Financial needs can arise suddenly, often when you least expect them, and you might not always have the money in the bank to handle them.

Whether it’s a medical bill, debt consolidation, or to pay for a spontaneous trip, personal loans are a popular lifeline, providing quick access to funds for a variety of purposes.

If you’re looking for personal loans in West Virginia, you will find that there is no shortage of providers, including local banks, credit unions, and online lenders. But how do you pick one that's best for you?

In this article, we’ll explore some of the best personal loans West Virginia has to offer based on several features.

Personal loans overview

Personal loans are a type of credit in which the borrower receives a lump sum amount, making monthly installment payments on the amount plus interest. They can be used to finance a wide range of purchases, from home repairs to medical bills to wedding rings.

One feature of personal loans is that they generally have lower interest rates compared with credit cards. As a result, another use case for personal loans in West Virginia is to consolidate debt.

Depending on the lender, personal loan decisions could be as quick as 10 minutes or they could take a couple of days. The funds are generally delivered directly into a borrower’s checking account or sent straight to the lenders if the funds are being used for debt consolidation.

Below is a list of some of the best personal loans West Virginia offers.

Upgrade

If you are looking for a small personal loan in West Virginia, Upgrade could fit your needs.

Upgrade issues personal loans between $1,000 on the low side and $50,000 on the high side. Upgrade is also a good choice for borrowers with fair credit, as the minimum credit score is only 560. However, it will cost you, as Upgrade has an APR range of 8.49%-35.99%, with the best rates reserved for those with the best credit profiles and payment histories.

On a positive note, Upgrade’s rates are fixed, so you won’t have to worry about them changing throughout the duration of the term. Loan terms range from 24 to 84 months. Upgrade’s loans could be either secured or unsecured in nature, with the former requiring some collateral such as a borrower’s car to be used to back the loan.

Upon approval, funds arrive in a borrower’s bank account as quickly as a day.

OneMain Financial

With over a dozen locations in West Virginia, OneMain Financial is certainly a lender from which you can get a personal loan in W.V.

For convenience, OneMain is also an online platform, offering personal loans between $1,500 and $20,000. Borrowers with fair credit could qualify, with OneMain's FICO credit score requirement in the range of 600-650.

Loan terms range from 24 to 60 months. Rates are fixed, though APRs start high at 18% and go as high as nearly 36%.

OneMain Financial offers personal loans in West Virginia that are both secured and unsecured in nature.

Funds are delivered to a borrower’s bank account as soon as one hour after loan closing via debit card and one to two days after closing when using a bank account.

Citizens Bank of West Virginia

As the name suggests, Citizens Bank of West Virginia is another lender where you can get personal loans in West Virginia.

Their loans can be directed toward unexpected expenses, travel, education, or debt consolidation. Citizens Bank’s loans are unsecured and therefore do not require any collateral to secure the loan.

Loan terms extend to 48 months in duration.

First Exchange Bank

First Exchange Bank is another financial institution that issues personal loans in West Virginia. These include both secured and unsecured loans.

For secured loans, First Exchange lets borrowers harness the value of a CD or savings account at the bank to use as collateral for the loan.

Unsecured loans are issued in smaller amounts, while the proceeds can be used toward home furnishings, applicants, bill consolidation, auto repairs, vacations, etc.

West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union

The West Virginia Central Federal Credit Union (WVCFCU) is another organization that issues personal loans in W.V. This credit union offers what it describes as competitive rates with terms of up to 60 months. APRs range from 7.80% to 9.30%.

Borrowers looking for a small loan might find this credit union fits their needs as it issues loans starting at $500.

Loans are unsecured, and potential borrowers can apply online. WVCFCU also has specialized personal loans in which borrowers can repay the loan early and save money on interest.

SoFi

Last but not least, SoFi is a popular lender among borrowers and issues personal loans in West Virginia.

For borrowers with solid credit, SoFi is among the best personal loans West Virginia has to offer. To qualify, borrowers must have a credit score of at least 680.

For example, borrowers could secure an APR as low as 5.74% on the low side and below 21% on the higher side of the spectrum.

Loan amounts start at $5,000 and go up to as much as $100,000 for notable purchases or debt consolidation. Loan terms range between one and five years, and borrowers can have the funds in their account in as quickly as 48 hours.