Updated April 2026: 55+ lenders compared — See your rates in California →
California Personal Loans — 2026

Best Personal Loans in California 2026

Compare top lenders licensed in California. APRs from 5.9%, loans up to $100,000, same-day funding available. CCPA compliant. Free to compare — no credit impact.

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Top Personal Loan Lenders in California 2026

LenderAPR RangeLoan AmountBest ForFunding Speed
LightStream
Best Overall
6.99%–24.49%$5k–$100kExcellent creditSame dayGet Rate
SoFi
No Fees
8.99%–29.99%$5k–$100kGood creditSame dayGet Rate
Marcus by Goldman
Best Debt Consolidation
6.99%–24.99%$3.5k–$40kDebt payoff1–4 daysGet Rate
Upstart
Fair Credit OK
7.8%–35.99%$1k–$50kThin credit files1 dayGet Rate
LendingClub9.57%–35.99%$1k–$40kP2P financing2–4 daysGet Rate
Discover7.99%–24.99%$2.5k–$40kNo origination feeNext dayGet Rate
Best Egg8.99%–35.99%$2k–$50kGood credit & fast fundingSame dayGet Rate
OneMain Financial18%–35.99%$1.5k–$20kBad credit / no creditSame dayGet Rate

APR ranges reflect each lender's advertised best and highest rates. California AB 539 caps APR at 36% for loans under $10,000. All lenders listed are licensed by the California DFPI.

Personal Loans in California: What You Need to Know

  • 39 million+ residents — largest state economy in the US, 5th largest in the world
  • Major cities: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Sacramento
  • DFPI regulates consumer lenders under the California Consumer Financial Protection Law (CCFPL)
  • AB 539 (effective Jan 2020) caps APR at 36% for personal loans under $10,000
  • CCPA gives California residents rights to know, delete, and opt out of sale of personal data
  • No restrictions on loan purpose — debt consolidation, home improvement, medical expenses all allowed
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CCPA Compliant

Your data rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act are respected throughout the loan comparison process.

Same-Day Funding

LightStream and SoFi can fund California borrowers same day for applications completed before 2:30pm ET.

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36% APR Cap

California law protects you — loans under $10k are capped at 36% APR. All lenders in our network comply.

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Always Free

Our comparison is 100% free to California borrowers. We earn referral fees from lenders, not from you.

Frequently Asked Questions — Personal Loans in California

Is there a rate cap on personal loans in California?

Yes. California Assembly Bill 539, effective January 1, 2020, caps the APR on consumer installment loans between $2,500 and $9,999 at 36%. Loans of $10,000 and above are not subject to this specific rate cap. All lenders licensed by the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) must comply with this law. The cap was designed to eliminate predatory triple-digit APR loans in this amount range.

What credit score do I need for a personal loan in California?

Most top lenders in California prefer a score of 660 or higher. LightStream typically requires 700+ for its lowest rates. Upstart accepts scores as low as 580 using an AI model that factors in education, employment, and income. OneMain Financial has no minimum score requirement and also offers secured loans backed by your vehicle. A 720+ score generally qualifies for rates under 10% APR with the best California-licensed lenders.

How does California's CCPA affect my loan application?

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) gives you the right to know what personal data is collected about you, request that lenders delete your data, and opt out of the sale of your personal information to third parties. When you apply through TrueRateGuide, your information is shared with lenders for loan matching purposes. You may request a copy of your data or opt out at any time by emailing legal@truerateguide.com. All lenders in our network maintain CCPA-compliant privacy practices.

Can I get a personal loan in California with bad credit?

Yes. Lenders like Upstart, OneMain Financial, and Best Egg serve California borrowers with scores below 620. California's 36% APR cap on sub-$10k loans provides meaningful protection against extremely high-rate offers. OneMain Financial has branch locations across California for in-person support. If your credit is poor, consider exploring a secured loan or adding a co-signer to access better terms.

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