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4.9

Overall Score

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LAST UPDATED: July 27th, 2021

LendUp is a San Francisco-based lending company. It offers financial education, credit reporting services, and short-term lending solutions for consumers with less-than-perfect credit and flat-out bad credit. These online lending services are in the form of personal installment loans and single-payment loans, commonly referred to as cash advances or payday loans.

LendUp is focused on changing the payday loan system so that customers do not get trapped in a cycle of debt. Unlike many payday lenders, LendUp emphasizes financial inclusion, with a goal of long-term financial health for each borrower. The LendUp Ladder provides customers in many states the opportunity to earn access to more money at lower rates over time (where available).

The types of loans available, rates, and terms vary depending on where you live. Loan options vary between a cash advance, and installment loans. This company is currently only accepting new customers in a few states: 

California

Single-Payment Loans

  • $100–$255
  • 7–30 days

Online Installment Loans

  • $100–$1,000
  • 6 months max
  • Origination fee may apply

Louisiana

Single-Payment Loans

  • $100–$350
  • 7–30 days

Online Installment Loans

  • $100–$1,000
  • 12 months max
  • Origination fee may apply

Mississippi

Single-Payment Loans

  • $100–$400
  • 30 days max

Loans less than $250 - minimum loan term is 7 days

Loans more than $250 - minimum loan term is 28 days

Missouri

Single-Payment Loans

  • $100–$500
  • 14–30 days

Online Installment Loans

  • $100–$1,000
  • 12 months max
  • 180% max APR

South Carolina

Online Installment Loans

  • $610–$1,000
  • 5 months max
  • 460% max APR

Wisconsin

Single-Payment Loans

  • $100–$500
  • 7–30 days

Tennessee

Single-Payment Loans

  • $100–$500
  • 7–31 days

Online Installment Loans

  • $500–$1,000
  • 12 months max
  • An administrative fee may apply

The LendUp loan application is fast and doesn't require a hard credit check. 

LendUp previously offered a line of credit builder and secured credit cards, with no hidden fees, to help people with poor credit or unscored credit build positive credit history. These cards are now operated by a new company called Mission Lane

Keep reading for pros and cons, plus LendUp reviews from real users.

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The Good

  • Easy-to-Use Loan Calculator
  • Fast Application and Fast Decision
  • LendUp Ladder Rewards Responsible Behavior
  • Fast Customer Service
  • Lender Availability
  • Payment Options

Easy-to-Use Loan Calculator

LendUp values transparency and is upfront about what a cash loan will ultimately cost, providing consumers with a loan calculator directly on the main page of its website. 

With this calculator, customers can adjust the lending amount, which is typically from $100 to $250 for first-time borrowers, and the repayment terms, which are typically from 7 to 30 days (varies by state).

Fast Application and Fast Decision

A LendUp payday or personal loan application is free and takes as few as five minutes to complete. The loan application has basic eligibility requirements that require several pieces of information from each customer: 

  • Address
  • Income
  • A social security number
  • A checking account that accepts ACH transfers
  • Income verification (in select states)

You don't need to have good credit to be approved to borrow money. The application process uses a soft credit check. This means that applying for a LendUp loan doesn’t affect your credit score with the three main credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax). 

After visitors complete a loan request, an instant decision is given. You have 30 days from the loan origination approval date to accept the loan agreement and its quoted rates and terms. 

If your loan is submitted by 5 PM Pacific or 8 PM Eastern on a business day, your funds will be deposited into your checking account within one business day. 

LendUp Ladder Rewards Responsible Behavior

LendUp is one of our payday loan alternatives. Uniquely, LendUp states that one of its goals is to move beyond a traditional payday loan format (where available), so it encourages responsible financial behavior. As you repay the loan, eligible customers move up the LendUp Ladder by taking financial education courses and avoiding late payment, among other things.

Customers in certain states can borrow larger maximum loan amounts, with longer terms, and lower interest rates as they earn more ladder points (where available). In states with installment loans, with successive loans, borrowers can progress all the way up to prime loan rates. 

With additional LendUp loans and progression up the Ladder, consumers in some states have the opportunity for repayment to be reported to the major credit bureaus to help build credit history, and end up with a better FICO score. 

The Ladder program is currently available in seven states: 

  • California
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Wisconsin

Fast Customer Service

LendUp provides clients with an online email form and a physical mailing address for contacting the company. Emails are generally responded to right away with an automated message, and from someone on the LendUp team within an hour or so. No phone number is provided.

Most reviews of LendUp's customer service have been positive, and LendUp has even received positive notice and reviews from several reputable national news sources, including TIME, Fortune, and TechCrunch.

Availability

LendUp payday advance and loan services are available in more than 20 states to existing customers, and in seven states for brand new customers: 

  • California
  • Louisiana
  • Mississippi
  • Missouri
  • South Carolina
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin 

LendUp personal loans and short-term financial offerings vary from state to state; for example, some states allow for longer repayment periods. 

At lendup.com, the terms and conditions for each state are clearly outlined, and several states even include links to longer pamphlets officially issued by the states’ Consumer Protection departments. Borrowers should thoroughly review the details for their state before starting the application process or accepting a loan.

Payment Options

There are a few different options when it comes to repaying your loan. Loan payments can be made with an automatic withdrawal from a checking account or debit card. Additionally, monthly payments can be made via MoneyGram service and check.

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The Bad

  • New Borrower Cash Limits
  • High Interest Rates
  • 2016 CFPB Finding
  • Possible Additional Fees
  • Same-Day Funding Not Available

New Borrower Cash Limits

It's always beneficial when a lender goes out of its way to offer bad credit personal loans or bad credit payday loans with better terms than other providers. LendUp offers to serve consumers that have a hard time getting funding from a traditional financial institution, whether due to employment status or trouble passing a credit check. This is wonderful. 

However, there is one thing that may hold people back from applying for LendUp's no credit check loans: how much money do they need to borrow?

Depending on your state, first-time borrowers can only take out unsecured loans up to $250. When it comes to emergency loans, we recognize that this amount will be less risky for the lender and easier for the borrower to repay, to start the lending relationship in a positive way. However, what if your car breaks down and it costs more than $250 to fix? What if your water heater dies in the dead of winter and you need funds to replace it? (It typically costs $769–$1,448 to install a water heater). 

If you are stuck in a situation like this and you have bad credit (or unscored credit), LendUp's new borrower financial services will limit how much it can help. 

High Interest Rates

Different types of loans have different interest rates. Although this lender is interested in providing more transparent funding than traditional payday loan companies, LendUp payday loans have rates that are still very high due to the nature of short-term and single-payment loan services. 

This lender offers APRs from 96.82% to 446.90%. Rates and terms vary depending on the applicant’s state and creditworthiness. 

LendUp breaks down that rate for each state as a percentage of the loan amount. While these rates are potentially much better than the rates offered by other payday loan companies, they are still quite high because they are meant for people with subprime credit. 

2016 CFPB Finding

In September 2016, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) took action against Flurish, Inc. dba LendUp for failing to deliver on company promises. The main issues involved transparency issues and undisclosed information about which states the LendUp ladder perks were available in, the true cost of loans, and failure to report to the credit bureaus, among others. 

The company was required to provide $1.83 million to more than 50,000 customers, end deceptive practices and unlawful advertisements, ensure that annual percentage rate (APR) information is disclosed, and pay a $1.8 million civil penalty. 

Possible Additional Fees

LendUp is dedicated to remaining transparent about borrowers' responsibilities, and in accordance with that, the online lender states that there may be additional fees to pay. 

In particular, there is an insufficient funds fee (NSF) if adequate funds are not available in a borrower's bank account when payment is due, although the NSF fee amount varies by state.

Same-Day Funding Not Available

Loan funds can be deposited in your bank account starting the next business day. This online lender's website lists options for same-day funding, but both the same-day funding for Wells Fargo checking customers and the 15-minute transfer option are currently unavailable. 

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The Bottom Line

Although LendUp is a short-term direct lender and therefore charges higher interest rates and fees than standard financial institutions and good credit lenders, the company has set out to change the payday loan system, encourage smart financial decisions, improve financial well-being, and reward responsible borrowing.

A first-time borrower is offered small-dollar loans of $100 to $250, although that amount may go up depending on the state. Personal loan service is available in more than 20 states for existing customers and in seven states for new customers. Loan terms and rates vary from state to state. 

A reward system called the LendUp Ladder lets customers can earn points when they pay off short-term loans and complete online courses about financial health, credit, and money management. This includes opportunities for credit reporting to improve your credit report. 

LendUp has received positive reviews and feedback in the news, with most of the attention focused on its unique approach to the payday lending system.

Have you borrowed a loan from LendUp? Let us know about your experience with a quick review below. 

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Star Rating

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3.8

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16 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

44%

4 grade

19%

3 grade

19%

2 grade

6%

1 grade

13%

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Jennifer R.

I have had a great experience with this company. I have worked with them for about a year. Very flexible. Offers payday and installment loans. They don't seem to approve more than what they feel you can handle. You have to earn higher loan amounts with consistent on time payments and responsible borrowing. Customer is in control of what they borrow and the dates of repayment. Good payment history gets you better loan offers. After a while, offers choice to report positive payment history to credit bureaus. Provides financial education. Reasonable payment plans that don't invade your bank account multiple times per month. Everything is done online but customer service reps are readily available by phone call. They are very nice and if you get a message saying someone will call you back, they actually do. Interest rates are high but you can pay extra on your loan anytime you want, and when you do, it actually decreases the amount of interest you pay, unlike other "loan shark" companies. Everything is clear cut. No surprises. I recommend this company above all others if you find yourself in need of a quick loan. When I pay off my loan, I will actually miss this company. LOL

7 years ago

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Jonathan Sandi Chicago, IL

I have never had an issue with them. I'm from Illinois, and live in Chicago. The process is pretty easy and you definitely get your money deposited in your account. I've so far have done about 5 loans with them. I've never been late on my payments so I really don't know what happens if you're ever late. But I've heard they're flexible with your situations. I found hem thru credit karma. I'd totally recommend it.

8 years ago

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David

I've been doing business with this company for 6 months and they were a life savior. The rates are perfect, and as long as you conduct timely payments, or even able to sooner, the rewards are even greater in amount requests. I haven't yet seen an APR reduction, but still, I am satisfied with the 10%.

6 years ago

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Allison Gentry

No hidden interest fees, allows you to borrow again 24 hrs after paying loan back for those times when things are really tight. Interest is reasonable and although the starting amount of $250 is not much it is easy to move up the lending ladder to higher amounts fairly quickly.

7 years ago

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Legal Resolutions North Richland Hills, TX

I have gotten several small payday loans from LendUp this year, and I paid them back on the due dates. For my present loan, I realized that I would not be able to meet the due date, so one week in advance of the due date, I asked for an extension of time to pay. All I got was the runaround from a lady named Sarah. Here is what they send you, over and over even after you provide the information and you are logged into your account: "Hello, Thank you for contacting us! We're currently experiencing higher than normal response times via email. Please note if you are not logged into your account, response will be delayed further. If you did not log in and send your message through the Contact Us page, please include: • Full Name • Date of Birth • Last 4 digits of your Social Security Number in your email Alternatively, you can log in and send us a message from the Contact Us page, no verification required. We appreciate your patience. - The LendUp Team" The consequences of this fiasco are not pleasant. After I clean up this mess, I will never transact business with LendUp again, and I suggest you save yourself the aggravation and not do so either because LendUp is one of many predatory lenders.

4 years ago

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Laura Cortez Los Angeles, CA

They have helped me out in the time of need. I cannot thank them enough. It's like having an angel . Thanks guys.

7 years ago

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winsome williams

This company is a money hungry and selfish institution othet loan companies will give u a discount if u pay the loan off ahead of time but Big Picture loan added $68.00 to my statement.

6 years ago

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Patricia La Junta, CO

This review gave me what information I needed in getting a simple loan to pay off some of my existing bills.

7 years ago

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Judy Johnson PA

This will be very helpful and when it is approved it will go a long way to alleviate some of my problems. Thanks in advance

7 years ago

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Michele

Up front with fees and no hassle application. Just what you need for quick cash and payback

6 years ago

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Janice Nelson Meridian, ID

I personally have never had any regret's and I have never been displeased ,

7 years ago

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Corey Silva Palmetto, FL

Straight forward payday loan. Good customer service.

6 years ago

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Brenda Miller

Fair and honest lending and offers education and coaching on how to lend and credit information.

7 years ago

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Octavia Taylor GA

It is awesome and it's very helpful thank

7 years ago

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RAY Fayetteville, AR

Sending to much mail and I've tryed alot and neaver got a loan. I ask them to stop sending me mail and still do

7 years ago

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peterappelo Los Angeles, CA

great loans love it much...

7 years ago