Citizens Bank Personal Loans: Top 2026 Alternatives
Quick take: Citizens no longer offers new personal loans to consumers. The bank stopped issuing them to new applicants several years ago. The good news? Plenty of strong alternatives can give you similar (or better) terms. Below are three personal loan options worth checking out in 2026 if you were hoping to borrow from Citizens.
MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.
Key Takeaways
Citizens stopped offering personal loans to new applicants years ago and has not reinstated the product. The bank still offers personal and business banking, student loans, home equity products (HELOCs), credit cards, mortgages and more.
You still have options. A marketplace like MoneyLion can match you with loan offers from multiple lenders in one spot, while direct lenders like LightStream and SoFi compete hard on rates for borrowers with good to excellent credit.
Compare before you commit. Look at APRs, loan amounts, repayment terms, origination fees and funding speed to find the loan that actually fits your life, not just the one that shows up first.
Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors
Citizens Bank Personal Loan Alternatives at a Glance
Lender | APR Range | Loan Amounts | Best For |
6.53% - 35.99% | Up to $100,000 | Comparing multiple personal loan offers | |
Up to 35.99% | Up to $50,000 | Fair credit | |
6.49% - 24.89% | Up to $100,000 | Excellent credit | |
6.99% - 35.99% | Up to $50,000 | Fast funding |
1. Best Overall: MoneyLion
With MoneyLion, you can compare personal loan offers from a network of lenders, with rates starting around 6.53% APR and loan amounts reaching up to $100,000, all without triggering a hard credit inquiry. Repayment terms range from 12 to 84 months, giving you flexibility to choose a monthly payment that works for your budget.
MoneyLion goes beyond personal loans by packaging multiple financial tools into one platform. You could access Instacash advances up to $500 with no interest or credit check, Credit Builder Plus loans to help establish credit, and cashback rewards on everyday purchases. This all-in-one approach is what makes MoneyLion stand out as a strong overall alternative to Citizens Bank.
Pros
Check rates without affecting your credit score
Broad APR range accommodates different borrower profiles
Loan amounts up to $100,000
Extra features like cash advances, credit building and other rewards
Cons
Operates as a marketplace, not a direct lender
Some partner lenders may charge origination fees
Requires comparing offers to find the best option
2. Best for Fair Credit: Upgrade
If your credit isn't quite where you'd like it to be, Upgrade is one of the more accessible lenders on this list. It may accept credit scores as low as 600, with loan amounts from $1,000 to $50,000 and APRs up to 35.99%. Terms run from 24 to 84 months, which is one of the widest ranges available.
Upgrade also supports joint applications, offers direct payment to creditors for debt consolidation loans and provides free credit monitoring tools to every borrower. Funding may arrive as fast as one business day of clearing verification.
Like Best Egg, Upgrade charges an origination fee,1.85% to 9.99%, which is deducted from your loan proceeds. So if you're approved for $10,000 with a 5% origination fee, you'll actually receive $9,500 in your account while still owing the full $10,000.
Pros
Accepts credit scores as low as 600
Small loan amounts starting at $1,000
Joint applications and secured loan options are available
Free credit monitoring included
Cons
Origination fee of 1.85% to 9.99%
Higher starting APR than fee-free competitors
3. Best for Excellent Credit: LightStream
If you have strong credit and want to lock in a low rate, LightStream is a top contender. As the online lending division of Truist Bank, it offers fixed APRs starting at 6.49% (with autopay) and loan amounts between $5,000 and $100,000. It also stands out for having no origination fees, late fees or prepayment penalties.
The downside is that approval standards are higher. You’ll typically need a credit score of about 660 or above, a well-established credit history and steady income. There’s also no prequalification option so applying requires a hard credit check.
Pros
Very competitive starting APRs
No fees
High borrowing limits up to $100,000
Potential for same-day funding
Cons
Minimum loan amount of $5,000
Requires strong credit
No soft credit prequalification option
4. Best for Fast Funding: Best Egg
Best Egg offers a balanced option for many borrowers, with loan amounts up to $50,000, APRs ranging from 6.99% to 35.99% and terms of either 36 or 60 months. Funding is relatively quick, with about half of approved applicants receiving their money the next business day and most are funded within one to three days.
A standout feature is the ability to choose between secured and unsecured loans. However, Best Egg does charge an origination fee between 0.99% and 9.99%, which is deducted from your loan amount before funds are disbursed.
Pros
Fast funding, often by the next business day
Offers both secured and unsecured loan options
More flexible credit requirements than some competitors
Soft credit prequalification available
Cons
Origination fee of 0.99% to 9.99%
Limited-term options (36 or 60 months)
Lowest rates typically require high income and excellent credit
Why Doesn't Citizens Bank Offer Personal Loans Anymore?
Citizens Financial Group hasn’t publicly shared a detailed reason for discontinuing its personal loan product. What we know is this: the bank used to offer unsecured personal loans from $5,000 to $50,000 with three to seven-year repayment terms and no origination, late or prepayment fees. Then, several years ago, it pulled the product. Citizens still services existing personal loans that it originated before the change.
If you came here searching for a Citizens personal loan, you’re not stuck. Citizens still offers a full lineup of other financial products, checking and savings accounts, credit cards, student loans, mortgages and home equity lines of credit (HELOCs). The broader personal loan market still has plenty of strong lenders to choose from.
The Bottom Line
Citizens stepping back from personal loans doesn’t mean your options are limited. Whether you want marketplace flexibility, rock-bottom rates for excellent credit or a lender that layers on member perks, there’s likely an alternative that can match or beat what Citizens used to offer. Prequalify with a couple of options, compare your total cost over the life of the loan (not just the APR) and pick the loan that moves you closer to your financial goals.
FAQs
Does Citizens offer personal loans in 2026?
No. Citizens no longer offers new personal loans to consumers. The bank still services personal loans it originated before the change and still offers other products including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, student loans, HELOCs and mortgages.
Can I still get a HELOC or student loan from Citizens?
Yes. Citizens continues to offer home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) along with undergraduate, graduate, parent and refinance student loans.
What’s the best alternative to a Citizens personal loan?
It depends on your credit and goals. A marketplace like MoneyLion is great for comparing multiple offers at once. LightStream is strong for excellent-credit borrowers chasing the lowest rate. Best Egg stands out for borrowers who want fast funding.
Sources
Citizens Bank Official Webpage - Citizensbank.com
Upstart Personal Loans – Upstart.com
Official Best Egg Personal Loans page - BestEgg.com
Personal Loans Official Website - Lightstream.com
Personal Loans Official Page - MoneyLion.com
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