What is the average personal loan interest rate?
Personal loan interest rates today are unusually high, thanks to market forces.
4 min read
Mar 12, 2025
Beverly Harzog
Expert Reviewer, Credit Cards and Loans
EXPERTISE
- Credit cards
- Credit scores
- Consumer Debt, especially credit card debt
- Building & Rebuilding Credit
- Personal Finance (budgeting, inflation, economic policy, saving, etc.)
EDUCATION
- MBA, University of New Haven
Credit cards are useful tools for building credit and earning rewards. But you need to make a vow that you’ll pay your balance in full and by the due date every month. The first time you carry a balance, it becomes your new normal and that leads to credit card debt.
— Beverly Harzog
Beverly Harzog is a nationally recognized consumer finance analyst, credit expert and host of the Your Personal Economy podcast. She's also the bestselling and award-winning author of five personal finance books.
She’s been in the personal finance industry for 30 years and has recently been a columnist and media spokesperson for U.S. News & World Report. She’s appeared on Fox News, CNN, CBS Evening News, NBC News and Cheddar. She’s been a quoted in thousands of articles, including The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Money Magazine, The New York Times, New York Magazine, Kiplinger, Washington Post, Time, Newsweek, Cosmopolitan, Real Simple and much more.
Her byline has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, Forbes, Good Housekeeping, Entrepreneur, Health, Better Homes and Gardens, Cooking Light, New York Daily News, ABCNews.com and Yahoo Finance.
She has an MBA from the University of New Haven and is a former CPA. Her current passions include hosting her podcast, Your Personal Economy, and learning to play the guitar.
Non-Bankrate Publications or Mentions
- Live interview with Cheddar: https://www.cheddar.com/media/stretching-your-dollar-best-places-to-retire/
- Interview with NBC News: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/what-are-travel-credit-cards/4526500/
- Quoted in CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/pennsylvania-pittsburgh-best-places-to-retire-2024/
- Quoted in USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/personalfinance/2014/05/18/five-reasons-to-ditch-the-debit-card/9186553/
- Note: she has done a huge amount of interviews (TV, radio, podcasts and print) over the past 30 years. Here’s a link to her media page: https://www.beverlyharzog.com/about/in-the-media/
Credit cards are useful tools for building credit and earning rewards. But you need to make a vow that you’ll pay your balance in full and by the due date every month. The first time you carry a balance, it becomes your new normal and that leads to credit card debt.
— Beverly Harzog
Beverly's latest articles
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Can you deduct closing costs on your taxes?
In a real estate transaction, are your closing costs tax-deductible? Maybe.
3 min read Mar 11, 2025 -
Best Balance Transfer Cards Of March 2025: Intro APR offers up to 21 months
Are you looking for a temporary break from APR on existing debt? One of the balance transfer credit card offers available on Bankrate could help you pay down balances, improve your credit score and save on interest charges — plus, some earn great rewards.
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Is a cosigner responsible for car insurance?
If you’re the cosigner on a car loan, it’s not likely that your car insurance will go up. But there are a few exceptions.
3 min read Mar 03, 2025 -
How much does a home appraisal cost?
Both buyers and sellers can benefit from an accurate home appraisal.
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Mortgage interest deduction: What it is and what qualifies
The mortgage interest deduction allows you to reduce your taxable income.
4 min read Feb 28, 2025 -
APY vs. interest rate: What’s the difference and why it matters
Here’s the difference between APY and interest rate.
3 min read Feb 25, 2025 -
Medical credit cards: How they work, risks and alternatives
Understand the risks of using medical credit cards before you sign up for one.
8 min read Feb 21, 2025