Cat Loans — frequently asked questions

Cat Loans is a free online loan-matching service. You fill out one short request, and we connect you with lenders in our network who may be able to offer you a personal loan. We're not a lender ourselves — we don't make credit decisions or fund loans, we simply help you find options faster.

Yes. Submitting a request and getting matched costs you nothing. We're paid by lenders in our network, not by you. Always review any individual lender's terms, since the loan itself will have its own rates and fees.

The request form takes about five minutes. Many people see potential offers within minutes, and once you accept an offer and finish a lender's steps, funds can arrive as soon as the next business day.

Never. There's no obligation. You can review any offer, compare the terms, and walk away if it doesn't feel right. You're always in control of the final decision.

Generally you need to be at least 18 years old, a legal resident, have a steady source of income, and hold an active bank account. Individual lenders may have their own additional requirements.

Possibly. Many lenders in our network consider applicants with less-than-perfect credit and look at factors beyond your score, such as income and ability to repay. Submitting a request lets you see what options may be available to you.

You typically need a verifiable, steady source of income — but that doesn't always mean traditional employment. Some lenders accept self-employment, benefits, or other regular income. Requirements vary by lender.

Usually just the basics: a government-issued ID, your contact details, income information, and bank account details for deposit. Having these ready helps the process go smoothly.

Choose how much you need, fill out the short online form with your details, and submit. We'll match your request with lenders, and you can review any offers that come back. It's all done online — no paperwork to mail in.

Checking your options through Cat Loans does not affect your credit score. A hard credit inquiry only happens later if you choose to move forward with a specific lender, and that lender runs their own check.

Your request is shared with lenders in our network. If one is interested, you'll be directed to their site to review a specific offer, including the rate, term, and any fees, before you decide anything.

Yes. The whole site, including the request form, is built to work on mobile, so you can apply from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Loan amounts depend on the lender and your qualifications, but requests on our site commonly range up to $5,000. The amount you're actually offered is up to the individual lender.

Rates depend on the lender, the amount, the term, and your credit profile. APRs in our network typically range from 4.95% to 35.99%. You'll always see the exact rate and terms from a lender before you accept.

We don't charge you to use our matching service. Any fees on the loan itself — such as origination fees — come from the lender and must be disclosed to you in the offer before you agree to anything.

Your payment depends on the loan amount, interest rate, and repayment term. You can use the calculator on our homepage to estimate monthly payments for different amounts and terms.

Repayment is handled directly with your lender, usually through automatic monthly payments from your bank account. Your lender will explain the schedule and options before you sign.

Many lenders allow early repayment, and some have no prepayment penalty. Check your specific lender's terms, since policies differ from one lender to another.

That's between you and your lender, but missed payments can lead to extra fees, a lower credit score, and collection activity. If money gets tight, contact your lender early — many can work out a revised plan.

Some lenders let you adjust your due date to line up with your payday. Reach out to your lender directly to ask what's possible on your loan.

Protecting your data matters to us. Information you enter travels over an encrypted connection and is shared only with lenders in our network to process your request — never sold to the highest bidder.

We share your request with lenders so they can present offers, not with random marketers. You can review our privacy practices for details on how your information is used and your choices.

We're transparent about what we are: a matching service, not a lender. We never ask you to pay an upfront fee to get a loan. If anyone ever asks you to pay money in advance to 'release' a loan, treat that as a major red flag.

No. Browsing your options through us uses a process that does not affect your credit score. Only a formal application with a chosen lender may trigger a hard inquiry.

Potentially. Making on-time payments on any loan can help demonstrate responsible borrowing over time. Payment history is one of the biggest factors in most credit scores.

A decline from one lender doesn't mean every lender will say no. Reasons vary, and improving income stability or lowering existing balances can help. You're welcome to explore your options again in the future.