From request to offer, step by step.
Five short steps, all online. Here is what happens at each one, and what we do and don’t do along the way.
Choose an amount
Pick how much you need, from $250 to $5,000. You can change it later.
Tell us what it’s for
Choose a purpose such as car repair, medical bills or debt consolidation. It helps lenders respond with the right product.
Add your details
Name, contact details, income and bank information. Nothing is shared until you review our disclosures and agree.
Review your offers
Participating lenders respond with offers. Each one shows APR, amount, term, monthly payment and total cost.
Decide with the lender
If you like an offer, you apply and sign directly with that lender. If not, walk away. There is no obligation.
What you’ll need
Lenders set their own requirements, but most ask for the following.
Age 18 or older
19 in Alabama and Nebraska, 21 in Mississippi. You must be a U.S. resident.
A checking account
In your name, for receiving funds and making payments.
Regular income
From a job, benefits or another verifiable source.
Phone and email
So lenders can send your offers and documents.
Who does what
We handle the matching. The lender handles the loan.
Challenge Associates
Collects your request, shows your options, and passes your request to participating lenders after you agree. Free to you.
The lender
Checks your eligibility, may check your credit, decides whether to approve, sets the APR, fees and terms, sends the funds and collects payments.
Rates and terms
Ranges across participating lenders. Your exact terms depend on the lender, your state and your profile.
Representative example Illustrative
- Loan amount
- $1,000
- APR
- 24.00%
- Repayment term
- 12 months
- Monthly payment
- $94.56
- Total cost of credit
- $134.72
- Total repayment
- $1,134.72
APR is the yearly cost of a loan, including interest and lender fees. Not all applicants will qualify, and terms are not available in all states.
Common questions
Is Challenge Associates a lender?
No. We are a loan matching service. We connect you with participating lenders from our network, and we never make the lending decision, fund the loan or collect payments.
Does checking my options affect my credit score?
No. Submitting a request through us does not affect your credit score. If you choose to apply with a lender, that lender may check your credit, which may affect your score.
How much does it cost to use Challenge Associates?
Nothing. Lenders pay us when we connect them with you. That never changes the rate or terms a lender offers you.
How much can I borrow, and at what rate?
Loan amounts range from $250 to $5,000, with repayment terms from 65 days to 36 months and APRs from 5.99% to 35.99%. No lender in our network requires full repayment within 60 days. The exact rate is set by the lender you choose.
How fast can I get funded?
Typically one to three business days after you sign with your lender. Exact timing depends on the lender and your bank.
Is my information secure?
Your information is encrypted in transit and shared with participating lenders only when you submit a request and agree to share it.