Personal Loans

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the best place to get a personal loan?

  It depends on what you’re looking for. Online lenders tend to offer quick access, even with same-day funding in some cases. Credit unions may offer better rates and be easier to work with if you have bad credit, while traditional banks tend to favor borrowers with strong credit profiles. Another option is peer-to-peer lending platforms, which rely on less conventional means to approve loans.

  Learn More: How To Get Preapproved for a Loan
• Can you get a personal loan with a credit score of 550?

  Maybe, but probably not. The lowest recommended scores in our database are 580 (the bottom of the “fair” range), but some lenders may offer loans if your credit is worse. Seeking a secured loan or applying with a co-signer could improve your chances and reduce your rate. But the best option might be to work on improving your credit score before seeking a personal loan.

  Learn More: Boosting Your Chances for Personal Loan Approval
• What is the minimum credit score for a personal loan?

  There is no one minimum credit score to get a personal loan. Some lenders have a cutoff of 680, while others offer unsecured loans to borrowers with scores as low as 580. Secured loans (those backed by collateral) have more liberal score requirements. Some lenders even look beyond your credit score, such as a credit union that offers Payday Alternative Loans (PALs) or a paycheck app like Earnin.

  Learn More: How To Shop for a Personal Loan
• Which bank has the easiest personal loan approval?

  LendingClub, OneMain Financial, LendingPoint, and First Tech Federal Credit Union are more likely to offer personal loans for bad credit, as long as borrowers meet other requirements. If you’re looking for the easiest application process, consider Rocket Loans or LightStream, both of which offer fast funding.

  Learn More: Best Personal Loans From Banks
• What credit score do I need for a $50,000 loan?

  Each lender sets its own requirements for what credit score you need to get approved for an installment loan. There are no hard-and-fast rules, but in addition to credit score, your income, existing debt, and the loan’s purpose may all contribute to the amount you get approved for. Securing the loan with collateral may also increase your borrowing limit.

  Learn More: Best Personal Loans for Debt Consolidation
• What is the easiest loan to get approved for?

  Smaller personal loans and secured loans present less risk for the lender and so can be easier to be approved for. But remember, if you secure a personal loan with your property, such as a car or bank account, and you default on loan payments, the lender can take that property away from you.

  Learn More: Secured Loans vs. Unsecured Loans: What's the Difference?
• Will checking my rate affect my credit score?

  It can, depending on what type of credit check the lender does. Some lenders offer loan prequalification based on a “soft credit pull,” which doesn’t affect your score. But others do a “hard credit pull,” which will impact your score. Know how the lender will pull your credit before checking what rates and terms you qualify for.

  Learn More: Soft vs. Hard Credit Checks: What's the Difference?