Money IQ

The editorial side of compareloanapps.com. Plain-English guides on how loan apps actually price, where they are legal, which ones to avoid, and the math behind the marketing.

All APR & economics Basics Scams & traps State guide

Basics

Cash Advance Apps vs. Payday Loans: What Happens to Your Bank Account

Both take the money straight from checking on payday. The mechanics, the overdraft risk, and the bureau fallout are very different.

By Maya Okafor · 9 min

Basics

Co-Signer and Joint Applicant Loan Apps: How They Actually Work and What Your Helper Is Signing Up For

A co-signer is legally on the hook for every missed payment. What joint and co-signed loan apps actually ask of your helper, and the bureau trail either way.

By Maya Okafor · 10 min

Basics

Do Loan Apps Show Up on Your Credit Report? A Plain-English Breakdown for 2026

Which loan apps report to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, which ones stay silent, and what shows up if you miss a payment.

By Maya Okafor · 9 min

Basics

Loan Apps for Bad Credit (Under 580 FICO): What Actually Approves You in 2026

Under-580 FICO does not lock you out of the loan app market, but it reshapes who says yes. What underwrites on deposit flow instead of credit score.

By Maya Okafor · 10 min