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LightStream Reviews

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Edited by: Liz Bingler

About LightStream

LightStream is an online lender that helps people get personal loans for major purchases, home remodeling and debt consolidation, among other purposes. It offers competitive rates on loans, and there are no fees or penalties for early payments. LightStream is a division of Truist, a bank formed by the merger of SunTrust Bank and BB&T.

Pros
  • Competitive rates and terms
  • Potential for same-day funding
  • Easy online application
  • Rate discounts
Cons
  • $5,000 minimum loan amount
  • Requires good to excellent credit

Helpful Reviews

Marietta, GA
Verified purchase
Lightstream was fantastic to work with. Easy, clear, helpful and you possesses your car title. Great/Fair rates and easy to pay off early. Simple yet complete account website. Cus...

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Marietta, GA
Verified purchase
Lightstream was fantastic to work with. Easy, clear, helpful and you possesses your car title. Great/Fair rates and easy to pay off early. Simple yet complete account website. Cus...

Read more

What is LightStream?

LightStream is an online lender that offers personal loans and auto loans. Its loans range from $5,000 to $100,000 and can be used to fund a wide range of purposes, including home improvement, debt consolidation, adoption and weddings. Its auto loans are available for new cars, used cars and classic cars.

LightStream application process

LightStream’s loan application and funding process are completed online. You may be required to upload verification of your income during the process, which might include pay stubs, bank statements or tax returns. Applicants may also be required to provide proof of identity or residence.

Once your application is complete, LightStream will review your information and typically make a funding decision within a few hours. Same-day funding is available for applications under certain conditions.

LightStream requirements

LightStream doesn’t disclose its specific credit score or income requirements for personal loans, but it states that it requires good to excellent credit for its loans. The company considers borrowers’ credit history, income, debt, assets and payment history when evaluating applications for approval.

LightStream loan terms

LightStream offers loans from $5,000 to $100,000 with terms ranging from two to 20 years, though the specific amounts and terms may vary depending on the type of loan. 

LightStream rates

LightStream’s annual percentage rates (APRs) range from 6.49% to 24.89% (as of March 16, 2026), though specific rates vary depending on the type of loan. Generally, you’ll need excellent credit to qualify for the best rates, and you’ll also need to opt for autopay, which includes a 0.50% rate discount.

The table below shows LightStream’s starting rates for different types of loans. APRs are accurate as of March 16, 2026.

LightStream also has a Rate Beat program, where it will beat any rate from a competing lender by .10 percentage points. The competing loan must be unsecured and feature the same terms.

» COMPARE: Best personal loan companies

FAQ

Is a LightStream loan hard to get approved for?

A LightStream loan can be harder to get approved for than a loan from other lenders since it typically has stricter credit requirements and requires good to excellent credit. Generally, loan approval chances depend on your credit history. You may qualify if you have several years of credit history with on-time payments and a stable income.

What credit score is needed for a LightStream loan?

LightStream requires good to excellent credit for its loans. A good FICO credit score ranges from 670 to 739 while an excellent credit score ranges from 800 to 850.

Can you pay off a LightStream loan early?

Yes, you can pay off a LightStream loan early, and it doesn’t charge a prepayment penalty.

Is LightStream good for debt consolidation?

LightStream can be a good option for debt consolidation if you have a good to excellent credit history. Its current rates for debt consolidation loans start at 7.24% APR as of March 16, 2026. LightStream also doesn’t have any origination, application or prepayment fees, which can help you save more money.

Still have questions?

Is LightStream legit?

LightStream is a reputable online lender that offers competitive rates and an easy application process. While it doesn’t disclose its specific credit requirements, it generally requires good to excellent credit. Its loan amounts start at $5,000, and the company has fast approval times and same-day funding for select loans.

» MORE: Is LightStream legit?

LightStream Reviews

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    How do I know I can trust these reviews about LightStream?
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    Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
    Sales & MarketingRefunds & PayoutsLoan Process

    Reviewed Sept. 19, 2025

    I am grateful for the feedback and comments I've read here. Thankfully I did not complete the loan application process which was incredibly sketchy anyway. What reputable company would ask or want you to verify your identity by going to Wal-Mart and purchasing a gift card? It's bullshit is what it is. SCAM SCAM SCAM!

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      Profile pic of the author.
      Customer ServiceStaffLoan Process

      Reviewed Aug. 7, 2025

      Helped father apply for a personal loan, with great credit and has worked for 48 years at the same job. The issue was not the end result, but rather the way he was berated on the phone by loan agent. The loan agent basically was challenging him on a debt that had already been paid off and he was challenging him on inconsequential things. Dealing with seniors I find this sort of behavior unconscionable. I am also the family attorney, which is why I make sure I monitor what my family experiences. Needless to say I would never recommend LightStream/Truist Bank to anyone I know.

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      PriceLoan Process

      Reviewed July 23, 2025

      I do not recommend LightStream. Despite having:
      • An 800 credit score,
      • A debt-to-income ratio of 28.1%,

      • $270,000 in home equity,

      I was still denied a loan. If your financial profile looks similar to mine or worse, it isn't worth the hard inquiry.

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      Sales & MarketingStaffBillingLoan ProcessHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed July 16, 2025

      In short, only an Xbox off affirm is the only debt. Wife pays our rent and we live absolutely free. Now, I wanted to purchase a second-hand vehicle. 84 months, about $650 a month until our retirement kicks in from the Federal Government. My VA disability alone takes care of the car payment. Yet, I was denied. I thought the object is to be diligent and honorable with your debts. Even with COVID, six different times home care. We still paid off all our debts. You know when you pay off your car loan, your FICO drops 50 points. The game is to keep people in debt. If you don't want honest persons. Don't advertise. Then again, this Jesus saying it's not time right now.

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      Customer Service

      Reviewed June 24, 2025

      I have used LightStream in the past. I also use Truist bank for the mortgage of my home. BUT Lightstream customer service is TERRIBLE. Expect to get ghosted most of the time. If anything falls out of the realm of their ‘automated approval’ system you can forget it.

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      Verified purchase
      Refunds & PayoutsStaffBillingRatesTimelinessHonesty & Transparency

      Reviewed March 17, 2025

      I paid Lightstream a car payment on 3/14/2025, Lightstream went in and took another pay the next day for the same amount of money and have refused to return the money to my account, The dishonest unprofessional Lightstream states they can only take money out of my account but can't put money back, they have to send me a check so they can collect interest on my money, these a corrupt people 100% in my opinion and should be arrest. L

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      PriceLoan Process

      Reviewed Dec. 26, 2024

      These people went into my bank account, debited charges and then told me that those were their deposit into my account. They wanted me to send that money to them and that it would boost my credit score and then they could give me a $2500 loan.. My bank shut down my account and now I'm going through so much... I almost wanna contact a lawyer. DO NOT TRUST THESE PEOPLE!!!!

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      Verified purchase

      Reviewed Nov. 2, 2024

      Don’t ever use Lightstream. They don’t do soft pulls to see if you qualify first and they don’t automatically offer lower amounts for what they can approve you for. In addition after they denied me twice since I lowered my requested amount to half. I was immediately approved by SoFi for a large amount. What did SoFi see that LightStream didn’t?

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      Customer ServicePunctuality & SpeedStaffRates

      Reviewed Oct. 2, 2024

      Lightstream was fantastic to work with. Easy, clear, helpful and you possesses your car title. Great/Fair rates and easy to pay off early. Simple yet complete account website. Customer Service over several years has always provided quick and appropriate answers. I could not have had a better experience with a lender.

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      PriceBillingLoan ProcessRates

      Reviewed Sept. 30, 2024

      This company is for people with little debt if you are trying to get a credit card consolidation loan. They said my balances were too high, well duh that's the reason for the lower interest loan to clear credit cards and have lower payments. If I've been paying on credit card for years it's common sense to know that I'm credit worthy to pay half of what I've been paying.

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      LightStream Company Information

      Company Name:
      LightStream
      Website:
      www.lightstream.com