Taking out a loan has become a problem these days. You must check your details and wait months, sometimes years, for the loan commitment. Fortunately, you can turn to trustful companies like Oportun.
As the official review of Oportun states, it was launched in 2005. Initially, the Oportun company aimed to provide financial services to those who couldn’t apply to a leading bank or credit union. The online application offers private loans, support programs, etc., for people with a small credit history or relatively low credit scores.
This Oportun review provides a comprehensive introduction to Oportun independent personal loans, taking into account an Oportun app review from other users. It also gives all the facts you need to determine if this is the right option.
Pros and Cons of Oportun
We focus not only on the company’s benefits, as it provides the viewer with objective information about the render. Here we present its advantages and disadvantages.
- It is a quick application. You can get a loan on the day of the application.
- Make a credit history. You can take a loan without a credit history or a low FICO score, which will help you build your credit history.
- Competitive annual percentage rate. It offers an affordable annual percentage rate for borrowers with low creditworthiness.
Cons:
- The high effective annual interest rate for good creditworthiness. The annual percentage rate is high enough. It can’t be called a benefit.
- There are only a few lines of credit. You can borrow up to $ 10.000 of money.
- Lending fee. Oportun charges a processing fee or tax stamp fee for all personal loans.
How Oportun Works?
A credit rating is usually required for a loan of 300 to 700 points. However, a borrower without a credit history on their bank accounts is considered by the lender too. The minimum deposit is $300. In particular, the amount available depends on many factors. It can be determined in many ways, including the state you live in, your credit history (if any), and previous direct deposit loans with the same provider.
Oportun offers cheap loans on your bank account with fixed rates from 7 to 35 months. In addition, there are no hidden costly overdraft fees or changes to the established payment amount. You can also pay more than you usually pay or pay in advance.
By adjusting the payment period to the pick-up date, the procedure has become easier. The best thing is that you can constantly improve your creditworthiness of the existing bank account by making timely payments and taking out more deposit loans with a low effective annual interest rate.
Oportun doesn’t require a proven credit history from a linked bank account, as it checks certain financial conditions of the clients and determines the result. You also don’t need to provide debit card collateral when applying for a loan.
The service provider procedure is very simple and can be divided into three important steps: “Start application,” “Submit documents,” and “Wait for loan approval.”
- First, you need to fill out your application.
- Then submit the checking account documents online or directly to your nearest Oportun office. Only original documents are accepted.
- After submission, you need to wait for the approval of direct deposits and loan conditions like interest charges.
Oportun Features
Now let’s look at common loan types and their features.
Private Loans
They can be used to pay for a variety of personal expenses, including:
- Medical bills;
- Apartment equipment;
- Car repair;
- Products and services;
- Holiday or wedding;
- Money borrowed from friends and family;
- Consolidation
These loans usually have some usage restrictions. For example, it can’t be used for business or educational expenses. So, you should read the terms and conditions in advance.
Car Loan
Unlike private loans, which can be used for various purposes, a car loan can be used to buy a car or refinance an existing mortgage. Cars are one of the biggest purchases in people’s lives. According to the loan terms, you can pay back while using a new car and having fun while traveling. In case of late payment, your car may be confiscated.
Mortgage
For many, buying a home is a life goal. However, very few people can pay for a house at once. Mortgages allow you to diversify your financial solutions and payments over the years. You usually have to pay a certain percentage of the sale price of your home.
These costs are called a down payment. The down payment is about 20% (or more) of the house price. But it can be even lower depending on the type of mortgage you are eligible for. After the down payment, the contract is repaid until all mortgages are paid off.
Your mortgage holder is your homeowner until you make the last mortgage payment. If payments are overdue, there is a risk of foreclosure, and the lender may seize your home. So, you have to track it carefully.
Student Loan
Student loans can be used to pay for education-related expenses, such as:
- University fees;
- Dorm;
- Textbook;
- Transport facilities;
- Computer.
Student loans are often the first budgeting loan a person lends out. Most student loans don’t have to be repaid before graduation. Some student loans have a deadline of several months to look for a job before they start repaying.
Small Business Loan
Small business loans provide the cash flow businesses need to improve or expand their existing businesses. It is also an advanced feature for anyone starting a new business. With the small business loan, the following business expenses can be paid:
- Daily work;
- Business-related assets;
- Commercial equipment.
Applying for a small business loan usually requires the presence of a formal financial products plan explaining how the funds will be used. In addition, some small business loans require a personal guarantee. It promises to repay the loan with personal assets in case of default.
Payday Loan
Payday loans can be used to receive funds for almost all expenses. It is also very easy to apply:
- You are 18 years or older;
- You have a valid ID;
- You have a bank account;
- Have a profession.
If you don’t repay by the next repayment date, your loan can be automatically extended. This loan is equal to the amount of the previous loan plus the accrued interest and fees. Payday loans can have up to 400% APR, which can be very fast and expensive.
Oportun Fees & Rates
Personal loans are usually subject to an annual percentage fee, but especially with alternative lenders, it is known that they require a fee from the borrower. It is important to keep an eye on how these overdraft fees will affect your total costs when considering whether you can repay your borrowed money.
There are no general fees such as a membership fee or monthly fee in Oportun. But depending on your state, some taxes may be charged.
These additional fees vary from state to state and are usually calculated as a percentage of the borrowed amount. For example, for a $ 1000 loan, you need to pay $ 30 for a commission of 3%. Oportun also charges fees that are common to most loans, such as closing payments and check returns.
The interest rates are much higher than the interest rates that private money lenders usually take. Although it is positioned as an “alternative render” for people who don’t have a bank account or have a low credit score, it doesn’t charge the fees that payday renderers charge. This loan is very expensive. The cost of monthly expenses is between traditional loans and potential rip-off loans.
Oportun Safety and Security
If we talk about the company’s safety and security policies, there is nothing special. Oportun collects information only to improve its accredited products and services, regulatory requirements, and customized services.
Your information can also be used for typical website analytics, targeted digital advertising, and promotions.
The good news is that you can opt out of this by clicking on the “Privacy Settings” link at the bottom of your webpage. It doesn’t seem to share any secure information with other third-party services. For security reasons, it is encrypted with an SSL certificate.
At least other reviews didn’t raise any money security concerns.
Trustworthiness & BBB Rating of Oportun
Oportun is a Certified Business Support Authority. It has an A + rating from the BBB. It is a non-profit organization focused on consumer protection and trust. It evaluates companies by assessing customer complaints, the truthfulness of advertising, and the transparency of business practices.
Still, remember that a good BBB rating doesn’t guarantee a good relationship with Oportun. You can also search for customer reviews on the Internet or ask friends if they used its services.
By the way, Oportun was recently involved in a serious scandal. According to a ProPublica study, the company filed thousands of lawsuits against low-income Hispanic borrowers during the COVID-19 epidemic, threatening them to continue paying high-interest loans. So, if you are worried about this case, perhaps you should consider another financial company.
Oportun Mobile Support and Accessibility
Oportun’s mission is to provide meaningful and accessible financial services. It helps clients build a better future and involves developing products and services accessible to everyone, including people with different abilities. It strives to improve the usability and design so that as many people can use it as possible.
So, Oportun has an app for iPhone and Android. By working together, they can provide more opportunities to improve the financial state of customers. Everyone who has a smartphone or tablet can enjoy this new financial instrument.
It is a very simple app that allows you to save money, start investing and even reduce overdraft fees. Use the digital connection with your bank to calculate smart savings based on your income and spending habits. Then unknowingly save a small amount for your goal. This desktop app gives you financial freedom by doing other smart things about money, like budget management, banking, and more.
You can always turn to online mobile support and get an answer to any question.
Customer Service at Oportun
Oportun can be called the best service. They wish their customers to feel good. Please, turn to its customer service if there are any questions.
The following information about yourself should be specified:
- Your full name;
- Address;
- Phone;
- The last 4 digits of your account number (only for existing customers);
- Reasons for inquiries, disputes, compliments, complaints.
All objections to the credit check must be made in writing.
If you have accessibility problems due to obstacles or obstructions, please contact the Oportun customer service team by phone or mail specified on the official website.
It works:
- Monday – Friday: 8 am—8 pm PT
- Saturday – Sunday: 9 am—7 pm PT
Please, don’t include your social security number, account number, or other confidential information in your e-mail communication to protect your privacy.
Is Oportun Good Choice for You?
If you don’t have a credit history and need cash for a sudden expense like rent and utility, Oportun is a good short-term choice. According to a spokeswoman for Oportun, lenders have contacted two of the three major credit refinance agencies for bills – Experian and TransUnion. Meeting the paycheck deadlines will help build a credit history.
Oportun is great for people with a bad credit score and who need to borrow money immediately. As an alternative to payday loans, the minimum loan amount is only $ 300, and you can borrow up to $ 10 000. It is not the cheapest financial company, but it is much better than traditional financial ones.
Still, Oportun’s interest rates are higher than some other lenders. So, you should compare the interest rates to see if there are cheaper options elsewhere, especially if you have a good credit score and your income is not high.
Apps Like Oportun
What are the Oportun’s alternatives with the same features?
Oportun
- It is a company that uses data analysis and technology. It provides personal loans to people with minimal credit history.
- Founding date: 2005
- Type: public
- Tags: Financial Services, Loans, Fintech
- Alexa Website Rank: 138646
- Market capitalization: $234.3 M
Blue Motor Finance
- It is a fintech company.
- Founding date: 1992
- Type: private
- Tags: Financial Services, Loans, Fintech
- Alexa Website Rank: 625706
- Market capitalization: £63.9 M
Crédito Real
- It provides financial solutions for people who traditional banking systems can’t serve.
- Founding date: 1993
- Type: public
- Tags: Financial Services, Loans, Financial management, Fintech
- Alexa Website Rank: 101444
- Market capitalization: $133.3 M
Crescent Bank & Trust
- This company provides financial services through an online platform.
- Founding date: 1991
- Type: subsidiary
- Tags: Financial Services, Loans, Banks, Fintech
- Alexa Website Rank: 549685
- Market capitalization: N/A
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How We Review
In the review process, we learned that Oportun has been accredited by the Business Support Authority since 2016 and has an excellent offer tool (opens with a new account). It has a generally positive reputation on many financial services sites.
Unlike many money lenders, it doesn’t have an online calculator. So, you will have to enter your client’s data during the bidding process. The application is completed in at least 10 minutes. Theoretically, it is possible to withdraw funds within a day.
Regarding interest rates and customer service, Oportun is relatively easy to understand and respond to. The company supports lending only to those who can prepare repayments. For this purpose, they want to draw up policies (certificate of income, etc.).
It also works with credit reporting agencies in the United States to help clients with zero or extremely low credit scores build a better position for the future.
Oportun loans are expensive. But compared to payday lenders, it seems like a great option. If you don’t have a loan and need to raise money, you should contact Oportun before asking for help from a payday financing company.
