Need a more flexible stream of cash for home improvements, car repairs, or life’s other emergencies?
When it comes to borrowing money for larger expenses, a personal loan can be a great choice. That’s because personal loan rates are (typically) lower than traditional credit options.
However, It’s important to make sure you’re getting the best personal loan interest rates possible. Lower personal loan rates mean less cash out of your pocket each month thanks to less interest.
Here’s how you should begin your search for the best personal loan rates.
What are today’s personal loan rates?
Personal loan interest rates tend to be lower than other options like credit cards, personal lines of credit, or even student loans.
This makes unsecured personal loans viable options for financing new and necessary purchases, as well as refinancing past debts that have higher interest rates.
What’s more, personal loan rates have actually steadily decreased over the past five years.
Personal loan rates today are approximately 1.4 percentage points lower than they were in 2011, according to rates data from the National Credit Union Association (NCUA) compiled from March 2011 through September 2016.
And here are personal loan rate averages for a 36-month unsecured fixed rate loan, according to NCUA data released in September 2016:
- Banks: 10.12%
- Credit unions: 9.22%
What’s more, the downward trend of personal loan interest rates is good news for borrowers. Today, personal loans are the most affordable they’ve been in years.
Personal loan rates by credit score
Yet, at the end of the day, the costs of your personal loan will depend on your ability to meet a lender’s credit requirements.
The main determinant of the personal loan rates you’re offered will be your creditworthiness. The lender usually determines this based on your credit score and history, as well as personal income and other financial information.
The better your credit score and the higher your income, the greater your chances of getting the best personal loan rates.
Here are typical unsecured personal loan rates by credit score:
- Excellent (720 or more): around 4.00% to 11.00%
- Good (680 to 719): around 4.00% to 15.00%
- Average (630 to 679): around 10.00% to 20.00%
- Poor (630 and below): around 25.00% to 30.00% or higher
In addition to a higher credit score, a higher income can also help you qualify for competitive personal loan rates.
Where can I find the best personal loan rates?
No matter your credit score, shopping around and comparing lenders’ advertised rates can help you save. Certain types of personal loan providers offer better rates and loan terms than others.
Here are the starting personal loan rates for different types of lenders:
- Banks: 6.49% APR
- Credit unions: 5.99% APR
- Online lenders: 3.99% APR
- Peer-to-peer lenders: 5.32% APR
Note that these are starting APRs, which usually require excellent credit to qualify for.
When comparing personal loan interest rates, check out our online marketplace to compare and contrast what various lenders have to offer. Lenders listed include:
- SoFi
- Payoff
- Earnest
Banks
The first place many people look for personal loans is through their bank.
Since you already have an established relationship with this bank, chances are they may be more willing to approve your personal loan and offer competitive rates.
Additionally, banks usually offer a wide range of financial products. So they might have more loan terms and options available for you.
Credit unions
Credit unions provide some of the most competitive personal loan rates around.
As not-for-profit financial institutions, credit unions are more focused on offering favorable products to members than making money. That’s why a credit union’s personal loan rate offer is usually lower than one offered by a bank.
In fact, over the past few years, credit unions’ average personal loan rates have been approximately 1.24 percentage points less than those offered by banks. That’s according to the compiled rates data from the NCUA from March 2011 through September 2016.
Online lenders
Online personal loan providers can also be a great option to find the best personal loan rates.
These institutions usually have less overhead than their brick-and-mortar counterparts thanks to operating solely online. And, will often have some of the most competitive interest rates around.
Additionally, some online lenders have credit requirements that are less strict, allowing them to service borrowers with less-than-perfect credit.
Peer-to-peer lenders
Another option similar to online lenders is peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders.
Like online personal loans, P2P loans are also available to a wider range of borrowers than more traditional options.
P2P marketplaces allow individuals to loan money directly to borrowers. Peer-to-peer personal loans often have lower interest rates. However, be on the lookout for potentially higher origination fees.
How to lower your personal loan interest rate
Choosing the right lender and maintaining positive credit are central to getting the best personal loan rates.
But once you find a lender and are ready to borrow, there are additional steps you can take to lower your personal loan rate.
Look for loan rate discounts
Financiers will often offer a personal loan rate discount to lenders who enroll in automatic payments or meet other requirements.
A typical interest rate discount for automatic withdrawals is 0.25%. However, some lenders might offer more.
Wells Fargo, for instance, offers a personal loan rate discount of 0.50% for borrowers with a qualifying Wells Fargo consumer checking account and enrollment in automatic payments.
Opt for a shorter loan term
When setting the terms of your personal loan, you might notice that lenders offer lower rates on loans with shorter terms.
With a shorter loan, the lender will get its money back faster and take on less risk. And this lower risk for the lender can mean lower interest for you too.
So if you can afford higher monthly payments, consider signing up for a shorter loan length, It may be a smart way to lower your personal loan interest rate and save money on interest as well.
Consider secured personal loans
Some of the best personal loan rates can be found on secured loans.
A secured loan is guaranteed by assets owned by the borrower. This can either be property such as a car, or cash like with a certificate-secured loan.
Credit unions, such as America First, often offer these secured loans with low interest rates.
Additionally, borrowers with bad credit can more easily get approved for secured personal loans. This can make them a smart option for consumers looking to improve their credit.
Do your homework
Ultimately, you are your best advocate in your search for the lowest personal loan rates.
Make sure you have a rate in mind when you begin your search, then see if lenders can match it. Don’t hesitate to compare products before submitting a full application.
And don’t forget, once an application is turned in, hard credit inquiry will follow.
Also, if a lender knows you’re shopping around, chances are they will try to lower their rate to get you to choose them. Remember, even when it comes to personal loans, knowledge is power.
Interested in a personal loan?
LendingTree allows you to compare rates from multiple lenders by filling out one easy form. Advertiser DisclosureStudent Loan Hero Advertiser Disclosure
Our team at Student Loan Hero works hard to find and recommend products and services that we believe are of high quality. We sometimes earn a sales commission or advertising fee when recommending various products and services to you. Similar to when you are being sold any product or service, be sure to read the fine print to help you understand what you are buying. Be sure to consult with a licensed professional if you have any concerns. Student Loan Hero is not a lender or investment advisor. We are not involved in the loan approval or investment process, nor do we make credit or investment related decisions. The rates and terms listed on our website are estimates and are subject to change at any time.
Student Loan Hero Advertiser Disclosure
Our team at Student Loan Hero works hard to find and recommend products and services that we believe are of high quality. We sometimes earn a sales commission or advertising fee when recommending various products and services to you. Similar to when you are being sold any product or service, be sure to read the fine print to help you understand what you are buying. Be sure to consult with a licensed professional if you have any concerns. Student Loan Hero is not a lender or investment advisor. We are not involved in the loan approval or investment process, nor do we make credit or investment related decisions. The rates and terms listed on our website are estimates and are subject to change at any time.
| Lender | RATES (APR) | loan amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 5.74% – 18.07%1 | $5,000 to $100,000 | |
 | 5.67% – 35.99% | $1,000 to $50,000 | |
 | 5.99% – 35.89%* | $1,000 to $50,000 | |
 | 5.99% – 24.99%3 | $5,000 to $35,000 | |
 | 5.99% – 29.99%4 | $7,500 to $40,000 | |
 | 15.49% – 35.99% | $2,000 to $25,000 | |
| compare rates on Lendingtree now Disclaimer: Student Loan Hero is a subsidiary of LendingTree | |||
1 Includes AutoPay discount. Important Disclosures for SoFi. SoFi Disclosures
Payoff Disclosures
FreedomPlus Disclosures
Upgrade Bank Disclosures* Personal loans made through Upgrade feature APRs of 5.99%-35.89%. All personal loans have a 1.5% to 6% origination fee, which is deducted from the loan proceeds. Lowest rates require Autopay and paying off a portion of existing debt directly. For example, if you receive a $10,000 loan with a 36-month term and a 17.98% APR (which includes a 14.32% yearly interest rate and a 5% one-time origination fee), you would receive $9,500 in your account and would have a required monthly payment of $343.33. Over the life of the loan, your payments would total $12,359.97. The APR on your loan may be higher or lower and your loan offers may not have multiple term lengths available. Actual rate depends on credit score, credit usage history, loan term, and other factors. Late payments or subsequent charges and fees may increase the cost of your fixed rate loan. There is no fee or penalty for repaying a loan early. Personal loans issued by WebBank, Member FDIC. ** Accept your loan offer and your funds will be sent to your bank via ACH within one (1) business day of clearing necessary verifications. Availability of the funds is dependent on how quickly your bank processes this transaction. From the time of approval, funds should be available within four (4) business days. | |||
