Credible
4.8
6.2
Overall Score
Author: Kaitlyn Short
Credible is a financial service marketplace founded in San Francisco in 2012 by CEO and Australian native, Stephen Dash. The idea for Credible sprouted from Dash's response to American student debt and how much of a toll it takes on students. Credible strives to provide students multiple lenders and rates to help them choose their financial future.
Top Ranked Companies
The Good
- Multiple Lenders
- Low APR Rates
- Flexible Degree Coverage
Multiple Lenders
Credible offers borrowers a wide range of lenders to consider. With multiple lenders, borrowers are able to research which lender gives them the best loan for their situation. This feature allows borrowers to make their own decisions regarding their loans and provide knowledge of various lenders that are available to them. Because each lender is different, borrowers can choose between fixed rates, variable rates, deferred repayment, and interest-only repayment options.
Low APR Rates
APR rates are definitely something to consider when looking into student loans. Credible's low-range rates are considerably lower than those of other student loan companies; however, eligibility for lower rate options will be based on your current finances and creditworthiness.
Flexible Degree Coverage
Credible claims to finance almost any degree out there. This is an advantage because their flexibility is due to their multiple lenders option. There are few boundaries that accompany Credible's student loan variety.
The Bad
- Time in Business
- Prequalification Process
- No Guaranteed Lender Offer
Time in Business
Due to Credible’s relative inexperience in the student loans industry, more time is required before it can be considered totally reliable. This is not to say that Credible is a bad company; however, in such a competitive and rapidly evolving industry, the company needs time to establish a proven track record of success.
Prequalification Process
In order for borrowers to start their search for a lender, they must complete the prequalification process first. When you receive prequalified rates*, there is no definite guarantee that those are the rates that will be used. Credible’s website states that lenders “reserve the right to change or withdraw prequalified rate at any time.” This may present a sense of insecurity to borrowers who expect these exact rates.
No Guaranteed Lender Offer
Credible does not guarantee that a borrower will receive an offer from a lender. Although they pride themselves on getting low rates for borrowers, they really leave the process in the hands of the lenders themselves. This can present a problem to the borrower who doesn’t receive an offer from a lender as the borrower might not be able to move forward without an offer.
The Bottom Line
Credible provides borrowers with a variety of student loan options that allows borrowers to have major flexibility. They also present considerably low fixed and variable APR rates which helps borrowers get the financial plan they need to fit their situation. However, they haven't been in business long enough to acquire solid reliability, their prequalification process lacks clarity, and borrowers are not guaranteed an offer from a lender. Overall, they present borrowers with good options that are worth looking into.
*Prequalified rates are based on the information you provide and a soft credit inquiry. Receiving prequalified rates does not guarantee that the Lender will extend you an offer of credit. You are not yet approved for a loan or a specific rate. All credit decisions, including loan approval, if any, are determined by Lenders, in their sole discretion. Rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Rates from Lenders may differ from prequalified rates due to factors which may include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in your personal credit circumstances; (ii) additional information in your hard credit pull and/or additional information you provide (or are unable to provide) to the Lender during the underwriting process; and/or (iii) changes in APRs (e.g., an increase in the rate index between the time of prequalification and the time of application or loan closing. (Or, if the loan option is a variable rate loan, then the interest rate index used to set the APR is subject to increases or decreases at any time). Lenders reserve the right to change or withdraw the prequalified rates at any time.
