CreditNinja has a quick application process for personal loans, and the money could be in your bank account in one to two business days. But origination fees, which are usually non-refundable, can be very high depending on the state you live in. Even if you pay back the loan quickly, you might end up paying back more than double what you borrowed.
Positives
- Chances of getting money quickly
- People with less-than-perfect credit may be able to apply.
Negatives
- CreditNinja doesn’t tell you much about costs right away, other than that they’re “high,” for most states.
- Origination fees are often non-refundable and can be very high, sometimes making up most of the cost of the loan.
- Not much is known about who qualifies and how to apply.
What you should know about a CreditNinja personal loan
CreditNinja is an online lender based in Chicago that offers high-cost personal loans. In some cases, you could end up paying double (or more) the amount you borrow, no matter how quickly you pay off the loan.
These fixed-rate, unsecured loans go up to $5,000, but the minimum amount you can borrow and the most you can borrow will depend in part on the state you live in.
High APRS
CreditNinja says that its APRs are “high,” but you have to dig through its website to find any other bits of information about rates and fees.
At the bottom of CreditNinja’s website is a link to its state disclosures, where you can choose from a dropdown list of states to try to find out more about costs. APRs are well into the triple digits in states where information is available.
It makes sense that people in the military can’t get loans from CreditNinja. The Military Lending Act says that lenders can’t give military borrowers loans with APRs higher than 36%. This is to protect active service members.
Funds may be quickly available
After getting approved for a CreditNinja loan, you can get the money the same business day or the next. This is a big help if you’re in a financial bind and need cash quickly. But your funding could be delayed by a number of things, and depending on your bank, you may have to wait before you can get your money.
Online application
You can use CreditNinja’s online application to apply and find out if you are eligible in minutes. This can give you an idea of how much you might be able to borrow and the terms and rates of the loan.
You’ll need to give your name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, and other information that can be used to identify you. On its website, CreditNinja says that it will then do a “soft credit check” to make sure you are eligible for a loan. This means that it won’t hurt your credit scores.
CreditNinja’s website doesn’t say anything else about the next step, which is usually a hard credit inquiry to verify your information, followed by a final loan offer that may have different terms than what you saw when you first applied.
Not available in all states
CreditNinja offers personal loans in Alabama, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Wisconsin, among others.
An in-depth look at a personal loan from CreditNinja
When looking for a personal loan, comparing loans can give you the best chance of getting the best deal. Here are a few important facts about CreditNinja loans:
- Third-party lenders — CreditNinja will look over your loan request and send you the money. But depending on the state you live in, you might get a loan offer directly from CreditNinja or from a third-party bank or lender.
- Origination fees — Even though CreditNinja personal loans say they don’t have any hidden fees, they usually do have fees for setting up the loan. An origination fee is a charge that some lenders add to your loan funds for things like underwriting and processing your loan application. At CreditNinja, that fee can go into the triple digits, and you can’t get your money back. That means you can’t avoid the high cost by paying off your loan quickly, as you might do to avoid a high-interest rate.
- Little info on rates and costs — CreditNinja only says that your interest rate on a loan will be based on “many factors,” such as your credit score, income, state law, and credit history. On the lender’s state disclosures page, you can find specific information for some states that shows rates and fees in the triple digits.
- Funding via direct deposit — To get a loan and use the money, you’ll need a checking account.
Who is recommended to get a CreditNinja loan?
CreditNinja targets people who need money quickly, but this lender doesn’t make its rates and fees clear, and the costs it does show for some states are very high. There are other so-called “bad-credit” lenders who might give you more in terms of clear cost information and lower fees or APRs.
How to apply with CreditNinja
You can apply for a personal loan from CreditNinja online. You can talk to a customer service rep or send an email if you have questions about the application process.
You must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number, and have a checking account to get a loan. People from Alabama and Nebraska who want to apply must be at least 19 years old.
You have to make an account and give personal information, such as your email, address, date of birth, and other details, for the process to work.
