Applying for a loan online or offline
If you have less than perfect credit, the chances of getting a loan at a competitive interest rate are greatly reduced. The borrower has to decide whether to apply online or visit a branch and whether this would affect his or her chances of getting a loan.
For most large financial institutions the decision to lend money is based on the the credit report and credit score. So if there is a credit crunch, a low credit score will almost always disqualify you from getting a loan. In such cases, it is better to improve the credit score and then apply for a loan.
However, applying for a loan at a small credit union may have better results. If there is a valid reason for the poor credit score, they may be able to offer a loan if they are convinced that it will be repaid well in time.