Is 9 percent high for a personal loan?
In general, the higher your credit score, the lower the rate will be. Individuals with excellent credit, which is defined as any FICO credit score between 720 and 850, should expect to find personal loan interest rates at about 9% to 13%, and many of these individuals may even qualify for lower rates.
Yes, 9% is a good personal loan interest rate for people with good credit. Applicants with a credit score of 660+ could qualify for a personal loan with a 9.00% APR if they choose the right lender and have enough income to afford the loan.
Avoid loans with APRs higher than 10% (if possible)
“That is, effectively, borrowing money at a lower rate than you're able to make on that money.”
| Borrower credit rating | Score range | Estimated APR |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 720-850. | 12.64% |
| Good | 690-719. | 14.84% |
| Fair | 630-689. | 18.69%. |
| Bad | 300-629. | 21.74%. |
A good personal loan interest rate depends on your credit score: 740 and above: Below 8% (look for loans for excellent credit) 670 to 739: Around 14% (look for loans for good credit) 580 to 669: Around 18% (look for loans for fair credit)
Requirements for a $20,000 Personal Loan
Requirements vary by lender, but most lenders require borrowers to have a credit score in the good to excellent range — meaning a score of at least 670.
| Payoff period | APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 15% | $451 |
| 2 years | 15% | $242 |
| 3 years | 15% | $173 |
| 4 years | 15% | $139 |
The interest rate on a $5,000 loan from a major lender is usually around 6.4% to 35.99%. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact interest rate that you'll get for a $5,000 loan since lenders take many factors into account when calculating your interest rate, such as your credit score and income.
As inflation shows signs of slowing, borrowers may see lower personal loan rates in 2024. Any Fed cuts will likely have a direct effect on personal loan rates. “Personal loans are pegged to short term interest rates like the prime rate that moves in concert with Fed interest rate cuts,” McBride explains.
Generally, what's considered a bad interest rate is anything higher than 10%. Ideally, you want to get an interest rate that's below 5% — but with little or bad credit, that can be harder to achieve.
What is the cheapest interest rate for a personal loan?
The best personal loan rates are currently from 7.49% to about 35.99%. The interest rate you get on a personal loan depends on your credit score and credit history, annual income, existing debt and your lender.
At this time, 10% is a good interest rate for a personal loan for a borrower with good credit. Anything below the national average personal loan interest rate, set by the Federal Reserve, is considered a good personal interest rate.
A good APR on a personal loan is typically one below 12 percent. But to qualify for it, you'll need a credit score above 670 and a stable source of income or a creditworthy co-signer that meets these requirements. Securing a low APR can save you thousands of dollars over the life of a loan, as shown in the table below.
Generally, the best way to secure some of the lowest interest rates on a personal loan is to make sure you're applying with an excellent credit score. The better your credit score, the more favorable your personal loan terms will be.
The monthly payment on a $20,000 loan ranges from $273 to $2,009, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $20,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $2,009.
| Loan Amount | Loan Term (Years) | Estimated Fixed Monthly Payment* |
|---|---|---|
| $20,000 | 3 | $617.45 |
| $20,000 | 5 | $415.07 |
| $25,000 | 3 | $771.81 |
| $25,000 | 5 | $514.57 |
LendingTree customer reviews are generally positive. As of the time of writing, the company has a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on nearly 12,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Among these reviews, over 9,700 customers give it a five-star rating and another 12,260 give it four stars.
The monthly payment on a $6,000 loan ranges from $82 to $603, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $6,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $603.
In most cases, you can pay off a personal loan early. Your credit score might drop, but it will typically be minor and temporary. Paying off an installment loan entirely can affect your credit score because of factors like your total debt, credit mix and payment history.
Requirements for a $5,000 loan vary by lender. But in general, you should have at least Fair credit, which is a score of 580 or above. Lenders may also look at other factors, such as your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), during the application process.
What credit score do I need for a $5000 loan?
Credit scores of 580 or under are considered "poor." A low credit score can significantly limit your chances of getting approved for a $5,000 loan. Most lenders require a minimum score around 670, which is considered a "fair" score.
| Payoff period | APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 15% | $451 |
| 2 years | 15% | $242 |
| 3 years | 15% | $173 |
| 4 years | 15% | $139 |
| Payoff period | APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 15% | $722 |
| 24 months | 15% | $388 |
| 36 months | 15% | $277 |
| 48 months | 15% | $223 |
| Company | Forbes Advisor Rating | Current APR range |
|---|---|---|
| Discover | 3.5 | 7.99% to 24.99% |
| Wells Fargo | 3.5 | 7.49% to 23.24% |
| PNC Bank | 3.0 | Rates vary by zip code |
| Citibank | 3.0 | 10.49% to 19.49% |
Personal loan rates are so high because the Federal Reserve has increased its target interest rate 11 times since early 2022 in response to high inflation. The interest rates on personal loans tend to go up when the Fed raises its rate.
