Aura Financial
Aura Financial is a CDFI-certified San Francisco-based lender offering personal loans ($300–$13,700) and the Set & Save automated savings product to non-prime borrowers across multiple U.S. states, with Pathward, N.A. as originating lender.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersSan Francisco, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Aura Financial does
Aura Financial is a San Francisco-based financial services company founded in 2012 that provides small-dollar credit and savings products to non-prime and underbanked consumers across the United States. The company offers unsecured personal loans ranging from $300 to $6,000 and secured personal loans ranging from $3,700 to $13,700, with a stated interest rate cap of 35.99% APR. Pathward, N.A. serves as the originating lender in most operating states, enabling Aura to extend credit under a partner-bank model while maintaining direct customer relationships. The company has expanded beyond lending to offer Set & Save, an automated savings product that uses algorithmic analysis of spending patterns to facilitate recurring transfers.
The business model is interest-income driven, with revenue generated through the spread between loan yields and cost of funds on its portfolio of small-dollar installment loans. Aura distributes through a hybrid model that combines digital channels with physical retail locations, targeting credit-invisible consumers who lack access to traditional banking products. The company holds Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) certification and maintains an A+ BBB rating, which together support its positioning in the responsible subprime lending segment. Underlying technology includes proprietary alternative credit assessment systems used for underwriting, supported by a dedicated risk modeling function.
Aura has accumulated more than $574.7 million in funding across multiple rounds from 2013 through 2020, with major investors including Varadero Capital, Angel Island Capital, Prudential Financial, and Bridge Bank. The company's customer base spans 115,000+ cumulative members, supported by 60,000+ five-star reviews and a reported 9/10 referral rate. The Aura brand has transitioned into the Oportun platform, which now carries the lending and savings products forward under a unified identity.
Aura Financial firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aura Financial
- Legal name
- Oportun, Inc.
- Website
- https://myaura.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Closed
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Aura Financial is a CDFI-certified San Francisco-based lender offering personal loans ($300–$13,700) and the Set & Save automated savings product to non-prime borrowers across multiple U.S. states, with Pathward, N.A. as originating lender.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aura Financial industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Lending
- NAICS
- Credit Intermediation and Related Activities (522)
- SIC
- Personal Credit Institutions (6141)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building) (BPAGALAJ)
Keywords
Where Aura Financial is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- San Francisco
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Aura Financial business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Personal Loan Interest: Oportun generates revenue primarily through interest charged on personal loans. Loans range from $300 to $6,000 for unsecured and up to $13,700 for secured loans, with APRs capped at 35.99%. An administrative fee of up to 10% of the principal amount is charged.
- Secured Personal Loans: Secured personal loans with higher amounts ($3,700 to $13,700) offered to qualifying customers, generating interest revenue with lower APRs for qualified borrowers.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Personal Loans - $300 to $6,000 |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Secured Personal Loans - $3,700 to $13,700 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
Aura Financial product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Aura Financial was a financial services company that provided affordable, credit-building installment loans to working families, including those with limited credit history or past credit challenges. The company ceased operations, with Oportun now serving as the successor offering the same personal loan products Aura previously provided, plus additional secured lending and savings services. Aura operated as a CDFI-certified mission-driven lender positioned as an alternative to payday and non-bank lenders.
Product overview
Oportun offers a unified financial services platform primarily focused on personal lending and savings products. The core offerings include unsecured personal loans ($300-$6,000), secured personal loans ($3,700-$13,700), and the Set & Save intelligent savings feature. Aura was a predecessor product that has been discontinued, with Oportun now serving as the consolidated brand offering these same lending products plus enhanced savings capabilities. The company positions itself as an affordable alternative to non-bank lenders, emphasizing fast funding and inclusive lending practices that consider applicants beyond just credit scores.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Personal Loans Unsecured credit-building personal installment loans for working families and individuals with limited or challenged credit history. Loan amounts range from $300 to $6,000 with APR capped at 35.99%, repayment terms of 12-48 months, fixed affordable payments, no pre-payment penalties, and an administrative fee of up to 10% of principal. Prequalification is available without affecting the borrower's credit score.
- Secured Personal Loans Secured personal loans with amounts from $3,700 to $13,700 available in select states, offering lower APRs to qualifying applicants. Features flexible repayment terms and the same fixed-payment, no-penalty structure as the unsecured product.
Quantifiable outcome
- 115,000 saved in interest and fees by Oportun members compared to alternative lending products
Companies that use Aura Financial
Customer profileSegments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Aura Financial technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Aura Financial partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- Pathward, N.A.corePathward, N.A. serves as the originating lender for personal loans in the majority of U.S. states (AL, AK, AR, AZ, CA, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NV, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, and WY). Oportun and Pathward work together on loan inquiries and origination.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aura Financial competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Customer concentration
Aura Financial social profiles
Digital presenceAura Financial compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Aura Financial financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aura Financial leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Aura Financial funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds13 records
Investors20 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aura Financial M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aura Financial
What does Aura Financial do?
Aura Financial was a financial services company that provided affordable, credit-building installment loans to working families, including those with limited credit history or past credit challenges. The company ceased operations, with Oportun now serving as the successor offering the same personal loan products Aura previously provided, plus additional secured lending and savings services. Aura operated as a CDFI-certified mission-driven lender positioned as an alternative to payday and non-bank lenders.
Is Aura Financial a public or private company?
Aura Financial is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently closed.
When was Aura Financial founded?
Aura Financial was founded in 2012. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Aura Financial based?
Aura Financial is headquartered in San Francisco, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aura Financial make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Personal Loan Interest is the primary driver. The others are secured Personal Loans.
Does Aura Financial have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aura Financial.
What industry is Aura Financial in?
Aura Financial's product category is Consumer Lending. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAGALAJ, Financial Inclusion & Consumer Empowerment (Banking Access, Credit Building). Its NAICS code is 522 and its SIC code is 6141.