Getting a Loan Online vs. in Person: Pros & Cons

When you need to borrow money, you have two main options: getting a loan online vs. in person. Does it really matter which one you choose? What’s the difference, anyway? We’ll cover everything you need to know and explore the pros and cons of both.

Why You Might Need a Loan

There are all sorts of very legitimate reasons why people need money in a hurry. Popular reasons include:

• Medical emergencies: No one can predict when someone will injure themselves, fall ill, or need unexpected surgery.
• Car repairs: Whether you get into an accident or need a new transmission, car repairs just can’t wait if you depend on your vehicle to get to work.
• Unexpected expenses: Sometimes, a bill comes in that you didn’t plan for. Maybe it’s an extra-high utility bill, or your pet needs to go to the vet.
• Home repairs: Your home is your fortress—and a leaky roof or termite infestation needs to be dealt with before the situation worsens.
• Special life events: Did Christmas sneak up on you? Do you not have quite enough in the bank to cover a much-needed holiday? A loan can help stave off disappointment when your account needs a little help.

There are a lot of reasons why a cash infusion can make your life easier. But should you request a loan online or in person?

Getting a Loan Online

We do nearly everything from the comfort of our couches, so should requesting a loan be any different? Here are the pros and cons of finding a loan from your laptop or smartphone.

Pros

• Depending on the lender and the loan terms, with Lightning Money Loans you may be able to receive your funds as quickly as the next business day.
• Comparing multiple lenders and putting in more than one loan request is much quicker online than in person. In fact, there are even companies like Lightning Money Loans that allow you to reach out to multiple lenders and financial partners with a single online form.
• You can’t beat the convenience of requesting a loan without leaving the house.
• You may be able to see loan rates without a hard credit check, meaning your credit score may not be affected.
• Online lenders are often more willing to work with customers who don’t have stellar credit.
• Many online lenders provide quick, streamlined loan request processes. For example, the loan request form for Lightning Money Loans takes less than five minutes to complete.

Cons

• Some borrowers may not feel comfortable submitting their information online. It’s important to find a trustworthy online lender that takes your privacy seriously.
• There may not be as much human interaction available with online lenders. You can’t stop at a branch to ask questions. Customer service may be entirely online.

Getting a Loan in Person

We’ve probably all experienced in-person banks and financial institutions, so you understand the basics behind requesting a loan there. You go to a physical location, speak to someone, and fill out their request form. Here are the pros and cons of requesting a loan in person.

Pros

• You may get good results from a brick-and-mortar banking institution where you have an account and track record.
• You’ll be guided through the process by a loan officer sitting right there with you. That’s helpful if you have any questions.
• Extroverts may enjoy human contact during the loan request process. Also, it can help to have a contact in case you need more financial services in the future.

Cons

• Prequalification might not be available. You may simply have to request the loan and wait for the results.
• If you don’t have a solid existing relationship with the financial institution, there could be less favorable loan terms or additional hurdles to navigate.
• You can only request a loan with one lender at a time. If you want to compare rates, you’ll need to drive to another location and start the process over. If each of these lenders does a hard credit pull, it may temporarily damage your credit rating.
• The loan approval process may take some time, delaying the arrival of your money.
• You may feel embarrassed if you are denied a loan in person.

Reach Out to Multiple Lenders and Financial Partners at Once with Lightning Money Loans

Lightning Money Loans utilizes a large network to help connect consumers with multiple lenders and financial partners based on a single loan request. It doesn’t get any more convenient than that!

Submit a loan request for up to $50,000 with a single online form through Lightning Money Loans.