CreditNinja installment loans review
- Min. Amount
- $300
- Max. Amount
- $5,000
- Turnaround time
- 1 to 2 business days
Our verdict
An easy application process and fast funding may not make up for triple-digit interest rates.
CreditNinja offers loans ranging from $300 to $5,000, has no minimum credit score requirement and you could get your loan proceeds as soon as the same day you apply. Loan terms extend from four months to 24 months, which gives borrowers a lot more time to repay the loan than you have with payday loans.
But it does require you to receive paychecks by direct deposit, meaning most self-employed and gig workers aren’t eligible for a CreditNinja loan. Plus, while it doesn’t disclose exact APRs, it says rates exceed 36% which is typically a red flag that means rates may actually end up in triple digits. On top of that, CreditNinja normally charges an origination fee, making its personal loans an expensive solution.
Best for: Bad credit borrowers who don’t qualify for less expensive loan options.
Pros
-
Loans from $300 to $5,000
-
Accepts bad credit borrowers
-
Funding as soon as the same day
Cons
-
APRs could reach triple digits
-
Charges origination fees
-
Does not disclose rates and fees before applying
What makes CreditNinja shine?
We like that CreditNinja doesn’t have a minimum credit score requirement, giving borrowers with poor credit histories a loan option other than short-term payday loans. It’s also nice that it offers loans as large as $5,000 which is more than you can get with other fast funding options such as cash advance apps. In addition, customer reviews regularly praise the easy online application process, good customer service and fast funding.
Where does CreditNinja fall short
CreditNinja may not officially be a payday loan lender, but evidence points to APRs that are on a par with payday loans. Its website states that rates for loans exceed 36% and individuals protected by the Military Lending Act aren’t eligible to apply. But reviewers report triple-digit APRs, whereas most online personal loans are typically between 6% and 36%.
It’s also unfortunate that CreditNinja normally charges origination fees. It doesn’t disclose those fees until you’ve applied, but usually origination fees can reach as high as 10% and they’re deducted from your loan proceeds. For example, if you borrow $1,000 you’ll only receive $900, but you’ll pay interest on the full amount.
CreditNinja loan details
| Minimum credit score/credit range | No minimum credit score required |
| APR | Undisclosed, but more than 36% |
| Loan amounts | $500 to $5,000 (Individual states may vary) |
| Terms | 4 to 24 months |
| Approval turnaround | As soon as same day |
| Availability | Available in: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming |
| Fees |
|
How to qualify for CreditNinja
To qualify for a CreditNinja loan, you’ll need to meet these minimum requirements:
- Be over 18 with a valid Social Security number
- Have a verifiable checking account
- Receive income by direct deposit
- Agree to a credit check
How to apply
You can fill out the CreditNinja loan application online. You’ll be asked to enter basic information like your name, address, email, phone number, date of birth and SSN. You’ll also need to provide your checking account log-in details so it can verify your account and view your banking activity.
How CreditNinja compares to other lenders
What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 3+ types of short-term loans across 65+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like loans. So if you're comparing the best short-term loans for all credit types, you can see how each short-term loan stacks up against other short-term loans with the same borrower type, rate type and repayment type.
Customer reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited | No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating | B |
| BBB customer reviews | 3.61 out of 5 stars, based on 267 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score | 4.5 out of 5 stars, based on 8,171 customer reviews |
| Customer reviews verified as of | 13 June 2024 |
CreditNinja has mainly positive reviews on Trustpilot, earning 4.5 out of five stars. Many customers praised the easy online application process, fast loan approval time and competent customer service. But there were also quite a few who complained funding did not occur the same or next business day as promised, and that this was a problem because they needed the money right away.
Several customers complained to the Better Business Bureau about multiple hard inquiries, showing up on their credit reports, even if they only applied once. There were also some reports of identity fraud after applying for loans at CreditNinja, with some customers suggesting that it was the result of CreditNinja selling their personal information to disreputable third parties.
Customers on both review sites — even those with mostly positive remarks — complained about the triple-digit interest rates. Many of those reported repaying more than double what they originally borrowed and stated that they wouldn’t have gotten a loan with CreditNinja if they had a better option.
Is CreditNinja legit?
CreditNinja is a legitimate company. It’s not BBB-accredited, but it has a B rating and many reviews from (mostly) satisfied customers. It also attempts to communicate with unhappy customers and has closed 21 complaints within the last year.
CreditNinja is transparent about communication, providing not only email and live chat access, but also a phone number and physical address. Loans are provided by two FDIC-insured banks — First Electronic Bank and CC Connect, a division of Capital Community Bank, both based in Utah.
Frequently asked questions
When will my loan be funded?
Applications approved before 10:30 a.m. central time Monday through Friday are normally funded the same business day. If you’re approved after that time, you’ll usually receive the loans on the next business day, unless further verification is needed.
If I’m turned down for a loan, can I reapply?
If you already have a CreditNinja account, you can log into your account and, if you’re eligible to reapply, you will see a button to click.
Can I receive my loan funds by check?
No. CreditNinja loan proceeds are deposited directly into your bank account, so you’ll need to have a verified checking account to qualify for the loan.
Can I change my repayment date?
You can change your repayment date if your current date isn’t convenient, but you can’t do it through your online account. You’ll need to call CreditNinja at (855) 646-5201 and talk to a customer support member.
Your reviews
Lacey Finder
Writer
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