NerdWallet is a matching platform, not a lender. We connect borrowers with participating lenders based on their credit profile — we don't issue loans, hold funds, or process loan applications.
How pre-qualification works
When you submit the pre-qualification form, NerdWallet performs a soft credit inquiry using the information you provide. Based on your credit profile, we match you with lenders in our network who may be able to offer you a personal loan.
A soft inquiry is used — this does not affect your credit score.
Matches are based on your credit profile and the criteria of participating lenders.
Any rates shown are not locked in — your final rate is determined once you complete a lender's full application.
Why your full personal details (including SSN) are required
There is no way to preview offers without completing the form. Your Social Security Number is required to run the soft credit inquiry that powers the matching process. Without it, we're unable to check your credit profile or identify which lenders may have offers for you. The pre-qualification form asks for personal and financial information — including your SSN — but does not ask for bank account or routing numbers. If you are asked for a routing number, that request is coming from a lender's own application process after you've been matched, not from NerdWallet.
Submitting the form only triggers a soft inquiry — it does not affect your credit score.
Why you're receiving emails from lenders
By completing the pre-qualification form, you agree to share your information with potential lenders. Lenders may then contact you directly — these emails come from the lenders themselves, not from NerdWallet. NerdWallet does not aggregate or store lender follow-up communications. NerdWallet does not display lender offers in a central dashboard after they are sent — each lender manages its own communications independently.
If you'd like to stop receiving emails from a specific lender, you'll need to contact that lender directly. We can help unsubscribe you from NerdWallet's own communications if you have a NerdWallet account.
What to do if no offers appear
If no lender matches are returned after you submit the form, this is typically due to one of the following:
Your current credit profile doesn't meet the criteria of lenders available in our network at this time.
Lender availability varies and changes over time — a lender that isn't a match today may be available in the future.
If this happens, you can try resubmitting the form in the future. Resubmitting with updated information — particularly if your credit score has changed — may return different results, since the primary driver of matches is the credit score from the soft pull. NerdWallet cannot contact lenders on your behalf, check the status of a lender's application, or expedite the process. Once you've been matched and proceed to a lender's site, your application and any next steps are managed entirely by that lender.
How to access the pre-qualification tool
You can access the personal loan pre-qualification tool directly at nerdwallet.com/personal-loans. The tool is open to everyone, including those with non-prime credit — there is no requirement to meet a minimum credit threshold before starting.
You don't need a NerdWallet account to go through the experience, though you may be prompted to create one during the process. There is an option to skip account creation if you prefer.
After you've been matched with a lender
Once NerdWallet matches you with lenders, any application you submit goes directly to that lender — not to NerdWallet. This means:
Application status, approval decisions, and loan terms are managed by the lender.
If you started an application and don't want to proceed, contact the lender directly to withdraw.
NerdWallet cannot view, modify, or cancel a loan application on your behalf.