Written by: Ashley Fricker
Edited by: Lillian Guevara-Castro
Finding loans and credit cards for derogatory credit can be a challenge, but just because you’ve had some financial missteps in the past doesn’t mean you can’t turn things around. Read on for some valuable information on how to deal with derogatory credit.
Sometimes, you can get an idea about some words simply by how they sound. For example, even if you don’t know exactly what derogatory credit is, you can guess it’s probably not a good thing just from the way it sounds.
And you’d be right. Derogatory credit typically describes a credit profile that contains at least one derogatory mark. It can refer to any number of negative items reported to the credit bureaus, including delinquent payments, defaults, and even bankruptcy discharges.
Regardless of its source, derogatory credit is a red flag to potential lenders, making it more difficult to get new credit. But there are options out there for a variety of loans and credit cards, even with derogatory credit items.
Personal Loans | Auto Loans | Home Loans | Credit Cards | Fixing Derogatory Credit
Best Personal Loans for Low Credit Scores
Personal loans are one of the most common types of loans sought by those with low credit scores. That’s because personal loans can be used for the broadest range of financial needs, including debt consolidation, auto repairs, and medical bills.
However, personal loans are unsecured loans, which can make them harder to obtain with derogatory items pulling down your credit score. One way to improve your chances of finding a personal loan is to use an online lending network, such as those below, to connect with multiple lenders at once.
1. CashUSA.com
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Receive a loan decision in minutes
- Get funds directly to your bank account
- Use the loan for any purpose
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
- Loans from $500 to $10,000
- Get connected with a lender
- Simple form & quick funding
- Get your money as soon as next the business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $10,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 60 Months | See representative example |
- Loans from $1,000 to $35,000
- Large lender network
- Fast loan decision
- Use the loan for any purpose
- Funding as soon as one business day, if approved
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Loan Amount | Interest Rate | Loan Term | Loan Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| $500 to $35,000 | 5.99% - 35.99% | 3 to 72 Months | See representative example |
With dozens of lending partners, online lending networks can often help borrowers with a broad range of credit types. You can connect with lenders from all around the country, and qualified borrowers can receive multiple loan offers from a single application.
One important thing to note about personal loans is that they do tend to have higher APRs than other loan types, particularly if you have poor credit. You should calculate your expected monthly payment to ensure it fits into your budget before signing the loan agreement.
Best Auto Loans for Low Credit Scores
In some ways, obtaining an auto loan with a low credit score is easier than obtaining other types of loans, as auto loans are generally secured by the vehicle they finance, reducing the risk to the lender. That said, the larger the auto loan you wish to obtain, the better the credit score you’ll need.
While local banks and credit unions will sometimes have flexible credit requirements for auto loans, the most common source of bad-credit auto funding is from the dealer. Finding a local dealer that will work with a low credit score is often easiest through an online dealer network like our expert-rated options below.
- Network of dealer partners has closed $1 billion in bad credit auto loans
- Specializes in bad credit, no credit, bankruptcy and repossession
- In business since 1999
- Easy, 30-second pre-qualification form
- Bad credit applicants must have $1500/month income to qualify
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.99% - 29.99% | 1999 | 3 minutes | 9.5/10 |
- Auto loan amounts of up to $150,000
- Prequalify in minutes without impacting your credit score
- Refinancing loans save an average of $191 per month
- 125% financing available for cash-out refis
- PenFed Credit Union membership required but can be applied for at the same time as your loan
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.19% and up | 1935 | 5 minutes | 9.5/10 |
6. RefiJet
- RefiJet helps people lower their monthly auto payment by an average of $150 a month*
- Pre-qualifying for a refinance auto loan does not impact your credit score
- Nationwide network of lenders
- We present you with options from lenders that fit your situation
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | 2016 | 5 minutes | 9.0/10 |
Online dealer networks are not direct lenders; they are merely a way to connect with local dealers that have flexible credit requirements. After selecting a dealer through the network, you’ll work directly with the dealer to find a vehicle and complete the loan process.
If you are having trouble finding a lender, your best option — besides working to improve your credit score — will likely be to make a down payment or trade in a vehicle. You can often improve your chances of being approved by reducing the amount you need to borrow.
Best Home Loans for Low Credit Scores
Home loans are by far the most difficult type of loan to obtain with a low credit score, mostly due to the sheer size and duration of the typical mortgage loan. That being said, there are several government-insured loans that can sometimes be obtained by those with low credit scores, the most common of which is an FHA-insured mortgage.
But while the FHA doesn’t have set minimum credit requirements, each lender is allowed to set its own credit score and income requirements. This means you’ll likely need to shop around to find a flexible lender, a task often made easier by using an online lending network like those below.
- America's largest mortgage lender
- The entire process is completed online
- Options for new mortgages and refinancing existing mortgages
- Award-winning customer service and cutting-edge digital platforms
- More than 90% of clients would recommend us
- See application, terms, and details
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | 1985 | 5 minutes | 9.5/10 |
- Best for cash-out refinance
- Utilize your home equity with America's #1 lender
- eClosing allows customers to close electronically, greatly speeding the process
- A+ rating with the BBB
- Receive cash for home improvements, college tuition, or paying off debt
- 24/7 access to your loan through the Rocket Mortgage app
- See application, terms, and details
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | 1985 | 5 minutes | 9.5/10 |
9. eMortgage
- Get today's mortgage rates from the top mortgage lenders and banks
- Easily compare and choose mortgage lenders with no obligations or fees
- Review current mortgage rates side by side
- Pick mortgage lenders that meet your specific needs
- Compare rates from pre-qualified and approved mortgage lenders — 100% online, 100% free
- See application, terms, and details.
| Interest Rate | In Business Since | Application Length | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | 1979 | 4 minutes | 8.5/10 |
Although finding a flexible lender is a big part of buying a house with derogatory marks on your credit reports, the actual property you intend to buy will also be a major factor. To start, you’ll need to make sure the housing costs will fall under the debt-to-income (DTI) ratio for the type of loan you wish to obtain.
In general, the FHA requires that the front-end DTI, or housing ratio — the PITI divided by gross monthly income — should be less than 31%, while the back-end ratio, or total debt ratio — the PITI plus any other monthly debts divided by gross monthly income — should be less than 43%.
If the property you hope to obtain is outside of your DTI limits, you may need to look for a less expensive property. Alternatively, you can try to save up a larger deposit to reduce the size of the mortgage and, thus, the size of the PITI. However, those with a low credit score due to derogatory marks from unpaid debt should consider paying their outstanding debt before making a down payment on a house.
Best Credit Cards for Low Credit Scores
In most cases, credit cards are the easiest type of new credit to obtain with a low credit score caused by derogatory credit report items. That said, credit cards aimed at subprime or bad-credit consumers will typically be more expensive than cards for consumers with better credit.
There are three types of credit cards frequently available to bad-credit applicants: closed-loop store credit cards, unsecured subprime credit cards, and secured credit cards. Each type of credit card will have its ups and downs, so selecting the right card will come down to your personal situation.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
- When you need assistance our award-winning US-based Customer Service agents are there to help.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- You don’t need good credit to apply.
- We help people with bad credit, every day.
- Just complete the short application and receive a response in 60 seconds.
- You can build or rebuild your credit: apply for a PREMIER Bankcard credit card, keep your balance low, and pay all your monthly bills on time.
- Don’t let a low FICO score stop you from applying – we approve applications others may not.
- FICO scores are used to represent the creditworthiness of a person and may be one indicator to the credit type you are eligible for. However, credit score alone does not guarantee or imply approval for any PREMIER Bankcard® product.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 minutes | See Provider Website | Yes | 9.0/10 |
- Earn 3% Cash Back Rewards* on Gas, Groceries and Utility Bill Payments
- Earn 1% Cash Back Rewards* on all other eligible purchases
- Up to $1,000 credit limit subject to credit approval
- Prequalify** without affecting your credit score
- No security deposit
- Free access to your VantageScore 4.0 score from TransUnion®†
*See Program Terms for important information about the cash back rewards program.
** Prequalify means that you authorize us to make a soft inquiry (that will not affect your credit) to create an offer. If you accept an offer a hard inquiry will be made. Final approval is not guaranteed if you do not meet all applicable criteria (including adequate proof of ability to repay). Income verification through access to your bank account information may be required.
† Your credit score will be available in your online account starting 60 days after your account is opened. (Registration required.) The free VantageScore 4.0 credit score provided by TransUnion® is for educational purposes only. This score may not be used by The Bank of Missouri (the issuer of this card) or other creditors to make credit decisions.
| Application Length | Interest Rate | Reports Monthly | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 minutes | 29.99% or 36% Fixed | Yes | 8.0/10 |
Overall, if you can afford to make the required initial deposit, a secured credit card will likely offer the lowest rates and fees with the fewest limitations. They’ll operate anywhere the network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) is accepted, and your deposit is fully refundable so long as you close your account in good standing.
Store credit cards can be a good option for building credit without annual fees, but they tend to have very high APRs, so never carry a balance on a store credit card. Additionally, closed-loop store credit cards — ones without network logos on them — can only be used to make purchases with the store that issues them, limiting their utility quite severely.
If you don’t want to make a deposit and want spending flexibility, unsecured subprime credit cards are open-loop and don’t require an initial deposit. However, most subprime cards will have high annual fees that will be charged shortly after opening your account, and some may also charge processing or program fees to activate.
How to Fix Bad Credit from Derogatory Marks
Given the difficulty — and expense — of obtaining credit with derogatory marks on your credit reports, the best course of action for most consumers will be to improve their credit scores before applying for new credit.
Depending on the nature of the derogatory marks on your credit, you may be able to have them removed through credit repair, which is the process of disputing erroneous or unsubstantiated credit report items. While you can do this yourself, many people have found success using experienced credit repair companies like those below.
- Since 2004, Lexington Law Firm clients saw over 81 million items removed from their credit reports
- Get started today with a free online credit report consultation
- Cancel anytime
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Better Business Bureau | In Business Since | Monthly Cost | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| See BBB Listing | 2004 | $99.95+ | 8/10 |
- Best-in-class support
- In business since 1989
- Rapid 35-day dispute cycle, tailored to your situation
- 90-day 100% money-back guarantee
- Low $79 cost to get started, cancel or pause membership anytime
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Better Business Bureau | In Business Since | Monthly Cost | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| A+ | 1989 | $79 | 9.5/10 |
- Free online consultation
- CreditRepair.com members saw over 8.6 million removals on their credit reports since 2012
- Free access to your credit report summary
- Three-step plan for checking, challenging and changing your credit report
- Online tools to help clients track results
- See official site, terms, and details.
| Better Business Bureau | In Business Since | Monthly Cost | Reputation Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| See BBB Listing | 2012 | $69.95+ | 8/10 |
Keep in mind that credit repair only works for specific items that are incorrectly reported to the credit bureaus. If a derogatory mark is legitimate and accurate, it cannot be removed through credit repair.
If credit repair isn’t an option, you may need to simply wait out the derogatory marks on your credit reports. All negative items have a limit on how long they can stay on your credit reports, with most items only allowed to remain for up to seven years (excluding certain types of bankruptcies, which can stay for up to 10 years).
While waiting for items to age off of your credit report can take time, you can improve the process by building up a recent positive payment history and ensuring you keep your debt levels low. You should also avoid adding any more derogatory marks.
Not only will a recent positive history help to show that your derogatory past is behind you, but credit scoring models place more emphasis on recent data. As the derogatory marks age, they’ll have less impact on your credit score, so having more recent data can help boost your score faster.
Derogatory Credit Isn’t the End
Judging solely on the way it sounds, derogatory credit is bad — and it just gets worse the more you learn about it. Having derogatory marks on your credit reports can drag down your credit score, making finding new credit harder and more expensive.
But it isn’t the end of the world — or even the end of your finances.
With time and diligence, you can repair derogatory credit and rebuild your credit score. And, in the meantime, credit options are out there if you know where to look. Just remember to use any new credit responsibly to avoid making derogatory credit worse.
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