Is it Better to Get a Personal Loan From Your Bank? (2024)

FAQs

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.

As personal loans are often unsecured, there tends to be stricter credit requirements to offset the risk of giving out a loan without collateral. Higher interest rates and fees: Banks tend to charge higher interest rates and more fees compared to their credit union and online lender counterparts.

It can be better to get a personal loan from your own bank if you've done a lot of business together. Having a positive and long-standing relationship with your bank may improve your odds of getting approved for a loan with competitive terms. Getting a loan from your bank might also make the account easier to manage.

Fees and penalties can be high

Personal loans may come with fees and penalties that can drive up the cost of borrowing. Some loans come with origination fees of 1 percent to 6 percent of the loan amount.

Start where You Bank.

Contact your current credit union or bank and ask to speak with a loan representative. The financial institution where you currently have an account will make the application process easy and convenient, and you may benefit from low or no application fees.

Hard inquiry on your credit: Due to the hard credit check, you will likely see a short-term drop in your credit score when you formally apply for the loan. While this may not be detrimental to your long-term credit score, it could cause some harm to your credit if you apply for multiple loans in a short time.

The personal loan amount you can qualify for is typically determined by your credit score, income, debt-to-income ratio and other factors. Although loan amounts vary across lenders, the maximum amount for personal loans typically ranges from $500 to $100,000.

The easiest banks to get a personal loan from are USAA and Wells Fargo. USAA does not disclose a minimum credit score requirement, but their website indicates they consider people with scores below 640, so even people with bad credit may be able to qualify.

What happens if you get a loan and don't use it? ›

If it's an unsecured personal loan (meaning no collateral was involved), most lenders don't care what you do with the funds. However, a debt consolidation loan is an exception, because it was granted for a specific purpose.

The primary benefit of going directly to a bank or credit union is that you will likely receive lower interest rates. They can offer more competitive deals because you are borrowing directly from them.

You should avoid using a personal loan to pay for college tuition, investments, basic living expenses, vacation, discretionary purchases and gambling, as well as a down payment and the costs associated with starting a business.

Taking out a personal loan can make more sense than tapping credit cards or home equity in some cases – but it's not always a good idea to borrow one. There are situations where this could be a good idea, but always remember that taking out a personal loan increases your overall debt.

You'll get more personalized service.

When you work with a large bank or online lender, you're just another number. But when you work with a local lender, they'll get to know you and your needs. They'll be invested in helping you find the right home and getting you the best loan possible.

Credit checks coming from lenders are reported to the credit reporting companies as an “inquiry.” An inquiry typically has a small negative effect on your credit scores. Inquiries can be seen by other lenders when they check your credit. Inquiries tell other lenders that you are thinking of taking on new debt.

The primary benefit of going directly to a bank or credit union is that you will likely receive lower interest rates. They can offer more competitive deals because you are borrowing directly from them.