Running low on funds before payday? You might be thinking about taking a payday loan.
While getting payday loans in Seattle is legal, it isn’t the best idea. Payday loans are high-interest loans offered by predatory payday lenders who will only weigh you down in the long term.
Financial emergencies might make it seem like a payday loan is your only option, but you need to remember that it will negatively impact your credit and any fees and interest could wipe out any savings you’ve stored up.
There are financially viable alternatives to payday loans in Seattle that will help you get through. Read on to learn more about these options.
Getting A Cash Advance In Seattle
Payday loans are designed to entrap people in a vicious debt cycle. Instead, consider one of these cash advance options:
Instacash
Max Advance Amount: $250
APR: 0%
Credit Affects: None
Access to Instacash is a safe alternative to high-interest payday loans. Payday loans are unsecured, high-interest, short-term loans that have to be returned before or on the borrower’s next payday.
Instacash, on the other hand, is a cash advance that takes into account the work you’ve already done. You can receive up to $250 without any credit checks, monthly fees, or interest.
To use Instacash, you need to link your current account or Roar Money bank account, and MoneyLion will be able to scan your account for deposit history.
Instacash is free to use with your Roar Money or external bank account, and you can get your money deposited within a couple of days. Need your cash right now? Pay a small fee for instant deposits. Use the MoneyLion app to access your cash advance anytime day or night.
How to Qualify:
- You must be 18 years or over
- You must have access to a steady income or deposits
- Your bank account must have been open for 60 days or more
- Your bank account must have a positive balance
In-Person Loan
Max Payday Loan Amount: $700
APR: Typically 300-500%
Credit Affects: Payday lenders typically will not pull credit, but they will report you to the credit bureaus immediately if you are late.
Payday loans in Seattle, Washington and across the United States are usually limited to 30% of your paycheck or $700—whichever of the two is less.
If you take an in-person loan, you’re required to pay a $95 fee. With a payday loan, you’ll have to pay the total amount borrowed, interest, and lender’s fee. You also can’t borrow more than eight times in a year.
If you’re not able to make payments on time, it might harm your credit score immensely.
How to Qualify:
- A government-issued ID
- Proof of income
- Active and positive balance bank account
- Social security number
- Personal check (in-store)/valid, active email addresses (online)
Instant Loan Options In Seattle
If you need a larger amount of money than Instacash can provide you with, you can opt for an instant loan that’s still safe. Here’s how.
Credit Builder Loan
Loan Amount: Up to $1,000, depending on how much you qualify for
APR: As low as 5.99%
Credit Affects: The average Credit Builder Loan user can boost their credit score by 60 points in 60 days!
MoneyLion’s Credit Builder Plus membership offers installment loans that can improve your credit score by reporting your payment activity to the three major credit bureaus.
Credit builder loans don’t require a hard credit check and only take a few minutes to apply for.
Once your loan is approved, you will immediately get a deposit for the amount for a portion of your loan into your bank account.
The other portion of your loan will be allocated to your Credit Reserve account. This account reserves a fraction of your loan amount to accrue interest. You’ll get this amount back – along with interest – once you’ve completely paid the loan off.
The Credit Builder Plus membership fee is $19.99/month and makes you eligible to access Instacash advances at 0% APR instantly.
To Qualify For a Credit Builder Loan You Will Need To Be:
- at least 18 years old
- A permanent resident or a citizen of the United States
- A Social Security number holder
- A bank account holder with a prepaid or debit card.
Additionally, your linked bank account should:
- Have a current bank account. Savings accounts are not applicable for the Credit Builder Plus membership
- Have steady incomes or deposits
- Your bank account has been open for a minimum of 60 days
- Have a positive balance in your bank account
- Have an active transaction history
Comparing Your Cash Advance Loan Options In Seattle
No matter how dire your situation, you have plenty of loan options available. Here’s a side-by-side comparison that will help you see the best option for you:
| Instacash | Credit Builder Loan | In-Person Payday Lender | |
| How Much Can You Borrow? | $250 | $1,000 | $700 |
| Fees & Interest | Free 0% APR | Competitive APR $19.99/month fee | Between 300-500% APR $95 fee |
| Impacts Your Credit? | No | Yes, it builds your credit score. | It affects your credit adversely if you don’t pay on time but doesn’t improve your credit score if you do pay on time. |
| Availability | Online & Mobile | Online & Mobile | In-person and Online |
| Wait Time | Instantly* | Instantly | Instantly |
| Next Steps | Sign Up | Sign Up | Fill up the payday loan application online or in-person |
Choose MoneyLion’s Instacash And Credit Builder Loans
Don’t let being a little short on cash or a low credit score force you into a payday loan. With MoneyLion, you have access to safe, secure and easy lending options that can actually improve your finances.
Want to get started? Download MoneyLion and check out your lending options today!
