Personal financing in Horry County.
County-by-county financing guides. No paperwork. No social. No ID.
1 institutions are headquartered inside the Horry County line, and 1 more keep a branch here. Below, we say which is which.
Not this lane? Business FinancingHome Financing
The doors in Horry County.
The CDFIs, credit unions, and microlenders that actually say yes — county by county, in two languages. We are not a lender. Nobody paid to be listed. And where a county has no good doors, we say so.
- 2
- DOORS HERE
- 1
- BASED HERE
- 36
- SC COUNTIES WITH DOORS
- Lane
- Personal Financing
- People
- 351Kresidents of Horry County
- Elsewhere in SC
- Greenville County →17 doors — the biggest list of any other county in South Carolina
- State
- South Carolina →36 of 46 counties hold a door in this lane
- Carolina Trust Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
Based elsewhere, with a member-facing office inside the Horry County line. You can walk in.
- South Carolina Credit UnionPersonal · Home · Business capital
- Optus BankPersonal · Business capital
- Security Federal BankPersonal · Business capital
- Ascendus Inc.SBA microlenderCommunity lending · Business capital
- CommunityWorksSBA microlenderCommunity lending · Business capital
- Security Federal CorporationCommunity lending
- CLIMBFundBusiness capital
- Small Business Assistance Corporation (Servicing Southeast GA, and Lowcountry SC)Business capital
- Mission Asset FundAccepts ITIN
Zero-interest lending circles and credit building. SSN or ITIN accepted. Works through nonprofit partners across the country.
Personal - Accion Opportunity FundAccepts ITIN
Nonprofit small-business lender. Accepts ITIN in place of SSN. Serves most states, in English and Spanish.
Business capital - Grameen AmericaAccepts ITIN
Microloans for women entrepreneurs. Requires photo ID and proof of address — no SSN requirement. Branches in major metro areas.
Business capital
How to read this list.
We do not ask for your name, your email, or your number. Nothing on this page changes based on who you are.
A door is headquartered here when its head office sits inside the county line. The rest are based elsewhere and keep a branch you can walk into. We list both, and we label which is which.
Every institution on this page comes from public federal data — the CDFI Fund certified list (Aug 2026), NCUA credit union data (Mar 2026), and the SBA microloan intermediary list (Sep 2026) — plus a short national tier we verified by hand. We refresh each list as its agency publishes. No listing is paid.
This guide helps solo contractors, small real-estate investors, and everyday residents of Horry County, South Carolina find honest, affordable personal financing. It focuses on local credit unions, community development lenders, and ITIN-friendly institutions that actually serve the Grand Strand area. Federal programs are mentioned for context, but local intermediaries are the starting point. Take your time — good financing decisions are never rushed.
It's a process, not a rejection.
Personal financing covers any loan, line of credit, or financial arrangement made in your name as an individual — not as a business. This includes personal loans for home repairs, vehicles, debt consolidation, education costs, or emergency expenses.
Horry County is one of the fastest-growing counties in South Carolina. The Grand Strand economy runs on hospitality, construction, and real estate — which means many residents work seasonally, as self-employed contractors, or in gig-style arrangements. Traditional banks often struggle to evaluate income that looks irregular on paper, even when it is steady in practice.
That is why the local intermediary layer matters so much here. Community lenders, credit unions, and CDFIs (Community Development Financial Institutions) are built to work with people whose income does not fit a standard W-2 mold. They understand the Myrtle Beach seasonal economy, the Conways small-business landscape, and the challenges facing immigrants and workers throughout the county.
Forget what the banks say.
Qualification standards vary widely by lender, but here is what matters most in Horry County's local context:
Income type: Seasonal hospitality workers, construction subcontractors, and gig workers can qualify — especially at credit unions and CDFIs — if they can show consistent deposits over 12–24 months, even without pay stubs.
Credit score: Many local lenders will work with scores in the 580–640 range. Some CDFIs and ITIN-friendly lenders have no minimum credit score requirement at all, relying instead on payment history and cash flow.
Immigration status: You do not need a Social Security Number to apply for personal financing at many local institutions. ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number) holders are welcome at several lenders and credit unions in the area.
Residency: Most lenders simply require proof that you live or work in Horry County or the surrounding Pee Dee/Grand Strand region.
Self-employment: Solo contractors and small landlords often qualify using bank statements, 1099 forms, or a simple profit-and-loss statement instead of traditional pay stubs.
If a lender tells you that you can never qualify because your income is seasonal or because you are self-employed — get a second opinion from a CDFI or credit union before walking away.
Get your papers in order.
Every lender is different, but gathering these documents before you apply will save you time and stress:
Identity:
- Government-issued photo ID (driver's license, state ID, passport, or consular ID card / matrícula consular)
- ITIN letter (if you do not have a Social Security Number) or SSN
Proof of address:
- Recent utility bill, lease agreement, or bank statement showing your Horry County address
Income verification (choose what applies to you):
- Last 2–3 months of pay stubs (if employed)
- Last 12–24 months of bank statements (for self-employed or seasonal workers)
- Most recent 1–2 years of federal tax returns or 1099 forms
- A simple profit-and-loss statement (your CDFI or credit union can help you prepare one)
For ITIN applicants:
- ITIN assignment letter from the IRS
- At least one year of filed tax returns (recommended)
Other items that may help:
- Proof of any additional income (rental income, child support, Social Security)
- References from employers or long-term clients (some community lenders accept these)
Tip: Bring originals and copies. Most lenders will make copies for you, but having them ready speeds everything up.
The doors worth knowing.
These are real institutions with a presence in or near Horry County.
ALL 2 DOORS, BY NAME AND BY TOWN- 2
- DOORS HERE
- 53
- ACROSS SC
Based in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. A credit union — owned by its members rather than by shareholders, which is exactly what changes the conversation after a bank has said no.
BEST FORA personal loan, or building a credit file from nothing, and buying, repairing or refinancing a home.Based in North Charlesto, South Carolina. A member-owned credit union, which means the people deciding on your file answer to depositors in the same towns you work in.
BEST FORBuying, repairing or refinancing a home, and working capital, equipment and payroll for a small business.
Don't fall into these traps.
The Grand Strand's fast growth attracts not just good lenders but also opportunistic ones. Here are the warning signs to watch for:
Any lender who says "this offer expires today" or "you must sign now" is using a pressure tactic. Legitimate lenders give you time to read and think. Walk away.
No reputable lender charges you a fee before your loan is approved and funded. If someone asks for a wire transfer, prepaid debit card, or cash payment to "secure your loan," it is a scam.
Be suspicious of both extremes. A legitimate personal loan in South Carolina for a borrower with fair credit typically carries an APR between 10% and 36%. Anything dramatically higher is predatory; anything that seems impossibly low for your credit profile deserves extra scrutiny.
Some lenders encourage you to refinance or "roll over" a loan before you finish paying it, adding fees each time. This traps you in a cycle of debt. Ask specifically: "Will you ever encourage me to refinance this loan before I pay it off?"
Many online lenders targeting South Carolina residents operate without a state license. Check whether a lender is licensed through the SC Department of Consumer Affairs before applying.
Predatory lenders sometimes specifically target hospitality workers, Spanish speakers, and construction contractors who may feel they have fewer options. You have more options than they want you to believe — start with a credit union or CDFI.
You can dispute credit errors yourself for free. Companies that charge $50–$200/month to "fix" your credit are rarely worth the cost.
Call the SC Department of Consumer Affairs or visit a local CDFI before proceeding.
The rules where you are.
Understanding South Carolina's consumer lending laws helps you know your rights before you sign anything.
South Carolina has relatively limited caps on consumer loan interest rates compared to some other states. This means predatory lenders — including payday lenders and some online installment lenders — can legally charge very high rates. Always compare the APR (Annual Percentage Rate), not just the monthly payment.
South Carolina permits payday lending under the South Carolina Deferred Presentment Services Act. Payday loans are capped at $550 per loan, but rates can exceed 390% APR. Avoid these if at all possible — credit unions and CDFIs offer far better alternatives (see Section 4).
The **South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs (SCDCA)** regulates consumer lenders in the state and handles complaints. If you feel a lender treated you unfairly or misled you: Website: consumer.sc.gov | Phone: 1-800-922-1594
South Carolina permits vehicle title lending, which can put your car at serious risk. These are high-cost products and should be avoided for everyday financing needs.
Under South Carolina law, you are entitled to a written loan agreement before funds are disbursed. Never accept a verbal-only arrangement.
South Carolina follows federal Fair Credit Reporting Act rules. You can dispute errors on your credit report for free through AnnualCreditReport.com — check your report before applying anywhere.
The short version.
- 01
Here is the short version of everything in this guide:
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1. Start local. Before applying anywhere online, call or visit Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union in Myrtle Beach, Conway National Bank, or Self-Help Credit Union. These institutions know Horry County and are more likely to work with your real financial situation — seasonal income, self-employment, or ITIN status included.
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2. Gather your documents first. You will need ID, proof of address, and 12–24 months of income history in whatever form you have it — bank statements, 1099s, or tax returns all work.
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3. If you have an ITIN, you still have options. Self-Help Credit Union and Latino Community Credit Union both welcome ITIN holders. You do not need a Social Security Number to access fair financing.
Same county, another question.
Business FinancingLoans, lines of credit, and capital for small businesses and contractorsSEE IT IN HORRY COUNTY →
Home FinancingPurchase, renovation, HELOC, and bridge loans for homeowners and investorsSEE IT IN HORRY COUNTY →36SC COUNTIES WITH DOORSThe whole stateEvery county in South Carolina, in this same lane.53 institutions fund personal borrowing inside South Carolina county lines.OPEN THE STATE →Still don't see your situation?
Ask Iris. She'll explain it the way it should have been explained the first time.