A lender's flexibility can be an important factor when you're shopping around for a personal loan — especially if you don't have good credit yet. Achieve works with borrowers with imperfect credit and offers ways to tailor your loan to your needs. It can be a solid choice for a lender, but as with any financial product, it might not be perfect for everyone.
CNBC Select reviews Achieve personal loans, takes a close look at their terms and offers potential alternatives so you can pick the right lender for you.
Achieve® Personal Loans
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
8.99% to 35.99%
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, major purchase
Loan amounts
$5,000 to $50,000
Terms
24 and 60 months
Credit needed
620 or higher
Origination fee
1.99% to 6.99%
Early payoff penalty
None
Late fee
See terms
See our methodology, terms apply.
Pros
- Flexible term lengths
- Rate discounts available
- Works with borrowers with fair credit
Cons
- Loans may not be available in all states
- The lender charges origination fees
Achieve personal loan review
- APR
- Perks
- Fees
- Loan amount
- Term length
- Compare personal loans
- Bottom line
APR
APRs on personal loans from Achieve range from 8.99% to 35.99%, including origination fees. This is in line with other similar personal loan offers available on the market. The interest rate you'll get depends on your credit score — the higher it is, the better your chances of getting a low rate. Achieve requires a minimum credit score of 620, which is considered a "fair" score.
Perks
Achieve will perform a soft credit pull and tell you how likely it is that you'll get approved for a loan before you apply. This lets you compare potential offers and pick one with the best terms without any impact on your credit. The lender will only place a hard inquiry on your credit report once you apply (which might lower your score by a few points).
The application process is quick and simple, and Achieve advertises same-day decisions. Loan terms are flexible, allowing you to choose the term length that works for you and set a monthly payment date. You may qualify for a rate discount if you have a co-borrower, can show proof of sufficient retirement funds, or use the loan to directly pay off your creditors. The lender will fund your loan within 24-72 hours of approval.
Fees
Achieve charges an origination fee that ranges from 1.99% to 6.99%. While these fees are common, not all lenders charge them. If you're borrowing a large amount, these fees can become a significant expense.
On the other hand, Achieve doesn't charge any application or early prepayment fees.
Loan amount
Achieve offers personal loans from $5,000 to $50,000, but the available amounts may depend on what state you live in and the purpose of your loan. If your desired loan amount is outside of this range, you might have to look into other lenders.
Term length
Term lengths for Achieve personal loans range from two to five years (24 to 60 months), and it's possible Archive will let you choose your own term length (within that range). Note that while a longer term length shrinks your monthly payments, it can also come with a higher interest rate that could make the overall cost of borrowing money more expensive.
Compare personal loans
CNBC Select has ranked Achieve as one of the best debt consolidation loans for bad credit thanks to its relaxed credit requirements, competitive rates and flexible terms. However, it's always a good idea to consider multiple lenders when you're shopping for a personal loan. This way, you can make sure you're getting the best deal available.
If your credit score leaves a lot to be desired, it doesn't mean you're limited in your options. Upstart, for example, even works with borrowers with insufficient credit history. You can borrow between $1,000 and $50,000, but be mindful of origination fees which can go up to 12% of the loan amount.
Upstart Personal Loans
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
6.40% - 35.99%
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, credit card refinancing, wedding, moving or medical
Loan amounts
$1,000 to $50,000
Terms
36 and 60 months
Credit needed
FICO or Vantage score of 600 (but will accept applicants whose credit history is so insufficient they don't have a credit score)
Origination fee
0% to 12% of the target amount
Early payoff penalty
None
Late fee
The greater of 5% of monthly pastdue amount or $15
Terms apply.
On the other hand, if your credit is in great shape, you have plenty of options when it comes to lenders and can focus on securing the best rate. PenFed makes a solid choice because it offers comparatively low APRs. Loan amounts range from $600 to $50,000, and you won't have to deal with any origination fees.
PenFed Personal Loans
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
7.99% to 17.99% APR
Loan purpose
Debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses, auto financing and more
Loan amounts
$600 to $50,000
Terms
1 to 5 years
Credit needed
Good/Excellent
Origination fee
None
Early payoff penalty
None
Late fee
$29
Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!
Money matters —so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.Sign up here.
Bottom line
Achieve is an online lender providing personal loans for various purposes. It can be an excellent choice for borrowers with imperfect credit looking to consolidate high-interest debt. Still, even if you fit this description, make sure to compare offers from several lenders before you apply. This way, you'll have a better chance of securing a loan with advantageous terms.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal loan review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal loan products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage ofcredit cards,bankingandmoney, and follow us onTikTok,Facebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.
Read more
4 personal loan lenders that accept applicants with credit scores that are 580 or lower
Applying for a personal loan with poor credit? Here's what you should know
How to get a loan for unexpected expenses when you have bad credit
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
As a financial expert with extensive knowledge in personal loans and lending practices, I can offer insights into the key concepts mentioned in the article about Achieve personal loans, as well as alternative options such as Upstart and PenFed.
Achieve® Personal Loans Overview:
-
APR (Annual Percentage Rate):
- Achieve personal loans have APRs ranging from 8.99% to 35.99%, including origination fees. This is a standard range for personal loans, and the actual rate is determined by the borrower's credit score. Achieve requires a minimum credit score of 620, which falls within the "fair" credit range.
-
Perks:
- Achieve conducts a soft credit pull, allowing applicants to check their likelihood of approval without impacting their credit score. The application process is quick, and Achieve advertises same-day decisions. Borrowers may qualify for rate discounts with a co-borrower, proof of sufficient retirement funds, or using the loan for direct creditor payment.
-
Fees:
- Achieve charges an origination fee ranging from 1.99% to 6.99%, which is a common practice among lenders. Notably, Achieve doesn't impose application or early prepayment fees.
-
Loan Amount and Term Length:
- Achieve offers personal loans from $5,000 to $50,000, with term lengths ranging from 24 to 60 months. The actual loan amount available may depend on the borrower's state and the purpose of the loan.
-
Comparison with Other Lenders:
- CNBC Select ranks Achieve as one of the best debt consolidation loans for bad credit due to its relaxed credit requirements, competitive rates, and flexible terms. However, the article suggests considering multiple lenders for the best deal.
Upstart Personal Loans:
-
APR and Credit Requirements:
- Upstart offers personal loans with APRs ranging from 6.40% to 35.99%. It caters to borrowers with insufficient credit history, accepting applicants without a credit score. The minimum required credit score is a FICO or Vantage score of 600.
-
Origination Fee and Terms:
- Upstart may charge an origination fee ranging from 0% to 12% of the target amount. Loan terms are available for 36 and 60 months.
PenFed Personal Loans:
-
APR and Credit Requirements:
- PenFed provides personal loans with APRs ranging from 7.99% to 17.99%. It targets borrowers with good/excellent credit.
-
Origination Fee and Terms:
- PenFed does not charge origination fees. Loan amounts range from $600 to $50,000, with terms available from 1 to 5 years.
General Advice:
- Achieve is recommended for borrowers with imperfect credit looking to consolidate high-interest debt, but the article emphasizes the importance of comparing offers from multiple lenders to secure favorable terms.
- Achieve's flexibility in terms and rate discounts makes it appealing, but borrowers should be aware of the origination fees.
- The article underscores the significance of considering alternative lenders like Upstart and PenFed based on individual credit profiles.
Why Trust CNBC Select:
- CNBC Select is committed to providing high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice.
- Personal loan reviews are based on rigorous reporting by an expert team with extensive knowledge of personal loan products.
- Editorial standards and ethics are prioritized, and content is created independently without influence from commercial teams or external third parties.
In conclusion, the article offers valuable insights into Achieve personal loans and provides a well-rounded perspective on choosing the right lender based on individual financial needs and credit situations.
