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Most lenders require at least 580 to 660 at a minimum, but lower scores usually mean smaller loan amounts and higher interest rates.
That’s because your credit score is one of the first things lenders look at. And while some traditional lenders won’t consider applicants who fall below their minimum requirement, others weigh factors like your income, debt-to-income ratio or job history alongside your credit score.
The quick breakdown by score range
Your credit score shapes what you qualify for and what you’ll pay. Here’s a rough map:
740+ (Excellent): Best rates and highest loan amounts from most lenders
670–739 (Good): Solid options from most lenders; competitive rates available
580–669 (Fair): More limited options; higher interest rates likely
Below 580 (Poor): Few lenders will work with you; expect high rates or collateral requirements
No credit history: Some lenders (like Upstart) still consider your application
The national average FICO Score is 715, according to FICO’s most recent data (fall 2025) — technically good credit, but the two-point drop from 2024 was the steepest decline since the Great Recession, driven by student loan delinquencies and rising missed payments on credit cards and auto loans.
Minimum credit score requirement for top lenders
These figures come from each lender’s own site or official disclosures where available. Rates and requirements change, so always verify directly with the lender before applying.
What score do you actually need for competitive rates?
You don’t need a perfect score, but you need a good one. Here’s what that generally looks like:
Good (670–739): You’ll qualify with most lenders and get competitive — though not rock-bottom — rates.
Excellent (740+): You’re likely to unlock the lowest advertised rates and the largest loan amounts.
If your score is in the high 700s or above, lenders like LightStream or SoFi become genuinely attractive. Below 640, you’ll likely pay significantly more in interest and your options narrow.
Which credit bureau does each lender check?
Credit scores can differ between bureaus, so it helps to know which one a lender checks. We combed through lender FAQs and customer reports to figure out which bureau each lender checks. However, lenders can change bureaus without notice, so contact the lender directly if it matters to you.
Lender
Typically checks
Notes
Achieve
Experian
Soft pull for pre-qualification; hard pull from Experian during full application; reports to all three
Best Egg
Experian or TransUnion
Reports to all three bureaus
Citi
Experian
May also pull from others depending on situation
LendingClub
TransUnion
Reports to all three bureaus
LightStream
TransUnion or Equifax
Confirmed in LightStream FAQ
Prosper
TransUnion
Reports to all three bureaus
SoFi
Experian
Reports to all three bureaus
Upgrade
TransUnion
Hard pull during application
Wells Fargo
Experian
May also pull Equifax in some states
Compare personal loans for all credit types
Select your credit score range and state of residence to see the top providers in your area. Then, explore your options by APR, minimum credit score or loan amount. Choose the Go to site button for more information about a particular provider.
We currently don't have that product, but here are others to consider:
How we picked these
What is the Finder Score?
The Finder Score crunches 6+ types of personal loans across 50+ lenders. It takes into account the product's interest rate, fees and features, as well as the type of loan eg investor, variable, fixed rate - this gives you a simple score out of 10.
Your credit score gets you in the door, but lenders also check:
Income. Many lenders require at least $25,000 in annual income, though some (like OneMain and Upgrade) don’t list a hard minimum. Higher income helps you qualify for larger amounts.
Employment. Full-time employment is preferred, but some lenders accept self-employment or other verifiable income sources. You might have trouble getting financing when you’re unemployed or self-employed, though there are a few options available.
Credit history length. Less than three years of credit history can hurt your chances even if your score looks decent. LightStream, for example, explicitly looks for “several years” of credit history.
Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio. Your DTI ratio is your monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Most lenders want to see it below 40–50%.
How to check your credit score before applying for a personal loan
There’s no single score that all lenders use, but reviewing your FICO Score 8, FICO Score 9 or VantageScore 3.0 or 4.0 is a good starting point. Personal loan providers commonly use these scores to evaluate your eligibility, and checking them can give you a clearer picture of where you stand.
Credit bureau accounts. You can create free accounts with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion to view your credit report. Experian offers your FICO Score 8 at no charge, while Equifax provides your VantageScore with certain free accounts. TransUnion provides free access to your credit report, but typically charges for credit score access.
Credit Karma or Credit Sesame. Free VantageScore from TransUnion or Equifax.
Your credit card or bank app. Many now include a free credit score in the dashboard.
Online services. You can review your credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com, though this won’t include your credit score. For score access, try free services like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame or Experian’s free account.
There’s no single score all lenders use, but FICO Score 8 and VantageScore 4.0 are the most widely referenced.
How to improve your score before applying
Even a modest score bump can move you into a better rate tier. The most impactful steps:
Pay down revolving balances. Credit utilization (how much of your limit you’re using) makes up 30% of your FICO score. Getting below 30% — ideally 10% — helps fast.
Make all current payments on time. Payment history is the single biggest factor in your score (35%).
Dispute errors on your credit report. Pull your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and flag anything that looks wrong.
Avoid new credit applications. Each hard inquiry can temporarily drop your score a few points.
It can help. On-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus and build positive payment history. If you only have revolving credit (like credit cards), adding an installment loan can also improve your credit mix, which is worth about 10% of your score.
It can also hurt — in the short term. Applying triggers a hard credit check, which may temporarily drop your score by a few points. Missing payments after you take out the loan is the bigger risk and can cause serious damage.
Can I get a personal loan with no credit score?
No-credit loans are available to people without an established credit score. Upstart is the most notable example, using factors like education and employment history in its underwriting. Interest rates tend to be higher, and loan amounts may be smaller, but it’s possible.
If you have no score yet, also consider:
Credit unions, which often have more flexible criteria for members
Secured personal loans, backed by collateral
Credit-builder loans, specifically designed to help you establish a track record
If you’re not sure a personal loan is the right move, consider these options:
A peer-to-peer loan (P2P). A loan funded by investors rather than a financial institution, with easier eligibility requirements and quick funding.
Life insurance policy loan. If you have a permanent life insurance policy, consider taking out some of the cash you’ve accumulated.
Family loans. Consider asking a loved one you trust if you can borrow money and pay them back. Just be sure to lay the terms out clearly to avoid misunderstandings, which could damage the relationship.
Home equity loan. If you have enough equity in your home, consider a home equity loan or home equity line of credit. Just be aware that non-payment can mean losing your home.
Bottom line
It’s possible to get a personal loan with almost any credit score — or even no credit score. But you have more options if you have good-to-excellent credit. If you aren’t in a rush, consider improving your credit rating to get an even better deal.
Be honest. Lenders sometimes verify how funds are used, and misrepresenting the purpose can result in a denial or rescinded offer. Also, check for any restrictions: many lenders don't allow funds to be used for business expenses or college tuition.
No. Lenders choose which bureau to pull from, and most don't let borrowers select. Some don't even disclose which one they use. If this matters to you, contact the lender before applying.
Yes, and it can be a smart move if you qualify for a lower rate than what you're currently paying on credit cards or other debt. LendingClub and Achieve even offer direct payment to creditors to simplify the process.
Based on customer reports and lender disclosures, all three typically pull from TransUnion for applications. But this can change. Verify before applying if your TransUnion score is significantly stronger than your other scores.
Several lenders use Experian only, including Achieve, SoFi, Citi and Wells Fargo.
Christi Gorbett is a freelance writer with more than eight years of experience and a master's degree in English. She’s created a wide range of content for banks, financial product comparison sites, and marketing companies on topics like small business loans, credit cards, mortgages, retirement planning, lender reviews, and more.
As a former teacher, Christi excels at making complex financial topics accessible and easy to understand. Her interest in finance grew when she returned to the U.S. after living in South Korea for nearly a decade.
This shift was driven by several personal financial challenges: rebuilding her financial base after the move home, starting her own business, and catching up on retirement savings. These experiences deepened Christi’s practical understanding of finance and intensified her interest in the field.
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Megan B. Shepherd is a personal finance expert and editor for loans and insurance at Finder.
Her personal finance expertise has been featured on Forbes, Nasdaq, MediaFeed, Fox News, Time, Reviews.com, and carinsurance.com, adding invaluable information related to personal loans, financial strategies and smart borrowing tactics.
Megan graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with a BS in Business Administration with an entrepreneurial focus. She's worked as a certified financial adviser and has earned certificates of completion from A.D. Banker & Company.
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