Personal Loans After Bankruptcy

How it works

Three Steps to See Your Options

Tell us what you need

Answer four quick questions — loan amount, purpose, credit rating, and email. Takes under 60 seconds and has no impact on your credit score.

See matched lenders in 60 seconds

We match your profile against lenders in our network who work with your situation and credit type. You are connected to real lender offers, not estimates.

Choose your offer and apply

Review terms directly with the lender. If approved, many borrowers receive funds the same or next business day via direct deposit.

What to expect

What Lenders Actually Consider

Traditional banks often decline applicants on the first question. Lenders in our network assess your full financial picture instead — including alternative income sources — and checking your options never affects your credit score. Our matching process uses a soft inquiry; individual lenders may conduct their own review.

Loan amounts

$100 – $5,000

Amount and approval are subject to each lender's criteria

Decision speed

Same day

Most decisions returned within minutes

Credit check

Soft match

Our matching never affects your score. Lenders may run their own checks.

Representative APR

5.99%–35.99%

Varies by lender, state, and applicant profile

Common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a personal loan after bankruptcy? +

Yes, personal loans are available to borrowers who have completed a bankruptcy discharge, though terms depend heavily on how much time has passed since discharge, your current income level, and any credit activity you have added since then. A Chapter 7 bankruptcy typically discharges qualifying unsecured debts within three to six months of filing, while Chapter 13 involves a structured three- to five-year repayment plan before discharge. After either type, some lenders in our network will consider your application based on your current financial situation rather than the bankruptcy event alone. Loan amounts for post-bankruptcy borrowers commonly range from $100 to $5,000. Rates may be higher than average while your credit profile continues to strengthen. Our matching process uses a soft inquiry, so checking available options does not affect your credit score. Approval is subject to each lender's individual criteria.

What information do I need to apply for a loan after bankruptcy? +

To apply through our matching service, you will typically need your Social Security number, proof of current income such as recent pay stubs or bank statements, current employment information, and your bank account details for potential direct deposit of funds. Lenders want to see that your financial situation has stabilized since your bankruptcy discharge and that your current income is sufficient to cover the proposed monthly payment. If you have any documentation showing on-time payments made after discharge — a secured credit card, a credit-builder loan, or consistent on-time rent payments — that positive context can help lenders evaluate your application more favorably. The application itself takes only a few minutes to complete. Our process uses a soft inquiry so there is no impact on your score at the matching stage.

How quickly can I receive funds after loan approval? +

If a lender in our network extends an offer and you accept the terms, funds are often deposited to your checking account within one to two business days, depending on the lender's internal processing schedule and your bank's own posting timelines. Some lenders in our network process applications and disburse funds the same business day for borrowers who complete identity and income verification quickly. The matching process itself typically takes just a few minutes after you submit the form. There is absolutely no commitment when you receive offers from lenders — you review the full terms, including the interest rate, total repayment amount, and any applicable fees, before deciding whether to accept. Reading the loan agreement carefully before signing is always recommended so there are no surprises in the repayment schedule.

Related guides

More Loan Options

Loans After Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: Know Your Options →Personal Loans After Chapter 7: Rebuilding Step by Step →

Browse all loan guides →

ⓘ Additional information

Personal Loans After Bankruptcy: What's Actually Possible

A bankruptcy discharge is one of the hardest financial chapters anyone can go through. But once it is behind you, the focus shifts to rebuilding — and borrowing responsibly is part of that process for many people. Lenders in our network understand this, and some specialize in working with borrowers who have a bankruptcy on record. We are a free matching service, not a lender ourselves; we connect you with third-party lenders who set their own approval criteria and make all credit decisions independently of our platform.

How Lenders View a Post-Bankruptcy Application

Most conventional lenders treat a bankruptcy as a serious red flag for years after discharge. Online personal loan lenders often take a broader view. They weigh factors like your current income stability, monthly expenses, employment status, and recent payment history on any accounts opened after bankruptcy. A Chapter 7 discharge typically stays on your credit report for up to ten years, while a Chapter 13 stays for seven years from the filing date. The negative impact fades steadily over time as you add positive credit history and demonstrate responsible financial behavior going forward.

When Can You Apply After Discharge?

There is no universal mandatory waiting period to apply for a personal loan after bankruptcy. Some lenders in our network will consider applications as early as one day after a Chapter 7 discharge, though the available loan amounts may be limited and rates may be higher in the months immediately following discharge. For borrowers who completed a Chapter 13 repayment plan — which runs three to five years — lenders may view the structured repayment history as evidence of financial discipline. Typical loan amounts available through our network range from $100 to $5,000, subject to lender criteria and state availability.

What Rates to Expect

Borrowers with a bankruptcy history generally see offers at the higher end of the available APR range. Through our network, representative APRs run from 5.99% to 35.99% depending on your credit profile, income, and the lender's own evaluation. As a practical example, a $1,000 loan at 24% APR over 12 months costs about $94.56 per month, totaling roughly $1,134.72. Terms typically run from 3 to 24 months. As your credit rebuilds and you add positive payment history, you are likely to qualify for better rates on future borrowing.

How the Matching Process Works

To explore options, you fill out a short form covering your income, the loan amount you need, and basic personal details. Our matching process uses a soft inquiry to connect you with lenders in our network who may be a fit for your profile. A soft inquiry does not affect your credit score and does not appear on your report the way a hard inquiry does. If you are matched with lenders and accept an offer, funds are often deposited via direct deposit within one to two business days, subject to lender verification timelines and your bank's posting schedule. There is no obligation to accept any offer you receive.

Steps to Improve Your Approval Odds

There are practical steps you can take to strengthen a post-bankruptcy application. Opening a secured credit card and paying the balance in full each month helps rebuild your credit file with positive payment history. Keeping your current debt-to-income ratio low signals to lenders that you can handle new payment obligations. If your income has increased since discharge, that is relevant and worth documenting. Applying for a smaller loan amount with a shorter repayment term also improves your chances while you are still in the early rebuilding phase. Approval is always subject to lender criteria and outcomes cannot be guaranteed in advance.

Personal Loans After Bankruptcy: Your Real Options