LendNation Logo
star star star star_half star_border

6.5

Overall Score

LAST UPDATED: March 23rd, 2024

LendNation is a small-dollar, short-term lender founded in 1984 and based in Lenexa, Kansas. It is owned by QC Holdings, Inc. QCHI's many retail store locations have been known under many different names including Check$mart, Quick Cash, and Q C Finance. In recent years, the company has transitioned the branding of its operations in most states to LendNation, but some still retain their original names and simply work as a part of the LendNation network. It offers both online and in-store products and services.

As with all payday lenders, or short-term lenders focusing on consumers with poor credit, loan types, loan terms, maximum amounts, and the available annual percentage rate (APR) is dependent upon local and state deferred deposit loan or short-term cash loan statutes. Some states only allow installment-based loans, while others allow typical payday or cash advance loans that have to be paid back within two to four weeks.

LendNation's main lending products are determined by local governments and interest rate laws for each state. Depending on your state, you could be able to get a traditional payday loan, also known as a cash advance, a personal installment loan, or an auto title loan.

The average APR for a 14-day payday loan from this company is 533 percent, but payday loan APRs range from 300 percent to 800 percent. Loan origination fees (for installment loans) are included in total APRs. LendNation offers loans in the following states:

  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Kansas
  • Kentucky
  • Louisiana
  • Missouri
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • Oklahoma — no online loans
  • Texas
  • Utah
  • Wisconsin

It is a member of the Comunity Financial Services Association of America.

Top Ranked Companies

thumb_up

The Good

  • Quick Application
  • No Prepayment Penalty

Quick Application

In most of LendNation's states, consumers can apply online or in a local store. The loan application process doesn't rely on your credit score, as this lender doesn't do a traditional credit check. There is no hard pull to show up on your credit report. Loan decisions are based on the personal information you provide about your income and employment.

LendNation has several basic application requirements for people that want to borrow money:

  • An active checking account
  • Valid telephone number
  • Valid email address
  • Verifiable source of income

Once you fill an online application with this lending company, your pre-approval offer is immediately accepted or declined. You don't have to wait to receive any word. From there, you will have to talk to someone from LendNation's customer service department for actual loan approval. You will be contacted by phone from one of LendNation's employees to talk about loan options if you are pre-approved.

If you apply for your loan online, funds typically can be received via direct deposit within one business day or you can pick up cash at a local location, if available.
In-store applicants may need to provide photo ID, like a driver's license, and references are needed in some states.

No Prepayment Penalty

Consumers can pay off their short-term loans with LendNation early. There is no early repayment fee in this company's loan agreement.

thumb_down

The Bad

  • Availability
  • Expensive Credit
  • Fees
  • Need More Information

Availability

This lender only offers its services in 13 states. If you live outside of its coverage area, you will have to look to additional lenders in your state to handle your unexpected expenses.

Expensive Credit

As with all payday loans and personal installment loans catered to people with little, no, or bad credit history, LendNationals products and services are an expensive form of credit. If you have access to a Payday Alternative Loan from your local credit union, or you are able to get a less expensive loan, that is always recommended.

Fees

Even if you took out a small loan with this type of lender, you need to be aware that there are likely going to be late payment fees and NSF insufficient funds fees if they try to debit money from your checking account, but the request is returned due to insufficient funds. These vary from state to state, but for example, the NSF fee is $30 and if your payment is ten or more days late, the fee is 5 percemt of the payment due, up to $7.50.

In some states, LendNation offers a pay-in-full option, or a 5 percent principal paydown plus interest to spread it into three payments.

Need More Information

At this time, we need a little more information about LendNation's critical policies and fees that are charged to customers. It is pretty hard to track down a maximum APR range, because some of the company's state-specific pages are lacking rate information.

gavel

The Bottom Line

If you have unexpected expenses and you are unable to get access to mainstream credit, LendNation is a run-of-the-mill provider of short-term loans with regular payday loan interest rates with an annual percentage from 300 to 782.

On the bright side, you can easily fill out an online application for most of the company's loan products if you live in its 13-state coverage area.

Have you borrowed or applied for a payday loan with LendNation? Let us know about your experience with a quick review below.

Was this content helpful?
thumb_up Yes thumb_down No

Star Rating

info

3.6

star star star star_half star_border

58 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

74%

4 grade

2%

3 grade

0%

2 grade

2%

1 grade

22%

Sentiment Criteria

Value

star star star star star_border

Quality

star star star star star_border

Service

star star star star star_border

Trustworthiness

star star star star_half star_border
cancel

Filter by:

arrow_drop_down

Sort by:

arrow_drop_down
info
check_circle

Review Source

star star star star star_border

David Horne

Lend Nation is always friendly to me and they help me understand things when I don’t know, Andrea & Sherie are wonderful

1 month ago