How hard is it to get approved for a bank loan?
Most banks require applicants to have good to excellent credit (a 690 credit score or higher), though some banks may accept applicants with fair credit (a 630 to 689 credit score). Banks may also evaluate your debt-to-income ratio and whether you have enough cash flow to take on new debt.
The easiest types of loans to get approved for don't require a credit check and include payday loans, car title loans and pawnshop loans — but they're also highly predatory due to outrageously high interest rates and fees.
While lenders vary in their requirements, you're more likely to get the best loan terms if your score is in the "good" category or higher, meaning at least 670. 1 But even if you have only a "fair" score, which starts at 580, you may be able to obtain a personal loan from some lenders.
Interest rates have spiked dramatically since 2022, as the Federal Reserve battles inflation. According to the new Bankrate survey, the odds of getting approved for a loan today amount to a coin flip. Half of the applicants face denial, sometimes more than once.
Lenders will look at factors like your credit score, income, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, and collateral to determine your eligibility for a personal loan. Different lenders will have different requirements for approving personal loans. Some lenders may be willing to work with applicants who have lower credit scores.
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.
Fair Finance is a direct lender. This means there is no middle man involved, such as a credit broker, agent or financial advisor. If you want to take out a personal loan with us, you apply to us directly. We then make the lending decision without needing to involve anyone else.
You will need a credit score of 580 or higher for a $3,000 personal loan. Most lenders that offer personal loans of $3,000 or more require a 580+ credit score for approval, along with enough income to afford the monthly payments.
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.
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.
Is it better to get a loan from a lender or a bank?
The best option for you depends on your specific circ*mstances. If you lack credit history or have poor credit it may be easier to get a loan from a private lender. If you have a good credit score or an established relationship with a bank, you will likely qualify for better lending terms.
- Give your credit a little boost. ...
- Determine how much you need. ...
- Add a cosigner. ...
- Don't settle for the first lender that comes your way. ...
- Double and triple check your application.
Funding. If you are approved, funding generally takes between two to five business days. Smaller banks and credit unions may take longer, but most should be able to fund your loan within a week of applying if you opt for direct deposit into a bank account.
Lenders have the ultimate decision-making power when it comes to who they will provide loans to. In general, though, if you're denied a personal loan, it most likely has to do with your credit score, income situation, or DTI. Before you apply, check the lender's criteria to determine if you're likely to qualify.
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.
Although loan amounts vary across lenders, the maximum amount for personal loans typically ranges from $500 to $100,000. In some cases, you may qualify for a loan larger than what you need. Before accepting any loan, consider what you can afford to repay and be sure you don't borrow more than what you can manage.
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.
Know your credit history: Because $60,000 is such a large sum of money and there are fewer lenders that offer such large loans, you'll find it's harder to qualify for. You'll typically need good or excellent credit (a FICO score of 670 or higher) and may need to meet certain income requirements.
| Loan Amount | Loan Term (Years) | Estimated Fixed Monthly Payment* |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000 | 5 | $514.57 |
| $30,000 | 3 | $926.18 |
| $30,000 | 5 | $608.15 |
| $35,000 | 3 | $1080.54 |
| App | Max loan amts. | Fastest funding available/fee |
|---|---|---|
| Klover | $200 | Instant, $1.99 – $16.78 |
| EarnIn | $100 / day $750 / pay period | Instant, $1.99 – $4.99 |
| Brigit | $250 | Instant, $0.99 – $3.99 |
| MoneyLion | $500 | Instant, $0.49 – $8.99 |
How to get a loan when no one will approve you?
Ask Someone To Co-Sign
Getting a personal loan with a co-signer that has a strong credit score and a solid income can boost your application. Your co-signer – ideally, a family member or close friend – will apply alongside you, and you'll both be responsible for repayment of the loan.
If you need the money now, there might be other ways to borrow, such as credit unions, employer salary advance schemes or Community Development Finance Institutions. But it's important to avoid being tempted to take out high-cost credit that you might be able to get but would struggle to afford, such as payday loans.
| Payoff period | APR | Monthly payment |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 15% | $271 |
| 24 months | 15% | $145 |
| 36 months | 15% | $104 |
| 48 months | 15% | $83 |
Based on the OneMain personal loan calculator, a $5,000 loan with a 25% APR and a 60-month term length would be $147 per month. The loan terms you receive will depend on your credit profile, including credit history, income, debts and if you secure it with collateral like a car or truck.
For a conventional loan, often backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a minimum score of 620 is typically required. It's important to remember that while lenders have minimum credit score requirements, having a higher score can improve your chances of getting a better mortgage deal.
