2020 California Lender Rankings
We have reviewed 12 California installment loan lenders.
Our review of installment loans considers three areas: reputation, cost, and features. Reputation considers state licensing and Better Business Bureau scores. Cost is based on terms, fees, and rates. Features include things like credit reporting or fee transparency.
A listing in this table is not an endorsement. This table includes all lenders we have reviewed who offer loans to California residents.
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- Loans: $500 - $4,000
- APR: 99% - 199%
- State Licensed Lender
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- Loans: $100 - $2,000
- APR: 175% - 1,029%
- State Licensed Lender
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- Loans: $100 - $500
- APR: 155% - 164%
- State Licensed Lender
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- Loans: $300 - $5,000
- APR: 60% - 299%
- State Licensed Lender
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- Loans: $500 to $2,600
- APR: 170% to 349%
- State Licensed Lender
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- Loans: $250 to $5,000
- APR: 314% to 662%
- State Licensed Lender
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- Loans: $100 to $2,500
- APR: 782%
- Tribe Based Lender
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- Loans: $1,000
- APR: 300%
- Tribe Based Lender
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- Loans: $300 to $1,500
- APR: 725%
- Tribe Based Lender
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- Loans: $10 to $2,500
- APR: 206.14% to 442.31%
- Tribe Based Lender
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- Loans: $100 to $2,500
- APR: 782%
- Tribe Based Lender
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- Loans: $300 to $2,500
- APR: None Listed
- Tribe Based Lender
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* Based on our analysis these lenders offer loans to California residents. We aim to keep our information accurate but check each lender's website for up-to-date information.
California Installment Loans Details
California residents can choose from 12 installment loan lenders.
Installment loans do not require good credit and, unlike traditional payday loans, are paid back over multiple pay periods. These loans are relatively expensive loans so make sure you have considered other options such as bank loans, credit cards, or friends and family before taking one.
California installment lenders are ranked in the table above. Many consumers prefer installment loans over payday loans because loan repayment is spread out over a longer period of time which often makes these loans cheaper than payday loans if you need multiple pay periods to repay your loan. See Payday Loans or Installment Loans for more information on comparing these two types of loans. Also you can visit installment loans for more general information.
Installment loans are generally paid off in two years and have loans amounts up to $10,000. If you have a fair to execellent credit profile you may consider a personal loan. These loans can have higher loan amounts, longer terms, and lower rates.
California Paycheck Installment Loans
The loans listed in this section are paycheck-based loans. Payments for these loans occur on your pay date. Unlike traditional unsecured loans, these loans do not require good credit. In fact, they generaly don't even consider credit history and instead, are based solely on your employment. Lenders require access to your checking account where you receive your paycheck and on your payday they automatically deduct your loan payments.
Companies offering paycheck installment loans have made these loans very convenient but these loans are expensive.
Licensed Versus Unlicensed Lenders
California regulation of installment loans falls into a bit of a gray area as they sometimes fall outside of the technical definition of a payday loan and more into the area of general unsecured installment loans. We prefer California lenders licensed in your state because they are typically more closely regulated and monitored. State-licensed lenders generally must apply, register, and remain compliant in every state in which they operate. As a result, state-licensed lenders are typically larger more permanent companies.
Unlicensed installment loans operate in California under the assumption they can export laws from their state or tribe into California. Tribes refer to formally recognized American Indian Tribes that are generally treated as separate federal entities and operate under their own laws. Recently we have seen an increase in the number of tribal-based lenders. The Payday Hound believes in transparent markets, fair regulations, and consumer choice. To the extent, the existence of tribal lenders provides more choice this is a good thing. The creation of the self-regulating Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA) is also a good thing. We'd like to see continued transparency and enforcement to create safer choices for borrowers. For more information see California Payday Loan Laws.
The above is our understanding of how installment lending works in California, but we are not a law firm. Please contact the California Department of Corporations for more information.
The Payday Hound reviews California installment lenders and ranks them according to our Sniff Test (reputation), costs, and features. Being included on our list is not an endorsement or certification. The list is a ranking and is designed to help borrowers rate and judge the quality of lenders. It includes all lenders that we've reviewed: the good and the bad.
