How long do personal loans take to process?

Personal loans applications typically take anywhere from a few hours to several days to process, depending on the lender and the details of your application. Processing time can vary based on factors like verification requirements, application completeness, and when you apply.

There isn’t a single timeline that applies to every personal loan. Some applications move quickly, while others take longer if additional review or documentation is needed.

What affects how long a personal loan takes to process?

How long a personal loan takes to process can depend on several factors related to your application and the lender’s review process.

Common factors that may affect processing time include:

  • How complete and accurate your application is
  • Whether identity, income, or employment needs to be verified
  • The lender’s review process
  • When the application is submitted

If additional information is needed, the process may take longer.

Do personal loans process faster for some borrowers?

In some cases, personal loans may be processed more quickly. This can happen when an application is straightforward and doesn’t require additional verification.

Other applications may take longer if:

  • Supporting documents are requested
  • Information needs manual review
  • The application is submitted outside normal business hours

Processing speed can vary even among borrowers applying to the same lender.

Does the time you apply matter?

Yes, timing can play a role in how long a personal loan takes to process.

Applications submitted during business hours may be reviewed sooner than those submitted at night, on weekends, or on holidays. In some cases, applications submitted outside regular business hours may not be reviewed until the next business day.

Why some personal loan applications take longer

A personal loan application may take longer to process if:

  • Additional documentation is required
  • Information needs to be verified manually
  • There are inconsistencies that need clarification

Delays don’t necessarily mean an application will be denied, but they can extend the review process.

How long does a personal loan take to process through Upstart?

How long a personal loan takes to process through Upstart can vary based on the details of your application.

In many cases, applicants may receive a decision shortly after submitting a completed application. If additional verification is required, the review process may take longer. Once a loan is approved and accepted, funds may be sent as fast as one business day, though the exact timing depends on your bank and other factors.1

Key takeaways

  • Personal loan processing times vary by lender and application details.
  • Some applications are processed quickly, while others take several days.
  • Verification requirements and application timing can affect processing speed.
  • Through Upstart, some applicants may receive decisions quickly, and funds may be sent as fast as one business day after approval and acceptance.

 

Frequently asked questions

Do all personal loans take the same amount of time to process?

No. Processing times vary depending on the lender and the details of each application.

Can missing information slow down processing?

Yes. Incomplete or inconsistent information may lead to additional review and longer processing times.

Does faster processing mean approval is guaranteed?

No. Faster processing does not guarantee approval. Approval depends on lender review and verification.

Do weekends or holidays affect processing time?

They can. Applications submitted on weekends or holidays may take longer to review.

Updated: January 2026

 

Disclosure:

1If you accept your loan by 5pm EST (not including weekends or holidays), your funds will be sent on the next business day. When the funds will be available to you will depend on your bank’s transaction processing time and policies.

This content is general in nature and provided for informational purposes only. This content is not specific to Upstart, except where explicitly stated. This content may contain references to products and services offered through Upstart’s credit marketplace. Upstart is not a financial advisor and does not offer financial planning services.

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*This content is general in nature and provided for informational purposes only. This content is not specific to Upstart, except where explicitly stated. This content may contain references to products and services offered through Upstart’s credit marketplace. Upstart is not a financial advisor and does not offer financial planning services.

Upstart Network, Inc. (NMLS #936133) is not a lender. All loans on its marketplace are made by regulated financial institutions.

All mortgage lending conducted by Upstart Mortgage, LLC dba Upstart Home Lending. (NMLS #2443873). Equal Housing Opportunity.

  1. Checking your rate won’t affect your credit score: When you check your rate, we check your credit report. This initial (soft) inquiry will not affect your credit score. If you accept your rate and proceed with your application, we do another (hard) credit inquiry that will impact your credit score. If you take out a loan, repayment information may be reported to the credit bureaus.
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  3. One business day: If you accept your loan by 5pm ET (not including weekends or holidays), your funds will be sent on the next business day. When the funds will be available to you will depend on your bank’s transaction processing time and policies.
  4. APRs from 6.2% – 35.99%, with 3 or 5 year terms: The full range of available rates varies by state. The lowest rates are only available to the most qualified applicants. A representative example of payment terms for an unsecured Personal Loan is as follows: a borrower receives a loan of $10,000 for a term of 60 months, with an interest rate of 17.50% and a 7.25% origination fee of $725, for an APR of 21.23%. In this example, the borrower will receive $9275 and will make 60 monthly payments of $252. APR is calculated based on 5-year rates offered in March 2026. There is no downpayment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application. Not all applicants will be approved.
  5. 2,500+ Variables: As of 3/31/2026. “Variables,” often also referred to as “features,” refers to raw variables and combined variables considered in our AI models. A “raw” variable is a non-combined, conceptually distinct unit of data, such as “applicant-reported savings.” A “combined” variable is data that has been transformed, combined, or otherwise engineered from a raw variable or set of raw variables, such as “applicant-reported savings” divided by “loan amount.”
  6. Fully automated loans: In Q2 2026. Percentage of Loans Fully Automated, which is defined as the total number of loans in a given period originated end-to-end (from initial rate request to final funding for personal loans and small dollar loans, and from initial rate request to signing of the loan agreement for auto loans) with no human involvement required by the Company divided by the Transaction Volume, Number of Loans in the same period.