up to provide better rates for financially responsible borrowers. Earnest uses advanced data evaluation to look at a borrower’s overall financial profile, so someone with a very short credit history but good financial prospects can get a loan on better terms than with some other lenders. It’s also ideal for anyone with a credit score of 660 or over and a good financial history. Because Earnest has very few restrictions on loan purpose and short loan repayment terms, its loans are best for anyone wanting to consolidate credit card debt, pay for home improvements, or cover an emergency.
Earnest personal loans come without any hidden fees or strings attached. You won’t be charged any origination, prepayment, early, or extra payment fees and application costs are kept low through the online application system.
Earnest leaves the loan purpose wide open, permitting you to use it for anything, from a vacation to an emergency, and from fees for unaccredited tuition programs to home improvements. The only things you can’t spend your Earnest loan on are college fees, real estate purchases, and business capital.
Flexible repayments are built into the Earnest model. You can choose between monthly or bi-weekly payments and request to extend your payment date by up to 7 days if you know you’re going to have trouble making the next payment. Earnest also permits borrowers to increase regular payments or make an extra payment without any charge. You can make payments via autopay, credit card, or through the website or app. Earnest provides forbearance terms to help out borrowers who lose their job and are having trouble making monthly payments as a result.
Earnest offers low APRs that begin at 5.25%. Terms are 1, 2, or 3 years so that you can pay off the loan quickly, but you can always pay off your loan early without any extra charge if you’re able to do so.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Low rates for borrowers with short credit history | Need to connect all financial accounts |
| Considers your overall financial profile | Only for borrowers with good credit |
| Flexible repayments | Customer phone support limited to working hours |
| No fees |
Earnest’s application process is entirely online and is somewhat different to that of other lenders. In order to get a full picture of your financial position, Earnest requires applicants to connect their financial accounts for read-only access so that it can check up on your financial history. You’ll also be asked about the purpose of the loan so that Earnest has some context for your application. In a rather unusual step, Earnest also asks about your educational and employment history as well as your current income, requesting you connect your LinkedIn profile, too. It says that this is in order to better assess your career trajectory and earning potential for paying off your loan.
Once you’ve completed the short online application and connected your accounts, you’ll be asked to provide personal information, share a copy of a government-issued photo ID, and your social security number for identification purposes. Earnest’s advanced algorithm works fast to evaluate your application and give you an answer within 5-10 business days. Once you’ve closed on the loan, you’ll get the funding through just one or two days after signing.
Earnest lends amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000. To be eligible for a loan from Earnest, you need:
Earnest adds that it helps you to get approval if you also:
Earnest offers its unsecured loans for terms of 1, 2, or 3 years. You can choose the length of your term when you apply for a loan. Earnest also lets borrowers choose between fixed and variable rates and to change from one to the other after six months of making payments on time.
Earnest only provides specific APRs in a personalized quote after you’ve completed the online application, but rates begin at 5.25% APR.
Earnest is committed to protecting user’s information. All of your information is encrypted and securely stored in an off-site secure server. Your login details aren’t accessible to any Earnest employees and all personal and financial data that’s requested to process a loan is handled and stored by a trusted third party. Earnest also promises never to sell your data.
Earnest has an extensive and comprehensive FAQ section that does a good job of covering most things you’d need to know. For existing borrowers, Earnest provides a ‘Client Happiness Team’ that is accessible through phone, email, or chat to work with you if you need to make any changes to your payments or renegotiate your loan.
Earnest’s customer support team is available through phone or email during regular business hours only, Pacific time.
Earnest is a great choice for borrowers with good credit scores or a positive financial situation but short credit history. Its advanced algorithm enables Earnest to offer lower rates and fast loan processing times. The zero fees, flexible payment options, and willingness to work with you if you lose your job or suffer a sudden drop in income are all further good reasons to go with Earnest.
303 2nd Street
San Francisco, CA
94107
