The typical minimal mortgage quantity provided by private mortgage lenders that NerdWallet evaluations is $2,000. However some lenders provide small loans — $1,000 or much less — that may assist you to cowl a automobile restore, emergency vet go to or different small expense.
You possibly can store for small private loans from on-line lenders, credit score unions or banks. These lenders provide decrease charges and longer reimbursement intervals than different small-borrowing choices, akin to money advance apps, bank card advances or payday loans.
Listed here are our greatest picks for lenders providing $1,000 loans and what you need to contemplate when making use of for one.
Finest lenders for a $1,000 mortgage
On-line lenders
On-line lenders provide quick funding and should settle for debtors from throughout the credit score spectrum.
Listed here are our high on-line lenders with $1,000 minimal mortgage quantities:

Credit score unions and banks
Many credit score unions provide private loans underneath $1,000. And federal credit score unions cap APRs at 18%, making them cheaper than different lenders with most charges round 36%.
This sort of lender may also be favorable for debtors with decrease credit score scores, as a result of credit score unions usually look past credit score scores to qualify candidates. Most credit score unions require you to turn out to be a member and pay a small membership payment as a way to apply for a mortgage.
Banks are inclined to lend to debtors with good or glorious credit score. When you’ve got a longtime account on the financial institution, you may benefit from perks like charge reductions or sooner funding instances. A private mortgage from a financial institution may have a decrease most APR in comparison with loans from on-line lenders.
Listed here are one of the best credit score unions and banks providing $1,000 loans or much less:

Estimated month-to-month funds for a $1,000 mortgage
Month-to-month funds on a private mortgage are decided by your mortgage quantity, APR and reimbursement time period. To reduce curiosity prices, goal for a brief time period with month-to-month funds you’ll be able to afford.
Listed here are month-to-month funds for a three-year, $1,000 mortgage utilizing estimated APRs for every credit score rating ranking:
Supply: Common charges are primarily based on mixture, anonymized provide information from customers who pre-qualified by way of NerdWallet from January 1, 2024, by way of December 31, 2024. Charges are estimates solely and never particular to any lender. The bottom credit score scores — normally under 500 — are unlikely to qualify. Info on this desk applies solely to lenders with most APRs under 36%.
Your mortgage’s APR may differ from the common. Private mortgage charges are inclined to vary between 6% and 36%. Use a private mortgage calculator to estimate month-to-month funds at completely different charges and reimbursement phrases.
Mortgage particulars
Add Origination Payment
Complete curiosity funds$0.00
The best way to get a small mortgage
Overview your credit score report and money owed. Approval for private loans is usually primarily based on a lender’s analysis of your credit score, earnings and current debt. Earlier than making use of, examine your credit score report for alternatives to handle any unfavorable marks or unpaid money owed. Additionally, calculate your debt-to-income ratio, which lenders use to see how a lot of a borrower’s earnings goes to different money owed. A DTI ratio of 36% or decrease reveals lenders you’ll be able to possible deal with a brand new mortgage. Some lenders will settle for larger ratios.
Pre-qualify with a number of lenders. Pre-qualifying for a private mortgage enables you to see your estimated APR and mortgage phrases. Since pre-qualifying normally takes a couple of minutes and doesn’t have an effect on your credit score rating, it’s a fast solution to evaluate loans and decide which is one of the best for you.
Gather needed paperwork. A proper mortgage software might require data like your Social Safety quantity, W-2s and pay stubs. Gathering this data earlier than you apply can velocity up the mortgage software course of.
Submit an software. Many lenders have on-line functions, however you may additionally have the choice to use in-person with native credit score unions or banks. In the event you’re accredited, count on funding inside just a few days, if not sooner. Making use of can set off a tough credit score examine, which may shave just a few factors off your credit score rating.
The best way to qualify for a small mortgage with horrible credit
When you’ve got horrible credit (a rating from 300 to the excessive 500s), you should still qualify for a small mortgage from a credit score union or respected on-line lender, however your charge may very well be on the excessive finish of the lender’s vary.
Add a co-signer whose credit score rating or earnings is larger than yours. A co-signer will not have entry to mortgage funds or details about your funds, however they are going to be liable for funds in case you fail to repay.
Get a joint private mortgage with somebody whose credit score rating or earnings is larger than yours. Co-borrowers share the duty for reimbursement and have equal entry to the mortgage funds and cost data.
Select a lender that provides secured private loans. A secured mortgage is normally simpler to qualify for and sometimes has a decrease charge in comparison with an unsecured mortgage. You possibly can sometimes use a financial savings account or car as collateral.
The best way to evaluate mortgage affords
Listed here are crucial options to match between small private loans.
APR: Annual share charge offers an apples-to-apples value comparability for all mortgage sorts. The least costly mortgage has the bottom APR.
Charges: Some lenders cost an origination payment, which generally ranges from 1% to 10% of the mortgage quantity. This payment is usually subtracted from the mortgage earlier than you obtain the funds, so be sure you’re borrowing sufficient to satisfy your wants.
Month-to-month funds: Overview your price range to see how a lot you’ll be able to afford to repay on a mortgage. Use the calculator above to see what charge and reimbursement time period you’d must get a super month-to-month cost.
Reimbursement phrases: Many small private loans are repaid over a yr or extra. An extended reimbursement time period might imply decrease month-to-month funds however you’ll pay extra in curiosity.
Funding time: Private mortgage approval and funding may take just a few enterprise days, relying on the lender and the way easily the applying course of goes. In the event you want the funds urgently, search for a lender that provides same- or next-day funding.
Know the indicators of predatory lending
A payday mortgage or one other small mortgage from a predatory lender can injury your funds and entice you in a cycle of debt. Look ahead to these indicators of predatory lending when searching for a small private mortgage:
Reimbursement phrases are solely a few weeks lengthy.
Methods to get $1,000 or much less with out a conventional mortgage
A number of the nation’s largest banks provide particular small-dollar loans to their current prospects. These loans sometimes have shorter reimbursement phrases than conventional private loans and include a set payment. Listed here are just a few examples:
The U.S. Financial institution Easy Mortgage is obtainable in quantities from $100 to $1,000 and is repaid over three months. The mortgage’s payment is $6 for each $100 borrowed.
The Wells Fargo Flex Mortgage is a short-term small mortgage that’s repaid in 4 month-to-month installments. Loans might be $250 with a $12 payment or $500 with a $20 payment.
Some federal credit score unions additionally provide payday different loans, or PALs. These are small loans as much as $2,000 with charges capped at 28% and reimbursement phrases from one to 12 months. You should be a credit score union member to use.
Earlier than making use of for a mortgage, contemplate cheaper alternate options to get the cash you want. Even in case you urgently want money, it may be helpful to match financing strategies to seek out one of the best deal. Contemplate these choices:
Use a zero-interest bank card. You possibly can cowl bills with no curiosity so long as you pay the cardboard’s stability by the top of the zero-interest promotional interval, normally 15 to 21 months. Even with out a zero-interest promotion, you may keep away from curiosity costs on bank card purchases in case you pay the stability in full earlier than the top of the billing cycle.
Borrow in opposition to your subsequent paycheck with a money advance app. These apps might be an inexpensive solution to borrow just a few hundred {dollars}, however advances are repaid in your subsequent payday.
Search help from native nonprofits, charities or spiritual organizations for assist with bills like payments, gasoline, groceries, meals or garments. Some nonprofits, like Capital Good Fund, present small-dollar loans with low charges or no curiosity to individuals in want.
Choose up a aspect gig to make extra cash. For instance, you may earn cash delivering meals or strolling canine.
Regularly requested questions
Can I get a small private mortgage with horrible credit?
Do banks provide small private loans?
The place can I get a small private mortgage?