Need money in your account today or tomorrow? Here are the lenders that actually deliver on their speed promises.
(Based on 175+ real experiences from borrowers who needed fast cash.)
⚠️ Important:
Fast approval doesn't mean you should skip reading the terms. Even in an emergency, take 10 minutes to understand the APR, fees, and total cost. Avoid payday loans (400%+ APR). The lenders below are legitimate with reasonable rates.
| Lender | Approval Speed | Funding Speed | Credit Needed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LightStream | Minutes to hours | Same day possible | Excellent credit (720+) | Full Review → |
| Upstart | Minutes | 1 business day | Fair credit (600+) | Full Review → |
| Avant | Minutes to 24 hours | 1-2 business days | Bad credit (580+) | Full Review → |
Funding: Same day possible | Min Credit: 700
LightStream is the fastest if you have excellent credit (720+). Apply before noon EST and get funded the same day. No fees, rates as low as 6.99%, and up to $100,000. The catch: no soft credit check, so only apply if you're confident. Every application is a hard pull.
Real user: "Applied at 9am for car emergency. Approved by 11am. Money in my account at 2pm. Unbelievable."
Funding: 1 business day | Min Credit: 600
Upstart approves in minutes using AI and funds within 1 business day. Good option if your credit is fair (600+) and you need speed. Watch for origination fees (0%-10%) which reduce the amount you receive. Still fast and legitimate.
Real user: "640 credit score. Applied Monday noon, approved in 10 minutes, money Wednesday morning. Saved me."
Funding: 1-2 business days | Min Credit: 580
Avant is the fastest option for bad credit (580+). Decision within 24 hours, funding in 1-2 business days. Rates are high (25%-36% typical), but if you have bad credit and need money fast, Avant is one of your few legitimate options.
Reality check: High rates and admin fees mean this is expensive. Only use for true emergencies and pay off as quickly as possible.
Funding: Few days | Min Credit: 680
SoFi isn't the absolute fastest but still funds in a few days with good credit. The advantage: zero fees and better rates than speed-focused lenders. If you can wait 3-5 days instead of same-day, you might save thousands in interest.
Submit applications before noon EST on a weekday. Same-day funding is only possible if you apply early and get approved quickly.
Before you apply, gather: recent pay stubs, bank statements, ID, and Social Security number. Any delay in providing docs means delayed funding.
ACH transfer is faster than mailed checks. Make sure your bank account info is accurate to avoid delays.
If you apply Friday, you likely won't get funded until Tuesday (business days only). Apply Monday-Wednesday for fastest results.
Fast loans often come with higher APRs. If your situation isn't a true emergency, consider:
Apply now and get your decision in minutes. Funding as fast as today.