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Borrowing money online has become one of the fastest and most convenient ways to access funds when you need them — but it’s not something to jump into without understanding how it works. From choosing a reputable lender to comparing interest rates, fees, and repayment terms, there are several important factors that can impact both your wallet and your peace of mind.

Keep reading to learn how to borrow money safely, how to avoid common pitfalls, and what to look for so you can make a confident, informed financial decision.

Why Have Online Lenders Grown in Popularity?

Online lenders have surged in popularity because they offer a faster, more convenient borrowing experience than many traditional banks. Instead of visiting a branch or dealing with long processing times, borrowers can apply, upload documents, and receive decisions entirely online — often within minutes. Here’s what online lenders may offer:

Familiarity, for Some Customers

A growing proportion of consumers is accustomed to using computers for many aspects of daily life, and making online financial transactions is no different. More people may be looking for things like:

•   Online applications

•   Streamlined underwriting processes

•   Automated funds transfers

A Different Kind of Personal Service

Personalization in the past meant having a face-to-face relationship with a banker. Personalization in today’s world can mean information that is relevant to an individual’s financial needs. This might look like:

•   Personalized financial trends in a portfolio so they can make informed decisions about their financial goals

•   Insights about their spending and saving so they can budget monthly income and expenses to meet their needs

Time Saving

Customers may also want an experience that saves time. Automating tasks is a timesaver that can easily be done with online financial tools. In the case of online lending, the option to set up automatic bill payments and automate other tasks are likely to be considerations when a customer is choosing an online financial company.

💡 Quick Tip: Some lenders can release funds as quickly as the same day your loan is approved. SoFi personal loans offer same-day funding for qualified borrowers.

Where to Borrow Money Online

When looking for an online lender, you should consider the reputation of the lender, safety precautions the lender has in place, and types of loan products offered. In addition, each person should determine their individual comfort level of doing business with or without personal interaction. Here’s where you can borrow money online:

Banks

Borrowing money online from a bank typically involves a streamlined digital application that allows you to complete the entire process from your computer or phone. Most banks offer online personal loans, where you provide basic information such as your income, employment details, and desired loan amount. The bank then performs a credit check and may request additional documentation, like pay stubs or bank statements, which you can upload directly through a secure portal.

If approved, you’ll receive the loan terms electronically and can sign the agreement using e-signature. Funds are usually deposited directly into your bank account within a few business days.

Recommended: How to Apply for a Personal Loan

Credit Unions

Credit unions generally have physical locations, but may also have online services. Financial services offered by credit unions are similar to banks and other financial institutions, but there are usually specific requirements to be a member of a credit union, such as employment-related or residence in a particular region. Credit unions may offer member benefits such as low fees, high savings rates, and low loan rates.

Peer-to-Peer Lending

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is a type of online borrowing where individuals can obtain loans directly from other individual investors rather than from a traditional bank or credit union. Through a digital platform, borrowers submit an application, and investors choose to fund all or part of the loan in exchange for earning interest on the repayments.

Online Lenders

You can borrow money from online lenders by completing a fully digital application that typically takes just a few minutes. These lenders allow you to upload documents, verify your identity, and receive approval without visiting a branch. Many use automated underwriting systems that review your credit, income, and banking activity quickly, which can speed up the approval process.

Once approved, funds are usually deposited directly into your bank account, sometimes as fast as the same day or the next business day.

Options to Think Twice About

Along with favorable options for lending that are available, there are some that may not bring about the best financial outcomes.

Credit Cards

At its core, a credit card is a short-term loan — specifically, a line of credit. If the account balance is paid in full before each month’s due date, it’s a no-interest loan. Financial drawbacks arise, however, when that balance is not paid in full each month, carrying over a balance due.

Credit card interest rates tend to be high, and they accrue on any unpaid balance, compounding what is owed in the next billing cycle. The average credit card annual percentage rate (APR) is currently 24.04% for new credit card offers. It’s easy to see how this can lead to a cycle of debt. Paying off a loan over time is probably more efficiently done with other financial tools.

Recommended: Personal Loan Calculator

Predatory Lenders

It’s important to be aware of predatory lending, which is the practice of offering loans with unfair, deceptive, or abusive terms that exploit borrowers and make repayment difficult or impossible. Both payday loans and title loans are a type of predatory lending. Repeat borrowing is common with these types of loans.

•   Payday loans are short-term loans, typically to be paid off in the borrower’s next payday. Interest rates are extremely high, often 400% or more.

•   Title loans, or pawn loans, use a borrower’s vehicle or other item of value as collateral. The APR on a title loan can be as much as 300%, and lenders often charge additional fees.

💡 Quick Tip: Just as there are no free lunches, there are no guaranteed loans. So beware lenders who advertise them. If they are legitimate, they need to know your creditworthiness before offering you a loan.

The Takeaway

Borrowing money online has never been more accessible, but it’s important to approach the process with clarity and caution. By understanding the different types of ways to borrow money online, comparing interest rates and terms, and checking for reputable, transparent practices, borrowers can confidently choose the option that best aligns with their financial situation.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

Can I borrow money online instantly?

Yes, you can borrow money online instantly through various lenders offering quick loans. These include payday loans, personal loans, and credit card cash advances. However, be cautious of high interest rates and fees, and ensure the lender is reputable and licensed. Always read the terms and conditions carefully.

How can you protect yourself when borrowing money online?

To protect yourself when borrowing money online, verify the lender’s legitimacy, check for a secure website (https), read the terms and conditions, and understand fees and interest rates. Use reputable credit reporting agencies to check the lender’s history and consider consulting a financial advisor.

Why have online lenders become more popular?

Online lenders have become more popular due to their convenience, quick approval processes, and accessibility. They often offer a wider range of loan products and can be more flexible with credit requirements. Additionally, the ability to compare multiple lenders easily and apply from anywhere has attracted many borrowers.

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

SOPL-Q425-066

If you’re looking to start or grow a side hustle or small business, you might think a business loan is the right next step. A personal loan, however, is another popular financial product that you also might be able to use. For instance, by using it to free up some cash elsewhere in your budget, you could put more of your income toward funding your business.

Because there are potential benefits and disadvantages to both types of financing, it’s important to understand the differences. You’ll find that information here and be better equipped to decide whether a business loan vs. personal loan might work best for you.

What Is a Personal Loan?

A personal loan is a source of financing that a borrower typically can use for just about any legal personal purpose. That said, you typically cannot use the money from a personal loan directly for your business. You might instead use the lump sum to consolidate credit card debt, which could free up funds in your overall budget to put back into your business.

Typically, you’ll find unsecured personal loans, with the borrower agreeing to pay back the full amount, plus interest, in fixed monthly payments within a predetermined time frame.

Some lenders also offer secured personal loans, however,which means some form of collateral is involved. Also, some offer personal loans with variable interest rates.

How Personal Loans Work

When you apply for a personal loan, you can expect the lender to review your personal financial information — including your credit score, credit reports, and income — to determine your eligibility. In general, the better your credit, the better your chances of receiving a lower interest rate.

Personal loan amounts vary, but some lenders offer personal loans for as much as $100,000.

Although most personal loans have shorter repayment terms, the length of a loan can vary from a few months to several years. Typically, they last from 12 to 84 months.

What is a Business Loan?

A business loan is a type of financing used specifically to pay for business expenses. It could be used to purchase equipment or inventory, for example, or to fund a new project.

There are many kinds of small business loans available — with different rates and repayment terms — including Small Business Administration (SBA) loans, equipment loans, micro loans, and more. Rates, terms, and loan requirements also can vary significantly depending on the lender.

How Business Loans Work

Applying for a business loan tends to be more complicated than getting a personal loan. For one thing, you’ll likely have to submit more paperwork to back up your application, including your business’s financial statements and an up-to-date business plan. The lender also usually will want to review your personal and business credit scores. And you may have to be more specific about what the loan will be used for than you would with a personal loan.

If your business is brand new, lenders may be reluctant to give you a business loan. Some lenders might ask you to put up some type of collateral to qualify.

Differences Between Business and Personal Loans

There are several factors you’ll want to understand when considering the difference between a personal loan vs. a business loan, including the loan costs, how you plan to use the money, and how much you hope to borrow. Here’s a look at a few basic differences.

Cost Differences Between Business and Personal Loans

Whether you’re considering applying for a business loan or a personal loan, it’s important to be clear about how much it could cost you upfront and over the life of the loan.

Interest Rates

Interest rates for business loans can be lower than for the interest rates for personal loans, but the rates for both can vary depending on the type of loan, the lender you choose, and your qualifications as a borrower.

Fees

Fees also can affect the upfront and overall cost of both personal and business loans, so it’s a good idea to be clear on what you’re paying. Some of the more common fees for business loans and personal loans that you might see include origination, application, packaging, and underwriting fees, and late payment and prepayment penalties.

Some fees may be subtracted from the loan amount before the borrower receives the money. But fees also may be folded into a loan’s annual percentage rate (APR) instead, which can increase the monthly payment.

Down Payment

Business loans may be available for larger amounts than a personal loan. For a larger business loan — a substantial SBA loan or commercial real estate loan, for example — you could be required to come up with a down payment. This amount can add to your upfront cost. However, just as with a mortgage or car loan, a larger down payment can help you save money over the long term, because you’ll pay less in interest.

Whether you’ll need a down payment, and the amount required, may depend on your individual and business creditworthiness.

Different Uses for Business and Personal Loans

One of the biggest differences between business vs. personal loans is the way borrowers can use them.

•   A business loan can be used to finance direct business costs, such as paying for supplies, marketing, a new piece of equipment, business debt consolidation, or a business property. But it typically can’t be used for indirect business costs, which means a borrower can’t pay off personal debts with the money or buy personal property with it.

•   Some business loans have a very specific purpose, and the borrowed money must be used for that purpose. For example, if you get an equipment loan, you must buy equipment with it. Or, if you get a business car loan, you must buy a business car with the money.

•   With a personal loan, you have tremendous flexibility in how you use the loan, although that usually does not include business purposes. Rather, you can use a loan to pay off credit card debt, fund a home improvement, or pay an unexpected medical or car repair bill. Personal loans are typically smaller than business loans, and they generally come with a shorter repayment term. It can be helpful to have a clear intent for how the money will be spent and to keep separate records for business and personal expenses.

Differences When Applying for Business and Personal Loans

The criteria lenders look at can be very different when approving a small business loan vs. a personal loan. Here’s what you can expect during the application process.

Applying for a Personal Loan

When you apply for a personal loan, your personal creditworthiness usually plays a large role in the application and approval process.

•   Lenders typically will review a borrower’s credit scores, credit reports, and income when determining the interest rate, loan amount, and repayment term of a personal loan.

•   Generally, you can expect to be asked for a government-issued photo ID, your Social Security number, and/or some other proof of identity.

•   You also may be asked for proof of your current address. And the lender will want to verify your income.

Applying for a Business Loan

When you apply for a business loan, your personal finances still will be a factor, though other aspects of your application will be reviewed carefully.

•   The loan underwriters also will evaluate your business’s cash flow, how long you’ve been in business, your profitability, the exact purpose of the loan, trends in your industry, your business credit score, and more.

•   The lender may ask for a current profit-and-loss statement, a cash-flow statement, recent bank statements and tax returns for the business, your business license and a business plan, and any other current loan documents or lease agreements you might have.

•   You also will have to provide information about your collateral if you are applying for a secured loan.

Recommended: Understanding Credit Score Ranges

Structural Differences in Business and Personal Loans

Knowing the differences in how personal loans vs. business loans are structured could help you decide which is right for you and your business. A few factors that might affect your choice include:

Loan Amount

A business loan may be more difficult to apply for and get than a personal loan, especially if your business is a startup or only a few years old. But if you can qualify, you may be able to borrow more money with a business loan. While personal loan amounts typically top out at $50,000 to $100,000, some SBA loans can go as high as $5.5 million.

Loan Length

You’ll likely find personal and business loans with both short and long repayment terms. But generally, personal loans have shorter terms (typically one to seven years), while some business loan repayment periods can be up to 25 years.

Tax Advantages

If you have a business loan, deducting the interest you pay on the loan may be possible when filing income taxes if you meet specific criteria.

With a personal loan, it might get a little more complicated. If you use the borrowed money only for business costs, you may be able to deduct the interest you paid. But if you use the loan for both business and personal expenses, you would only be able to deduct the percentage of the interest that was used for qualifying business costs.

And you should be prepared to itemize deductions, documenting exactly how you spent the money. Your financial advisor or tax preparer can help you determine what’s appropriate.

Support

Along with the traditional banking services you might expect to get with any type of loan, a business loan also may come with operational support and online tools that can be useful for owners and entrepreneurs.

Risk

When you’re deciding between a personal vs. business loan, it’s also a good idea to think about what could happen if, at some point, the loan can’t be repaid.

•   If your business defaults and it’s a business loan, the impact to your personal credit would depend on how the loan is set up.

◦   If you’re listed as a sole proprietor or signed a personal guarantee, it’s possible you could be sued, your personal and/or business credit scores could take a hit, and your personal and business assets could be at risk.

◦   If your business is set up as a distinct legal entity, on the other hand, your personal credit score might not be affected — but your business credit score could suffer. And it could be more difficult for you to take out a business loan in the future.

Pros and Cons of Business Loans

There are advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind when deciding whether to apply for a business loan vs. personal loan.

•   A business loan can be more difficult to get than a personal loan, especially if the business is new or still struggling to become profitable.

•   If you qualify for a business loan, you may be able to borrow a larger amount of money and get a longer repayment term.

•   A business loan also can make it easier to separate your business and personal finances. {Personal loans typically can only be used for personal expenses, as the name indicates.)

•   There could be fewer personal consequences if the business defaults on the loan.

Recommended: Can You Refinance a Personal Loan?

Pros and Cons of Personal Loans

A personal loan vs. business loan can have advantages and disadvantages to consider.

•   Personal loans can offer borrowers more flexibility than business loans in terms of usage, though those uses must typically be for personal expenses, such as paying for a home renovation or a vacation.

•   They’re generally easier to qualify for and may have lower interest rates.

•   One major hurdle may be that you cannot use them for any business expense in most situations. You could use them to free up cash in your budget which you might then apply to a business purpose.

Is a Business or Personal Loan Right for You?

Considering the differences between a personal loan and a business loan can help you decide which is right for your needs. You may want to do some online research, compare rates and terms, and/or ask a financial professional or business mentor for advice before moving forward with this important decision. Here are some things to think about as you look for a loan that’s a good fit for your personal and professional goals.

A business loan may make sense if:

•   You’re seeking a lower interest rate and/or repayment term.

•   You want to keep personal and business expenditures separate.

•   You’ve been successfully running your business for a while.

•   You need more money than you can get with a personal loan.

•   You hope to build your business credit.

•   You want to limit your liability.

A personal loan may make sense if:

•   Your goal is to use the money for personal purposes, which might free up funds in your budget for business expenses.

•   You plan to use the money for both business and personal expenses.

•   You can find a personal loan with a lower interest rate than a comparable business loan, and the lender approves the loan for business expenses.

•   You want to get the money as quickly as possible.

•   You are seeking a shorter repayment term.

•   You don’t want to secure the loan with collateral.

•   You feel confident about your personal ability to repay the loan.

Recommended: Can I Pay Off a Personal Loan Early?

The Takeaway

If you’re seeking funding to start or grow your business, you may decide to apply for a business loan. Another approach: You might apply for a personal loan, which could be used for personal purposes, freeing up money in your budget that could go toward your business. Personal loans are typically easier to apply for and offer quicker access to funds, but often at a somewhat higher interest rate and shorter term vs. business loans. Also, business loans usually offer significantly higher loan amounts and the interest can be tax-deductible. It’s worthwhile to consider the tax and credit implications of each type of loan too, among other factors.

FAQ

Are business loans more expensive than personal loans?

Business loans typically have lower interest rates than personal loans. However, these two loans aren’t interchangeable: one is for business uses, the other for personal expenses.

Can I use a personal loan for business?

Most (but not necessarily all) personal loans can be used for just about any personal use. Check the fine print, and follow the lender’s guidelines.

Are startup loans personal loans?

There are a few different options for funding a startup, including SBA loans, family loans, or crowdfunding platforms. But if you have good credit and are confident you can make the monthly payments, taking out a personal loan could be an effective strategy for funding a startup, if the loan permits that usage.

Photo credit: iStock/MicroStockHub

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

SOPL-Q425-040

If you’re leaving a job, you may hear the term “rollover IRA.” But exactly what is a rollover IRA? Employees have the option of moving their retirement savings from their employer-sponsored 401(k) plan to an individual retirement account, or IRA, at another financial institution when they leave a job. This IRA, where they transfer their 401(k) savings to, is called a rollover IRA. If the 401(k) plan was not a Roth 401(k), you’ll likely want to open what’s called a traditional IRA.

In this scenario, a rollover IRA is also a traditional IRA. But they aren’t always the same. You can have a traditional IRA that is not a rollover IRA. Read on for the differences worth noting between a rollover IRA and a traditional IRA.

Is There a Difference Between a Rollover IRA and a Traditional IRA?

When it comes to a rollover IRA vs. traditional IRA, the only real difference is that the money in a rollover IRA was rolled over from an employer-sponsored retirement plan.

Otherwise, the accounts share the same tax rules on withdrawals, required minimum distributions, and conversions to Roth IRAs.

Recommended: Types of Retirement Plans and Which to Consider

What Is a Rollover IRA?

A rollover IRA is an individual retirement account created with money that’s being rolled over from a qualified retirement plan like a 401(k). Generally, rollover IRAs happen when someone leaves a job with an employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b), and they roll the assets from that plan into a rollover IRA.

In a rollover IRA, like a traditional IRA, your savings grow tax-free until you withdraw the money in retirement. There are several advantages to rolling your employer-sponsored retirement plan into an IRA, vs. into a 401(k) with a new employer:

•   IRAs may charge lower fees than 401(k) providers.

•   IRAs may offer more investment options than an employer-sponsored retirement account.

•   You may be able to consolidate several retirement accounts into one rollover IRA, simplifying management of your investments.

•   IRAs offer the ability to withdraw money early for certain eligible expenses, such as purchasing your first home or paying for higher education. In these cases, while you’ll pay income taxes on the money you withdraw, you won’t owe any early withdrawal penalty.

There are also some rollover IRA rules that may feel like disadvantages to putting your money into an IRA instead of leaving it in an employer-sponsored plan:

•   While you can borrow money from your 401(k) and pay it back over time, you cannot take a loan from an IRA account.

•   Certain investments that were offered in your 401(k) plan may not be available in the IRA account.

•   There may be negative tax implications to rolling over company stock.

•   An IRA requires that you start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from the account at age 73, even if you’re still working, whereas you may be able to delay your RMDs from an employer-sponsored account if you’re still working.

•   The money in an employer plan is protected from creditors and judgments, whereas the money in an IRA may not be, depending on your state.

Recommended: 4 Step Guide to Retirement Planning

What Is a Traditional IRA?

Now that you know the answer to the question of what is a rollover IRA?, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with a traditional IRA. To understand the difference between a rollover IRA vs. traditional IRA, it helps to know some IRA basics.

From the moment you open a traditional IRA, your contributions to the account are typically tax deductible, so your savings will grow tax-free until you make withdrawals in retirement.

This is advantageous to some retirees: Upon retirement, it’s likely one might be in a lower income tax bracket than when they were employed. Given that, the money they withdraw will be taxed at a lower rate than it would have when they contributed.

A Side-by-Side Comparison of Rollover IRA vs Traditional IRA

Can You Contribute to a Rollover IRA?

By now you’re probably wondering, can I contribute to a rollover IRA?, and the answer is yes. You can make contributions to a rollover IRA, up to IRA contribution limits. For tax year 2025, individuals can contribute up to $7,000 (with an additional catch-up contribution of $1,000 if they’re 50 or older). For tax year 2026, they can contribute up to $7,500 (with an additional catch-up contribution of $1,100). If you do add money to your rollover IRA, however, you may not be able to roll the account into another employer’s retirement plan at a later date.

Can You Combine a Traditional IRA With a Rollover IRA?

A rollover IRA is essentially a traditional IRA that was created when money was rolled into it. Hence, you can combine two IRAs by having a direct transfer done from one account to another, or by rolling money from one IRA to the other IRA.

There’s one important aspect of the rollover process that will help prevent the money from counting as an early withdrawal or distribution to you, and that’s being timely with any transfers. With an indirect rollover (which is when the money goes to you and you move the money into the new plan), you typically have 60 days to deposit the money from the now-closed fund into the new one. (Another option is a direct rollover, when the funds go directly from your 401(k) into the IRA account.)

A few other key points to remember: As mentioned above, if you add non-rollover money to a rollover account, you may lose the ability to roll funds into a future employer’s retirement plan. Also keep in mind that there’s a limit of one rollover between IRAs in any 12-month period. This is strictly an IRA-to-IRA limit and does not apply to rollovers from a retirement plan to an IRA.

How to Open a Traditional or Rollover IRA Account

Opening a traditional IRA and a rollover IRA are identical processes — the only difference is the funding. You can open a traditional or rollover IRA by doing the following:

•   Decide where to open your IRA. For instance, you can choose an online brokerage where you can choose your own investments, or you can select a robo-advisor that will offer automated suggestions based on your answers to a few basic investing questions. (There’s a small fee associated with most robo-advisors.)

•   Open an account. From the provider’s website, select the type of IRA you’d like to open — traditional or rollover, in this case — and provide a few pieces of personal information. You’ll likely need to supply your date of birth, Social Security number, and contact and employment information.

•   Fund the account. You can fund the account with a direct contribution via check or a transfer from your bank account, transferring money from another IRA, or rolling over the money from an employer-sponsored retirement plan. Contact your company plan administrator for information on how to do the latter.

The Takeaway

Both a rollover IRA and a traditional IRA allow investors to put money away for retirement in a tax-advantaged way, with very little difference between the two accounts.

One of the primary questions anyone considering a rollover IRA should consider is, will you keep contributing to it? If so, that would prevent you from rolling the rollover IRA back into an employer-sponsored retirement account in the future.

Whether it’s a rollover IRA you’ve created by rolling over an employer-sponsored retirement account or a traditional IRA you’ve opened with regular contributions, either account can play a key role in your retirement game plan.

Prepare for your retirement with an individual retirement account (IRA). It’s easy to get started when you open a traditional or Roth IRA with SoFi. Whether you prefer a hands-on self-directed IRA through SoFi Securities or an automated robo IRA with SoFi Wealth, you can build a portfolio to help support your long-term goals while gaining access to tax-advantaged savings strategies.

FAQ

Can you take money out of a rollover IRA?

Yes, but if you take money from a rollover IRA (or a traditional IRA for that matter) before age 59½, those withdrawals are subject to income tax and an early withdrawal penalty of 10%. There are certain exceptions, however. If you withdraw the money for certain higher education expenses or to buy your first home, for example, the penalty may not apply.

Why would you rollover an IRA?

A rollover is when you move money between two different types of retirement plans. Typically, you might roll over an IRA if you leave a job with an employer-sponsored plan, such as a 401(k) or 403(b). You would roll the assets from that plan into a rollover IRA where your savings grow tax-free until you withdraw the money in retirement.

You could instead choose to leave the money in your former employer’s plan, if that’s allowed, or roll it over into your new employer’s 401(k) or 403(b) plan, if they have one. However, a rollover IRA may offer you more investment choices and lower fees and costs than an employer-sponsored plan.

Can I roll over assets into my traditional IRA?

Yes, rolled over money can be contributed to a traditional IRA. It’s also worth noting that you can also combine a traditional IRA and a rollover IRA. You can do this with a direct transfer from one account to another, or by rolling money from one IRA to another, for instance. Just keep in mind that there is a limit of one rollover between IRAs in any 12-month period.