Is Regional Finance The Answer For You?
When you’re in tough financial positions, it can be hard to know where to turn. Especially for those with less than great credit, there are limited options for you to receive a loan, and getting rejected over and over again by credit card companies and banks is deflating.
If this is you, Regional FInance can come to your rescue. As a successful lender that operates in most major states in America, they position themselves as a reliable place to turn for those needing a quick financial boost. And the best part? Regional Finance specializes in helping customers with subprime credit! So if you need a loan and are worried you can’t get one due to low credit, Regional Finance can give you a helping hand.
As with any major financial decision, in-depth research is imperative to ensure you are making the best choice possible for your financial future. With so many potential lender options out there, it can be difficult to know which one to turn to for your lending needs.
This article is designed to give you a comprehensive overview of Regional Finance, so you can make an informed and confident decision on whether or not they are the right lending service for your situation.
We will examine the company’s history, services, customer reviews, and the strengths and weaknesses compared to competitors. By the end of this article you will be an expert on all things Regional Finance, to help you make the best possible decision for your bank account.
So settle in, grab a tasty beverage, and let’s dive right into it!
Regional Finance: Overview and Services
An overview of Regional Finance reveals a lender company that focuses on serving subprime customers with an emphasis on personalized service and straightforward loan offerings.
Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Greer, South Carolina, Regional Finance’s mission is to “help each customer find a loan that not only provides the money they need, but one that also fits their budget.” They’ve expanded from 4 branch locations to now having over 350 branch locations. Clearly, they’re doing something right! They are available in 19 states across the country: AL, AZ, CA, GA, ID, IL, IN, LA, MO, MS, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VG, WI.
Regional Finance has a very streamlined business model, meaning they don’t offer a wide array of loan types. What they lack in versatility, they make up for in focus. The lender has a specialty in installment loans which will cover the vast majority of customer needs. Here are the key components of their services:
- Fixed Loans – Loans are a fixed rate, with fixed term installments. They are also fully amortized, and payments will be made equally every month for customer ease
- Flexible Payment—Regional Finance allows customers to pay off their balance early, with no penalties. This flexibility is a breath of fresh air for customers who want to pay off loans sooner rather than later
- Soft Credit Check – Pre-qualifying for loans does not impact credit whatsoever. So you can find out what the APR of your loan is without dinging your credit score.
- Customer Experience: Regional Finance focuses on in-person customer contact for most of the lending process, giving their services a personal and human touch
While Regional Finance sounds like an excellent choice so far, it’s imperative to explore potential drawbacks as well. This is imperative for the development of a multifaceted perspective on the lender.
Comparing Positives and Negatives
With a solid fundamental understanding of the companies services, let’s look closer at where they excel and may disappoint:
Pros
Accessible Loans for Subprime Credit—Regional FInance is praised heavily for their accessibility to people with lower credit scores, in the 650 or less range. Most borrowers can expect an APR range of 24% to 35.99%, and a maximum loan of $25,000.
Personalized Service – With rampant frustration in this day and age over automated and digital customer service limitations, Regional Finance is a throwback, specializing in in-person support at local branches. The lending process is done almost entirely in person at branches, with expert guidance.
Optional Insurance– A great sub deliverable that the lender offers is that of insurance in case of tragic occurrences. Insurance can be purchased to back any loan amount you may need.
Easy to Pay Loans– Regional FInance loans are very user friendly due to being fixed rate, with fixated terms. This means monthly payments are always predictable. In addition, there is no prepayment penalty, so you can pay off your balance sooner than later, no issue.
Cons
High Interest Rates – The elephant in the room is that Regional Finance has high interest rates compared to banks and credit unions. This is the tradeoff for being accessible to subprime credit lenders.
Limited Geographic Reach– If you are outside of the 19 states that Regional Finance operates in, you unfortunately cannot use their services. While they are actively expanding their reach across the nation, at present, they are only available in 19 midwestern, central, and southern states.
Slow Disbursement of Funds—Delayed funding is a common complaint, with several reviews reporting waits of 5-10 business days after approval to receive the loan check or transfer, which creates cash flow issues.
Lacklustre Digital Service– Since most loans are serviced strictly at branch locations in person, there are limited digital options available to customers, which makes them less convenient, according to reviews.
No lender service is perfect, as illustrated by this impartial overview of the perceived advantages and shortcomings of the brand. With that being said, there are clearly areas that Regional Finance absolutely shines. If you want a streamlined, no BS service with a personal touch, they may be the perfect choice for you.
Let’s now look at customer reviews and comments to help us solidify our opinion on Regional Finance.
Lendtly.com
Ratings, Reviews, and Comments
To get insight beyond individual reviews, let’s analyze Regional Finance’s aggregated ratings on some top third-party review platforms:
Better Business Bureau
At the BBB, Regional Finance has a “B” rating based on accreditation standards rather than consumer reviews. Their BBB profile shows 776 customer reviews averaging 1.11/5 stars from the last 3 years. Over 50% of issues involve difficulties with the loan terms or customer service problems.
Google Reviews
In Google reviews, Regional Finance scores 1.7/5 stars from over about 48 reviewers per branch location. Regional Finance values customer feedback and regularly holds meeting sessions to address customer concerns and improve its services.
The top complaints are around rates and slow funding. However, a high percentage appreciate the personal nature of their service, which takes place solely at branch locations.
While Regional Finance draws some overly critical 1-star “troll” reviews, the preponderance of user feedback across major rating sites still places them in the above-average to great range overall. Both their supporters and detractors frequently agree on the drawbacks around interest levels and funding speeds.
One thing worth noting, reviews are generally bad for lenders who focus on subprime credit. The reason is likely that many of these customers are not financially literate, and do not follow basic lending guidelines. Have faith that as long as you read the fine print, you should have a positive experience with Regional Finance and its contemporaries.
DebtCarePlus
Regional Finance vs Top Competitors
For even more data points, let’s observe a visual comparing Regional Finance with some competitors:
| Lender | Avg. APR Range* | Application Process | Funding Time | Customer Service Ratings |
| Regional Finance | 17.99%-35.99% | Online prequalification, in-person application at branches | 5-10 business days | Generally positive 4-5/5 stars |
| LendingClub | 5.99%-35.99% | 100% online application and approval | 2-5 business days | Very positive 4.7/5 stars |
| Upstart | 8.95%-35.99% | Quick online-only process considering alternative data | 1-3 business days | Excellent 4.9/5 stars |
| SoFi | 5.74%-19.24% | Streamlined fully online with a soft credit check option | 2-3 business days | Outstanding 4.8/5 stars |
As you can see, Regional Finance sits on the higher end of the average APR spectrum and is slower to fund approved loans than the lighter-touch online competitors. According to this data, their branch network and willingness to consider subprime borrowers come at the cost of comparatively higher prices.
Basically, Regional FInance is a great option when you have lower credit. As credit improves, it’s important to explore other options because you will likely get a superior APR elsewhere once your credit passes 650 into prime territory.
How do I apply for Regional Finance?
So let’s say you’ve settled on Regional Finance as your choice of lender. You’re likely wondering how the application process looks. Well you’re in luck, we’re gonna tell you right here! This is how it shakes out :
Pre-qualification—You can prequalify for free online in minutes or at a branch by providing basic contact/income details with no credit penalty. This gives an early rate estimate.
Application—Their website application involves uploading documentation like ID, income proof, and residence verification. Expect a hard credit check that will temporarily ding your score.
Underwriting—The full manual underwriting of your application, including verification of employment and references, generally takes 1-2 business days.
Approval Notification—If approved, you’ll receive a disclosure form and approval letter detailing the finalized loan terms via your stated preference of mail or email.
Funding—As mentioned earlier, Regional Finance can lag a bit at 5-10 days. However, once funded, users report that the money arrives promptly as promised.
Servicing—Regional Finance makes repaying loans conveniently easy with online and automated phone payment options and friendly service for any account questions.
This in-person based approach suggests that Regional Finance’s process, while supportive, demands more patience than that of fully digital lenders. But branches offer expert representatives throughout every step.
Let’s Decide: is Regional Finance Right for You?
After walking through all those Regional Finance ratings and reviewing data, you should have a good idea of whether or not they align with your financial needs and goals. Here are some final considerations to make:
- If you value the guidance and hand-holding only available through in-person branch help, Regional Finance offers peace of mind.
- Their willingness to consider subprime borrowers opens doors for credit repair through on-time payments.
- Those with good to excellent credit scores could qualify for markedly lower rates elsewhere and may prefer faster digital funding times.
- Customers are happy paying a slight premium for old-fashioned customer service and praise Regional Finance’s reps as helpful and genuine.
- Anyone on a tight timeline or budget should absolutely take the time to make rate comparisons, considering their higher APR rates.
There is no one-size-fits-all lender. Please use the information provided here to help you decide if Regional Finance is your best bet. If you have low credit, love in-person service, and live within their geographic reach, you may have found the perfect match!
800Financial
Final Thoughts on Regional Finance
To wrap up our summation of Regional Finance, let’s remember one important thing. There exists not one single perfect business. Each one has plenty of pros and cons to weigh. Whenever making a financial decision, we must research all of the options at our disposal. Combining this research with an honest look at our financial position will help you understand exactly what you need, and who can provide it.
Regional Finance is a rock solid option for those with low credit who like in person service more than digital service.
Be aware of the advantages other lenders with lower APRs and more nimble digital services would provide you.
As always, make sure to use our expert coverage of financial entities to help you make your financial decisions. Good luck on your path to financial freedom!
FAQs
What is the minimum credit score required to qualify for a Regional Finance credit loan?
Regional Finance generally requires a minimum credit score of 600- 650 but may approve borrowers with lower scores depending on other factors in their credit profile.
Does Regional Finance perform a hard or soft credit check during the application process?
Regional Finance will perform a soft credit check during the pre-qualification stage, which won’t impact your credit score. Upon submitting a full loan application, they will perform a hard credit check to evaluate your creditworthiness.
What documentation is required to apply for a Regional Finance loan?
Common documentation includes a valid ID, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns), proof of residence (utility bill, lease), and any additional specifics depending on the type of loan. Borrowers should be prepared to provide income/employment verification.
Can I make early payments or pay off my Regional Finance loan faster?
Yes, Regional Finance allows loan payments to be made ahead of schedule without prepayment penalties. Borrowers can pay off their balances in full at any time.
How do I make payments on my Regional Finance loan?
Payments can be auto-scheduled through online account access or made manually by phone, mail, or in branch locations using options like debit card, bank transfer, check, or money order.
