Loans in Kern County, CA: payday, personal & title options
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Kern County, CA.
The median household in Kern County earns $70,210 a year, 29% below the California median of $99,122. About 19% of residents live below the federal poverty line, and 39.9% of households rent their home.
What you need for a payday loan in Kern County
Here's what to have on hand before you start your payday loan request in Kern County:
- Be 18 or older (19 in some states) and a US resident
- A government-issued photo ID
- A steady source of income — a job, benefits or self-employment
- An active checking account in your name for the deposit
- A working phone number and email address
Popular loan amounts in Kern County
What Kern County borrowers use it for
cover a short gap before payday
Holiday expensesgifts and travel without maxing a card
Need money nowthe fastest options online
Emergencieshandle the unexpected the same week
Loans for your situation
Which loans are available in Kern County
Payday Loans Legal
Payday loans are legal in California under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law (CDDTL), from lenders licensed by the DFPI.
Personal Loans
Under $2,500: tiered 12%-30%/yr.
Title Loans Legal
Car-title loans are legal in California as California Financing Law (CFL) loans.
Banks and credit unions in Kern County
Banks with branches in Kern County
69 FDIC-insured bank branches from 15 banks. Many banks offer small-dollar loans or overdraft lines to existing customers.
| Bank | Branches | Example location |
|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo Bank, National Association | 10 | 920 11th Ave, Delano 93215 |
| JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association | 10 | 1515 17th St, Bakersfield 93301 |
| Bank of America, National Association | 9 | 500 Bear Mountain Blvd, Arvin 93203 |
| Bank of the Sierra | 7 | 224 W F St, Tehachapi 93561 |
| U.S. Bank National Association | 7 | 1049 7th St, Wasco 93280 |
| Citizens Business Bank, National Association | 4 | 1230 17th St, Bakersfield 93301 |
| Mechanics Bank | 4 | 3990 Gosford Rd, Bakersfield 93309 |
| Tri Counties Bank | 4 | 5000 California Ave, Bakersfield 93309 |
| Westamerica Bank | 3 | 2130 Chester Ave, Bakersfield 93301 |
| Mission Bank | 3 | 1301 17th St, Bakersfield 93301 |
Source: FDIC BankFind Suite, retrieved Oct 2026.
Credit unions in Kern County
53 credit-union locations from 15 credit unions.
| Credit union | Location |
|---|---|
| Oceanair | 1002 W Tehachapi Blvd, Tehachapi 93561 |
| Strata | 1717 Truxtun Ave, Bakersfield 93301 |
| Edwards | 10 S Muroc Dr, Edwards 93524 |
| Desert Valleys | 100 E Ward Ave, Ridgecrest 93555 |
| Navy Federal Credit Union | 234 Balsam St, Ridgecrest 93555 |
| The Golden 1 | 4106 California Ave Ste 1, Bakersfield 93309 |
| Valley Strong | 11500 Bolthouse Dr, Bakersfield 93311 |
| Self-Help | 2100 H St, Bakersfield 93301 |
| Chevron | 5060 California Ave Ste 190, Bakersfield 93309 |
| Safe 1 | 1400 Mill Rock Way, Bakersfield 93311 |
| Firefighters First | 7900 Downing Ave, Bakersfield 93308 |
| Altaone | 701 S China Lake Blvd, Ridgecrest 93555 |
Source: NCUA credit union branch data, June 30, 2026.
Cities in Kern County
All California counties and cities
Frequently asked questions
Are payday loans legal in Kern County?
Kern County follows California law. Payday loans are legal in California under the California Deferred Deposit Transaction Law (CDDTL), from lenders licensed by the DFPI.
Are title loans legal in Kern County?
Car-title loans are legal in California as California Financing Law (CFL) loans.
Where can I get a small loan in Kern County?
Options include 69 bank and 53 credit-union locations in the county, licensed installment lenders, and online lenders you can reach through our short form in about 3 minutes.
How do I get a loan in Kern County?
Fill out our short online form from anywhere in Kern County. We share it with lenders in our network that serve California; if one approves you, you review the terms and the money is deposited to your bank account, often the next business day.
Where can I get a loan in Kern County, CA?
You can apply at banks, credit unions and lenders in Kern County, or apply online from anywhere in the county. Online requests are often the quickest way to reach several lenders at once. Our free form sends a single request to lenders in our network that serve California residents, and many give a decision within minutes. It takes about 3 minutes to see if you qualify.
Can I get an emergency loan in Kern County?
Yes. When an unexpected bill comes up, Kern County residents can request an emergency loan online at any time of day. Our 3-minute form reaches multiple lenders in our network, many decide within minutes, and approved funds are often deposited by the next business day. All credit types are considered, and there's no cost or obligation to see your options.
Can I get a loan in Kern County with bad credit?
Yes, many lenders in our network work with Kern County residents who have fair, poor or limited credit. They look at your income and ability to repay, not just your score, and some use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull. Approval isn't guaranteed, but checking is free and takes about 3 minutes. Loan amounts range from $100 to $5,000.
Can I get a loan in Kern County on the weekend?
You can submit our online form any day, including weekends and holidays, and some lenders review requests right away. Deposits depend on banking days, so funds requested on a Saturday or Sunday typically arrive the next business day. Submitting early helps you get the first available deposit. Kern County residents can start any time, and it takes about 3 minutes.