How hard is it to get a personal loan from your bank?
Credit scores range from 300 to 850 and are based on factors like payment history, amount of outstanding debt and length of credit history. Many lenders have a personal loan credit score requirement of at least 600 to qualify, but some lenders will lend to applicants without any credit history at all.
The easiest banks to get a personal loan from are USAA and Wells Fargo. USAA does not disclose a minimum credit score requirement, but their website indicates they consider people with scores below 640, so even people with bad credit may be able to qualify.
Payment history is weighed the most heavily in determining your credit score, along with your total outstanding debt. Generally, borrowers need a credit score of at least 610 to 640 to even qualify for a personal loan. To qualify for a lender's lowest interest rate, borrowers typically need a score of at least 800.
Your lender already knows you, so approval may be easier
In some cases, having an established relationship with the lender could make it more likely you'll be approved for the loan. Since you're an existing customer, the bank will be able to see your past habits.
Personal loans are easy to get when they have flexible credit score and income requirements. While the best personal loan lenders often have high credit score requirements, usually between 600 and 680, some accept scores as low as 560—like those on this list.
In general, lenders extend $30,000 loans to borrowers with good to excellent credit, which is typically 670 and higher. But there may be lenders who lend to borrowers with bad credit. If you're having difficulty qualifying, you may consider getting a cosigner or co-borrower to help you get approved for the loan.
Higher interest rates and fees: Banks tend to charge higher interest rates and more fees compared to their credit union and online lender counterparts. 12 If you don't qualify for a discount rate, you might end up paying more through a bank than you would with another lender.
Requirements for a $20,000 Personal Loan
This means they'll want to see your credit score, income level and DTI ratio. 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.
To increase your chance of qualifying for a $10,000 unsecured loan, you should have a credit score of 600 or higher. Some lenders start their minimum credit score requirements at 600, however, there are some lenders that require a credit score in the high 600s or low 700s.
Typically, a desirable credit score for a $25,000 personal loan is around 670 and above, but some lenders work with those who have scores from 580 and up.
Why is it so hard to get a personal loan?
Since personal loans are often unsecured loans, meaning they are not backed by any form of collateral, your credit score often plays a very important role in the approval process. As a rule of thumb, if your score doesn't meet a lender's minimum eligibility requirements, your chances of approval are low.
Some banks offer personal loans up to $100,000 while others max out at $50,000 or lower. Time to fund. Before borrowing, you might also find out how long it will take the bank to review your application and disburse your loan.
You should avoid using a personal loan to pay for college tuition, investments, basic living expenses, vacation, discretionary purchases and gambling, as well as a down payment and the costs associated with starting a business.
You will almost certainly have no problems qualifying for a $5,000 personal loan if you have a strong income and good credit. However, you may struggle to get approved if your income is inconsistent, you have a low credit score, or you have a considerable amount of debt already.
Payday, car title and pawn shop loans, as well as credit card cash advances, can offer same-day funding. Some personal loan lenders also offer more or less instant approval and funding.
Requirements for a $5,000 Personal Loan
Some lenders may have a strict minimum credit score requirement, while others may be willing to approve you with a lower credit score. You will also need to have a source of income and a history of paying bills and past debts on time.
The monthly payment on a $30,000 loan ranges from $410 to $3,014, depending on the APR and how long the loan lasts. For example, if you take out a $30,000 loan for one year with an APR of 36%, your monthly payment will be $3,014.
You will need a credit score of 580 or higher to get a $30,000 personal loan in most cases, along with enough income to afford the monthly bill payments.
Most lenders offer up to $50,000 or less. Regardless of the maximum amount offered by the lender, the amount you qualify for will depend on your credit and finances. You are more likely to qualify for the maximum amount if you exceed minimum eligibility criteria, which is how most lenders gauge your creditworthiness.
While it is possible to get approved for a personal loan if you have poor credit, the final decision, for the most part, rests with the lender you apply to. Some lenders will tell you upfront what their minimum requirements are.
What is a disadvantage of a personal loan?
Personal loans often come with a slew of different charges. Some loans charge a prepayment penalty that impacts borrowers who plan to pay back their loans early. Others may charge an origination fee that's typically between 1% and 6% of the loan amount. There may also be fees for missed or late payments.
Yes. In some cases, your loan purpose can impact whether or not you receive the loan, as well as your loan terms. Here's what you need to know when it comes to different uses and types of personal loans, and the best reasons to give for the purpose of your loan.
A $20,000 loan at 5% for 60 months (5 years) will cost you a total of $22,645.48, whereas the same loan at 3% will cost you $21,562.43. That's a savings of $1,083.05. That same wise shopper will look not only at the interest rate but also the length of the loan.
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 | 5 | $415.07 |
| $25,000 | 3 | $771.81 |
| $25,000 | 5 | $514.57 |
| $30,000 | 3 | $926.18 |
