What general company information should consumers look into before they take out a loan from any lender?
Especially if it is a new lender, you should research the lender online to see if it is rated by any consumer groups or reviewed by customers. You are usually better off borrowing from an FDIC-insured institution because it will be subject to consumer protection rules that other lenders may not need to follow. I would recommend starting with any credit union to which you belong because they often (not always) have good deals. In general, the worse your credit is, the greater your risk that you will come to the attention of lenders who specialize in making higher-risk loans. The laws and regulations passed after the Great Financial Crisis of 2008 have reduced predatory lending, but it still goes on, especially for consumers who are less knowledgeable about credit.