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5.3

Overall Score

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LAST UPDATED: January 5th, 2024

Check City is an online payday loan company that also has several storefront locations in four states. They were founded in 1986 and have expanded their services to include gold buying, prepaid debit cards, money orders, check cashing, and more.

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The Good

  • One-Step Application Process
  • Fast Approval
  • Extended Payment Plan

One-Step Application Process

Check City has a one-step application process, unlike other online payday loan lenders, such as Cash Central or Check Into Cash, which have several steps and pages the user must go through.

All the information for applying with Check City is located on one page. Whether you are doing an online application or applying in-store, you will need: your personal information, employment, and income information, your bank account number, a form of identification, and a reference.

If you are applying online, you can fill out the loan application and submit it for review.

Fast Approval

It only takes a few minutes to receive a decision back. Upon approval and signing the loan agreement, the money will automatically be deposited into your account on the next business day as long as the process is completed by 8:00pm CT Monday-Thursday. 

Loans completed over the weekend will be funded on the following Monday. If you are applying in-store, you will need to bring a personal check with you. Upon approval and signing the loan agreement, you will make out a check to Check City for the loan amount, fee, and interest rate. 

Check City cashes the check on the agreed-upon repayment date and the loan is paid in full. Check City's in-store customers do not have to return to the store to repay the loan, which can save you some time and hassle. 

Those who fill out an online application are enrolled in automatic payment and the funds are debited out of the account on the agreed-upon date.

Extended Payment Plan

In-store customers who are unable to repay the loan on time are eligible for an Extended Payment Plan. Check City will split up the payments into four equal payments with no added interest. 

Check City is one of the only payday loan lenders that offer extended payment plans without adding interest or fees. Customers are only eligible for the Extended Payment Plan once per year, though. 

The term of a Check City payday loan varies from state to state, but in most cases, they are a 7-, 14-, or 30-day term. These terms are based off of individual state laws, so you'll need to use Check City's fee schedule feature to determine the rates and fees as well as terms for your state and loan amount. 

Check City's website is intuitive and straightforward, and provides a map that shows which states they do and do not operate in - this saves the customer time if Check City isn't able to lend in their state. 

The contact information, Apply Now button, login access and links to FAQs are prominently displayed on the home page and easily accessible throughout the company's website.

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The Bad

  • High APRs
  • Additional Fees
  • Late Payments

High APRs

Check City has high APR rates and fees in comparison to other loan industries. The APR rates range from 214.71% to 1173.21% depending on the amount borrowed, the term of the loan, and the state you reside in.

Additional Fees

Some states also charge a loan fee ranging from $15.00-30.00 per $100.00 that you borrow, as well as verification fees. 

This means that your accrued debt could be much higher than the principal sum you want to borrow - be sure to clarify what APR rates and fees you're committing to before taking out a payday loan.

Late Payments

On top of the initial interest and fees added onto the borrowed amount, if you miss a payment or your payment is returned due to insufficient funds, you can incur even more fees. 

Check City will attempt to call, email, or text you to make arrangements for payment. Delinquent accounts may be placed or sold to a third party collection agency, which means you may be getting phone calls, texts, or emails at your home and possibly your place of work if you fall seriously behind on your repayment.

Late payments and delinquent accounts are also reported to credit bureaus, which can have a negative impact on your credit score and your ability to finance any loans in the future.

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The Bottom Line

Check City excels in experience with over 29 years in business and exceptional customer service. This is refreshing to know that you will be taken care of if you take out a Check City loan. 

Along with that, you can expect to be approved within minutes and have your money in as little as one business day. 

Unfortunately, this lender is only available in four states and has extremely high interest rates (up to 1100%). This should be very concerning for potential customers, as they will be liable to pay those rates.

There are definitely other payday loan companies that are more widely available and offer lower rates and fees. Be sure to research all of your other loan options before going with a Check City loan. 

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Star Rating

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4.4

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61 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

75%

4 grade

10%

3 grade

3%

2 grade

0%

1 grade

11%

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Teresa Kamekona Rancho Cordova, CA

DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! after collecting so much personal and financial information about me they denied a $255 loan to me. I let them into my bank account via online link so they could confirm over $8,000 in deposits for 3 consecutive months and I also supplied them with paystubs for my job that I receive a paycheck. My other income is from my cleaning business which is paid to me by cash or via zelle. Those deposits they were able to see. But because they did not see me deposit my checks on payday they claimed they could not verify my income. UH HELLO! MAYBE I HAD ENOUGH MONEY IN THAT ACCOUNT AT THE TIME (WHICH YOU COULD EASILY SEE) THAT I MAY HAVE CASHED MY CHECK AND DONE SOMETHING ELSE WITH IT! They just want to collect your information for what purpose I can not say! SCANDELOUS!

2 months ago

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Henry Garcia San Antonio, TX

All I was asking for is extension on my loan this money hungry company could not award me my extension not my fault company is closed do to Corvid 19 ran out of vacation and sick leave do to knee surgery I had in February I have been employed 37 years with company I go back on 10th of April Sad And Bad on this money hungry Company

3 years ago

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Toni Richmond, VA

Absolute worse experience...customer service?? Zero! Just a total waste of time. They actually run a credit check - what kind of credit do you think is walking through their doors - 700+ credit?? Never again....wish I could give less than one star...

5 years ago

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William South Jordan, UT

It was easy to get the check loan but the fees and interest rates are ridiculous. Dealing with their customer service is also a nightmare. Don't use this company.

6 years ago

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Marion Waddy Richmond, VA

They have rude managers that threat people over the phone before they could explain

5 years ago

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David Mallory Hays Provo, UT

I hate pay day loans, I did this once and suffered no ill consequences, but I would never recommend this

5 years ago

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Jasmine Dallas, TX

Horrible service, horrible company!!!!!!

6 years ago