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What to know first: Debt consolidation loans allow borrowers to combine several high-interest debt into a new loan. The best ones offer low rates, flexible repayment terms and quick funding turn times, ideally with a lower interest rate. These loans typically have interest rates that range from around 7 percent to 36 percent, but the rate you qualify for depends on your credit history, annual income and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

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LightStream: Best for high-dollar debt consolidation loans and long repayment terms

4.5
Est. APR
6.94- 25.29%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs*
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
695

PERSONAL LOANS

Upstart: Best for small bad credit loans

4.7
Est. APR
7.40- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
300

PERSONAL LOANS

Achieve: BEST FOR MULTIPLE DISCOUNTS

4.5
Est. APR
8.99- 29.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $50K
Min credit score
620

LendingClub: Best for small bad credit loans with a co-borrower

4.7
Est. APR
8.91- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $40K
Min credit score
600

PERSONAL LOANS

Happy Money: Best for specialized credit card debt program

4.2
Est. APR
8.95- 17.48%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $40K
Min credit score
640

PERSONAL LOANS

Best Egg: Best for lowest rates on small loans

4.6
Est. APR
6.99- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
600

PERSONAL LOANS

Citi® Personal Loan: Best for quick payoff term

4.6
Est. APR
11.49- 20.49%
Loan term
1-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $30K
Min credit score
Not disclosed

Upgrade: Bankrate 2025 Award Winner For Borrowers With Bad Credit

4.6
Est. APR
9.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
580

PERSONAL LOANS

Avant: BEST FOR PEOPLE WITH BAD CREDIT

4.5
Est. APR
9.95- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $35K
Min credit score
550

Discover: BEST FOR GOOD CREDIT AND NEXT-DAY FUNDING

4.8
Est. APR
7.99- 24.99%
Loan term
3-7 yrs
Loan amount
$2.5k- $40K
Min credit score
660

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Breaking interest rate news

The Federal Reserve held interest rates steady in January. The current target rate is a full percentage point lower than its peak in 2023, but it's still far higher than the historic norm. Plus, observers predict the Fed is only likely to cut rates twice for the rest of 2025. If you want to consolidate debt, rates are unlikely to drop rapidly any time soon. We recommend working to improve your credit score if you want a better rate because waiting on the market might not pay off. To learn more, check out Bankrate’s latest news on what's happening with the Fed.

LightStream
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
6.94%–25.29%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
695

Upstart
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
7.40%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
300

Achieve
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $50k
Min credit score
620

LendingClub
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
8.91%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $40k
Min credit score
600

Happy Money
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2
Est. APR
8.95%–17.48%
Loan amount
$5k– $40k
Min credit score
640

Best Egg
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Min credit score
600

Citi® Personal Loan
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
11.49%–20.49%
Loan amount
$2k– $30k
Min credit score
Not specified

Upgrade
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
9.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
580

Avant
Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $35k
Min credit score
550

Discover
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Est. APR
7.99%–24.99%
Loan amount
$2.5k– $40k
Min credit score
660
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The author's expert insights: When is the best time to get a debt consolidation loan?

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Interest rates are fixed and usually lower than credit cards and payday loans.
  • You’ll only have one monthly payment to track instead of several.
  • No collateral is typically required — your car and home are safe.
  • Funding may be available in as little as one business day.
  • Credit scores could improve after credit cards are paid off.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • No minimum payment flexibility like you have with credit cards.
  • Rates may be higher for borrowers with bad credit.
  • Funds can’t be reused as they’re paid off like credit cards.
  • Origination fees may be as high as 12 percent.
  • May become a stopgap for poor spending habits if you keep reusing credit cards.

Financial wellness health check

A debt consolidation loan can help get you on track to a healthier wallet. One way they can do so is by helping repair low credit scores caused by taking on too much credit card debt. The key to keeping your score high after a debt consolidation loan is to plan your spending ahead of time. Budgeting is money meal planning, and the more you do it, the sooner you’ll build a financially well future.
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Personal Loan Interest Rate Forecast For 2025

While personal loan rates are lower than credit card rates in 2025, especially for good-credit borrowers, Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst Greg McBride acknowledges that the former can be tougher on peoples' budgets.

Arrow Right Icon
Credit score Average loan interest rate
720-850 10.73%-12.50%
690-719 13.50%-15.50%
630-689 17.80%-19.90%
300-629 28.50%-32.00%
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Bankrate tip

Ask the experts: Is a personal loan better than a balance transfer credit card for debt consolidation?


Nationally recognized student financial aid expert

The interest rate on a personal loan may be lower than on a balance transfer credit card. However, balance transfer credit cards may offer a teaser rate, even a 0% interest rate, that is good for a few months. When the introductory interest rate expires, you have to pay a much higher interest rate. Balance transfer credit cards may offer more flexible payments, so long as you pay at least the minimum payment, which may be higher than on a personal loan. But, check whether the personal loan allows prepayment without penalty.

Senior writer, Loans

The main debt consolidation advantage of a personal loan versus a balance transfer credit card is that it replaces revolving debt with installment debt with a definite payoff date. Consumer credit card use hit an all time high in 2023, and personal loans offer a way to combine those debts into one payment. And the Fed’s second rate cut of the year this past November may make personal loans even more affordable in 2025. Balance transfer cards are a good choice for borrowers who are very disciplined with their credit use, and can take advantage of teaser rates as low as 0 percent. However, once the introductory period is over, the transfer credit card rate can rise.

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