Above Lending reviews for 2023, including our personal loan review of the company, highlight ease of use and excellent customer service from a highly-rated lending institution that also functions as its own broker. Partnering with Cross River Bank, member FDIC, Above Lending offers debt consolidation and personal loans through its online platform, where consumers can check their eligibility without cost or obligations.
While Above Lending provides a mostly online experience where customers can fill out and submit documents, calling the company to begin the process is necessary. The extra step ensures the company can match you to the financial product you need before performing the next steps. However, the procedure differs from other online lending platforms that promote a higher level of convenience.
Above Lending ranks high on our list of the best personal loan companies while just slightly missing the mark in our best debt consolidation companies review.
Get Pre-Qualified Loan Offers From 15 Highly Rated Lenders
Pros
Pre-qualifying won’t affect credit score
No pre-payment fees or penalties
No fees to apply
Funding available in 1 to 7 days
Borrow up to $50,000
Cons
Not available in all states
Minimum requirement information unavailable
Origination fee may apply
Minimal information on website
Above Lending Features and Benefits
Above Lending checks most of the boxes expected from an industry-leading debt consolidation lender. However, the company’s general website provides limited company and borrowing details until consumers call to unlock the more detailed customer area of the site.
- Loan amounts from $1,000 to $1,000
- Pre-qualifying won’t affect credit score
- Direct lender payments unavailable
- No early payment penalties
- Repayment terms from 12 to 84 months
- Interest rates from 5.9% – 36%
- An origination fee of up to 5% may apply
- Not available in all states
- Direct lending organization
Above Lending Reviews for Debt Consolidation
Editorial Rating
Trusted Company Reviews Rating Score for Above Lending Debt Consolidation: 7.3
Our rating criteria span a range from average to specific customer reviews, loan requirements and specifics, and customer convenience. While Above Lending scored highly across multiple factors, a lack of convenience details hurt the company on our debt consolidation ranking.
Our rating criteria span a range from average to specific customer reviews, loan requirements and specifics, and customer convenience. While Above Lending scored highly across multiple factors, a lack of convenience details hurt the company on our debt consolidation ranking.
Above Lending provides excellent features, such as–
- a wide interest rate range
- flexible debt consolidation loan terms
- low origination fees.
However, we felt that a more user-friendly experience from the start would be a better fit for many debt consolidation customers.
Above Lending Debt Consolidation Facts
Potential Above Lending customers can check their debt consolidation or personal loan eligibility without affecting their credit score after contacting the company at the phone number on its website.
After the initial contact, customers can set up an online account to input personal and financial information without having to provide documentation. Above Lending will then review the information and respond with information regarding the loan or loans the customer may qualify for.
After choosing the desired debt consolidation loan, clients can formally apply for it by providing documentation of the facts stated in the pre-qualification step, identification, and other documents.
Above Lending offers debt consolidation loan amounts from $1,000 to $50,000 with interest rates between 5.9 and 36% and terms ranging from 12 to 84 months. No prepayment penalties apply for paying off a consolidation loan early.
Above Lending provides excellent features, such as a wide interest rate range, flexible debt consolidation loan terms, and low origination fees. However, we felt that a more user-friendly experience from the start would be a better fit for many debt consolidation customers.
Above Lending Debt Consolidation Facts
Potential Above Lending customers can check their debt consolidation or personal loan eligibility without affecting their credit score after contacting the company at the phone number on its website.
After the initial contact, customers can set up their Above Lending login, where they can then input personal and financial information to get pre-approved loan options without having to provide documentation. Above Lending will then review the applicant’s information and respond with information regarding the loan or loans the customer may qualify for.
After choosing the desired debt consolidation loan, clients can formally apply for it by providing documentation of the facts stated in the pre-qualification step, identification, and other documents.
Above Lending offers debt consolidation loan amounts from $1,000 to $50,000 with interest rates between 5.9 and 36% and terms ranging from 12 to 84 months. No prepayment penalties apply for paying off a consolidation loan early.
| Interest Rates | 5.9% – 36% |
| Origination Fee | 0 – 5% |
| Loan Terms | 12 – 84 months |
| Minimum Credit Score | unknown |
| Loan Amounts | $1,000 – $50,000 |
| BBB Rating | 4.76 / A+ |
Above Lending Interest Rates
Most online lenders offer debt consolidation interest rates between 6% and 35.99%. Above Lending’s rates are right in line with those averages.
For pre-qualifying and final loan approval, Above Lending will consider several factors, including the customer’s credit score, credit history, debt-to-income ratio, financed amount, employment and income factors, and other indicators, to determine the approved interest rate.
How to Get an Above Lending Debt Consolidation Loan
Three steps are involved when applying for a debt consolidation loan with Above Lending. As a potential customer, you must first contact the company to open an online user account. Once online, you can input your personal and financial information into the website form.
Above Lending will then perform a soft inquiry on your credit report to determine your basic eligibility. The soft inquiry will not affect your credit score, and other entities won’t have access to the information or the fact that an inquiry happened.
If you’re pre-qualified based on the information provided, Above Lending will compile one or more loans that you’ll likely receive approval for from its lending partner, Cross River Bank. You’ll then have an opportunity to review the debt consolidation or personal loan options and detailed information about each.
Once you’ve chosen an option, if any, you can formally apply for the loan of your choice. If your information checks out after supplying the documentation and you’re approved, Above Lending will transfer the funds to your bank account within a few days, minus any origination fees if they apply.
With the funds in your bank account, you’ll be responsible for dispersing the money to your existing creditors. Above Lending doesn’t provide an option to pay them directly.
Approval and Acceptance
Pre-qualification with Above Lending doesn’t equal final loan acceptance. However, pre-qualification is an excellent indicator of probable final approval, provided the information given in the pre-qualification step is current and accurate.
Above Lending Debt Consolidation Loan Requirements
Above Lending provides no information or guidelines regarding minimum approval requirements. However, the initial consultation and pre-qualification steps are no-obligation and no-cost methods of determining your approval odds with the company. Basic legal requirements for acquiring a loan include the following items.
- Social Security number
- 18 years of age or older in most states
- Legal identification
- Verifiable address
Above Lending BBB Reviews
Above Lending is a licensed and regulated loan company. We verified Above Lending’s licenses at the NMLS, the regulatory agency that regulates lenders’ licenses.
Above Lending’s office locations include the following locations:
- 650 Dundee Road, Suite 150, Northbrook, IL 60062
- 7322 Southwest Freeway, Suite 900, Houston, TX, 77074.
At the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Above Lending maintains a high rating and receives a low volume of complaints. Importantly, the company has achieved an A+ rating without even seeking BBB accreditation, further demonstrating their commitment to customer satisfaction.
- Excellent customer reviews: Above Lending BBB reviews have an average customer rating of close to 5/5 stars from over 300 reviews.
- High BBB rating: Above Lending’s BBB rating is A+ rated.
- Low complaints: Above Lending BBB complaints are less than 10!
The Better Business Bureau awards Above Lending an A+ grade for its responsiveness to customer concerns and complaints.
Likewise, Trustpilot rates the company at 4.7 of 5 stars based on reviews from over 2,000 customers. Less than 5% of the reviews on Trustpilot gave Above Lending a 3-star rating or lower. A full 95% of reviews have 4-star or above ratings.
Also cited on Trustpilot is Above Lending’s excellent history of responding to customer complaints. The company has replied to at least 94% of negative reviews on the site.
Is Above Lending Worth It?
Debt consolidation through any lender is a big commitment with potential risks and advantages. Above Lending offers a wide range of interest rates and loan-length terms, as well as modest origination fees if they apply to your situation.
However, the company does require customers to contact it directly before moving forward with the application process. While this step has advantages, such as receiving a brief consultation about which financial service might serve you best, most other online lenders provide this information upfront on their websites.
If the inconvenience of having to call the company before acquiring more information is acceptable, though, Above Lending may be able to provide the flexible debt consolidation terms you desire.
Above Lending Reviews Vs. Top Debt Consolidation Lenders
The following table briefly summarizes Above Lending’s loan requirements and terms.
| Feature | Above Lending |
Other personal loan lenders
|
| Credit score range | 600 to 850 | 600 to 750 |
| Loan amounts | Loans up to $50,000 |
$1,000 to $35,000
|
| APRs | 5.99% to 35.99% |
7.99% to 35.99%
|
| Repayment terms | 12 to 84 months | 12 to 60 months |
| Collateral required | No | No |
Above Lending Vs. Upstart
Above Lending and Upstart both offer pre-qualification steps that don’t affect consumers’ credit scores before committing to a debt consolidation loan application. However, Upstart partners with multiple lending institutions compared to Above Lending’s use of a single source. For this reason, Upstart may better serve those with lower credit scores or unique financial situations.
Our Upstart review showcases a couple of advantages over Above Lending when it comes to ease of use as well. By providing useful information on its website, customers can quickly determine if pursuing a pre-qualification approval is worth their time. Above Lending falls short in this area by offering only minimal information on its site.
Above Lending Vs. LendingClub
Above Lending and LendingClub are both lending institutions that act as their own online broker. Both companies offer debt consolidation pre-approval without affecting clients’ credit scores. And both offer financial services from limited sources rather than act as complete online marketplaces.
Our LendingClub review, however, describes a full-service online bank that offers a full suite of financial tools and account options. The primary differences between LendingClub and Above Lending regarding debt consolidation loans are Above Lending’s higher borrowing capacity and wider range of loan-length term options.
Above Lending Vs. Credible
Our Credible review shares information about a highly rated company that makes it onto our best debt consolidation companies list.
While Above Lending may not appear as if it can compete with Credible at first glance, a deeper look shows that it has some advantages over one of our top picks.
Credible offers a wider range of potential loan amounts and has similar loan-length availability to Above Lending. Its partnerships with multiple lenders and ease of use put it a step ahead of Above Lending.
| Feature | Above Lending | Upstart | LendingClub | Credible |
| BBB Grade / Rating | 4.76 / A+ | 1.24 / A+ | 4.56 / A+ | 1.29 / A+ |
| Average Reviews Rating | 4.7 | 3.4 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Interest Rates | 5.9% – 36% | 5.39 – 35.99% | 6.34 – 35.89% | 4.60 – 35.99% |
| Origination Fee | 0 – 5% | 0 – 12% Varies by Lender | 3 – 8% | 0 – 12% Varies by Lender |
| Loan Terms | 12 to 84 months | 36 to 60 months | 36 or 60 months | 12 to 84 months |
| Minimum Credit Score | Unknown | 300 | 600 | No minimum stated |
| Loan Amount | $1,000 to $50,000 | $1,000 to $50,000 | $1,000 to $40,000 | $600 to $100,000 |
| Joint Applicants Accepted | No | No | Yes | No |
| Mobile App Available | No | Yes | Yes | Varies by lender |
However, Above Lending offers potential benefits, including a much higher customer satisfaction rating with the Better Business Bureau and a more modest origination fee if one applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Above Lending Legit?
Is it better to borrow from a bank or a lending company?
How does debt consolidation work?
Source
Image Sources:
- Better Business Bureau, Above Lending Inc., BBB review
- Abovelending.com website
- TrustPilot, Above Lending review
Deane Biermeier
