What is the smallest loan you can get?
Updated November 7, 2026
The smallest loan you can get depends on the lender, because each one sets its own minimum. On SaveVine, a request can start at $100, though not every lender in our network offers that amount. Credit unions, some banks and short term lenders all make small loans, but many large personal loan lenders start much higher. If you need a few hundred dollars, it helps to know who to ask, and what a tiny loan really costs.
Why do so many lenders skip small amounts?
Making a loan costs a lender about the same in paperwork whether it is for $300 or $3,000, while the interest earned on the small one is far lower. So plenty of lenders set a minimum that rules out the smallest needs. The result is that the people who need the least money often have the fewest places to ask. This is general reasoning rather than a figure from one lender, so check any lender's actual minimum yourself.
Where can you ask for a very small loan?
| Where | What to know |
|---|---|
| Federal credit union | Some offer payday alternative loans, which the FTC describes as much less expensive than payday or car title loans. You usually need to be a member. |
| Large bank branch | The FTC says some large US banks offer small loans or lines of credit, up to $1,000 depending on the bank, to customers including those with low or no credit scores. |
| Community bank | The FTC notes local banks can offer smaller loans with easier repayment terms than many large banks. |
| Payday lender | The CFPB says a common payday loan limit is $500, repaid in one payment, typically in two to four weeks. Many states cap the size and cost, and some do not allow it. |
| A request through SaveVine | One form, from $100 to $5,000, passed to lenders in our network. We are not a lender. Lenders set their own minimums, and approval is not certain. |
Is the smallest amount always the best amount?
Usually you want the smallest amount that actually solves the problem. Each extra dollar costs you, but a loan that falls short of the repair can mean coming back for a second one, with a second round of fees. Before you ask:
- Get the real number. Ask the repair person for a written estimate, including the call out charge and parts.
- See what you can cover yourself, even if only part of it.
- Ask for the difference, and not a round number above it.
A short payment plan from the repair shop may close part of the gap too. It costs nothing to ask them.
What does a very small loan cost?
Do not assume small means cheap. A flat fee on a short loan can make a tiny amount expensive relative to its size. The CFPB says $15 per $100 is a common charge and comes to an APR of almost 400 percent on a two week loan. So $200 on those terms would mean repaying $230 in a single payment two weeks later. That is arithmetic on the common fee, not a quote from any lender. If you can repay over several months at a lower APR, the total can come out lower, though a longer loan at a high APR can also cost more overall.
Our guide on how much small loans cost goes through this with more amounts.
What will a lender ask for, even on a small loan?
Small does not mean no questions. Expect to give your name, contact details, income details and bank account information. Lenders use these to confirm who you are and where to send funds, and a lender may verify your information and obtain consumer reports, which can involve a credit check. Be wary of anyone who asks you to pay a fee up front to get a loan. The FTC warns about advance fee loan scams, where a fee is taken and no loan arrives.
What if a lender says the amount is too small?
You have a few moves. Ask a credit union about its smallest loan. Ask your biller for more time, because the FTC notes creditors may be willing to work with you, though you should check if they charge for it. Look at local charities and churches, which the FTC says often offer help at no cost to people going through a rough spot. And if you do send a request here, ask for what you need. A lender can only say yes or no to the request in front of it.
When you are ready, you can send a request from $100, free and with no obligation. If the need is a broken appliance, see financing appliances with bad credit.
Common questions
Can I borrow just $100?
You can ask for $100 through SaveVine, the lowest amount in our range. Lenders in our network set their own minimums, so an offer at exactly that amount is not certain. A credit union or your own bank may also be worth asking, particularly if you already have an account there.
Are small loans easier to get than big ones?
Not always. A smaller amount means less risk for a lender, but many lenders do not offer small amounts at all. Income, bank history and credit all still count, and approval is never certain. Some short term lenders focus on smaller sums, and all credit types are considered in our network.
How fast can a small loan arrive?
Funds can arrive as soon as the next business day, if approved. Timing depends on the lender and your bank. Weekends and holidays can add days, so check the funding time in the offer if your repair is booked for a certain date.
Sources, read November 7, 2026: FTC, What to know about payday and car title loans (October 2024); CFPB, What is a payday loan (reviewed May 28, 2024); CFPB, costs and fees for a payday loan (reviewed November 25, 2024).