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Compare the Best Personal Loans for Good Credit

Best Personal Loans for Good Credit

We’ve analyzed the top lenders in the industry and compiled a list of the best personal loans for good credit. Good credit is generally a score of 670 or higher, according to FICO, and means you’re perceived to be a low-risk borrower. 

From LightStream’s competitive rates to Wells Fargo’s in-person service, we’ve got a personal loan recommendation for every need. 

LightStream

Our Top Pick
5.0
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 6.99% to 25.49% Term Options 24 months to 144 months Loan Size Offered $5k to $100k

LightStream Overview

LightStream offers loans for practically anything — home improvement projects, auto financing, medical bills, timeshares and debt consolidation. It’s known for offering low interest rates to borrowers with good to excellent credit scores and even has a Rate Beat Program that promises to beat any competitor’s rate by 0.1 percentage points if certain conditions are met. LightStream is a division of Truist Bank.

Pros & Cons

Pros Doesn’t charge fees 0.5% autopay discount available Rate Beat Program helps guarantee a low rate. Available in all 50 states Cons Must have good or excellent credit to qualify Maximum loan terms vary by purpose (max is 12 years for home improvement, boat, RV and aircraft loans; max is seven years for other loan purposes). Can’t get preapproved or prequalified

LightStream Eligibility Requirements

You must have good to excellent credit to qualify for a LightStream personal loan. Although the company doesn’t list credit score minimums on its website, this is generally a FICO score of 670 or higher. You also need several years of credit history, proof of assets such as a retirement account, checking account or savings account, stable income and a good payment history.

Loan amounts for LightStream range from $5,000 to $100,000, and repayment terms are between two to 12 years, depending on the loan amount and purpose.

SoFi

Best Customer Service
4.9
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 8.99% to 29.49% Term Options 24 months to 84 months Loan Size Offered $5k to $100k

SoFi Overview

SoFi is a top choice for securing a personal loan with good credit. Plus, it has exceptional customer service – including a few programs you won’t find with other lenders. Through its unemployment protection program, a customer service representative can help you adjust your payments if you lose your job. There’s also a free career coaching program to help you find new employment. This level of customer service is virtually unmatched. Plus, SoFi doesn’t charge origination or prepayment fees, and it provides same-day funding to eligible customers.

Pros & Cons

Pros No hidden fees 0.25% autopay and 0.25% direct deposit discounts available Unemployment protection and career coaching services available Can get a quick rate estimate with no impact on your credit score Cons May charge origination fees up to 6% Minimum loan amount is $5,000, which may be more than you need Doesn’t allow co-signers

SoFi Eligibility Requirements

SoFi doesn’t advertise a minimum credit score requirement but says you may qualify for the most favorable rates if you have a minimum score of 670. You must also be at least 18 years old and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or non-permanent resident alien. You must be employed, have a job offer to start work within the next 90 days or have enough income from other sources to be eligible.

SoFi loan terms start at $5,000 and go up to $100,000, but minimums may be higher in some states. Repayment terms for SoFi vary from two to seven years.

PenFed Credit Union

Best for Small Loans
4.8
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 7.99% to 17.99% Term Options 12 months to 60 months Loan Size Offered $600 to $50k

PenFed Overview

Pentagon Federal Credit Union (PenFed) has lower personal loan minimums than a great deal of the competition — amounts start at just $600. This makes it a solid option if you need a small personal loan.

Pros & Cons

Pros No origination fees or early payoff fees Member-focused credit union Allows you to have a co-borrower Available in all 50 states Cons Doesn’t advertise rate discounts Membership required to receive loan funds Limited physical branch locations

PenFed Eligibility Requirements

Although you don’t have to be a PenFed member to apply for a loan, you’ll need to become a member to get loan funds. PenFed membership is available to anyone in the U.S., not just military personnel.

PenFed doesn’t advertise a required minimum credit score. Loan amounts range from $600 to $50,000. You can choose from several term lengths between one and five years.

Discover

Best for Low Rates
4.6
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 7.99% to 24.99% Term Options 36 months to 84 months Loan Size Offered $2.5k to $40k

Discover Overview

Discover has some of the best personal loans for good credit and low rates. The company is known for its transparency, as it doesn’t charge origination fees or early payoff fees. While you can use your Discover personal loan for almost anything, you can’t use it for college or to pay off a Discover credit card. Keep this in mind if you’re considering a personal loan for credit card consolidation.

Pros & Cons

Pros No origination or early payoff fees Same-day decision in most cases Available in all 50 states Cons Doesn’t advertise rate discounts Doesn’t allow co-borrowing Requires at least $25,000 in annual household income

Discover Eligibility Requirements

Discover requires borrowers to be at least 18 years old, a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a minimum annual income of $25,000. You must also have a physical mailing address and an active email address to complete your online application. Loan amounts range from $2,500 to $40,000 with repayment terms of three to seven years.

Upstart

Best for Low Income Borrowers
4.4
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 7.80% to 35.99% Term Options 36 months to 60 months Size Offered $1k to $50k

Upstart Overview

Upstart is known for using artificial intelligence to determine if you’re eligible for a personal loan.  It considers factors beyond your credit score — like your education and job history — which can help you get approved, even with a low income or shaky credit score. In fact, Upstart requires only a $12,000 annual income to be considered for approval.

Pros & Cons

Pros Requires only $12,000 annual income to qualify AI-driven approval process considers more than just credit score. No early payoff penalties Minimum credit score is 300 Fast funding, often within one business day Cons May be charged an origination fee Limited loan terms of 3 or 5 years Some borrowers may find better rates elsewhere. Not available to West Virginia or Iowa residents

Upstart Eligibility Requirements

Upstart’s minimum credit score requirement is 300. Beyond this, you must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen with a U.S. street address (unless you’re active duty military), have a personal bank account in the U.S. and have a job or employment offer that starts within six months of loan approval. You must earn at least $12,000 in annual household income.

Upstart loan limits start at $1,000 and go up to $50,000. There are only two loan term options: three or five years.

U.S. Bank

Best for Bank Switchers
4.4
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 8.74% to 24.99% Term Options 12 months to 60 months (for non-customers) Size Offered $1k to $50k

U.S. Bank Overview

U.S. Bank personal loans can be an attractive option if you’re open to switching banks. Existing U.S. Bank customers may get approved for a personal loan with lower credit scores and for larger loan amounts than non-customers. If you’re in the market for a new bank, it could be worth looking into.

Pros & Cons

Pros No origination or early payoff fees 0.5% autopay rate discount available Current U.S. Bank customers can receive the best loan terms. Wide branch network Cons Has strict eligibility requirements for non-U.S. Bank customers Maximum loan limits vary based on customer status Doesn’t offer preapproval

U.S. Bank Eligibility Requirements

Requirements vary based on whether you’re a current U.S. Bank customer. 

Current customers need a minimum 660 credit score to qualify for a personal loan. If approved, loan limits range from $1,000 to $50,000, and terms go up to seven years. 

Non-customers need a minimum 720 credit score to qualify, and if approved, the maximum loan amount is $25,000, and the maximum term is five years. U.S. Bank is only available to customers in certain states, so it’s best to check availability before applying.

Upgrade

Best Discounts
4.3
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 8.49% to 35.99% Term Options 24 months to 84 months Loan Size Offered $1k to $50k

Upgrade Overview

Upgrade is popular for offering rate discounts and other perks to borrowers who fulfill specific requirements, like setting up automatic payments. It often has welcome bonuses that sweeten the deal. You can apply for an Upgrade personal loan online and receive funding within one business day. It also has low interest rates, making it a solid choice if you’re looking for a personal loan with good credit.

Pros & Cons

Pros No early payoff fees Has autopay rate discounts and welcome offers Can get a quick rate estimate with no hard credit check Can receive funding within one business day Allows joint applications Cons Charges an origination fee Not a lot of loan information available on website Some borrowers may find better rates elsewhere.

Upgrade Eligibility Requirements

Minimum credit score requirements are not disclosed by Upgrade. You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident or have a valid U.S. visa to be eligible for an Upgrade personal loan. You must also be at least 18 years old and have a bank account and active email address.

Loan amounts range from $1,000 to $50,000, with terms going from 24 to 84 months. At the time of publishing, new borrowers can receive a $200 welcome bonus when they open an Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus account with their loan application and have at least $1,000 in direct deposits within the first 45 days.

Wells Fargo

Best for In-Person Service
4.3
Our Rating
Interest Rate (APR) 7.49% to 23.24% Term Options 12 months to 84 months Loan Size Offered $3k to $100k

Wells Fargo Overview

With branch locations scattered across the U.S., Wells Fargo is a top choice if you prefer to discuss your loan options in person with a lender. It’s the fourth largest commercial bank in the U.S. and allows customers to take out personal loans in amounts spanning from $3,000 to $100,000.

Pros & Cons

Pros No origination or early payoff fees Can get a quick rate estimate with no impact on your credit score Wide branch network Offers relationship rate discount Available in all 50 states Cons Loans only open to existing Wells Fargo customers Must apply in person or by phone; no online application process Negative customer reviews in recent years

Wells Fargo Eligibility Requirements

Minimum credit score requirements are not disclosed by Wells Fargo. You must be at least 18 years old, have a Social Security number or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) and have proof of employment and stable income to be eligible for a personal loan.

Loan amounts range from $3,000 to $100,000, and loan terms vary from 12 to 84 months.

*APR accurate as of April 26, 2024

When Might You Consider a Personal Loan

If you have good credit, you may qualify for great personal loan rates, making this type of loan a better option than credit cards or home equity loans for major purchases. Personal loans often come with fixed rates and predictable payments, which make it easier to budget for than a variable-rate credit card or home equity line of credit (HELOC)

Here are just a few of the scenarios where a personal loan could be your best option:

Debt Consolidation

If you’re struggling with high-interest credit cards and/or other debt, consolidating it with a personal loan could be a smart move. By combining multiple debts into one loan with a lower interest rate, you could save money in addition to reducing the number of monthly payments you’ll have to make.

Major Expenses

If you have a large expense coming up, like a wedding or kitchen remodel, a personal loan could help you finance it. You’ll have a lump sum you can use to cover the costs upfront while spreading the payments over a set period of time.

Emergencies

Not all major expenses are planned. When a medical or other type of emergency arises for yourself, your family or your pets, you may not be prepared. A personal loan can help fill in the financial gaps of these situations. 
Taking out a personal loan is a big decision, so don’t take it lightly. Only borrow what you can afford to repay, and consider speaking with a financial adviser or credit counselor if you’re not sure what to do. They can help you understand the pros and cons of taking on debt and determine if a personal loan is right for you.

Key Considerations When Choosing a Lender

The three main things to consider when choosing a personal loan lender are interest rates, fees and terms. The interest rate is the cost of borrowing money and can vary widely between lenders. Fees can include origination fees, prepayment penalties or late payment fees and can add up quickly. Terms refer to how many months or years the loan lasts and when you’ll make payments.

Use this checklist to evaluate personal lenders and choose the right one:

  • Compare interest rates from multiple lenders: Get loan offers from at least three lenders. The annual percentage rate (APR) includes both the interest rate and fees, so use it to compare lenders apples to apples.
  • Look for any fees associated with the loan: This includes prepayment penalties, application fees or origination fees. Ideally, you shouldn’t be charged any of these fees.
  • Consider the length of the loan and the repayment schedule: How many years will it take you to pay off the loan? Most loans last for two to seven years. Choosing a longer loan term may lower your monthly payments, but you’ll end up paying more for the loan in total due to interest. 
  • Evaluate the repayment flexibility offered by the lender: The best lenders will let you adjust your due date, make extra payments or even pause payments if you have a financial hardship.
  • Research the customer support offered by the lender: Choose a lender that has convenient hours and easy-to-reach customer support.

The Bottom Line

Finding the right personal loan with good credit is a financial superpower. It means you can access some of the best deals on the market today. If you find yourself in this fortunate position, take a moment to explore personal loan options from reputable lenders. 

But remember, even with good credit, reading the terms and making informed financial choices is crucial. Make sure you choose a loan you can afford to repay and only borrow what you need.

You can also get a personal loan for bad credit if your credit score isn’t good enough.

Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Loans for Good Credit

FICO defines a good credit score as anything between 670 to 739. With a score in this range, you’re more likely to be approved for personal loans with lower interest rates.

Payday loans and cash advance loans are generally easy to get, but they come with high interest rates and fees that can trap you in a cycle of debt. As a result, they’re generally not a good idea for most people. It’s better to increase your credit score first so you have a higher chance of getting approved for a personal loan with fair rates.

Online lenders such as LightStream and SoFi offer instant or same-day funding for personal loans. You can speed up the process by applying during business hours and signing your loan agreement right when they send it to you.

You’re more likely to get a personal loan if you have a good credit score, a stable source of income and a debt-to-income (DTI) ratio below 40%. If you’re missing one of these key pieces, having a co-signer with strong credit can increase your chances of approval.

Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Personal Loans for Good Credit

Our team put together a comprehensive 100-point rating system to evaluate personal loan companies based on factors that mean the most to you, the potential borrower. We then gathered scores of data points from across the industry, analyzing disclosures, licensing documents, sample loan agreements, marketing materials and websites for more than two dozen of the most prominent personal loan companies in the United States.

Our rating system takes into account four broad categories. Here’s a brief breakdown of each one.

  • Affordability (35%): We gauge how expensive each company’s loans are to pay back, taking into account both interest rates and fees. The highest-scoring lenders will have low minimum and maximum annual percentage rates (APRs) and low or no origination fees.
  • Loan features (35%): This category measures the breadth of loan terms available to prospective customers. The most points go to lenders with a wide range of loan lengths, small minimum loans, large maximum loans, and fast funding. 
  • Customer experience (20%): We review each company’s application, prequalification and customer service policies and procedures to create this category score. The best companies will have simple online applications and multiple ways for customers to get their problems solved.
  • Company reputation (10%): Our team analyzes each company’s Better Business Bureau file, customer reviews and any outstanding regulatory actions. The most points will go to companies with an A+ rating with the BBB, a track record of addressing customer complaints and no active regulatory orders.

This rating system is intended to give readers a comprehensive overview of each personal loan company. However, our top-rated lenders may not be the best fit for all borrowers. To learn more, you can read our full personal loans methodology.

Editor’s Note: Before making significant financial decisions, consider reviewing your options with someone you trust, such as a financial adviser, credit counselor or financial professional, since every person’s situation and needs are different.

If you have questions about this page, please reach out to our editors at editors@marketwatchguides.com.

Cassidy Horton Contributing Writer

Cassidy Horton is a finance writer with over five years of experience. She holds an MBA and a bachelor’s in public relations from Georgia Southern University and has worked with top finance brands like Forbes Advisor, NerdWallet and Consumer Affairs.

Kelly Larson Senior Editor

Kelly is an editorial leader and collaborator with over 13 years of experience creating and optimizing data-driven, reader-focused digital content. Before joining our team, Kelly was the cross-niche editor and Branded Content Lead at personal finance and fintech site Finder.

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