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How Personal Loans Affect Your Credit Score

They can help raise your score, b𝕴ut they have to be repaid o♕n time

Part of the Series
Personal Loan Guide
How Personal Loans Affect Your Credit Score

Investopedia / Hilary Allison

A personal loan can affect your credit score for good or bad. Taking out a personal loan isn't bad for𓄧 your credit score in and of itself. However, it may affect your overall score in the short term and make it more difficult for you to obtain addition♋al credit until the loan is repaid.

On the other hand, paying off a personal loan on time should boost your overall score. If you decide to take one out, thoroughly research and compare all of your options to qualify for the best possible loan, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:even if you have bad credit.

Key Takeaways

  • Your overall credit rating could temporarily drop when you take a personal loan because you have acquired additional debt. 
  • In the short term, you also may not be able to get another loan or open another credit card.
  • Repaying the loan on time will not only bring your credit score back up, but it can also help build it over time.
  • You don't need an excellent credit score to get a loan—you can 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:apply for a personal loan with a fair credit score.

How Applyingܫ for Loans Affects Your Credit Score

Your 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit score is calculated based on five factors: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix.

The exact percentages vary among the three 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:major credit rating agencies, but according to FICO, 10% is based on any new debt or newly opened lines of credit, and another 10% is based on credit mix—the number of 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:credit lines that you have open (including 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:secured credit cards). As such, obtaining a new personal loan c♈ould af🔴fect your credit rating. Your outstanding debt total has increased, and you have acquired new debt.

Credit agencies also take note of new financial activity. If, for example, you tried to apply for an auto loan shortly after taking out a personal loan, your application might be rejected because you already have as much debt as you can handle.

Your overall credit history has more impact on your credit score than a single new loan. If you have a long history of managing debt and making timely payments, your score shouldn't be affected for very long. The easiest and best way to keep a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:personal loan from lowering your credit score is to make your payments on time and within the terms of the loan agreement.

Important

The three major credit reporting bureaus in the United States that lenders turn to—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—provide similar scores on your creditworthiness, but there can be slight differences.

How Do People Use Personal Loans?

cnjem.commissioned a national survey of 962 U.S. adults between Aug. 14, 2023, and Sept. 15, 2023, who had taken out a personal loan to learn how they used their loan proceeds and how they might use future personal loans. Debt consolidation was the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结🐲果体彩网:most cꦛommon reason people borrowed money, followed by home improvement and other large expenditures.

How a Personal Loan Can Boost Your Credit Score

Repaying a personal loan in a timely fashion can positively affect your credit score, demonstrating that you can handle debt responsibly.

Unfortunately, those who are the most averse to taking on debt could have lousy credit scores. After all, a person who never acquires debt and pays it off in installments has no payment history.

Fast Fact

You can receive a free copy of your credit reports from the three credit bureaus every 12 months by visiting .

What Credit Score Is Need✱ed for a Personal Loan?

FICO scores fall into five categories—poor, fair, good, very good, and exceptional. Here's a breakdown of the ranges:

  • Poor (<580): Below average, lenders will consider you a risky borrower.
  • Fair (580–669): Below average, but many lenders may still approve loans with this score.
  • Good (670–739): Near or slightly above average, and most lenders view this as a good score.
  • Very Good (740–799): Above average and shows lenders that you are a dependable borrower.
  • Exceptional (800+): Well above average, and lenders will view you as an exceptional borrower.

The higher your credit score, the more likely a lender will approve your loan application and offer more favorable terms, such as a lower interest rate. While 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:each has its own criteria, lenders generally view scores abov♎e 670 as an indication that a borrower is creditworthy.

Also, keep in mind that while your credit score plays a crucial role in helping you qualify for a personal loan, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:lenders also consider othe⛎r factors like your income, your bank account balance, and your🦋 lengt𒁃h of employment.

Finding the right loan can be particularly stressful when you face a financial emergency and need to borrow money quickly. Accessing cash in a hurry may seem even more daunting if you have bad credit. Fortunately, you may still be able to secure an 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:emergency loan even when you have credit problems.

What Can I Use a Personal Loan For?

Money from a personal loan💃 can be used for various pu꧋rposes. Some examples include paying off tax debts, financing home renovations, or covering an unexpected medical emergency.

What Rate Will I Get for a Personal Loan?

Your loan rate depends on your credit score and credit history. The higher your score and the better your history, the lower your interest rate and monthly payments will be. The average rate for a 24-month personal loan was 12.32% in Q4 2025.

Does Taking Out a Personal Loan Hurt my Credit Score?

Your credit score will take a slight hit when you apply for a loan, as the lender looks hard at your credit. However, your credit score should improve if you make your payme🌺nts on time.

The Bottom Line

A personal loan will cause a slight hit to your credit score in the short term, but making on-time payments will bring it back up and can help improve your credit in the long run. A 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:personal loan calculator can help determine 🥃the loan repayment term t𝐆hat's right for you.

Your credit score will be hurt if you pay late or default on the loan. And don't forget that a personal loan may also reduce your borrowing power for other lines of credit. If you've recently taken out a personal loan and accidentally made multiple late payments or defaulted on the said loan, one of the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:best credit repair companies might be able to help remove the negative marks on 🔜your credit report.

Article Sources
Investopedia requires writers to use primary sources to support their work. These include white papers, government data, original reporting, and interviews with industry experts. We also reference original research from other reputable publishers where appropriate. You can learn more about the standards we follow in producing accurate, unbiased content in our editorial policy.
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  3. FINRA. "."

  4. myFICO. “.”

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  6. Federal Trade Commission: Consumer Advice. "."

  7. The Federal Reserve. ""

Part of the Series
Personal Loan Guide

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