LendingTree is compensated by companies on this site and this compensation may impact how and where offers appear on this site (such as the order). LendingTree does not include all lenders, savings products, or loan options available in the marketplace.
2022 Marcus by Goldman Sachs Personal Loans Review
Editorial Note: The content of this article is based on the author’s opinions and recommendations alone. It may not have been reviewed, commissioned or otherwise endorsed by any of our network partners.
Personal loan rating: 4.4/5
- Accessibility: 3.6/5
- Rates and terms: 4.8/5
- Repayment experience: 5/5
Personal loan overview
- APR range: 6.99% – 19.99%
- Loan terms: 36 to 72 months
- Loan amount: $3,500 – $40,000
- Minimum credit score: 660
Read our full rating methodology here.
Our verdict: Marcus by Goldman Sachs® offers some unique perks to borrowers with good credit, including zero fees, but it might not be a good match for borrowers whose credit scores need work.While Marcus by Goldman Sachs isn’t entirely transparent about their personal loan eligibility criteria, this lender does offer unique perks to borrowers. Here are a few factors to consider:
- No fees: Marcus does not charge origination fees, prepayment penalties or late fees.
- On-time payment reward: If borrowers make 12 monthly payments in a row, they may be able to skip a month (during which interest would not accrue).
- Long loan terms: For borrowers looking for more time to repay their personal loan, Marcus offers loan terms of 36 to 72 months.
- Potentially slow funding: This lender has a wide range when it comes to its funding timeline. Borrowers could receive their personal loan in as little as one business day or as long as four business days.
- No joint applications: Borrowers with lower credit scores may not be eligible for Marcus personal loans since this lender does not accept joint applications.
- Best for borrowers looking for repayment flexibility: With long loan terms and the option to skip a payment every 12 months, borrowers with good credit who prioritize repayment flexibility may want to consider this lender.
In this review, we’ll cover…
Marcus by Goldman Sachs pros and cons
While Marcus offers some unique perks, this lender isn’t for everyone. Here are a few benefits and drawbacks to consider before applying for a Marcus by Goldman Sachs personal loan.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Borrowers won’t have to pay any fees On-time payment reward allows you to skip a payment Autopay discount of 0.25% on APR | Joint applications not an option Funding timeline can take up to four business days Loan use determines funding amount |
Like SoFi Bank, N.A and LightStream, Marcus by Goldman Sachs avoids charging fees. As a unique perk, Marcus also offers an on-time payment reward program that allows borrowers to skip a payment after consecutively making 12 full, on-time payments.
However, if your credit score is on the lower end, it may be difficult for you to secure a personal loan from Marcus as this lender does not allow joint applications. Also, while Marcus offers loans up to $40,000 for debt consolidation and home improvement projects, if you want to use your personal loan for a wedding, moving or a vacation, the amount is capped at $20,000.
Marcus by Goldman Sachs requirements
While Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers many perks to its borrowers, this lender isn’t clear about the basic requirements borrowers will need to meet in order to qualify for a personal loan.
While Marcus by Goldman Sachs personal loans can be used for a handful of options, the amount you’re eligible to borrow may depend on how you plan to use the loan. Here’s what Marcus loans can and can’t be used for.
| Marcus loans CAN be used for… | Marcus loans CANNOT be used for… |
|---|---|
Debt consolidation Home improvement projects Weddings Moving and relocation Vacations | Education expenses Refinancing students loans |
If Marcus by Goldman Sachs loan options won’t work for your borrowing needs, be sure to shop around for a lender that can best suit your financial goals and can offer you the best fitting rates, terms and amounts. Remember that you can receive up to five loan offers by filling out a form with LendingTree.
Best personal loan options for…
How to get a loan with Marcus by Goldman Sachs
Because Marcus by Goldman Sachs offers soft-credit pulls, checking your rates with this lender will not impact your credit score. Here’s what you can expect when trying to get a loan with Marcus by Goldman Sachs.
Fill out a basic application
To view your rates with Marcus by Goldman Sachs, you’ll need to first fill out an online form with your basic information. This will not impact your credit score. You’ll need to provide the following:
- How much you’d like to borrow
- How you plan to use your personal loan
- Your preferred monthly payment
- Your full name
- Your date of birth
- Your email
- Your address
- Your monthly housing payment
- Your annual income
Pick your rates
Once you’ve provided Marcus by Goldman Sachs your basic information, this lender will showcase the various rates you may qualify for.
If you’re not satisfied with the rates you’re finding, you may need to work on your credit score to improve the type of offers you receive.
After choosing which potential rates you want to go with, you’ll next need to fill out a more in-depth application.
Finish your application
This part of the application process is much more in-depth. At this stage, you’ll need to verify your identity as well as your income and employment information. You’ll need to provide government-issued identification (driver’s license, passport, etc.), as well as documents such as W-2s or pay stubs to verify your income.
At this stage, Marcus will run a hard-credit check. This may cause your credit score to dip temporarily. If you’re approved for a personal loan, you’ll need to sign the loan paperwork. You can expect to receive the funds within one to four business days after you’re approved.
How Marcus by Goldman Sachs compares to other personal loan companies
Even if you believe Marcus by Goldman Sachs aligns with what you’re looking for in a personal loan, it never hurts to shop around and compare other lenders. Here’s how Marcus stacks up against similar personal loan lenders.
| Lender | Marcus by Goldman Sachs | SoFi | LendingClub |
|---|---|---|---|
| LendingTree’s rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimum credit score | 660 | 680 | 600 |
| APRs | 6.99% - 19.99% | 6.99% - 22.23% | 7.04% - 35.89% |
| Loan amount | $3,500 - $40,000 | $3,500 - $100,000 | $1,000 - $40,000 |
| Repayment term | 36 to 72 months | 24 to 84 months | 36 or 60 months |
| Origination fee | None | None | 2% to 6% |
| Funding timeline | One to four business days | As soon as same day as approval | Several days |
| Bottom line | While you will need a good credit score to qualify, Marcus offers unique perks and flexible loan terms to make it an attractive option. | Like Marcus, SoFi doesn’t charge any fees. However, it does have a high minimum credit score and doesn’t allow for co-applicants. | While LendingClub does charge an origination fee, it offers the added bonus of allowing co-applicants for those with bad credit. |
Marcus by Goldman Sachs Personal Loans: FAQ
Is it hard to get a loan from Marcus by Goldman Sachs?
Because Marcus has a high credit score minimum requirement of 660, you’ll need to have a good credit score and robust credit profile to qualify. Marcus does not allow for co-applicants, so it may be more difficult for those with bad credit scores to qualify.
What credit score do you need to get a loan from Marcus?
To be eligible for a personal loan with Marcus by Goldman Sachs, you’ll need a credit score of at least 660. You may also need to meet some other financial and credit requirements. Be sure to check your credit score before applying.
How long is a Marcus loan?
Marcus by Goldman Sachs has loan terms that range from 36 to 72 months. Keep in mind that the longer your loan terms are, the smaller your monthly payments may be, but you may have to pay a higher interest rate.
Methodology
To come up with our star rating for personal loan companies, LendingTree considered 22 data points across three categories:
- Accessibility: We paid attention to whether lenders offered loans to nontraditional borrowers as well as those without excellent credit scores. We also checked if lenders offered soft-credit pulls and whether they were transparent about eligibility criteria other than credit scores.
- Rates and terms: We wanted to know if lender rates, terms, amounts and fees were not only transparent, but competitive.
- Repayment experience: We based this category on lenders’ reputations, customer support availability and unique benefits.
The data points reflect every step of the process to shop and apply for, borrow and repay personal loans. A five-star lender, for instance, has flexible eligibility requirements, offers you the chance to prequalify without commitment and supports you in zeroing your balance.
The 22 data points, culled from the lenders themselves, determine the overall rating. We score lenders consistently, sometimes awarding partial points, so that you can make apples-to-apples comparisons when shopping around.
LendingTree isn’t paid for conducting these reviews, and lenders don’t have control over their content. With our reviews and ratings, we aim to give our users the objective and exhaustive information they need to make the best possible decisions.