Lending Buddy FAQ

Think of us as a matchmaker for small loans. Instead of applying lender by lender, you complete one secure form for $200 to $5,000 and we try to pair your request with a lender that may offer you a loan. We never lend money ourselves, and any offer you see is yours to accept or decline.

You can request between $200 and $5,000 for personal, emergency, bad-credit, installment or debt-consolidation needs. The amount a lender offers depends on its own criteria, your income, your credit profile and your state. For home purchases and refinancing, we can connect you with licensed mortgage partners.

We don't pull your credit ourselves. Lenders you are connected with may run a soft inquiry, which doesn't affect your score, or a hard inquiry before finalizing a loan, which can lower it by a few points. Each lender explains which type it uses.

Yes. All credit types may submit a request. Lenders in our network look at more than a score, including income, bank account history and debt-to-income ratio. Approval isn't guaranteed, and borrowers with lower scores usually see higher APRs, so compare the full cost carefully.

Many people hear back within minutes. After approval and e-signing, the money usually moves by ACH, which commonly lands the next business day. Requests finished late in the day, on weekends or on bank holidays can take longer, and your own bank's posting schedule also plays a role.

Yes. Submitting a request is free. We are compensated by lenders and partners in our network, never by you. Any fees on a loan, such as origination or late fees, are set by the lender and disclosed in your loan agreement before you sign.

Your request is sent over an encrypted (HTTPS/TLS) connection and shared only as described in our Privacy Policy, primarily with lenders and partners who may make you an offer. We will never ask for an upfront fee, gift card or your online banking password.

Most lenders require that you are a U.S. resident at least 18 years old, have an active checking account in your name, a regular source of income, and a valid email address and phone number. Have your ID, income details and bank information ready to speed up verification.

No. We are a loan-connection service. We don't make loans, credit decisions or set rates. Lenders in our network review your request and, if they make an offer, provide their own loan agreement with all terms disclosed.

Submitting a request does not affect your credit score. A lender may run a soft inquiry, which doesn't affect your score, or a hard inquiry before final approval, which may lower it slightly for a short time.

Terms are set by each lender. Smaller loans may be repaid over a few months, while larger amounts can stretch over a year or more. Your agreement lists the number of payments, due dates, APR and total of payments.

Many lenders allow early repayment, which can reduce interest on simple-interest loans. Some charge a prepayment penalty, so check your agreement or ask the lender before you sign.

Contact your lender before the due date. Many offer payment extensions or plans. Missed payments can lead to late fees, NSF fees, collections and credit damage, so communicate early and don't ignore the problem.

We connect homebuyers and homeowners with licensed mortgage partners for FHA loans, fixed-rate mortgages, first-time buyer programs and refinancing. Verify any mortgage company on NMLS Consumer Access.

We accept requests from across the U.S., but lender availability, loan amounts and terms vary by state, and some products are not available in every state.

Yes. Active-duty service members and their dependents are protected by the Military Lending Act, which limits the Military Annual Percentage Rate to 36% on covered loans. Lenders must follow these rules.

Lenders use their own criteria, such as income, bank account history, state rules and existing debts. If you weren't connected, you can try again later, request a smaller amount, or review our guides to strengthen a future request.

Send a message through our Contact Us page or write to [email protected], and our team will reply by email. Questions about a loan you already have, such as your balance, payment date or a missed payment, go to the lender that funded it, because it manages your account.

Reply STOP to texts, click unsubscribe in emails, or contact [email protected]. Note that lenders you've already been connected with may need to be contacted separately.