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Security Finance is a consumer installment lender with 1,000+ branch locations across the South and Southwest, offering small personal loans to credit-challenged borrowers since 1955.
Data compiled from public sources
Security Finance Corporation was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Over seven decades it has grown into one of the largest consumer installment loan companies in the United States, operating more than 1,000 branch locations across approximately 16 states, concentrated in the Southeast, Southwest, and parts of the Midwest. The company focuses exclusively on the consumer finance segment, serving working-class and credit-challenged borrowers who are typically underserved by traditional banks and credit unions.
Security Finance offers personal installment loans ranging from roughly $200 to $5,000 or more depending on state regulations and individual creditworthiness. Loans carry fixed monthly payments over a set term, which can range from several months to a few years. The company operates entirely through physical branch locations — there is no fully online origination process — and loan officers work directly with applicants to structure affordable payment plans. Funds are typically disbursed the same day or next business day after approval.
What distinguishes Security Finance from online lenders is its branch-based community model. Loan officers know repeat customers by name, and the company emphasizes in-person service over algorithmic underwriting. Security Finance reports payment activity to all three major credit bureaus, meaning on-time payments can help borrowers build or repair their credit history. The company also accepts applicants with thin files or prior derogatory marks, making it accessible when mainstream lenders decline.
The honest caveat is cost. Like all consumer finance companies operating in the subprime installment loan space, Security Finance charges high APRs — often in the 36%–150%+ range depending on loan size and state — that can make borrowing expensive. Repeat borrowing cycles are a documented risk with this type of lender. Borrowers who qualify for credit union loans, CDFIs, or employer-sponsored advances should exhaust those options first. Security Finance is a legitimate last-resort installment lender with a long track record, but it is not cheap credit.
Review lender profiles, APR ranges, fees, minimum-score fields, and funding-speed notes before deciding what to do next.
Security Finance received 517 consumer complaints in the past 12 months. All complaints received a timely response from the company.
517
Complaints (12 months)
0.0%
Resolved with relief
Increasing
Complaint trend
Most Common Complaint Categories
This is state-level context for Personal Loans consumers in Independence, MO. It does not confirm that Security Finance or this specific location is licensed.
State regulator
Missouri Division of Finance
Consumer protection
Status: Permitted
Rate context: No specific cap for licensed lenders; regulated by Missouri Division of Finance
Licensed consumer lenders in Missouri face no general interest rate cap. Personal loans are governed by general lending regulations enforced by the Division of Finance.
Status: Permitted
Rate context: No general cap for licensed lenders; governed by Mo. Rev. Stat. § 367.010-367.210 (Consumer Loan Law)
Licensed installment lenders must comply with Truth in Lending Act (TILA) and other federal regulations. Missouri's Consumer Loan Law allows licensed lenders to charge reasonable rates without a statutory cap.
Source: CreditDoc state-law summary and listed public regulator resources. Verify licensing directly with the listed state regulator before relying on a provider.
Security Finance offers 10 services including Personal installment loans ($200–$5,000+ depending on state), Same-day loan funding at branch locations, Credit bureau reporting on all active loans, In-person loan origination and underwriting, Flexible loan term structuring with loan officers, and 5 more.
Security Finance has profile signals associated with Borrowers with bad or no credit who have been declined by banks and credit unions, Consumers needing $500–$3,000 quickly with a structured repayment plan rather than a lump-sum payback, People trying to establish a credit history through regular reported installment payments, Residents of Southern and Southwestern states who prefer in-person lender relationships.
Key strengths: In business since 1955 — one of the longest-operating consumer finance companies in the US; Reports to all three major credit bureaus, giving on-time payments real credit-building value; Accepts applicants with bad credit or thin credit files — no minimum FICO score requirement. Areas to consider: High APRs typical of subprime installment lenders — costs far exceed credit unions or banks; No fully online application — requires an in-person branch visit, which limits accessibility.
In the Personal Loans category, comparable providers include KC Investor Funding - Hard Money Lenders of Kansas City, Loan for Any Purpose, OneMain Financial. Each company has different strengths, so compare services, pricing, and consumer complaint records before deciding what to do next.
CreditDoc Profile Note
Security Finance is profile signals for credit-challenged borrowers in its operating states who need a few hundred to a few thousand dollars and want a predictable monthly installment rather than a lump-sum payday repayment. The main caveat is cost — APRs are high, and borrowers who qualify for a credit union PAL, CDFI loan, or employer advance will pay significantly less.
KC Investor Funding is a hard money and private money lender in Kansas City offering fix-and-flip, bridge, rental, and commercial real estate investment loans.
Profile signals: Real estate investors and fix-and-flip operators in Kansas City or other covered states needing fast capital, Rehabbers who need high-leverage financing (up to 100% LTC) and cannot wait for conventional bank approval
Kansas City, MO: Loan for Any Purpose at 3968 Main St unit 101 offers personal loans for any purpose.
Profile signals: Borrowers with bad or limited credit history needing quick access to $250–$5,000, Vehicle owners in Michigan or Georgia seeking a secured title loan up to $50,000
Kansas City, MO's OneMain Financial at 1154 103rd St offers personal loans and credit solutions to local residents.
Profile signals: Borrowers with fair or poor credit who need a structured installment loan, People consolidating high-interest debt into a single fixed monthly payment
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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.
An interest rate that stays the same for the entire life of the loan. Your monthly payment never changes.
Fixed rates protect you from market changes. If rates go up, your payment stays the same. The tradeoff: fixed rates are usually slightly higher than starting variable rates.
Example
You get a 30-year mortgage at 6.5% fixed. Whether rates rise to 9% or drop to 4% over the next 30 years, your payment stays at $1,264/month on a $200,000 loan.
The percentage a lender charges you for borrowing their money, calculated on the amount you still owe. It's the lender's profit for taking the risk of lending to you.
Even a 1% difference in interest rate can cost you thousands over a loan's life. Lower rates mean less money out of your pocket.
Example
On a $20,000 car loan for 5 years: at 5% you pay $2,645 in interest. At 8% you pay $4,332. That 3% difference costs you $1,687 extra.
Interest calculated only on the original amount borrowed, not on accumulated interest. It's the simpler, cheaper type of interest.
Most auto loans and some personal loans use simple interest. Paying early saves you money because interest is only on what you still owe.
Example
You borrow $5,000 at 8% simple interest for 2 years. Interest = $5,000 x 0.08 x 2 = $800 total. You repay $5,800. With compound interest, you'd owe more.
An interest rate that can go up or down over time, usually tied to a benchmark like the prime rate. Your monthly payment changes when the rate changes.
Variable rates often start lower than fixed rates to attract borrowers, but they can increase significantly. Many people who got hurt in the 2008 crisis had adjustable-rate mortgages.
Example
You start with a 5/1 ARM mortgage at 5.5%. For the first 5 years you pay $1,136/month on $200,000. Then the rate adjusts to 7.5%, and your payment jumps to $1,398/month.
The process of paying off a loan through regular payments that cover both principal and interest. Early payments are mostly interest; later payments are mostly principal.
Understanding amortization explains why paying extra early in a loan saves the most money — you're reducing the principal that interest is calculated on.
Example
Month 1 of a $200,000 mortgage at 6%: your $1,199 payment splits as $1,000 interest + $199 principal. By month 300: only $47 goes to interest and $1,152 goes to principal.
A large lump-sum payment due at the end of a loan, after a period of smaller monthly payments. The loan isn't fully paid off by the regular payments — the balloon settles it.
Balloon payments make monthly payments look affordable but create a financial cliff. If you can't pay or refinance at the end, you could lose your home or asset.
Example
A 5-year balloon mortgage on $200,000: you pay $1,054/month (as if it were a 30-year loan), but after 5 years you owe a balloon of $186,108 all at once.
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 person who agrees to repay your loan if you can't. They're equally responsible for the debt, and their credit is affected by your payment behavior.
Cosigning helps people with thin credit get approved or get better rates. But it's a huge risk for the cosigner — they're on the hook for the full amount if you default.
Example
A parent cosigns their child's $30,000 student loan. The child stops paying after 6 months. The parent is now legally required to make the payments or face collections, lawsuits, and credit damage.
When you fail to repay a loan according to the agreed terms — usually after 90-180 days of missed payments. It's the point where the lender gives up on collecting normally.
Default triggers severe consequences: credit score drops 100+ points, the debt may be sent to collections, you could be sued, and your wages or assets could be seized.
Example
You miss 4 consecutive car payments. The lender declares your loan in default, repossesses your car, sells it at auction for $8,000, and you still owe the remaining $5,000 (called a deficiency balance).
How long you have to repay the loan, measured in months or years. A shorter term means higher monthly payments but less total interest paid.
Longer terms feel more affordable monthly but cost much more overall. A 30-year mortgage costs almost double in interest compared to a 15-year mortgage on the same amount.
Example
Borrowing $200,000 at 6.5%: A 15-year term costs $1,742/month ($113,561 total interest). A 30-year term costs $1,264/month ($255,088 total interest). You save $141,527 with the shorter term.
A one-time fee the lender charges to process and set up your loan. It covers their costs for underwriting, verifying your information, and preparing paperwork.
Origination fees are usually 1-8% of the loan amount and are often deducted from your loan proceeds — so you receive less than you borrowed.
Example
You're approved for a $10,000 personal loan with a 5% origination fee. The lender deducts $500 upfront, so you receive $9,500 in your bank account but owe $10,000 plus interest.
A fee some lenders charge if you pay off your loan early. The lender loses the interest they expected to earn, so they penalize you for leaving early.
Always ask about prepayment penalties before signing. They can trap you in a high-rate loan even if you find a better deal to refinance into.
Example
Your mortgage has a 2% prepayment penalty for the first 3 years. If you refinance after year 2 on a $200,000 balance, you'd owe a $4,000 penalty fee.
The original amount of money you borrowed, before any interest or fees are added. It's the 'real' amount of your debt.
Your interest is calculated on the principal. Paying extra toward principal (not just interest) is the one route to reduce your total cost and pay off a loan early.
Example
You borrow $25,000 for a car. That $25,000 is your principal. Your first payment of $450 might split as $150 toward interest and $300 toward principal, bringing your balance to $24,700.
Replacing your current loan with a new one, usually at a lower interest rate or with different terms. The new loan pays off the old one.
Refinancing can save thousands if rates drop or your credit improves. But watch for fees — a $3,000 refinancing cost needs to be offset by monthly savings.
Example
You have a $180,000 mortgage at 7.5% ($1,259/month). You refinance to 6% ($1,079/month), saving $180/month. With $3,000 in closing costs, you break even in 17 months.
A secured loan is backed by collateral (an asset the lender can seize). An unsecured loan has no collateral — the lender relies only on your promise to repay.
Secured loans have lower rates because the lender has less risk. Unsecured loans (credit cards, personal loans) charge higher rates but you don't risk losing an asset.
Example
Auto loan (secured): 6% APR — lender can repossess your car. Personal loan (unsecured): 12% APR — no collateral, but higher rate. Same borrower, same credit score.
The process where a lender evaluates your finances — income, debts, credit history, assets — to decide whether to approve your loan and at what rate.
Understanding what underwriters look for helps you prepare a stronger application. They check your DTI ratio, employment stability, credit score, and the asset's value.
Example
You apply for a mortgage. The underwriter reviews your pay stubs (income), bank statements (savings), credit report (history), and orders an appraisal (home value). This takes 2-4 weeks.
The total cost of borrowing, including interest and all fees combined. The lender are required to disclose this number under What to Know in Lending Act.
The finance charge gives you the total dollar amount you'll pay beyond the principal. It's the clearest picture of what a loan actually costs you.
Example
You borrow $15,000 for 4 years at 8% APR with a $450 origination fee. Finance charge: $2,612 (interest) + $450 (fee) = $3,062 total. You repay $18,062 for a $15,000 loan.
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 federal law requiring lenders to clearly disclose loan terms — APR, finance charge, total payments, and payment schedule — before you sign. No hidden costs allowed.
TILA gives you the right to compare loan offers on equal terms. Lenders are required to show costs the same way, making it easier to find a lower-cost offer.
Example
Two lenders offer you a car loan. Lender A says '5.9% rate.' Lender B says '6.2% APR.' Under TILA, both are required to show APR — Lender A's true APR with fees is actually 6.8%, making Lender B cheaper.
Combining multiple debts into one single loan with one monthly payment, ideally at a lower interest rate. It simplifies repayment and can reduce total interest.
Consolidation is generally most useful when you get a lower rate than your existing debts. But it doesn't reduce what you owe — and extending the term can mean paying more total interest.
Example
You have: $5,000 at 22% (credit card), $3,000 at 18% (store card), $2,000 at 25% (payday loan). A $10,000 consolidation loan at 11% saves you ~$2,100 in interest over 3 years.
The percentage of your monthly gross income that goes toward paying debts. Lenders use it to judge whether you can afford another loan payment.
Most lenders want DTI below 36% for personal loans and below 43% for mortgages. Above that, you're considered overextended and likely to be denied.
Example
You earn $5,000/month gross. Your debts: $1,200 mortgage + $300 car + $200 student loans = $1,700/month. DTI = 34%. A new $400/month loan would push you to 42% — risky for lenders.
Want to learn more? Read our Financial Wellness Guides for in-depth explanations and practical advice.
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