William Lipovsky
TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian are the three major U.S. credit reporting agencies that collect and maintain consumer credit history to ensure that creditors have the information they need to make lending decisions. Creditors can choose which agency or agencies to report information to, which is why your credit score can vary by agency.
There are some loan companies that use TransUnion only for credit checks. If your strongest credit report is held by TransUnion and you want to increase your approval odds, you may want to apply for a loan from one of the companies listed below.
Be aware that even if a lender only pulls from TransUnion, it may still have strict credit requirements for approval. Additionally, lenders can always decide to pull your credit from more than one credit bureau, especially for large loans or if your credit score is bordering two credit tiers.
When a lender receives multiple credit reports, Forbes reports that it will make a decision using the lower of two scores or the middle of the three.
What We Recommend
Online-only lenders have become a popular source of personal loans — these lenders are typically able to offer the best loan terms, and there are a few that only pull credit reports from TransUnion to determine approval.
Upgrade is one such lender, and it stands out for its high loan amounts (up to $50,000) with reasonable interest rates. Its credit requirements are also not incredibly strict — it considers multiple factors when considering approval, which often only takes minutes.
Prosper is another popular online lender with loan terms and requirements similar to those offered by Upgrade, but the maximum loan amount through Prosper is $40,000, and your approval odds are best with a credit score of at least 600.
The List
When applying for loans, you should keep in mind the loan’s terms and interest rates. Having a thorough understanding of the total cost of the loan can help you avoid issues managing it, and it is helpful to know that you will be able to repay the loan before applying. Defaulting on a loan will negatively impact your credit score.
Below, we list the lenders that typically pull credit reports from TransUnion only, ordered starting with the lenders with the easiest approval and best overall loan terms. We confirmed the information with customer service representatives from the lenders and by viewing their online disclosures.
Upgrade
- Type of loan(s): Personal[1]
- Loan term: 24 to 84 months[1]
- Maximum loan amount: $50,000[1]
- APR: Typically between 7% and 36%[1]
- Minimum credit requirement: No specific requirement; considers multiple factors for approval[2][1]
- Application requirements: Must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen or resident alien with a Social Security number, and have a residence in the U.S. or a U.S. territory; must provide name, address, email, date of birth, Social Security number, and phone number[3]
- Find out more or apply
Prosper
- Type of loan(s): Personal[4]
- Loan term: 36 to 60 months[5]
- Maximum loan amount: $40,000[4]
- APR: Variable; typically between 8% and 36%[5]
- Minimum credit requirement: Fair (at least 600)[4]
- Application requirements: Must be at least 18 and a U.S. resident in a state that allows loans through Proper’s marketplace; must have a U.S. bank account and Social Security number[6]
- Find out more or apply
Avant
- Type of loan(s): Personal[7]
- Loan term: 12 to 60 months[7]
- Maximum loan amount: $35,000[7]
- APR: Variable; typically between 10% and 36%[7]
- Minimum credit requirement: Customers approved for a loan typically have a score of 600 to 700.[8]
- Application requirements: Must verify identity, typically through electronic knowledge-based authentication (KBA); may need to verify employment, income, and bank account[9]
- Find out more or apply
Happy Money
- Type of loan(s): Personal[10]
- Loan term: 24 to 60 months[10]
- Maximum loan amount: $40,000[10]
- APR: Typically between 6% and 25%[10]
- Minimum credit requirement: Fair (at least 600)[11]
- Application requirements: You must be at least 18, provide a Social Security number, and have a valid checking account.[10] You may be asked to provide proof of identity, proof of income, and bank statements.[12]
- Find out more or apply
Alliant Credit Union
- Type of loan(s): Personal[13]
- Loan term: 12 to 60 months[13]
- Maximum loan amount: $50,000[13]
- APR: Typically about 10% to 12%[13]
- Minimum credit requirement: No exact minimum; loan decisions are based on multiple factors[13][14]
- Application requirements: Must provide amount and source of income; must become an Alliant member to receive funds[14]
- Find out more or apply
Barclays
- Type of loan(s): Personal[15]
- Loan term: 36 to 60 months[15]
- Maximum loan amount: $35,000[15]
- APR: Ranges between 5% and 21%[15]
- Minimum credit requirement: No exact minimum; loan decisions are based on multiple factors.[15]
- Application requirements: Currently, Barclays’ Personal Loans are an invitation-only product.[16][15]
- Find out more or apply
If you want to apply for a credit card instead, we also list which credit card companies reportedly use TransUnion only.
