The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), “committed to expanding Americans’ access to safe, secure, and affordable banking services,” estimates there are 9 million US households without an FDIC-insured bank account. There are large inner-city neighborhoods without banks, and some areas of the country with few or no banking services.
If you live in one of these areas, or an area with plenty of banks yet you simply don’t have an account, can you obtain a loan without a bank account? The answer is yes, you can even get loans online without a bank account, but the loans will be more expensive, less flexible, and riskier than bank loans or non-bank loans available only to people who have a bank account.
Risks of Taking out Loans without a Bank Account
Three common ways of getting a loan without a bank account are going to a pawn shop, a title lender, or a payday lender. Each method has advantages, but the risks can greatly outweigh them.
- Pawn loans – Tap into the value of personal possessions without selling them, but you may not be able to raise much money, and you run the risk of losing your possessions.
- Title loans – Tap into the equity of your car and you’ll get only a fraction of the car’s value, and if you can’t repay the loan you could lose an asset much more valuable than the amount you borrowed. If you default the lender can sell your car, and in some states keep the amount greater than the loan balance as profit. If the sale doesn’t bring in enough to cover the loan, they can still collect the rest from you.
- Payday loans – Useful for getting money in a pinch, but they have to be paid off in a lump sum, and you may find you don’t have enough in your paycheck to pay off the whole loan and your other bills and expenses. You might end up rolling the loan over for another week or another payday, then find there’s not enough in that paycheck to cover your expenses and pay off the original loan. You could end up rolling the loan over several times and thus paying several times the original loan amount in interest and fees.
All of these loans have significant risk, and Power Finance Texas doesn’t offer any of them.
We don’t want to trap you in a bad loan. Indeed, our short term loan application is designed to protect you from taking out a loan you won’t have the ability to repay. Instead, we offer installment loans of $100 to $1,250 to be paid off in 6 monthly installments, with no penalty for early payment.
An Alternative to Taking Loans without a Bank Account
A better option than a risky and expensive short-term loan is opening a bank or credit union account—although it won’t guarantee you a loan, it will open the door to non-bank lenders who require a bank account. There are other advantages to opening an account:
- You can receive direct deposits of paychecks and other funds.
- Bank fees may be much less than fees at a check cashing store.
- You can pay bills online, which will save postage and the cost of buying cashier’s checks, prepaid debit cards, or paying bills in person.
- Thanks to mobile and online banking, not having a bank building nearby is less of an obstacle.
- Some bank apps allow you to deposit a check by snapping a picture with a smartphone, a further convenience when you are not located near a bank building.
Follow these steps to open a bank account.
1. Clear Up Credit Issues That Hinder Getting an Account
When opening a new account, banks pull a bank account usage report, usually through ChexSystems. If you lost a bank account, or had one closed with outstanding fees, get a free copy of your FACTA report from ChexSystems.
- As with credit reports, you’re entitled to one free report per year. If you find any inaccuracies, dispute them.
- If you can’t get a bank account, ask about a second chance account. You can start your search by looking at any of several articles from Nerdwallet.
- For information on getting your free credit report and improving your credit, see our post on “Credit 101 – What to Know and How to Improve It”.
2. Find Out What’s Available to You
You may have heard that banks charge fees and plenty of them, so look carefully at the bank’s schedule of fees, and think about how you use money. Consider changing your spending habits to avoid fees, or find a bank with no monthly fees.
Online Banks
But what if there isn’t a bank in your area to open an account? What if the nearest bank is miles away in another part of town, or even another city?
- Do some searching for online banks, or use Nerdwallet’s research.
- If you don’t have a smartphone or tablet, or find plans too expensive, do some research. Nerdwallet reviews cell phone plans and compares some tablet plans.
3. What You’ll Need to Open a Bank Account Online or In Person
Power Finance Texas has a list of requirements before securing a loan, such as:
- A driver license, passport, or other government-issued ID
- Your Social Security number, date of birth, and other identifying info like email address and phone number
- Money to make your first deposit
Opening a bank account is a great first step in applying for a short-term loan, and paying it off on time or early is a great way to improve your credit and build a history of responsible borrowing. If you have any more questions about applying for a short-term loan, don’t hesitate to reach out to us to learn more!
Frequently asked questions
Have questions about loans and bank accounts? We’ll cover them below. See the Power Finance Texas FAQ for more lending questions and answers.
How Can I Get an Immediate Loan?
As long as you meet our requirements (including a bank account), you can get an immediate loan online at Power Finance Texas. Unlike a payday loan, our installment loans have a flexible repayment plan unique to each person.
To get an immediate loan from Power Finance Texas, you need a few basic documents like a Texas ID or driver’s license and a bank account.
How Long Do You Have to Have a Bank Account to Get a Loan?
Loans without a bank account are usually risky, which is why we specialize in more secure loans for account holders.
Once you have had a bank account for thirty days, you can get a loan from Power Finance Texas. Given the risks associated with other loans, we think it’s worth the extra step.
How Can I Make $1000 Right Now?
You can make $1000 by picking up a few extra shifts at work or selling some of your possessions, or you can get an installment loan from Power Finance Texas.
Our loans typically take only a few minutes to approve, and the money appears in your account the next business day.
What Do You Need to Get a Loan from the Bank?
Specific requirements vary from bank to bank, but in general, the following steps will be required when applying for a bank loan:
- Credit check: The first thing most banks will do is check your credit and make sure they see you as a good bet for repaying the money you borrowed, plus interest.
- Choose between a secured and unsecured loan: A secured loan requires collateral—perhaps your home, your car, or something else of value—that the bank can take possession of if you don’t pay your loan as agreed. An unsecured loan requires no collateral. If your credit score is too low, your bank may only offer a secured loan to minimize their level of risk.
- Provide paperwork: The bank needs proof that you have the resources necessary to repay the loan, so they may require:
a. Pay stubs
b. Photo ID
c. Tax returns
d. Retirement account documentation
e. Proof of collateral (if applicable) - Review the terms: Make sure you read the paperwork before signing it. Can you pay off the loan early without penalty? Will the interest rates increase if you make a payment late? If you put up collateral, what are the conditions where that can be taken from you?
If you have trouble getting a bank loan or don’t want to put up collateral for a secured loan, Power Finance Texas can help! We’ll work to get you approved as long as you have:
- A home or cell phone
- A valid Texas ID
- A checking account
- At least three months in your current job
Apply for your personal loan with Power Finance Texas today.