This Week's Personal Loan Rates: May 6, 2025—Rates Are On The Rise

Forbes

06-05-2025

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Rates on personal loans are inching up. But you can still snag a reasonable rate, whether you're looking to finance a home remodeling project, deal with unexpected bills or temporarily improve your cash flow.
From April 28 to May 3, the average fixed rate on a three-year personal loan was 14.39% for borrowers with a credit score of at least 720 who prequalified on Credible.com's personal loan marketplace. The rate was 14.33% the previous week, according to Credible.com. The average rate on a five-year personal loan rose 1.08 percentage points last week to 20.39% from 19.31%.
The most qualified borrowers generally receive the best rates. In fact, well-qualified borrowers may receive a significantly lower rate than average. The rate you receive depends on various factors, including your credit profile and the loans available through your chosen lender.
These rates are accurate as of May 3, 2025, and based on the three-year fixed rate.
Related: Best Personal Loans
Personal loan rates fluctuate frequently, and each lender determines and sets different rates. While your rate isn't guaranteed until you sign your loan agreement, you can get an idea of average lender rates below.
The table below compares personal loan rates for three- and five-year terms to help you understand rate trends. Lenders typically consider your loan term and credit history to determine your interest rate.
Your credit score plays a major role in the interest rate a lender offers for a personal loan. Lenders use your credit profile and other factors to evaluate your risk as a borrower. In general, the higher your credit score, the lower the interest rate you'll receive.
The table below compares average personal loan interest rates by credit score, showing how much your score can affect your rate and how much you could save over time.
Each lender sets its personal loan rates, so we recommend using these steps to land the best rates: Prequalify with multiple lenders. Prequalifying for a personal loan lets you check your eligibility and potential rates without impacting your credit score. While this doesn't guarantee you'll receive a loan, it can allow you to compare possible amounts and terms between lenders. Review your offers. Once you've seen if you prequalify, review and compare offers to find the best option. Consider the interest rate, loan amount, repayment terms and any fees. Depending on your financial situation, you also might want to consider lenders who don't charge late payment fees or prepayment penalties. Apply. Once you've selected a lender, submit an application online or in person. Gather your documentation, including bank statements, pay stubs and identification. This requires a hard credit check that temporarily drops your score by a few points.
Related: 5 Personal Loan Requirements To Know Before Applying
We recommend you get a personal loan only when it's necessary. If you're considering a personal loan, these steps can help you understand if it's the right choice: Identify why you need funds. Before taking out a personal loan, understand how you would use the funds. Some common personal loan uses include home improvement, debt consolidation and covering emergency expenses. It's best to avoid using personal loans for nonessential expenses that you could potentially save up for, like vacations and holiday gifts. Determine how much financing you need. Once you identify why you need the funds, calculate how much you need to cover your costs. This amount will typically inform you of the loan amount you need or if you can use an alternative. Consider personal loan alternatives. If you only need to borrow a small amount of money, such as under $2,000, consider alternative options such as a payday alternative loan (PAL) or a buy now, pay later service. Find a lender that fits your needs. If you can't find an alternative that fits your needs, find a personal loan lender that provides sufficient financing.
Pro Tip
In some cases, getting a personal loan may not be the best decision. For example, we don't recommend a personal loan if you can't afford the monthly payments or if you can wait to save up the money you need.
You can get personal loans through several institutions. Depending on the loan you're looking to borrow and your qualifications, one lender might be better than another. As you look for a personal loan, consider: Credit unions: Best for those who meet a local credit union's eligibility requirements or are existing members.
Best for those who meet a local credit union's eligibility requirements or are existing members. Banks: Best for an in-person experience or if you want to keep all your banking under one institution.
Best for an in-person experience or if you want to keep all your banking under one institution. Online lenders: Best for an online experience and flexible qualification requirements. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Once you have your interest rate, loan term and amount borrowed, you can calculate your loan payments. A personal loan calculator can help with this.
Whether an interest rate is high depends on several factors, including current market conditions and your credit profile. Based on current average personal loan interest rates, a 7% interest rate would be considered competitive.