Skip to Main Content

Best personal loans for excellent credit in May 2025

Updated May 20, 2025

What to know first: A credit score from 800 to 850 shows you know how to manage your credit. And an excellent credit score comes with many perks, including access to some of the best personal loan APRs available, higher loan amounts and more repayment options.

Check your personalized rates

  • Checkmark Compare rates in less than 2 minutes
  • Checkmark Checking will not impact your credit score
In 2024 we secured personal loans or alternative offers for 99% of our users
Why choose Bankrate?

Filter results

Close X
|
Best for paying off debt
PERSONAL LOAN
Upgrade
4.6
7.99- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Min credit score
580
$314
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for paying off credit cards
PERSONAL LOAN
Happy Money
4.5
8.95- 29.99%
Min credit score
640
$318
Loan amount
$5k-$40k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for low interest rates
PERSONAL LOAN
Upstart
4.7
6.60- 35.99%
Min credit score
300
$307
Loan amount
$1k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for quick funding
PERSONAL LOAN
Best Egg
4.6
6.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$309
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for additional lender choices
PERSONAL LOAN
Splash Financial
4.1
8.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
Not disclosed
$318
Loan amount
$1k-$100k
See offersArrow Right
See details
Best for no fees
PERSONAL LOAN
Citi® Personal Loan
4.6
11.49- 20.49%
Min credit score
Not disclosed
$330
Loan amount
$2k-$30k
See offersArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details
Best for joint applications
PERSONAL LOAN
Prosper
4.5
8.99- 35.99%
Min credit score
600
$318
Loan amount
$2k-$50k
See offersArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details
Best for co-borrowing
PERSONAL LOAN
Achieve
4.5
8.99- 29.99%
Min credit score
620
$318
Loan amount
$5k-$50k
Read our reviewArrow Right
on Bankrate
See details
Bankrate logo

Why choose Bankrate?

Backed by over 40 years of experience, our team at Bankrate strives to help you make the right decisions for any financial situation.

Lock

Your security comes first

Bankrate protects your data from end to end, so you stay safe whether you're browsing articles or prequalifying for a loan.

Loan

We partner with the best

Get connected with personalized lender options tailored to your needs, no matter where you are in your financial journey, whether you're browsing articles or prequalifying.
Book

No outside influence

We uphold editorial integrity by providing the information that is best for our readers and their wallets, not ours. Our staff writers have a wide range of experience, education and certifications to give you unbiased information you need to make important borrowing decisions.

A closer look at our top excellent credit loan lenders

Here's a deep dive into the lenders, why each is the best in its category and, specifically, who would benefit most as a client.

Splash Financial: Best for comparison shopping

Rating: 4.1 stars out of 5
4.1
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$100k
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Wide range of loan terms and loan amounts
  • Nationwide lender choices
  • Prequalification available
Cons
  • No mobile application
  • High fees and APRs
  • Approval requirements not disclosed
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who wish to explore personal loan options and see what’s available for them based on their financial situation. After prequalifying, borrowers will be able to compare lenders and even discover smaller credit unions or banks that may be a good fit.

TD Bank: Best for a bank loan

Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8
Est. APR
8.99%–23.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
700
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Quick funding
  • Low starting APR
  • Low maximum APR
Cons
  • Late fee
  • Not available in all states
  • Stronger credit required
WHO'S IT FOR:

TD Bank is one of the 15 largest banks in the country, serving more than 10 million customers. In addition to offering unsecured personal loans, TD Bank provides a full suite of banking products, including checking and savings accounts, credit cards, CDs and mortgages. If you live in a state that TD Bank services and you have strong credit, a loan from this bank may be a good fit, especially if you live near a branch.

LightStream: Best for large loans

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
6.49%–25.29%
Loan amount
$5k–$100k
Min credit score
695
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Winner of Bankrate Award for best home improvement loan
  • High loan amount maximum and no fees
  • Offers a rate-matching program
Cons
  • High credit score minimum
  • No online prequalification
  • High minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Since the lender's credit minimum is high at 695, only those with excellent credit are recommended to apply. According to its website, LightStream's borrowers all share the following characteristics: a diverse credit mix, several years of credit history, assets (including liquid), a lower debt-to-income ratio and a good payment history with few missed payments.  

Upstart: Best for low interest rates

Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7
Est. APR
6.60%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
300
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
Up to 12%
Pros
  • May approve borrowers with no or low credit
  • Option to change payment dates
  • Low start rates for qualified borrowers
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • No joint applications
  • Limited repayment term options
WHO'S IT FOR:

Upstart loans are good for borrowers with excellent credit who can qualify for the lowest rates and may need to cover a small-to-midsize expense. It may also be a good choice for emergencies due to the lender’s quick funding timeline. Debt consolidators may also benefit from these loans due to its competitive starting APR.

Achieve: Best for co-borrowing

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k–$50k
Min credit score
620
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
1.99%-8.99%
Pros
  • Allows co-signers
  • Fast funding
  • Personal loan consultant
Cons
  • Not available in every state
  • Minimum credit score of 620 required
  • Origination fee
WHO'S IT FOR:

Individuals with a good credit score — or a creditworthy co-borrower — who aim to pay down large amounts of high-interest debt will likely benefit most from a loan from Achieve. The lender provides personalized guidance and assistance from debt experts. Those unsure of how to best tackle their debt can take advantage of Achieve's strong portfolio of individualized benefits. 

Happy Money: Best for credit card consolidation

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.95%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k–$40k
Min credit score
640
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Specialized debt consolidation loan
  • Lower maximum APR than other lenders
  • Loan management tools on member portal and app
Cons
  • High minimum credit score
  • Longer funding turnaround
  • Can only be used for credit card debt consolidation
WHO'S IT FOR:

Happy Money is best for borrowers with good credit who have high-interest credit card debt — and more debt than they can reasonably pay off within the span of a balance transfer credit card's promotional period. 

Citi: Best for no fees

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
11.49%–20.49%
Loan amount
$2k–$30k
Min credit score
Not specified
Loan term
1-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • One-year terms available (the shortest among featured lenders)
  • Autopay discount
  • No fees
Cons
  • Limited loan amount range
  • No joint applications
  • High minimum APR
WHO'S IT FOR:

Although anyone who qualifies for the loan can borrow with the lender, individuals who are existing Citi members are among those most likely to benefit. The bank offers exclusive discounts and benefits for these members, although discounts for enrolling in autopay are also offered. 

Upgrade: Best for debt consolidation

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k–$50k
Min credit score
580
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Origination fee
1.85%-9.99%
Pros
  • Option to add a co-borrower
  • Perks like credit monitoring and seven-day-a-week customer service
  • Low credit score minimum and flexible repayment terms
Cons
  • Fees up to almost 10 percent
  • Qualifying requirements not disclosed on website
  • High APR maximum
WHO'S IT FOR:

Borrowers who want to pay off credit card and personal loan debt directly will benefit the most from a loan from Upgrade. Paying off creditors directly may net a lower rate on top of saving time and energy.

Best Egg: Best for quick funding

Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6
Est. APR
6.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Origination fee
0.99%-9.99%
Pros
  • Lower rates for loans secured by home fixtures or your vehicle
  • Low minimum rates for qualified borrowers
  • Low minimum credit score
Cons
  • High origination fees
  • Fewer repayment options
  • Higher minimum loan amount
WHO'S IT FOR:

Those who want to increase their financial literacy and stability would benefit from the Best Egg's portfolio of resources, including the Financial Health program.

Prosper: Best for joint applications

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
4.5
Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k–$50k
Min credit score
600
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Origination fee
Not specified
Pros
  • Money management tools on website
  • Option to change payment date
  • Co-borrowers allowed
Cons
  • Origination fee
  • No same-day funding
  • High maximum interest rate
WHO'S IT FOR:

While Prosper has options for people across the credit spectrum, creditworthy borrowers, or those with a creditworthy joint applicant, are most likely to fare well with a Prosper personal loan.

Calculate your loan payment for an excellent credit loan

Bankrate's loan calculator can help you find the best loan option for your budget. Use it to calculate the estimated monthly payment options you have available based on different loan amounts, terms and interest rates. You'll also see how much interest you'll pay throughout the life of your loan.

Loan Calculator

Estimated monthly payment
$92.22
Total loan amount paid
$5,000.00
Total interest paid
$592.91
Total cost of loan
$5,592.91
Principal amount
Total interest paid

How to compare excellent credit lenders

When choosing a personal loan lender, consider your needs and financial goals. You’ll want to shop around and compare lenders to find the best match for your situation. Compare:

  • Qualification requirements: The more selective a lender is, the harder it is to qualify for their loans. But successfully qualifying could mean saving money with a lower APR and fewer fees.
  • Available loan amounts: A higher credit score or income could make you eligible to borrow more money from your lender — but don't borrow more than you need or can pay off.
  • Loan terms: Longer loan terms come with smaller monthly payments, but you'll end up paying more interest on your loan. Shorter terms can save you money on interest if you can afford a higher monthly payment. The right monthly payment balances affordability and frugality.
  • Annual percentage rate: Your excellent credit could help you qualify for some of the lowest rates available, but some lenders go lower than others.
  • Fees: Origination fees are common with personal loans, although some lenders don't charge fees. You're more likely to enjoy waived fees if you have excellent credit.
  • Time to funding: Some lenders offer same-day funding, while others may take a few days or weeks to finalize details and distribute funds.
  • Customer support: Some may offer live chat, while others can only be contacted by phone during business hours. Online banks are frequently accessible 24/7, but you won't have the option for face-to-face contact like you would with traditional banks or credit unions.

Personal loan interest rates for borrowers with excellent credit

Many factors go into determining your interest rate, including your credit score and debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, the lender you choose and actions taken by the Federal Reserve to lower or increase the federal funds rate.

Average rates as of May 14, 2025

Personal loans 12.26%

Borrowers with excellent credit are often presented with the most competitive rates because their score indicates they can responsibly manage their debt and are less of a lending risk. If you have excellent credit, a stable income and a low DTI, your interest rate will likely be lower than average. You may even see some of the lowest rates, starting around 7 percent.

Prequalify with a few different lenders to compare interest rate offers and calculate how much you'll pay in loan interest. Prequalification allows you to view your options without hurting your credit.

Lightbulb Icon

In the news

Excellent credit borrowers may have benefited from the three Fed rate cuts in 2024, with some personal loan lenders offering rates below 7 percent to qualified applicants. That said, average rates are holding strong over 12 percent, which may be a sign of how difficult it is to qualify for those single-digit minimum rates. In its 2025 meetings thus far, the Fed has refrained from changing rates. This can keep interest on certain loans stubbornly high and make personal loans an attractive alternative.

What are personal loans for excellent credit?

An excellent credit loan is a personal loan that's geared toward the most creditworthy borrowers. This means that only those with higher FICO scores will qualify for the best terms or, in some cases, at all. Borrowers may also have to meet stringent financial requirements to qualify. 

While this will vary depending on the lender, most require that applicants have a strong, established credit history, a steady income (some even have minimum income requirements), a clean credit report and a low debt-to-income (DTI) ratio

Excellent credit loans aren't easy to qualify for, seeing as they're the most competitive on the market. When compared to other loans, they offer the lowest minimum APRs, lower origination fees and flexible repayment options.

Bankrate logo
BANKRATE EXPERT FAQ

What are the best uses for an excellent credit personal loan?


Bankrate Expert Contributor, Student Loans

If you have excellent credit, you are more likely to qualify for a personal loan, but you will also pay a lower interest rate, saving you money. Although you can use a personal loan for many things, such as paying for a wedding, cosmetic surgery, traveling and going on a vacation, the best uses are the ones that yield a positive return on your investment, as opposed to pure consumption. These include paying for your education, home improvement and business startup expenses. Using a personal loan for debt consolidation can also help you save money by reducing the average interest rate on your debt.

Senior writer, Loans

With some excellent credit rates hovering around the 6 percent range, an excellent credit personal loan can be a strategic tool to fill temporary cash needs. It can fund the completion of an over budget home improvement much more quickly and at a lower rate than current home equity loans. If you need a quick funding source to make a large purchase you had intended to pay for with a delayed commission or bonus, an excellent credit loan may fill the gap. These loans also come in handy if you’re buying and renovating property and need quick, cheap cash to complete the improvements.

Pros and cons of excellent credit personal loans

As with any financial product, there are advantages and disadvantages of personal loans — even if you have excellent credit.

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Lower interest rates than credit cards.
  • Not secured by any assets.
  • Fixed interest and repayment terms.
  • Flexibility with use of funds.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Origination fees.
  • Must pay interest over life of loan.
  • May increase debt-to-income ratio.
  • Funds disbursed in one lump sum

How to get a personal loan with excellent credit 

Much of the process of getting a personal loan involves preparing to apply, doing your research and setting yourself up for success. Follow these steps to ensure you get the best loan for your goals.

  1. Check your credit score.

    If you want to get an excellent credit loan, you need to have a strong credit score. The higher your score, the more favorable terms you'll receive. You may be able to check your credit score via your bank or credit card issuer.

  2. Select the shortest repayment term you can afford.

    The shorter your repayment term, the less you'll pay in total interest. Many lenders also require a short repayment term to qualify for the lowest rate. Use a personal loan calculator to understand the rates and terms that work with your budget. You can play around with the numbers until you get an estimated monthly payment that works.

  3. Compare rates and terms from a variety of lenders.

    Once you know the rates and terms you need to receive to stay on budget, see what lenders offer that range and select at least three that seem like a good fit.

  4. Get prequalified with at least three lenders.

    Prequalification allows you to see the types of loans and terms you may qualify for without hurting your credit score. Although the quotes you receive aren't firm loan offers and are subject to change after a formal application, getting prequalified can help you identify the most affordable loan for you.

  5. Formally apply for the best loan offer.

    Once you choose the best loan option for you, fill out the application either online or in person, depending on the lender you choose. You may need to supply such supporting documents as proof of identity, tax returns and pay stubs.

  6. Sign your loan contract.

    Most lenders take a few business days to make a lending decision, though some issue approval the same day you apply. If your loan is approved, review and sign the loan agreement to finish the application.

  7. Receive funds and begin repayment.

    Depending on your lender, your funds may be available the same day you're approved. Some lenders may take a week or more to issue funds. Be sure you know when your first payment is due. Consider signing up for autopay, especially if your lender offers an autopay discount.

How much of a difference does excellent credit make?

Your credit score is a major factor in determining your interest rate — and your interest rate helps determine how much extra you'll pay when you borrow money. The higher your credit score, the lower your rate may be and the less you'll pay in total interest over the life of the loan. 

Here's a look at just how impactful a high rate can be on the cost of borrowing. This example assumes a seven-year loan term and a total loan amount of $25,000.

APR Monthly payment Total interest paid Total cost of loan (principal + interest)
10% $415 $9,862 $34,862
35% $801 $42,261 $67,261

While the monthly payment with the higher rate is almost double, the total interest paid is over four times the amount paid with the lower rate. In this case, your excellent credit could save more than $30,000 in interest over the life of the loan, compared to a borrower with bad credit.

Frequently asked questions about excellent credit personal loans

How we chose the best personal loans for excellent credit

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

48

years in business

45

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

900

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 40 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories: