Loans You Can Get on a Prepaid Debit Card
| Can a loan go on a prepaid card? | Some lenders accept reloadable prepaid accounts |
|---|---|
| The card must | Be registered in your name and accept direct deposit |
| What you'll need | The card account's routing and account numbers |
| Gift cards? | No; non-reloadable gift cards can't receive loans |
| Amounts via our network | $100–$5,000, by state and lender |
| Cost to use our form | Free, no obligation |
How prepaid card loans work
There's no special "prepaid card loan." It's a regular payday or installment loan that the lender deposits to your prepaid card account instead of a checking account. Many reloadable cards come with an account number and routing number for direct deposit. A lender can use those numbers to send your funds over the ACH network, the same way an employer sends a paycheck.
Each lender sets its own policy on prepaid accounts, and some fund only checking accounts. Our form reaches multiple lenders in our network that serve your state, so you aren't limited to one lender's rules. See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes.
Repayment usually works the same way in reverse: on your due date, the lender collects the payment from the same card account, so plan to have the amount loaded that morning. If your pay arrives by direct deposit to the card, setting your due date for the day your money lands keeps things simple.
Which prepaid cards work
A card stands the best chance when it has all of the following:
- Reloadable, not a one-time gift card.
- Registered and verified in your name. The name should match your ID and the name on our form.
- Routing and account numbers shown in the card's app or online account.
- Regular direct deposits of pay or benefits, so a lender can see your income.
Popular reloadable options include Netspend. If your account is with a banking app rather than a prepaid card, see Chime, Varo or Current.
Cards that won't work
- Gift cards and store cards: they can't receive ACH deposits.
- Cards in someone else's name: lenders send funds only to an account in the borrower's name.
- Unregistered cards that haven't completed identity verification.
- Some benefit-only cards: cards set up only to deliver government benefits may not accept deposits from other sources. Check your card's terms.
What lenders check
Lenders care more about your income than the type of account. They typically review:
- Recurring deposits from an employer, gig platform or benefits agency.
- How long the account has been receiving deposits.
- Balance pattern between paydays.
- Identity match between the account, your ID and your application.
Many lenders in our network consider all credit types and focus on income. Some may use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull. Keep a recent statement downloaded from your card's app in case a lender asks for it. See the full list in payday loan requirements.
Improve your chances with a prepaid card
- Move your paycheck or benefits to direct deposit on the card, if you haven't already.
- Request a modest amount for your first loan.
- Keep pay stubs or a benefits letter handy to back up your income.
- Double-check the routing and account numbers before you submit.
- If a lender won't fund a prepaid account, a basic checking account opens the most doors. See loans with no bank account.
Also know the card's own fees for ATM withdrawals or reloads, so more of your loan goes where you need it. Your card's fee schedule is in its app or cardholder agreement.
A quick word on scams
A legitimate lender never asks you to buy a prepaid or gift card, load it and share the number, or pay a fee before your loan is funded. Fees, if any, are part of the loan and shown in your disclosure before you sign. More warning signs: payday loan scams.
What a payday loan costs
Payday lenders charge a flat fee per $100, set within your state's limit, commonly $10 to $30 per $100. At a sample $15 per $100:
- $200 loan: $30 fee, repay $230
- $300 loan: $45 fee, repay $345
- $500 loan: $75 fee, repay $575
Your lender shows the exact APR and terms before you sign. Try other amounts with the payday loan calculator. Need more time to repay? An installment loan spreads the cost across several payments.
Apply using your prepaid card account
- Fill out the form. Enter the amount, your contact details, income and bank information. It takes about 3 minutes.
- Get matched. We send your request to lenders in our network that serve your state.
- Review your offer. If a lender approves you, you see the amount, APR, payment schedule and total to repay before you sign.
- Get your money. Accept, e-sign, and funds are often deposited the next business day.
Zebra Finance is a free loan-matching service, not a lender. Whether you get an offer, and for how much, is up to the lender and your state's rules. You are never obligated to accept.
Related: debit card loans and online payday loans. Ready? Request your loan.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a loan on a prepaid debit card?
Yes, at some lenders. A reloadable prepaid card registered in your name, with routing and account numbers and regular direct deposits, can receive a loan by ACH. Many lenders prefer checking accounts, so acceptance varies. Our form reaches multiple lenders in our network, giving you more chances to be matched.
What prepaid cards do lenders accept?
Lenders that accept prepaid accounts usually want a reloadable card in your name that has routing and account numbers and receives your pay or benefits by direct deposit. Gift cards and cards in someone else's name don't work. Netspend is one example of a reloadable prepaid card with direct deposit.
How fast can a loan be put on my prepaid card?
Our form takes about 3 minutes, many lenders decide within minutes, and approved funds are often deposited the next business day. ACH deposits don't post on weekends or federal holidays, so applying early on a weekday is the quickest way to get your money.
Can I get a loan on a prepaid card with bad credit?
Possibly. Many lenders in our network consider all credit types and focus on steady income rather than your score alone. Some may use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull. Regular direct deposits to your prepaid card help show the income lenders look for.
Why do some lenders not accept prepaid cards?
Each lender sets its own policy. Some fund only checking accounts, some can't verify certain prepaid accounts automatically, and a card without regular direct deposits shows little income history. Uploading a statement can help, and applying through a form that reaches several lenders improves your odds.
Do I need my card number or my account number?
Your account number and routing number. Lenders send loans by ACH, which uses the routing and account numbers shown in your card's app or online account under direct deposit. Don't enter the 16-digit card number in place of the account number.
Can I get a loan on a gift card?
No. Gift cards and most store cards can't receive ACH deposits, so a lender can't fund a loan to them. Also, a lender that asks you to buy a gift card or prepaid card and share its number is a scam; legitimate lenders never ask for that.