Installment Loans in California

Steps

1. Submit one request through LendUp or contact a licensed lender directly.
2. Gather your government-issued ID, proof of income (paystubs, benefit letters, or bank statements), and your bank account details for direct deposit and repayment.
3. Verify the lender is authorized in California using the DFPI license search, then review your full payment schedule and total repayment amount before signing.

What to expect

• Credit check: Many lenders pull your credit and also review income and bank-account history. If you have a credit freeze, you may need to temporarily lift it to complete the application.
• Payment schedule: Your agreement must show each payment amount and due date. If any dates or amounts are blank, do not sign.
• Timing: Some lenders fund by direct deposit, others by debit card or check. Confirm the funding method and any same-day or optional add-on fee before you sign.
• California disclosure: CFL-licensed lenders are required to provide a written loan agreement with the total amount financed, the finance charge, and the payment schedule disclosed before you sign. If a lender won't provide this in writing upfront, pause the application and verify their license with DFPI.

Before you share your bank details or sign, confirm the company is authorized to make consumer loans in California.

1. Search by the lender's legal company name (not just the website or brand name). If you only have a brand name, check the footer of the lender's site or your offer document for the legal entity name.
2. Filter by license type - select California Financing Law (CFL) License from the license type dropdown to narrow results to consumer installment lenders.
3. Match the company name, address, and any license number shown in the directory to what appears on your offer. If they don't match, ask the lender to explain before proceeding.
4. Check the status column. Only proceed if the license shows as Approved. Any other status (Suspended, Revoked, Surrendered) is a red flag - do not proceed.

To report an unlicensed lender or a problem with a licensed company, contact the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) at dfpi.ca.gov - Submit a Complaint.

Your rights in California

• Written contract required: You have the right to receive a written loan agreement that includes the total amount financed, all fees, the finance charge, and a full payment schedule before you sign.
• Prepayment: You can pay off a CFL installment loan early at any time. Whether you receive an interest adjustment depends on how your loan is structured - ask the lender before you sign.
• No criminal threats for nonpayment: Missing an installment loan payment is a civil matter in California. A lender or collector cannot threaten you with arrest or criminal prosecution over an unpaid consumer loan.
• Complaint protection: Licensed lenders are subject to DFPI oversight. You can file a complaint against a licensed lender at any time, and DFPI can investigate on your behalf.

Walk away if

• The lender shows only the monthly payment and won't state the total repayment amount in writing.
• You're asked to pay an upfront "processing fee" before you can receive funds.
• The company name on your offer doesn't match what you find in the DFPI license search.
• The lender pushes you to add "optional" products (like memberships or insurance) as a condition of approval.
• The payment schedule has blanks, mismatched dates, or a first payment due before you could reasonably receive the money.

If payments look tight, compare with Alternatives and read Scams and safety before accepting.