PhilaLoan Methodology
How we build Pennsylvania pages, local maps, institution profiles, comparisons, calculators and editorial reviews.
What the methodology is for
PhilaLoan uses a reproducible method for product explanations, comparisons, local data and programmatic pages. The goal is to make the reason behind a recommendation, warning or unresolved result visible rather than relying on a generic “best” label.
Decision-first structure
Pages define the user's decision, the inputs that can change the outcome, the evidence required for external facts, the calculation or data asset, and the failure or alternative path. A commercial CTA is not the required conclusion.
Comparison rules
Candidates are evaluated on the same amount or scenario, net proceeds, mandatory cost, payment burden, timing, provider role and evidence freshness where those fields apply. Missing data stays missing instead of receiving a favorable market average.
Programmatic quality control
Shared masters are acceptable when the consumer task is genuinely shared. Indexation can be limited until a page has enough local, amount-specific, score-specific or other useful output to justify release.
Accountability in practice
This information is tied to the operating and editorial process described on the site. Named roles, commercial relationships, review methods and security statements should match the current production configuration rather than a generic trust template.
When this page changes
Update the page when the responsible team, workflow, methodology, commercial relationship or supporting evidence changes materially. Keep the effective date and the reason for important corrections visible where they affect consumers.
Who wrote and reviewed this page
The primary author is shown separately from the editor, fact-checker and financial reviewer so each responsibility is explicit.
Lorraine RoberteLead Writer — Loans & Consumer FinanceIntent, clarity, disclosures and editorial consistencyFact-checked by
Timothy Moore, CFEI®Fact-Checker & Financial Education ReviewFacts, dates, source fit and factual consistencyAffordability reviewed by
Laura Gariepy, MBAConsumer Finance ReviewerRates, costs, repayment examples and affordability contextDecision details that can change the answer
Open only the topics that apply to your situation. Each module focuses on a different cost, timing, income, repayment, eligibility or provider question.
Related decisionComparing Loan Products and Providers: A Reproducible MethodologyExplore
How can options be compared so another reviewer can reproduce the result?
- Same Amount.
- Same Term/Horizon.
- Net Proceeds.
- Mandatory Cost.
- Payment Burden.
- Timing.
- Same Amount
A fair comparison defines the candidate set, required fields, missing-data treatment, timing, cost normalization and commercial-disclosure rules before naming a preferred option.
Start with **Same Amount** and **Same Term/Horizon** because they define the opening scenario. Keep them independent: knowing one does not prove the other.
Related decisionPhilaLoan MethodologyExplore
Understand how PhilaLoan turns source-backed business, provider, product, state, and user-decision data into pages, tools, comparisons, and updates.
PhilaLoan uses a reproducible method for product explanations, comparisons, local data and programmatic pages. The goal is to make the reason behind a recommendation, warning or unresolved result visible rather than relying on a generic “best” label.
Pages define the user's decision, the inputs that can change the outcome, the evidence required for external facts, the calculation or data asset, and the failure or alternative path. A commercial CTA is not the required conclusion.
Related decisionData and Sources MethodologyExplore
Understand how PhilaLoan selects sources, records provenance, resolves conflicting evidence, refreshes volatile facts, and distinguishes fact from hypothesis.
Pennsylvania statutes/regulator records, federal regulator or agency material and official provider disclosures are preferred for decision-critical facts. Secondary explainers or reviews may provide context but do not replace a primary record for legal status, license, price or provider identity.
A source is useful only for the scope it actually supports. A state entity record can establish an organization fact; a provider disclosure can establish a product term; a federal consumer guide can explain a general credit concept. PhilaLoan keeps those scopes separate.