Was Your Loan Denied? Reasons And Tips To Get Approved

If you had a loan denied, don't worry, there are plenty of things you can do to improve your chances of getting approved the next time. This quick guide will discuss some of the most common reasons for a rejected application, alternative ways to get the money you need, and a to-do list if your loan application was declined.

Most Common Loan Denial Reasons

There could be several reasons a lender may deny your loan application, here are some of them:

Low Credit Score

When you apply for a loan, lenders usually pull your credit score to see how responsible you've been with paying off debts in the past. Getting approved for commercial or personal loans may be difficult if your credit score is low. Lenders may consider this a red flag and deny your application altogether. Additionally, even if you get approved with a low credit score, you may have an interest rate much higher than someone with a better score.

Low Income

Banks and lenders want to see that you have enough income to cover the monthly payments, and a low monthly gross income may indicate to them that you may struggle to make those payments on time. Having this can even result in being denied the loan altogether. This can be particularly frustrating if you have good credit and strong employment history, but your lower income still raises red flags for potential lenders.

Job Instability

When applying for a loan, lenders typically look at your employment history and income to determine if you can make regular payments on the loan. If you have a history of job hopping or long periods of unemployment, it can raise red flags for lenders, making them less likely to approve your loan application. Even if you have a steady income currently, they may doubt your ability to continue making payments in the future if your employment history suggests instability.

Too Much Existing Debt

When a lender looks at your credit history and sees that you already have a lot of debt, they might worry about whether or not you'll be able to handle taking on more. If they see that you've missed payments, defaulted on loans in the past, and had wrong credit card balances, chances are they'll deny your application altogether.

Inaccurate Details

As we've established by now, lenders want to be sure that you can handle the responsibility and payment of the loan. If they see inaccurate or missing information on your application, they may view you as unreliable. In addition, providing inaccurate details could also lead to legal consequences, as lying on a loan application is fraud. So before submitting that application, double-check to ensure all the details are correct and complete.

Other Reasons Why You Can't Get a Loan?

We suggest looking at your denial notice or full credit report. These documents will provide the information needed to assess why you were denied and how you can fix it. Other common reasons for loan denial include:

• You don't have collateral. Many loans require collateral, such as a house or car. If you don't have adequate collateral, this could be a reason to get a loan denied.
• Having a bankruptcy on your credit report. If you have one on your credit report, it will likely take several years to rebuild your credit and qualify for a loan.
• The loan amount you requested was too large for the lender to approve.

What to Do If Your Lender Rejects Your Loan Application?

The first step is to find out the reason for the rejection, and if it's something that can be easily fixed (such as a mistake on your credit report), take steps to rectify it. If not, options like finding a cosigner or looking into alternative loan options are still available. Being proactive and determined can go a long way in eventually getting approved for a loan. And if all else fails, seeking financial advice from professionals may help point you in the right direction. Here are a few tips you can follow to help get started.

Review Your Decline Notice

The loan denial notice will outline the specific reason why your application was rejected, such as poor credit history or insufficient income. This information can help improve your financial situation and increase your chances of loan approval. It's also a good idea to double-check that all the information on the loan denied is accurate. If there are any errors, you'll need to address them promptly to avoid further issues with loan applications.

Review Your Credit Report

It's also always a good idea to review your full credit report with some credit bureaus after being turned down for a loan. Your credit history includes important information such as your payment history, credit accounts, and any red flags (like bankruptcies or foreclosures). By reviewing your report, you may be able to spot errors or outdated information that could be dragging down your credit score. You may also discover potential signs of identity theft.

Find a Co-Signer

Finding a co-signer could be your ticket to success. A co-signer agrees to pay off the debt if you cannot. This can increase your chances of getting approved for the loan because lenders see that there's someone else responsible for paying it back.

Provide Collateral

While this doesn't always work, you might have some luck if you provide collateral. Providing collateral for a loan shows the lender that you are serious about taking out the loan and may also be able to cover any potential default payments. Plus, offering collateral typically means you'll be able to negotiate for lower interest rates and better loan terms. It's not a guarantee for loan approval, but it doesn't hurt to offer something of value as security.

Prequalify With Other Lenders

In some cases, it's best to move on to another application (well, talk about this below). If you go that route, it's best to be pre-qualified by other lenders before submitting your loan application. Prequalification allows lenders to gather basic information about you and make a preliminary assessment of your creditworthiness (so there won't be any risk of having your credit denied). This helps them determine whether or not you meet the minimum qualifications for their loan products and can save you the trouble of getting rejected after submitting a full application. Furthermore, prequalifying can also give you important insight into your current financial standing, allowing you to make necessary changes before applying. Apply For A Business Loan!

Does Getting Rejected Affect Your Credit Score?

Getting rejected doesn't directly impact your credit score regarding loan or credit card applications. A loan denial could affect your credit only if the lender performed a hard inquiry during the application process, which will temporarily lower your score. However, even if this happens, the small dip in your score won't last long if you continue to pay your bills on time and keep low balances on any existing accounts. So while getting rejected may be disappointing and frustrating, remember that it's only one factor in determining your overall creditworthiness. Keep building up a positive history of repayment and managing debt effectively; the loan denial won't make much of a difference in the long run.

When to Apply for a Loan Again After Being Rejected

It's best to wait a month before applying for a new loan. However, waiting for at least six months is better before racking up more hard credit checks. If you apply for too many loans in a short period, it may send the message that you're desperate for money. That's why giving yourself some time before applying for credit again is important. Six months is usually a good rule of thumb, whether for a credit card, car finance, or even something as small as a cell phone contract. This gives you time to improve your financial situation and increase your chances of being approved for the next loan.

What Happens If My Loan Is Denied a Second Time?

First, ask the lender for a more detailed explanation of their decision. Did they find something in your credit report that raised red flags? Take a closer look at your credit report to see if there are any mistakes or lingering issues you can address. And don't forget to check your credit score as well. It might be lower than you realized and could be impacting loan approval.

How Can I Get Approved for a Loan?

Boost Your Credit Score

The most effective way to ensure you get approved for a loan is to increase your credit score. We know that's easier said than done. However, if you're looking to boost your credit score quickly, one of the easiest things you can do is make sure you pay all of your bills on time. Payment history makes up a huge chunk of your credit score, so each on-time payment can positively impact you. If you struggle with improving other areas of your credit score, such as accessing lines of credit, you can always report your rent.

Balance Your Debt-to-Income Ratio

Another way to boost your score quickly is to reduce your debt as it relates to your available credit, also known as your credit utilization ratio. This means either paying down existing debts or requesting an increase in your credit limit from a lender. However, it's a great idea to work toward reducing your debt-to-income ratio regardless. This requires you to follow the same steps as above. Work towards reducing the overall debt you have, just about your income.

Make On-Time Payments

It's easy to neglect to make on-time payments when busy and attempting to juggle numerous responsibilities daily. However, on-time monthly debt payments are crucial for building credit and improving the likelihood of loan approval. Your payment history accounts for 35% of your credit score, and lenders want to see that you consistently make on-time payments with all of your bills. Late payments may lead lenders to believe you aren't responsible enough to handle taking on more debt.

Alternative Sources of Financing to Consider

First, it's worth checking in with the lender to see if there's any possibility for reconsideration or alternative options they can offer. Follow the steps above to see if any of those methods work. However, if that route isn't successful, there are still plenty of options you can turn to. Crowdfunding through websites like GoFundMe or Kickstarter has become increasingly popular, as has borrowed from friends and family. You could also try taking out a small business loan. Or, check out credit union loans, which often have lower interest rates and more lenient qualification criteria. Finally, you might also look into getting a hardship loan. These types of loans come with higher origination fees and often higher APRs. However, they are easier to qualify for and have longer repayment plans. Ultimately, there may be some hurdles to jump through in finding alternative financing, but with some creativity and research, you should be able to come up with a solution that works for you.

Access the Funding You Need

At Camino Financial, our mission is to invest in opportunity and believe in the ideas of underserved small business owners, providing the funding they need and deserve. By backing these businesses, we're granting access to capital and fostering economic growth within overlooked communities. It doesn't matter if you're a minority business owner or entrepreneur struggling to stay afloat. If you've had a loan denied, then it's time to sign up with Camino Financial. Let us support you on your journey to success. Apply For A Business Loan!