Is Republic Finance legit?
Yes, Republic Finance is a legitimate lender with a long history in the finance industry. Founded in 1952, the company currently has over 280 branch locations spread across 16 states. And even though it’s not accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB), Republic Finance holds an A+ rating on the site. However, customer ratings are low with repeated complaints about the poor communication, hidden fees and aggressive collection practices.
What makes Republic Finance shine?
Republic Finance stands out for its long history. Founded in 1952, it’s grown to more than 250 branches nationwide, giving borrowers the option to meet with staff in person for document verification, questions or same-day funding by check. You can also prequalify online with a soft credit check to explore rates without affecting your score — a helpful feature if you want to compare options before committing.
Republic Finance also offers a range of funding methods and loan types. Smaller unsecured loans can be deposited directly into your bank account by ACH within one to two business days, while in-branch borrowers often receive a paper check the same day. Its maximum APR of 35.99% is high compared with banks but far lower than payday or tribal lenders.
Where Republic Finance falls short
Republic Finance’s biggest drawbacks stem from limited availability and transparency, plus a spotty reputation. It doesn’t publish clear details on origination fees and eligibility criteria, so borrowers are unsure about costs and qualifications until they apply. The company isn’t BBB-accredited, and it receives low marks from past customers who complain about communication, billing and collection tactics.
The lender depends heavily on its branch network, requiring large loans and secured loans to be completed in person. And because it operates in only about 16 states, borrowers outside its service area won’t have access to its loans at all. For wider availability, try loan marketplaces like Upstart or Best Egg. Republic Finance also mails preapproved “loan checks,” which leads to confusion and puts consumers at risk if the check is intercepted or misused.
Republic Finance loan details
| Loan amount | Up to $25,000 |
| Terms | 12 to 60 months |
| APR | Up to 35.99% |
| Turnaround | As soon as the same day |
| Minimum credit score | No minimum credit score |
| Other requirements | Be 18 or older Have valid ID, email address and phone number Show proof of income Provide collateral and insurance (secured loans only) |
| Fees | Origination, late payment and NSF fees may apply |
| Availability | Available in: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin |
Republic Finance contact information
| Phone number | 1-833-907-1734 or call your local branch |
| Customer service hours | Weekdays: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. |
| Email your local branch through the online contact form | |
| X, formerly Twitter | @RepFinance |
| @RepublicFinance |
Calculate your monthly loan payments
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| Principal | $ |
|---|---|
| Interest | $ |
| Total Cost | $ |
How to qualify for Republic Finance
Republic Finance doesn’t publish detailed eligibility requirements, but you’ll need to meet basic lending standards to apply:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Provide a valid government-issued ID and Social Security number or ITIN
- Provide a valid email address and phone number
- Show proof of steady income or employment to demonstrate ability to repay
- Live in a state where Republic Finance operates
- Consent to a credit check as part of the application process
How to apply
You can start the process online, but be prepared to visit your local Republic Branch to finalize your application. Here’s what to expect from the process:
- Prequalify online. Submit basic personal and income information so the company can conduct a soft credit check. If you’re eligible for an unsecured loan, you can complete the process entirely online.
- Review your offer. Compare loan terms, amounts and repayment options before accepting.
- Finalize your application. Upload documents if applying online or bring proof of income, ID and other paperwork to a local branch.
- Get your funds. Online loans are typically sent by ACH to your bank account within one to two business days, while branch loans are issued by paper check the same day.
How Republic Finance compares to other lenders
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What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product’s interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate – this gives you a simple score out of 10.
Read the full breakdown
Republic Finance reviews and complaints
| BBB accredited |
No |
|---|---|
| BBB rating |
A+ |
| BBB customer reviews |
1.28 out of 5 stars, based on 104 customer reviews |
| Trustpilot Score |
2.9 out of 5 stars, based on 2 customer reviews. |
| Customer reviews verified as of |
07 October 2025 |
Past customers don’t seem very pleased with Republic Finance. The company has low ratings on both the BBB and Trustpilot websites. Common complaints include the high cost of borrowing, hidden charges, poor communication, unhelpful customer service agents, difficulty getting accurate payoff information and aggressive collection practices. There are only a handful of positive reviews that praise the company for providing fast, easy access to loans.
What do people on Reddit say?
Reddit users report mostly negative experiences with Republic Finance. The most common issue is Redditors receiving calls and letters about outstanding debts from a company claiming to be Republic Finance and wondering if it’s a scam.
Other reported issues include preapproved loan checks from Republic Finance being stolen and cashed without the customer’s knowledge, customers seeking help managing debt and confusion over outstanding debts being sold to other companies.
