People often turn to payday loans when they need quick cash or don’t have good credit. Unfortunately, payday loans are a predatory lending practice that can cause significant financial harm. You could find yourself paying triple digit APR’s, additional fees, and hurting your credit score. For this reason, they’re illegal throughout Maryland.
Even though payday loans are illegal, tribal loans aren’t. Oftentimes, tribal loans can be just as dangerous as payday loans. The good news is that there are safer lending alternatives to tribal loans and payday loans in Baltimore, MD. Keep scrolling to learn more!
How To Get a Cash Advance in Baltimore, MD
Payday loans and tribal loans are not your best option for fast cash. They charge excessive APR’s that can reach as high as 700%! There are safer and cheaper short-term lending alternatives you can access just as easily. One example is cash advances. Here’s our take on the best cash advances in Baltimore, MD.
Instacash
Max Advance Amount: $250
APR: 0%
Credit Affects: None
Instacash is a cash advance from MoneyLion that is a safe alternative to tribal loans. While tribal loans put you in debt for money you don’t have, Instacash is an advance on your next paycheck at 0% APR.
That’s right. Instacash doesn’t charge you interest on the money you borrow – making it a much more affordable option than tribal loans.
You can get your Instacash funds deposited into your RoarMoney account or external bank account in a couple of days for free. In case you need your money right now, you can pay a small fee for instant deposits.
How to Qualify:
- 18 years or older
- Have a history of steady income or deposits
- Have a checking account that’s been open for 60 days or more
- Have a positive balance in your checking account
In-Person Lender
Max Loan Amount: $500
APR: As high as 725% or more
Credit Affects: Tribal lenders may or may not pull your credit.
Tribal lenders are represented by the Native American Financial Services Association (NAFSA). These loans are not regulated by the state of Maryland and often come with high APRs and fees. It’s not unheard of for borrowers to have to pay 725% APRs on top of additional fees. For this reason, tribal loans are not a recommended lending option.
It’s best to explore other opportunities for help such as friends, family, local charities, nonprofits, side jobs, and other opportunities for financial assistance before turning to a tribal lender.
If you do decide to borrow money from a tribal lender, make sure to read the fine print and understand exactly what you are signing up for. You’ll want to know how much money you’ll owe including interest so you can prepare to pay it off as soon as possible. You can read more about tribal loans and payday loans in Baltimore here.
How to Qualify:
- 18 years or older
- American citizen or permanent resident
- Have a history of steady income or deposits
- You’ll have to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid ID
- Active checking account
Instant Online Loan Options in Baltimore
There’s more than one way to access safe cash quickly. Have you looked into instant loan options in Baltimore? Take a look at our top choice for instant loans in Baltimore.
Credit Builder Loan
Loan Amount: You could qualify for up to $1,000
Credit Affects: Most Credit Builder Loan members boost their credit score by 60 points in just 60 days!
Credit Builder Loan is a loan from MoneyLion that’s a safe alternative to tribal loans. Tribal loans are designed to exploit your finances, but MoneyLion’s Credit Builder Loan is designed to get you cash and build your credit at the same time. These loans feature a competitively low APR that won’t burden your finances. In fact, it’s easy to make your payments on-time.
How to Qualify:
- 18 years or older
- American citizen or permanent resident
- You’ll have to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, and a valid ID
- Have an active bank account, debit card, or prepaid card to make payments
- NO credit checks or credit history required!
Comparing Your Cash Advance Loan Options in Baltimore
Looking to compare your options for cash advances in Baltimore? Here’s what you can expect.
| Instacash | Credit Builder Loan | Tribal Lender | |
| How Much Can You Borrow? | $250 | $1,000 | $500 |
| Fees & Interest | Free0% APR | Competitive APR, $19.99/month fee | Can be as high as 725% or more |
| Impacts Your Credit? | No | Yes, it builds your credit score. | Depends on the lender |
| Availability | Online & Mobile | Online & Mobile | Online |
| Wait Time | Instantly* | Instantly | Usually within the next business day |
| Next Steps | Sign Up | Sign Up |
Find Better Alternatives to Predatory Payday Loans in Baltimore MD
Payday loans and tribal loans are predatory lending practices that cause detrimental harm to your finances. They can hurt your credit score and leave you worse off financially than when you applied. MoneyLion is a safe alternative you can use to avoid tribal loans altogether.
MoneyLion offers more than just low-cost, fast, and affordable lending options. There’s an online bank account that lets you get paid up to 2 days early and even offers cash back on debit card purchases. You can also access personalized weekly spending reports to help you monitor your finances.
MoneyLion is a financial membership designed to get you in control of your finances! Learn more here.
