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Hidden new Exp QA for December 2024

Nov 13, 2024

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PERSONAL LOANS

LightStream: Best for high-dollar loans and longer repayment terms

4.7
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 bad credit

4.8
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

4.7
Est. APR
8.99- 29.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $50K
Min credit score
620

PERSONAL LOANS

LendingClub: Best for good credit debt consolidation

4.5
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

4.6
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
720
See offersArrow Right

Check rate with Bankrate

PERSONAL LOANS

Upgrade: BEST OVERALL DEBT CONSOLIDATION LENDER

4.7
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

4.7
Est. APR
9.95- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $35K
Min credit score
550

PERSONAL LOANS

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

Compare personal loan rates in December 2024

Caret Down Icon
LENDER CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNT BEST FOR
SoFi 7.99%-23.43% (with autopay) 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 Overall personal loan
LightStream 7.99%-23.99% (with autopay) 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 Generous repayment terms
Avant 9.95%-35.95% 1-5 years $2,000-$35,000 People with bad credit
Best Egg 8.99%-35.99% 3-5 years $2,000-$50,000 Low APRs
Upgrade 8.24%-35.97% (with autopay) 2-7 years $1,000-$50,000 Fast funding
Happy Money 10.50%-29.99% 2 or 5 years $5,000-$40,000 Paying credit card debt
Upstart 6.70%-35.99% 3 or 5 years $1,000-$50,000 Little credit history
LendingClub 8.05%-36.00% 2-5 years $1,000-$40,000 Using a co-borrower
PenFed 7.74%-17.99% Up to 5 years $600-$50,000 Small loan amounts
TD Bank 6.99%-21.99% 1-5 years $2,000-$50,000 Few fees
PNC Bank Varies by ZIP code 6 months-5 years $1,000-$35,000 In-person banking
LENDER CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNT BEST FOR
LightStream 7.99%-23.99% (with autopay) 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 Generous repayment terms
Happy Money 10.50%-29.99% 2 or 5 years $5,000-$40,000 Paying credit card debt
Best Egg 8.99%-35.99% 3-5 years $2,000-$50,000 Low APRs
SoFi 7.99%-23.43% (with autopay) 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 Unemployment protection
Achieve 7.99%-29.99% 2-5 years $5,000-$50,000 Quick approval
PenFed 7.74%-17.99% Up to 5 years $600-$50,000 Small loan amounts
Upstart 6.50%-35.99% 3 or 5 years $1,000-$50,000 Little credit history
LendingClub 8.05%-36.00% 2-5 years $1,000-$40,000 Using a co-borrower
Prosper 6.99%-35.99% 2-5 years $2,000-$50,000 No prepayment penalty
Upgrade 8.24%-35.97% (with autopay) 2-7 years $1,000-$50,000 Fast funding
TD Bank 6.99%-21.99% 1-5 years $2,000-$50,000 Few fees
For more information on low interest rates, check out our page on low-interest personal loans.
LENDER CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN AMOUNT MIN. CREDIT SCORE BEST FOR
Upstart 6.50%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 No minimum requirements Little credit history
OneMain Financial 18.00%-35.99% $1,500-$20,000 Not specified Secured loans
TD Bank 6.99%-21.99% $2,000-$50,000 700 Low rate caps
Avant 9.95%-35.95% $2,000-$35,000 580* A range of repayment options
LendingPoint 7.99%-35.99% $2,000-$36,500 600 Small loans
Upgrade 8.24%-35.97% (with autopay) $1,000-$50,000 560 Fast funding
LendingClub 8.05%-36.00% $1,000-$40,000 Not specified Online experience

*Avant's minimum credit score is 580 FICO and 550 Vantage.

For more information on bad credit loan rates, check out our page on bad credit personal loans.

LENDER CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN AMOUNT MIN. CREDIT SCORE BEST FOR
SoFi 7.99%-23.43% (with autopay) $5,000-$100,000 680 High borrowing limits
LendingClub 8.05%-36.00% $1,000-$40,000 Not specified Borrowing money from other investors
LightStream 7.99%-23.99% (with autopay) $5,000-$100,000 Not specified Borrowers who can qualify for the best rates
Prosper 6.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 600 Joint loans
Rocket Loans 8.416%-29.99% (with autopay) Not specified-$45,000 Not specified Fast funding
Best Egg 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 600 Borrowers with “okay” credit
Discover 6.99%-24.99% $2,500-$35,000 660 A range of repayment terms
Credible 5.40% to 35.99% (with autopay) $600-$100,000 Varies by lender Borrowers who want to price shop
Earnest Varies by lender $1,000-$250,000 680 Borrowers who want other factors considered in their application
Happy Money 10.50%-29.99% $5,000-$40,000 640 Borrowers who want to consolidate debt
For more information on good credit loan rates, check out our page on good credit personal loans.
LENDER CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN TERM LOAN AMOUNT BEST FOR
Best Egg 8.99%-35.99% 3-5 years $2,000-$50,000 High-income earners with good credit
Happy Money 10.50%-29.99% 2 or 5 years $5,000-$40,000 Consolidating credit card debt
LightStream 7.99%-23.99% (with autopay) 2-7 years $5,000-$100,000 High-dollar loans and longer repayment terms
PenFed 7.74%-17.99% Up to 5 years $600-$50,000 Smaller loans with a credit union
OneMain Financial 18.00%-35.99% 2-5 years $1,500-$20,000 Fair to poor credit
Discover 6.99%-24.99% 3-7 years $2,500-$35,000 Good credit and next-day funding
Upstart 6.50%-35.99% 3 or 5 years $1,000-$50,000 Consumers with little credit history
For more information on debt consolidation loan rates, check out our page on debt consolidation loans.

Calculate your loan payment

Use our calculator to find the perfect loan repayment plan for you. Enter in the loan amount, term and interest rate to get your estimated monthly payment and total interest accrual.

What is a personal loan?

Personal loans are short- and medium-term loans that consumers can receive from banks, credit unions or private lenders like online marketplace lenders and peer-to-peer lenders. The loan funds can be used for just about any purpose, such as paying off other debt, financing a home renovation or paying for family needs, like a wedding or adoption. 

A personal loan is repaid in monthly installments, similar to a car loan or home mortgage, with loan terms typically ranging from 24 months to 60 months or even longer. Personal loans are usually unsecured, meaning they are not backed by collateral such as a car, house or other assets. Approval and funding process is often faster than that of a home equity line of credit, which lets you borrow funds as you need them rather than in a lump sum.

What are current personal loan interest rates?

Personal loan interest rates, like most other costs, have gone up in the past year. Currently, you can expect to pay 6 percent to 36 percent, depending on your credit score. As of March 29, 2023, the average personal loan interest rate is 10.82 percent. The better your credit score, the more likely you are to qualify for a personal loan with the lowest interest rate available. Compare personal loan offers to see what you are eligible for before applying for a personal loan.

Average personal loan interest rates by credit rating

The interest rate you're offered is based on your credit health; namely, your score. Those with less-than-stellar credit are often seen as more 'risky' to lenders and are more likely to be offered higher rates. Borrowers with good-to-excellent credit are more eligible for the lender's most competitive rates and terms. 

Before applying for a loan, make sure to prequalify or look at the lender's requirements and rates, as well as your own credit score to estimate your potential interest rate.

CREDIT BAND CREDIT SCORE RANGE AVERAGE PERSONAL LOAN INTEREST RATE
Excellent Credit 720-850 10.3%-12.5%
Good Credit 690-719 13.5%-15.5%
Average Credit 630-689 17.8%-19.9%
Bad Credit 300-629 28.5%-32%

Excellent-credit loans

Excellent-credit loans are geared toward borrowers with excellent credit scores, typically between 720 and 850. Having such a high credit score can come with many benefits, including average APRs as low as 10.3 percent — though some lenders go even lower. If your credit score falls into this range, look for excellent-credit lenders with low advertised rates and few fees.

Good-credit loans

Good-credit loans offer competitive interest rates and generally low fees. You're considered to have good credit if you have a credit score between 690 and 719, and with such a high score, you may qualify for average APRs as low as 13.5 percent. However, if you have good credit and are interested in a personal loan, shop around; you may be able to qualify for an even lower interest rate.

Fair-credit loans

If you have a fair or average credit score, it can be hard to find a personal loan that offers reasonable rates and fees. If your credit score falls between 630 and 689, your credit score is average. While this is considered a less-than-stellar score, you still may be able to qualify for a personal loan with an average APR as low as 17.8 percent. This list of the best personal loans for fair credit features lenders that cater to people with scores in the mid-600s.

Bad-credit loans

You can get approved for a loan even with bad credit, although you won't qualify for the best APRs. If your credit score is between 300 and 629, the best interest rate available could be around 28.5 percent. However, a bad-credit loan, even one with a rate close to 30 percent, is a better financial option than a payday loan. To see what rates are available, compare offers from a few bad-credit lenders.

How to improve your chances of getting approved for a personal loan

While each lender has differing eligibility requirements, there are a few things you can do across the board to increase your eligibility odds. 
  • Prequalify. If you are unsure what interest rate you might qualify for with a lender, the easiest way to find out is by prequalifying online. Most lenders allow you to do this without hurting your credit score.
  • Shop around and compare rates. Each lender offers unique features, requirements and benefits. It is always important to do your research and prequalify with a few lenders before deciding on one.
  • Check your credit. Your credit score impacts the rates and lenders you will likely qualify for. Knowing where you stand can help you figure out where to look. If you have less than stellar credit, bad credit loans tend to have reasonable interest rates for low credit borrowers. 
  • Pay off other debts. If possible, pay down high interest debt before applying. This can increase your approval odds and can help you score better rates. 
  • Reduce your loan amount and repayment term. If you are able to, it may be smart to take out a smaller loan. The larger the loan you take out, the higher the interest rate is likely to be. In addition, larger loans come with longer repayment periods, which means you will pay more in interest over the life of the loan. 
  • Apply with a co-signer. Applying with a co-signer with strong credit history can increase your approval odds and help you qualify for a lower interest rate.

Pros and cons of personal loans

There are a number of benefits and drawbacks to consider before taking out a personal loan.
 

Pros:

  • Personal loans come in one lump sum, usually with a fixed interest rate.
  • You can get money quickly, sometimes within as little as a day, depending on the lender you choose.
  • Many are unsecured loans, which means you don't need collateral like your home or car to borrow money.
  • Interest rates are much lower than those of payday loans, which charge upward of 400 percent.
  • Flexibility and versatility allow you to use a personal loan for almost any purchase.
  • Unlike highly risky payday loans, personal loans give you a reasonable amount of time to repay the loan.
  • You may have easier payments if you consolidate debt and have a single, fixed-rate monthly payment instead of several accounts to manage.

Cons:

  • APRs are generally higher than those of some secured loans.
  • If you have a low credit score, you might not qualify.
  • Some lenders charge fees, like origination, late and prepayment fees. The lower your credit score, the more likely you are to have a lender that charges more fees.
  • Some lenders don’t allow co-signers, which means you can only use your credit score and history to qualify.
  • You’re adding another bill to your monthly payments, which could stretch or even break your budget.
  • You can increase your overall debt if you use it to consolidate your debt but continue to spend on your credit cards.
  • Personal loans often have higher monthly payments than the minimum payment on credit cards.

Common types of personal loans 

There are many reasons to take out a personal loan, and with the exception of a few lenders, most allow you to use the funds for any purpose. Here are some of the most common scenarios that lead borrowers to take out a personal loan and how to find the best lender if you're in a similar situation.

How to manage a personal loan 

Effectively managing a personal loan comes down to your ability to make the monthly payments. It's imperative that you understand the full responsibility and predicted repayment timeline prior to taking out the loan. If you miss the monthly payments or are unable to make them, contact the lender as soon as possible to see if any hardship payment relief options are available.

If you need a lower monthly payment, consider a longer repayment term. While it will increase the amount you'll repay over the life of the loan in interest, a longer term can take the immediate payment responsibility off of your shoulders. Regardless of your financial situation, make sure you're aware of your lender options prior to applying so you have resources and don't risk any negative credit outcomes. 

Alternatives to a personal loan

If a personal loan isn't the right option for your financial situation, there are other ways to get the funds you need. Here are a few of the most popular alternatives to a personal loan.

Keep in mind that the best option for you will depend on what you're using the money for, how much you need and your financial health. Never borrow more than you need and make sure the monthly payment fits comfortably in your budget.

How Fed rate hikes impacts personal loans

In order to combat inflation, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised interest rates seven times in 2022. It has continued to raise rates in 2023 — landing at 4.75-5 percent most recently. Lenders often respond to these hikes by increasing personal loan interest rates along with the rates of other credit products.

FAQs about personal loans

Methodology

To select the top personal loan lenders, Bankrate considers 15 factors. These factors include credit requirements, APR ranges, fees, loan amounts and flexibility to account for a wide range of credit profiles and budgets. Of the 32 lenders reviewed, 12 made Bankrate's list of best personal loans. Each lender has a Bankrate rating, which consists of three categories. These categories include:

  • Affordability: The interest rates, penalties and fees are measured in this section of the score. Lower rates and fees and fewer potential penalties result in a higher score.
  • Availability: What the minimum loan amounts are, its eligibility requirements and loan turnaround are considered in this category.
  • Customer experience: This category covers customer service hours, if online applications are available, online account access and mobile apps.