Stilt Inc., a San Francisco-based lender and FinTech firm that serves immigrants and noncitizens, was acquired in late 2022 by JG Wentworth, a nationwide consumer finance company.
Stilt has traditionally provided personal loans to those who would not otherwise qualify due to their citizenship status. Stilt, on the other hand, will no longer provide personal loans. It may take some research to find companies with similar lending structures for those interested in a personal loan from Stilt, but it is not impossible.
Personal loan alternatives to Stilt
While comparison shopping will help you find the best personal loan for your needs, here are a few online lenders with similar APR ranges and eligibility requirements to Stilt personal loans.
SoFi
SoFi provides personal loans to noncitizens who meet the eligibility requirements. Permanent residents, visa holders, and DACA recipients may apply. Nonpermanent, undocumented residents (including asylum seekers) and DACA recipients, on the other hand, must apply with valid documentation demonstrating current immigration status.
While the lender does offer some of the most competitive rates on the market, in order to be approved, borrowers or their co-borrowers must have a good credit score and a steady income — or have an offer of employment starting within 90 days.
Upgrade
When compared to most personal loan lenders, Upgrade’s minimum requirements are more flexible, making its products available to noncitizen residents. While this is a unique benefit, the company does charge a high maximum APR for those with less-than-perfect credit and an origination fee, which can reduce the overall value of your loan. It does, however, allow joint applications, which may help you get a more competitive rate.
Non-permanent residents with a valid visa who live in the United States are eligible for an Upgrade personal loan. Applicants must also be at least 18 years old, have a valid email address, and a bank account that can be verified.
Earnest
Earnest has partnered with Fiona, a lender matching platform, to increase the likelihood of borrowers being approved for a loan. Fiona matches borrowers to lenders who meet their criteria after they complete a single application.
Although the lenders’ qualification requirements differ, noncitizen permanent residents may have a better chance of approval using Fiona’s marketplace model. Keep in mind that each loan has financial and credit requirements, so those who don’t meet the requirements or want to get a better rate can apply with a qualifying cosigner.
Why does Stilt no longer provide personal loans?
JG Wentworth announced the acquisition on December 5, 2022, and stated in a press release that the goal of the transaction is to combine the strengths of both companies: JG Wentworth’s national brand recognition and Stilt’s digital platform.
However, because Stilt is now owned by JG Wentworth, it will no longer service personal loans. While the Stilt website indicates that it provides personal loans, it will direct users to JG Wentworth if they express an interest in a product.
JG Wentworth currently provides structured settlements and debt relief programs.
