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Liberty First Lending: Reviews and Ratings
Liberty First Lending logo.
Liberty First Lending is a newer name in the personal loan space, based out of Irvine, California. They come in hot with promises of fast approval, simple terms and one monthly payment to help borrowers break free from high-interest debt.
For some, that’s exactly what they deliver. For others, not so much. A few report that once they applied for a loan, they were steered into a debt settlement pitch instead – different game, different consequences.
The loan terms themselves aren’t bad: $2,500 to $45,000 with APRs ranging from 5.99 to 29.99 percent. There are no upfront fees or prepayment penalties, just an origination fee around 4.9 percent to factor in.
If someone is drowning in debt and looking for a straightforward way to consolidate, Liberty First could be worth a look. But it’s important to read everything closely, know the difference between a loan and a settlement plan, and make sure to get the help one actually came for.
Financial hardship and research
Everyone hits speed bumps in life. Financial hardships are commonplace, and there is help available – it’s just a matter of finding the best, safest and most affordable option.
That starts with research. Not doom-scrolling. Not wishful thinking. Real, honest comparison of what’s out there.
Liberty First Lending may already have crossed one’s radar. Their ads are everywhere, promising quick approvals, no-hassle solutions and a single monthly payment to ease financial stress. It sounds smooth. But is it real?
What is Liberty First Lending?
Liberty First Lending advertises fast approvals and no hidden fees for debt consolidation loans on its homepage.
Liberty First is a relatively new player in the personal loan space. They launched in 2023 and quickly ramped up digital advertising. They’re based in Irvine, California, and as of June 2025 hold a B rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The BBB has received 33 formal complaints against the business over the past three years, contributing to the rating.
The company offers personal loans between $2,500 and $45,000, with APRs from 5.99 to 29.99 percent. Rates depend on credit, income and borrower risk. The intent is to consolidate high-interest debt into one manageable payment.
No juggling multiple credit cards or guessing due dates – just one payment to Liberty First. That’s the idea, at least.
Lendtly.com
The process
The application process is standard for an online lender in 2025. It is efficient.
- Borrowers begin by checking their rate online via a soft credit pull (no impact to credit score).
- If the offer looks good, documents such as ID and proof of income are uploaded.
- A hard credit check follows to finalize the terms.
- If approved, funds are typically deposited within one to two business days.
There’s an origination fee – usually around 4.9 percent – deducted from the loan amount. A bonus: customer support is available seven days a week.
Who can apply?
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a steady income
- Reside in a state where Liberty First operates
- Hold a U.S. bank account and Social Security number
Liberty First does not operate in Massachusetts or Nevada. A minimum credit score is not published, but mid-600s appears to be the ballpark.
The company operates under federal consumer lending standards and applicable state laws.
DebtCarePlus
The good, the great and the caution tape
Customer reviews are generally favorable. However, the claim of 34,000 five-star reviews appears to be inflated. As of mid-2025, Liberty First has approximately 304 reviews on Birdeye with an average rating of 4.9 stars.
The company holds a 4.9-star average rating based on more than 300 reviews on Birdeye as of mid-2025.
On the BBB website, it holds a 3.12 out of 5-star average based on 89 customer reviews.
Liberty First Lending has a B rating from the Better Business Bureau, with 33 complaints filed over the past three years.
Some reviews state:
- “Very knowledgeable, friendly and made sure I understood everything.”
- “Absolutely great communication. I feel like I’m finally back in control.”
But not every review is positive. A growing number of complaints describe what feels like bait-and-switch behavior.
Some borrowers report applying for a loan only to later be pitched debt settlement services. This has been highlighted in several BBB complaints, where users felt misled by initial loan offers. The redirection to settlement often isn’t disclosed early in the process.
For some, debt settlement might be acceptable. For others, it could mean credit damage, legal risk or prolonged financial stress.
Borrowers should ask questions if the pitch pivots. They should fully understand what they’re being offered — and know they can walk away.
800Financial
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Fast approval and funding (1–2 business days)
- Soft credit check for pre-qualification
- No prepayment or application fees
- Customer support seven days a week
- Transparent about process and rate range
Cons:
- Origination fee (~4.9%) reduces payout
- Higher-end APRs for lower-credit applicants
- Not available in MA or NV
- Reports of redirection to debt settlement
- No mobile app or robust borrower portal
Competitive landscape
Liberty First continues to carve out space alongside Americor, Beyond Finance and Symple Lending. Its approach is hands-on and people-first, which appeals to stressed borrowers.
However, unlike lenders like LendingClub or SoFi, Liberty First operates in a hybrid space between loans and settlement. This introduces confusion unless terms are made crystal clear.
Third-party reviews from Ascend and CuraDebt reinforce this: Liberty First is fast, friendly and sometimes offers something different than what’s expected.
The verdict
Liberty First Lending is a legitimate, licensed company with positive reviews from many borrowers. If approved for a loan at a reasonable rate, borrowers may benefit.
However, applicants should remain cautious. If the offer turns toward debt settlement, it’s a significant shift that carries long-term consequences. That’s not always a bad thing – but it’s rarely what someone thinks they’re signing up for.
Bottom line: Liberty First might be the right tool – just make sure it’s the tool for the job that needs doing.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Liberty First Lending legit or just another scammy lender? Liberty First Lending is a real debt consolidation loan company based in Irvine, California. They offer personal loans and debt relief programs to help folks combine unsecured debt into a single, more manageable monthly payment. That said—while the company has its fair share of positive reviews, there are reports of some people getting pitched debt settlement instead of a straight-up loan. So yeah, they’re legit. Just read the fine print and make sure you know what you’re actually signing up for.
- What kind of loans does Liberty First Lending offer? They offer unsecured personal loans between $2,500 and $45,000. No collateral needed—just your credit and income in good shape. The whole idea is to roll all that high-interest credit card debt into one fixed-rate loan with (hopefully) a lower interest rate. Their loan terms are competitive if your credit score’s decent, and it’s meant to be a clean way to get your payments under control.
- Will applying mess up my credit score? Not at first. They start with a soft pull on your credit report so you can see if you’re pre-approved—no impact there. But if you decide to move forward, they’ll run a hard pull like any other lender. They’ll look at your credit, income, and overall financial situation to figure out what kind of loan and rate you qualify for.
- How fast can I get the money if I’m approved? Pretty quick. Once you accept the loan and finish the application process, Liberty First usually drops the funds into your bank account within one to two business days. Speed is one of their strong suits—especially compared to other lenders that make you wait around.
- Why do people say Liberty First is actually a debt settlement company? That’s the curveball. While Liberty First promotes personal loans, some borrowers say they got rerouted to debt settlement pitches from “debt specialists.” That’s a totally different thing—less about borrowing, more about negotiating down what you owe. It can hurt your credit, comes with fees, and doesn’t always work. If you just want a loan, double-check that’s what you’re actually being offered before you commit.
- What sets Liberty First Lending apart from other debt consolidation companies? They move fast, don’t charge upfront fees, and offer real human help—plus they’re open every day of the week. That’s rare. But they’re also a newer company, so they don’t have the long track record that some of the bigger names like LendingClub or Upstart do. If you’re comparing lenders, pay close attention to the APR, origination fees, and how easy it is to get in touch when you’ve got questions.
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Advertorial or Sponsorship User published Content does not represent the views of the Company or any individual associated with the Company, and we do not control this Content. In no event shall you represent or suggest, directly or indirectly, the Company's endorsement of user published Content.
The company does not vouch for the accuracy or credibility of any user published Content on our Website and does not take any responsibility or assume any liability for any actions you may take as a result of reading user published Content on our Website.
Through your use of the Website and Services, you may be exposed to Content that you may find offensive, objectionable, harmful, inaccurate, or deceptive.
By using our Website, you assume all associated risks.This Website contains hyperlinks to other websites controlled by third parties. These links are provided solely as a convenience to you and do not imply endorsement by the Company of, or any affiliation with, or endorsement by, the owner of the linked website.
Company is not responsible for the contents or use of any linked website, or any consequence of making the link.
This content is provided by New Start Advantage LLC through a licensed media partnership with Inquirer.net. Inquirer.net does not endorse or verify partner content. All information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Offers and terms may change without notice.
