Jacksonville-based personal lender offering $500–$5,000 loans with 12–18 month terms and a 35.9% APR. Fast approval with flexible repayment options.
Data compiled from public sources · Google rating shown when a stored review count is available
Portside Finance (operating as "Quick Loans") is a Florida-based personal lending company with physical locations in Jacksonville and North Port. The company markets itself as a community-focused lender offering quick loan approvals and friendly service to borrowers with unexpected expenses or planned purchases.
Portside Finance offers unsecured personal loans ranging from $500 to $5,000 with repayment terms between 12 and 18 months. The company advertises 30-minute loan approvals and claims to serve borrowers seeking alternatives to traditional banking. Loan amounts may require collateral (first or second lien on a vehicle no more than ten years old) depending on the applicant's creditworthiness.
The company distinguishes itself through in-person service at two physical branch locations and a stated commitment to personalized lending tailored to individual financial situations. They promote flexible repayment plans and position themselves as "neighbors" familiar with the local community rather than impersonal corporate lenders.
While Portside Finance offers faster approval than traditional banks, the 35.9% APR is significantly higher than standard personal loan rates and reflects the higher-risk lending market. The $25 credit investigation fee and $25 annual anniversary fee add to the total cost of borrowing. Prospective borrowers should carefully compare this option against credit unions, payday alternative lenders (under 36% APR), or larger personal loan lenders before committing.
Review lender profiles, APR ranges, fees, minimum-score fields, and funding-speed notes before deciding what to do next.
This is state-level context for Emergency Cash consumers in Jacksonville, FL. It does not confirm that Portside Finance or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Florida Office of Financial Regulation
Consumer protection
Status: Permitted
Rate context: Maximum fee of $10 per $100 borrowed (minimum $10-$300 range) or $15 per $100 borrowed ($300-$500 range)
Amount context: $500
Term context: 31 days
Regulated under Fla. Stat. § 560.403. Borrowers tracked via the statewide deferred presentment database to prevent multiple simultaneous loans. A mandatory 24-hour cooling-off period is required between payday loans.
Status: Permitted
Rate context: Tiered rate caps under the Florida Consumer Finance Act (Fla. Stat. § 687.101-687.308): rates vary based on loan amount and structure; maximum rates generally range from 18-25% depending on loan size and repayment terms
Installment lenders must be licensed by the Office of Financial Regulation. The Consumer Finance Act establishes specific rate schedules for different loan amounts.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Portside Finance offers 11 services including Personal loans ($500–$5,000), Auto loans (mentioned on website, terms not detailed), Cash loans with quick approval (30 minutes claimed), Debt consolidation loans, Flexible repayment plans (12–18 month terms), and 6 more.
Portside Finance has profile signals associated with Borrowers in the Jacksonville/North Port area with moderate credit who prefer in-person lending relationships, Consumers needing $1,000–$5,000 with ability to repay over 12–18 months rather than 2–4 weeks, Applicants with vehicle collateral who may not qualify for unsecured personal loans elsewhere, People seeking faster approval than traditional banks but who don't qualify for credit union or lower-APR alternatives.
Key strengths: Loan amounts up to $5,000 available, higher than typical payday loans; Extended repayment terms (12–18 months) allow lower monthly payments than short-term cash loans; Physical branch locations in Jacksonville and North Port for in-person service and relationship building. Areas to consider: 35.9% APR is significantly higher than credit unions, payday alternative lenders, and mainstream personal loan lenders; Collateral may be required (first or second lien on vehicle under 10 years old) for larger amounts or weaker credit.
In the Emergency Cash category, comparable providers include Evergreen Home Loans Las Vegas NMLS 348986, Start Up Business Loans New York, Montana Capital Car Title Loans. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Portside Finance is best suited for borrowers within 45 miles of Jacksonville or North Port who need $1,000–$5,000 and prefer local, in-person lending with extended repayment terms. However, the 35.9% APR is higher in listed context than credit unions and payday alternative lenders (typically capped at 36% APR nationally); borrowers should compare options with NCUs, CDFIs, and mainstream lenders before accepting this rate.
Evergreen Home Loans is a mortgage lender operating in Las Vegas offering home purchase and refinance loans with a focus on fast closing and listed service.
Google rating from 404 reviews
Profile signals: Las Vegas-area homebuyers seeking fast mortgage closing timelines, Borrowers in competitive real estate markets who want to strengthen purchase offers
Review this provider profile and compare source-linked details before choosing what to do next.
Google rating from 10 reviews
Profile signals: Consumers in New York, New York looking for personal lending services, People who prefer working with a local personal lending provider
Review this provider profile and compare source-linked details before choosing what to do next.
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Read guide →New to credit and lending? Here are the key terms used on this page, explained in plain language with real-number examples.
The total yearly cost of borrowing money, including the interest rate plus any fees the lender charges. Think of it as the 'true price tag' on a loan.
Lenders are required to show APR by law (Truth in Lending Act) because the interest rate alone can hide fees. Comparing APR across lenders is the most reliable way to find the lower-cost loan.
Example
You borrow $10,000 at 6% interest for 3 years, but there's a $300 origination fee. The interest rate is 6%, but the APR is 6.9% because it includes that fee. You'd pay $304/month and $946 total in interest.
Interest calculated on both the original amount borrowed AND the interest that's already been added. It's 'interest on interest' — and it makes debt grow faster than you'd expect.
Credit cards and many loans use compound interest. If you only make minimum payments, compound interest is why a $3,000 balance can take 15 years to pay off.
Example
You owe $1,000 at 20% annual interest compounded monthly. After month 1 you owe $1,016.67. Month 2, interest is charged on $1,016.67 (not $1,000), so you owe $1,033.61. After 1 year without payments: $1,219.
A special APR calculation used for military servicemembers that includes ALL costs — fees, insurance, and add-ons — capped at 36% by federal law.
The Military Lending Act protects active-duty servicemembers and their families from high-cost lending. Any lender charging above 36% MAPR to military is breaking federal law.
Example
A payday lender charges a $15 fee per $100 borrowed for 2 weeks. For civilians, that's technically legal in some states. For military: that works out to 391% MAPR — illegal under the MLA.
The maximum interest rate a lender can legally charge in a particular state. Charging above this rate is called 'usury' and is illegal.
Usury laws are your main legal protection against predatory interest rates. But beware: some states have weak or no usury caps, and federal banks can sometimes override state limits.
Example
New York caps interest at 16% for most consumer loans (25% is criminal usury). If a lender tries to charge you 30% in NY, that loan is unenforceable — you could fight it in court.
An asset you pledge to the lender as security for a loan. If you stop paying, the lender can seize and sell that asset to recover their money.
Secured loans (with collateral) have lower interest rates because the lender has less risk. But you could lose your home, car, or savings if you default.
Example
A mortgage uses your house as collateral. A car loan uses your vehicle. A title loan uses your car title. If you miss payments, the lender can foreclose or repossess.
A charge added to your account when you miss a payment deadline. Most credit cards charge $29-$41 per late payment, and many loans have similar penalties.
The fee itself hurts, but the real damage is to your credit score. A payment 30+ days late stays on your credit report for 7 years and can drop your score 60-110 points.
Example
Your credit card payment of $150 is due March 1. You pay on March 18. The bank charges a $39 late fee. If it's 30+ days late, it gets reported to credit bureaus and your 760 score drops to 670.
A fee your bank charges when a payment bounces because there isn't enough money in your account. Also called a 'bounced check fee' or 'returned payment fee.'
NSF fees hit you twice — your bank charges you AND the company you were trying to pay may charge their own returned payment fee. That's $50-70 for one missed payment.
Example
Your auto-pay tries to pull $350 for rent, but you only have $280 in checking. Your bank charges $35 NSF fee. Your landlord charges $25 returned payment fee. Total damage: $60 in fees.
The practice of charging interest rates higher than what the law allows. Usury laws set state-specific caps on how much lenders can charge.
If a lender charges usurious rates, the loan may be void, penalties can be reduced, or you may be entitled to damages. Know your state's limits.
Example
Your state caps consumer loans at 24% APR. An online lender charges you 36%. That loan may be unenforceable, and you may only be required to repay the principal — no interest or fees.
Using your credit card to get cash from an ATM or bank. It's one of the most expensive ways to borrow — higher interest rate, immediate interest accrual (no grace period), and an upfront fee.
Cash advances are a repeat-borrowing risk: 25-30% APR with no grace period plus a 3-5% fee. Interest starts the second you withdraw, not at the end of the billing cycle.
Example
You take a $500 cash advance. Fee: $25 (5%). Interest: 28% APR starting immediately. After 30 days, you owe $536.67. After 6 months of minimum payments, you've paid $85 in interest on $500.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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