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Personal Loans

Learn more about how personal loans work & what you can use them for, see our picks for the best personal loan lenders, and read reviews of the top lenders in the industry.

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See our editorial team’s picks for the best personal loans.

How personal loans work

Personal loans don’t often seem complicated, but you should understand several specific terms before you apply for one.

Personal loan uses

You can use personal loans for almost anything, including paying off debt and home improvements.

Personal loans by credit range

Your credit score is critical in determining eligibility for a personal loan. Before applying, check your credit score to determine whether your credit is excellent, good, fair, or poor. Compare companies that lend to borrowers in your credit range to boost your chances of approval.

Personal loan reviews

If you’re considering applying for a personal loan through a specific company, you should understand how that company operates and the repayment terms.

Latest on personal loans:

How to Get a $15,000 Personal Loan

There are a variety of banks, credit unions, and online lenders that offer $15,000 personal loans to qualifying borrowers. Before a lender approves...

Personal Loans for a Credit Score of 550

Lenders use credit scores to measure creditworthiness. A FICO score of 580 or below puts a borrower in the poor credit category, indicating...

Do You Need a Down Payment for a Personal Loan?

A down payment is an upfront payment you make when making a purchase with credit,...

How to Get a $2,000 Personal Loan

Many personal loans range from $5,000 to $50,000, so a $2,000 loan is smaller than most. But that’s excellent news for your finances:...

How to Pay Off a Personal Loan Early

Many individuals seek ways to pay off their personal loans early to save on interest, improve their debt-to-income ratio (DTI), or achieve financial...

Income-Based Personal Loans

Lenders that offer income-based personal loans focus more on your income than your credit score. This option might be an excellent choice if...

Self-Employed Personal Loans

Being self-employed can complicate your plans if you’re trying to get approved for a personal loan. Most lenders want proof of steady income...

Does the Reason for Your Personal Loan Matter?

When you take out a personal loan, the lender will typically ask you how you...

How to Choose a Personal Loan Term Length

Loan repayment terms can range from short to long, offering flexibility to match borrowers’ financial needs. This allows for financial strategies tailored to...

Personal Loans for Business

Personal loans are often used for personal expenses, such as home renovations and debt consolidation. But in many cases, you can also put...