If you plan to consolidate your existing loans in one, you should try credit unions. According to many studies, credit unions offer loans for people with bad credit and are even cheaper than banks.

Credit unions offer loans of up to $100,000, with an APR capped at 18%.

Credit unions offer loans with low APR and great terms for people with excellent credit.

Credit unions evaluate your real ability to repay the loan on time, by paying more attention to your income and debt to income ratio, than your credit score.

Pros:

  • Up to $100,000.
  • Very low APR for people with a good credit score.
  • Cheap APR capped at 18%.
  • Flexible terms.
  • People with bad credit can qualify for a personal loan.
  • Lower fees and better terms than banks, according to many studies.
  • You can be a member of both banks and credit unions.

Cons:

  • You have to become a member.
  • Most credit unions have fees.
  • Many credit unions are created by and for certain groups of people, such as employees of a certain company or residents of a certain town — and some are still fairly restrictive. This means that people who are not in these groups can’t apply for membership.
  • Hard credit pull. Be careful. Most online lenders perform a soft credit pull when you apply for a loan. Most credit unions perform a hard credit pull on the application process. This lowers your credit score. Tip: Call the credit union, give them details on your financial situation, and ask your chances of getting approved. Apply only if you are almost sure that you meet their criteria. Don’t waste time and points from your credit score if you don’t meet their criteria.
  • Fewer products are available than banks.
  • Many fees when you consolidate your debt.
  • Credit unions are national and local.

ElitePersonalFinance lists both of them.

Here are all local credit unions by state.

Here are the best national credit unions.

If you plan to search for a bank loan, we highly recommend starting with SuperMoney. They are the best loan comparison site. Once you register with them, you will be matched with many online lenders, credit unions, and banks. In fact, they work with all big lenders in America. They can help you save time and find the best offer. Apply now and get offers in minutes!

You won’t receive any spam from them!

They don’t get a percentage from your loan. If you get a loan from them, they only get a small percentage from the lender, not from you, which means that your loan wouldn’t become more expensive.

ElitePersonalFinance found the best debt consolidation loans from credit unions of September 2026!

Best for Bad Credit sites
APRs 7.49% - 18%
Loan Amount $250 - $50,000
Loan Terms Up to 60 months (up to 180 for home improvement)
Origination Fee $0
Prepayment Fee $0
Late Fee $29
Minimum Credit Score Not disclosed
Minimum Income Not specified
Loan Purpose Debt Consolidation, Home Improvement, Expenses
Time to Receive Loan Money Few days
Other Requirements
  • 18+ years old
  • U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • SSN
  • NFCU membership

NavyFederal is one of the largest credit unions.

Federal credit unions such as Navy Federal cap interest rates at 18%, which makes loans for borrowers with bad credit potentially less expensive than one they’d get through an online lender, where rates top out at 36%. In addition to credit score and debt-to-income ratio, Navy Federal considers a borrower’s history with the credit union and current employment status. Navy Federal may also lend to borrowers with little or no credit history.

NavyFederal offer 5 types of personal loans:
Personal Expense Loan

Personal Expense loans can be used for any purpose. The amount vary between $250 to $50,000.

Terms:
  • Up to 36 mo:7.49% - 18%
  • 37 to 60 mo:14.79% -18%
Home Improvement Loans

If you meet the basic credit and income requirements, you shouldn’t be required to add a collateral.

Amount:
  • $25,000 minimum loan amount could be set for 61 to 84 months.
  • $30,000 minimum loan amount could be set for 85 to 180 months.
Terms:
  • Up to 36 mo. 7.49% - 18%
  • 37 to 60 mo. 14.79% -18%
  • 61 to 180 mo. 15.29% -18%
Debt Consolidation Loans

Even if you are repaying a bad credit loan, NavyFederal could save you from high interests, by consolidate your existing loans.

Amount:

You can from $250 to $50,000.

Terms:
  • Up to 36 mo. 7.49% - 18%
  • 37 to 60 mo. 14.79% -18%
Shares Secured Loans

With your shares secured loan your savings continue to earn you dividends and become available to you as the loan is paid off.

Amount:
  • $25,000 minimum loan amount for 61 to 84 months.
  • $30,000 minimum loan amount for 85 to 180 months.
Terms:
  • Up to 60 mo. Share rate + 2.00%
  • 61 to 180 mo. Share rate + 3.00%

With your shares secured loan your savings continue to earn you dividends and become available to you as the loan is paid off.

Certificate Secured Loans

With your certificate secured loan you can borrow 100% of your certificate's principal balance for a variety of terms at 2.00% APR above the certificate's rate.

Amount:
  • Cannot exceed the certificate balance;
  • Must be equal to or less than the certificate term.
Terms:

Up to 60 mo. Certificate rate + 2.00%

Call 1-888-842-6328 or visit a branch to apply.

See also:

Best Auto Loans from Credit Unions. Up to $500,000, APR start at 1.99%.

Best Student Loans from Credit Unions. Up to $500,000, APR start at 3%.

Best Mortgage Rates from Credit Unions. Up to $1,000,000, APR start at 1.99%.

Best Business Loans from Credit Unions. Up to $10,000,000, APR start at 5.99%.

Pro tip!

If you already have many loans and are with bad credit, try to consolidate them in one big loan!!! This way you significantly decrease your monthly payments; lower your total interest over the loan and rebuild your credit, lower your risk factor.

Review The Best Debt Consolidation Loans for Bad Credit

Review Our Complete Debt Consolidation Guide for Bad Credit

Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
FirstTech
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$500-$50,000 APR:10.0% - 18.0% Unsecured & 3% - 18% Secured Loans:
  • Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans

  • Unsecured Personal Line of Credit

  • Certificate Secured Loans

  • Savings Secured Loans

  • Credit Cards

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
Alliant Federal Credit Union
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$1,000 - $50,000 APR:6.49% - 10.49% Loans:
  • Personal Loans

  • Home Loans

  • Auto Loans

  • Credit Cards

  • Home Equity Line of Credit

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
DCU
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$300 – $25,000 APR:5% - 18% Loans:
  • Credit Cards

  • Auto Loans and Refinance

  • Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans

  • Student Loans

  • Home Equity Loans

  • Credit Builder Loans

  • Saving Secured Loans

  • Quick Loans

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
PenFed
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$500 – $25,000 APR:6.49% - 18% Loans:
  • Personal Loans

  • Auto Loans

  • Auto Loan Refinance

  • Student Loans and Refinance

  • Mortgage

  • Credit Cards

  • Quick Loans

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
TFCU
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$250 - $20,000 APR:10.45% - 18% Loans:
  • Personal Loans

  • Auto Loans

  • Auto Loan Refinance

  • Student Loans

  • Student Loan Refinance

  • Mortgage

  • Credit Cards

  • Quick Loans

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
Havasu Community Credit Union LA Financial Credit Union
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$1,000 - $20,000 APR:3% - 18% Loans:
  • Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans

  • Line of Credit

  • Credit Cards

  • Mortgage

  • Auto Loans

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
Mountain America Credit Union MACU
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$1,000 - $50,000 APR:8.99% - 18% Loans:
  • Secured and Unsecured Personal Loans

  • Line of Credit

  • Credit Cards

  • Mortgage

  • Auto Loans

  • Auto Loan Refinance

  • Student Loans

  • Student Loan Refinance

  • Business Loans

  • FHA Loans

  • Payday Loan Alternative

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
ConsumersCreditUnion
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$1,000 - $40,000 APR:5.09% - 18% Loans:
  • Auto Loans

  • Personal Loans

  • Home Loans

  • Business Loans

  • Credit Cards

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
Boeing Employees Credit Union BECU
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$1,000 - $15,000 APR:8.74% - 18% Loans:
  • Auto Loans

  • Auto Loan Refinance

  • Personal Loans

  • Mortgage

  • Mortgage Refinance

  • Business Loans

  • Credit Cards

  • Line of Credit

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect
Company:Amount:APR:Loans:Apply:
Kellogg Community Credit Union
★★★★★
Apply Now
Amount:$1,000 - $100,000 APR:2.70% - 18% Loans:
  • Auto Loans

  • Auto Loan Refinance

  • Personal Loans

  • Mortgage

  • Mortgage Refinance

  • Business Loans

  • Credit Cards

Get Started SSL No Credit Effect