Although using Venmo’s services is free, one way or another, you may find yourself with a bill you aren’t able to pay.
No, there is no option to borrow money from Venmo. It offers Venmo Visa Credit Card, Venmo Debit Card, ACH Payment Processing, transfer money between friends and family and to pay for goods and services. The Venmo loan feature is not happening right now.
So, if you need emergency cash, the question remains: can you take out loans from Venmo? And how exactly does Venmo loan payment work?
UPDATE: Venmo Loan is not available anymore.
You can borrow from Venmo and receive up to $5,000 in Venmo loans. Moreover, as with standard bank loans, you need to pay the loan balance plus interest over the duration of your loan, whether it’s 4 years or 40 years.
Because Venmo loans may be foreign to you, let’s dive deeper into everything you need to know about Venmo loans and Venmo loan payments.
RELATED: Can You Borrow Money From Venmo: Venmo Loan Requirements
How Does Venmo Loan Payment Work?
Like bank loans, your Venmo payoff amount is the sum you’re required to pay in order to fulfill the terms of your loans. But remember, your payoff amount isn’t the same as your existing balance.
Your Venmo current balance may not accurately reflect how much you must pay to clear your loan. Your payoff fee covers any interest accrued until the time you plan to repay it.
Other unpaid fees incurred will also be included in your payoff amount.
However, paying off your loan early without notice may subject you to a pre-payment fine. So, it’s best if you can request a payoff amount directly from Venmo.
If, on the other hand, your loan is a closed-end loan, Venmo should give you an accurate summary of the total sum needed to fulfill your obligation on a fixed date.
What if I Missed My Venmo Loan Payment?
The possibility of acquiring a $5,000 loan for use up to 24 times a year seems enticing. But you might ask, “What’s blocking me from getting a loan and not paying it back it?”
In that case, Venmo offers a variety of ways to reclaim their funds. Here’s a quick list:
Make Payments Directly From Your Venmo Balance
If you fail to settle your Venmo loan payments, Venmo has the authority to deduct the money owed straight from your Venmo balance without prior notice.
Venmo Withdraw Funds From Your PayPal Account
Venmo is owned by PayPal. Hence, Venmo can withdraw the money owed straight from your PayPal account as part of your user contract.
So, to avoid surprises later on, make sure to read the entire agreement.
Send a Report to a Collection Agency
If you fail to top up your Venmo balance or your PayPal balance is zero, Venmo will report you to a debt collection firm.
In this case, a debt collector will pave the way, or worse, force you to.
How Does Loaning Money From Venmo Work?
Venmo lets you get loans, but as you’d expect, there are some rules. Venmo Loans are split into two types: Ledge Loans and Instant Loans. Let’s explore each:
Ledge Loans
Venmo, in tandem with Ledge credit, acts as a form of mediator between the two parties. Venmo was initially designed as a platform that allows peer-to-peer transactions, or PTP.
People use PTP to send money, make payments, and conduct commercial transactions. The upside is that loans are also open through PTP.
Generally, anyone who’s interested in a Ledge loan can submit an application. You must be verified and registered as a Venmo user in order for the campaign to be accepted.
The campaign must include the total amount needed, the loan reason, and, most importantly, how long until you can repay the loan.
You can also offer cash loans to other Venmo users, like a friend. Venmo grants the creditor the amount after the cash is given, then calculates the interest accrued. Finally, the funds are returned to the contributors’ accounts when the borrower pays off the loan.
Instant Loans
You can also borrow cash straight through Venmo. However, there’s the chance of a cap. If you use the application, instant loans are classified as cash advances.
Cash advances are similar to bank credit cards. It’s important to understand that a small amount of money must be paid before Venmo can offer cash advances.
Additionally, Venmo allows unverified accounts to borrow up to $50. In comparison, authenticated users may take a loan of up to $5,000.
However, the drawback of Venmo Instant Loans is the interest rate. Venmo’s Annual Percentage Rate (APR) ranges from 11.99% to 23.99%. Although when compared to other lending apps, Venmo’s rates are better and more reasonable.
While it may appear excessive, it’s nice that Venmo instant loans are available 24/7.
Ultimately, if you’re able to repay the loan on time, a second may be taken out, and the cycle repeats.
How Do I Apply for a Venmo Loan?
Well, it’s pretty simple. All you need is a verified Venmo account.
But let’s talk about that in-depth.
Instant Loan From Venmo
Skipping account verification isn’t a good choice if you’re borrowing money, as it caps the loan amount. The best part is you can finish the verification in a jiffy.
Here’s a quick rundown of the steps:
- Login to your Venmo account, then click the three parallel bars in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Find the security option by clicking on Settings to start the process.
- Choose Identity Verification, followed by One-Time Security Check. Then, Next.
- Provide your full name, email, and the last four digits of your SSN.
- Finally, click next and follow the steps till your account is verified.
Once verified, you can request a cash advance of $5,000.
As a rule, Venmo puts a verification to eliminate fake profiles and transactions.
Ledge Loans
Apart from a verified account, Ledge loans also require a campaign. In detail, this campaign serves the purpose of encouraging other Venmo users to contribute money that equates to your request.
For speedy feedback, ensure that your campaign is as detailed as possible.
Accordingly, you need to have a compelling reason why you require such funds. Also, specify the interest rate that you can pay without difficulty (usually from 12%–21%). Above all, specify the loan duration and repayment options.
Summary
All things considered, Venmo loan is an excellent service that lets you quickly access cash to cover an emergency. What’s more, interest rates are also reasonable compared to other lenders on the market.
Remember, all you need to get a loan is a verified account and a list of justifications for why you deserve one.
However, you must be steadfast in adhering to Venmo loan payment policies. Otherwise, Venmo may take serious actions that may harm your credit score in the long run.
