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Best personal loan rates for March 2024

Mar 15, 2024

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PERSONAL LOANS

LightStream: BEST LOANS FOR GENEROUS REPAYMENT TERMS

4.7

Est. APR
7.99- 25.49%
* with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs*
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
695
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Apply on partner site

PERSONAL LOANS

Upstart: BEST LOAN FOR LITTLE CREDIT HISTORY

4.8

Est. APR
7.80- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
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PERSONAL LOANS

Achieve: BEST FOR INTEREST RATE DISCOUNTS

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $50K
Min credit score
640
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PERSONAL LOANS

LendingClub: BEST LOAN FOR USING A CO-BORROWER

4.7

Est. APR
9.57- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $40K
Min credit score
600
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PERSONAL LOANS

Happy Money: BEST LOAN FOR PAYING CREDIT CARD DEBT

4.6

Est. APR
11.72- 17.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $40K
Min credit score
Not disclosed
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PERSONAL LOANS

OneMain Financial: BEST FOR SECURED LOANS

4.4

Est. APR
18.00- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$1.5k- $20K
Min credit score
500
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PERSONAL LOANS

Citi® Personal Loan: BEST FOR NO FEES

4.6

Est. APR
10.49- 19.49%
Loan term
1-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $30K
Min credit score
720
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Apply on partner site

PERSONAL LOANS

Upgrade: BEST FOR FAST FUNDING

4.7

Est. APR
8.49- 35.99%
with AutoPay
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$1k- $50K
Min credit score
600
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PERSONAL LOANS

Best Egg: BEST FOR LOW APRS

4.6

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
3-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
600
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PERSONAL LOANS

Prosper: BEST FOR JOINT APPLICATIONS

4.7

Est. APR
8.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $50K
Min credit score
560
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PERSONAL LOANS

Avant: BEST LOAN FOR PEOPLE WITH BAD CREDIT

4.7

Est. APR
9.95- 35.99%
Loan term
1-5 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $35K
Min credit score
550

PERSONAL LOANS

LendingPoint: BEST FOR SMALL, LOW-INTEREST LOANS

4.4

Est. APR
7.99- 35.99%
Loan term
2-6 yrs
Loan amount
$2k- $36.5K
Min credit score
600

SoFi: Bankrate 2024 Awards Winner for Best Online Lender

4.8

Est. APR
8.99- 29.99%
with all discounts
Loan term
2-7 yrs
Loan amount
$5k- $100K
Min credit score
680

How to compare personal loans 

Get quotes from a few lenders before applying for a personal loan and compare their offers to make the best choice for your situation. Keep the following factors in mind as you compare personal loan options.

  • Approval requirements. Every lender sets its own threshold for approving potential borrowers based on factors like income, credit score and debt-to-income ratio.
  • Interest rates. The lowest advertised rate may come with extra fees or penalties, so read the fine print on your prequalification offers. 
  • Loan amounts. Make sure the lenders you're researching offer as little or as much as you need — and check that you can qualify for the full amount.
  • Loan terms. Personal loan terms generally range between one and seven years. You’ll typically find the lowest rates on shorter terms, but your monthly payment will be higher. Look for lenders that offer multiple repayment terms and choose the one you can best afford.
  • Unique features. Keep an eye out for lenders with unique perks like rate discounts for auto payments or restrictions on how quickly you can pay your balance off.
  • Customer service. Investigate a company's customer service options and read the company reviews to ensure you have the support you need. Look for both negative trends and how the company responds to them.
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Bankrate insight

"As someone who used to broker loans for a living, I can honestly say finding the best lender for your needs is more important than chasing the lowest advertised online rate. That’s because those low rates may come with extra fees, short terms and requirements that don’t fit your financial needs or you can’t qualify for. A lender that offers slightly higher rates but longer terms may give you more breathing room in your budget than a lender that offers super low rates on loan balances you have to pay off quickly at a high monthly payment."

- Denny Ceizyk, Bankrate Senior Loans Writer

Compare personal loan rates with Bankrate's top picks 

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LENDER BEST FOR EST. APR LOAN AMOUNT LOAN TERM MIN CREDIT SCORE
LightStream Generous repayment terms 7.49%-25.49%* (with AutoPay) $5,000-$100,000 2 - 7 years 695
Citi Best for existing Citi customers 10.49%-19.49% $2,000-$30,000 1 - 5 years 720
Upgrade Fast funding 8.49%-35.97% (with autopay) $1,000-$50,000 2 - 7 years 600
Best Egg Low APRs 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 3 - 5 years 600
Achieve Interest rate discounts 8.99%-35.99% $5,000-$50,000 2 - 5 years 620
OneMain Financial Secured Loans 18.00%-35.99% $1,500-$20,000 2 - 5 years Not specified
Avant People with bad credit 9.95%-35.99% $2,000-$35,000 1 - 5 years 550
Upstart Little credit history 7.80%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 3 - 5 years No requirement
SoFi Overall personal loan 8.99%-29.99% (with autopay) $5,000-$100,000 2 - 7 years 680
PenFed Small loan amounts 7.99%-17.99% $600-$50,000 Up to 5 years 700
LendingPoint Small, low-interest loans 7.99%-35.99% $2,000-$36,500 2 - 6 years 600
Prosper Joint applications 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 2 - 5 years 560
LendingClub Using a co-borrower 9.57%-35.99% $1,000-$40,000 2 - 5 years 600
Happy Money Paying credit card debt 11.72%-17.99% $5,000-$40,000 2 - 5 years 640
LENDER BEST FOR CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN AMOUNT LOAN TERM
LightStream Generous repayment terms 7.49%-25.49%* (with AutoPay) $5,000-$100,000 2-7 years
Happy Money Paying credit card debt 11.72%-17.99% $5,000-$40,000 2 or 5 years
Best Egg Low APRs 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 3-5 years
SoFi Unemployment protection 8.99%-29.99% (with autopay) $5,000-$100,000 2-7 years
Achieve Quick approval 8.99%-35.99% $5,000-$50,000 2-5 years
PenFed Small loan amounts 7.99%-17.99% $600-$50,000 Up to 5 years
Upstart Little credit history 7.80%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 3 or 5 years
LendingClub Using a co-borrower 9.57%-35.99% $1,000-$40,000 2-5 years
Prosper No prepayment penalty 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 2-5 years
Upgrade Fast funding 8.49%-35.97% (with autopay) $1,000-$50,000 2-7 years
TD Bank Few fees 8.99% to 23.99% $2,000-$50,000 3-5 years
For more information on low interest rates, check out our page on low-interest personal loans.
LENDER BEST FOR CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN AMOUNT MIN. CREDIT SCORE
Upstart Little credit history 7.80%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 No minimum requirements
OneMain Financial Secured loans 18.00%-35.99% $1,500-$20,000 Not specified
TD Bank Low rate caps 8.99% to 23.99% $2,000-$50,000 700
Avant A range of repayment options 9.95%-35.99% $2,000-$35,000 550
LendingPoint Small loans 7.99%-35.99% $2,000-$36,500 600
Upgrade Fast funding 8.49%-35.97% (with autopay) $1,000-$50,000 600
LendingClub Online experience 9.57%-35.99% $1,000-$40,000 600

*Avant's minimum credit score is 580 FICO and 550 Vantage.

For more information on bad credit loan rates, check out our page on bad credit personal loans.

LENDER BEST FOR CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN AMOUNT MIN. CREDIT SCORE
SoFi High borrowing limits 8.99%-29.99% (with autopay) $5,000-$100,000 680
LendingClub Borrowing money from other investors 9.57%-35.99% $1,000-$40,000 600
LightStream Borrowers who can qualify for the best rates 7.49%-25.49%* (with AutoPay) $5,000-$100,000 695
Prosper Joint loans 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 600
Rocket Loans Fast funding 9.116%-29.99% (with autopay) Not specified-$45,000 Not specified
Best Egg Borrowers with “okay” credit 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 600
Discover A range of repayment terms 7.99% to 24.99% $2,500-$40,000 660
Happy Money Borrowers who want to consolidate debt 11.72%-17.99% $5,000-$40,000 640
For more information on good credit loan rates, check out our page on good credit personal loans.
LENDER BEST FOR CURRENT APR RANGE LOAN AMOUNT LOAN TERM
Best Egg High-income earners with good credit 8.99%-35.99% $2,000-$50,000 3-5 years
Happy Money Consolidating credit card debt 11.72%-17.99% $5,000-$40,000 2 or 5 years
LightStream High-dollar loans and longer repayment terms 8.99%-24.39%* with AutoPay $5,000-$100,000 2-7 years
PenFed Smaller loans with a credit union 7.99%-17.99% $600-$50,000 Up to 5 years
OneMain Financial Fair to poor credit 18.00%-35.99% $1,500-$20,000 2-5 years
Discover Good credit and next-day funding 7.99% to 24.99% $2,500-$40,000 3-7 years
Upstart Consumers with little credit history 7.80%-35.99% $1,000-$50,000 3 or 5 years
For more information on debt consolidation loan rates, check out our page on debt consolidation loans.

A closer look at our top personal loan lenders

Here's a deep-dive into each lender, why it's the best in each category and specifically who would benefit most from borrowing from the lender.

LightStream: Best loans for generous repayment terms

LightStream
Rating: 4.2 stars out of 5
4.2

Overview: LightStream is one of the top personal loan lenders on the market and is known for its low APRS and fast funding times. Its loans are ideal for those with good credit who are consolidating high-interest debt. Along with longer repayment terms, it doesn't charge any fees, including late or origination fees. 

Est. APR
7.99%–25.49%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
695

Upstart: Best loan for little credit history

Upstart
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: Upstart has become known for its unique approval criteria and its competitively low rates that start at 6.4 percent. In fact, the company offers 43 percent lower rates when compared to other lenders who use a credit-score only model for approval. 

Est. APR
7.80%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
Not specified

Achieve: Best loan for interest rate discounts

Achieve
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Formerly known as Freedom Plus, Achieve has become a trustworthy lender that has originated over $7.5 billion in loans. It's known for its flexible terms and rates and unlike some lenders, offers joint applications.

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $50k
Min credit score
640

Citi ® Personal Loan: Best for no fees

Citi® Personal Loan
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: CitiBank offers a personal loan with a maximum borrowing amount of $30,000 and multiple repayment terms. Once approved, borrowers with direct deposit can access their funds within 2 business days. 

Est. APR
10.49%–19.49%
Loan amount
$2k– $30k
Min credit score
720

LendingClub: Best loan for using a co-borrower

LendingClub
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: LendingClub is a solid personal loan lender best fit for borrowers with fair or good credit who want to consolidate high interest debt. The lender offers direct payment to creditors for debt consolidation, simplifying the repayment process. Plus, it offers financial tools and resources to help users better manage their credit. 

Est. APR
9.57%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $40k
Min credit score
600

OneMain Financial: Best for secured loans

OneMain
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4

Overview: OneMain Financial is a loan servicer with over 100 years of personal service. It offers in-person branches nationwide for those who want an in-person lending experience and also caters borrowers who wish to complete the process fully online. 

Est. APR
18.00%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1.5k– $20k
Min credit score
500

Happy Money: Best loan for paying credit card debt

Happy Money
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Happy Money offers one loan — called the Payoff Loan — that is designed specifically for consolidating credit card debt. According to its website, some borrowers who used the Payoff Loan saw an increase in their FICO score of up to 40 points. 

Est. APR
11.72%–17.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $40k
Min credit score
Not specified

Avant: Best loan for people with bad credit

Avant
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Avant's convenient mobile app and easy-to-navigate website give borrowers a smooth online experience that allows you to stay on top of payments, adjust payment dates and view your loan details and payment history.

Est. APR
9.95%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $35k
Min credit score
550

Upgrade: Best for fast funding

Upgrade
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Upgrade offers personal loans up to $50,000 and caters to those with fair credit and above. The lenders touts benefits that are typically reserved for good credit borrowers, like fast approval and direct payments to creditors for consolidation. 

Est. APR
8.49%–35.99%
Loan amount
$1k– $50k
Min credit score
600

Best Egg: Best for low APRs

Best Egg
Rating: 4.6 stars out of 5
4.6

Overview: Best Egg offers loans for almost every purpose, including debt consolidation and credit card refinancing. The company also offers secured loans for those who wouldn't otherwise get qualified for a personal loan. However, a Best Egg loan is best for users with good credit due to its low APR minimum of 8.99 percent. 

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Min credit score
600

SoFi: Best online lender

SoFi
Rating: 4.8 stars out of 5
4.8

Overview: SoFi is a well-known lender that offers unique member benefits and a fully online lending experience. It offers its loans up to $100,000 and has a low minimum credit score of up to 680. Plus, individuals who don't meet the eligibility criteria can increase their approval odds with the help of a creditworthy co-signer. 

Est. APR
8.99%–29.99%
Loan amount
$5k– $100k
Min credit score
680

LendingPoint: Best for small, low-interest loans

Lending Point
Rating: 4.4 stars out of 5
4.4

Overview: Although LendingPoint is based in Atlanta, it offers its personal loans in 48 states and Washington, D.C. Offering loans up to $36,500, the lender focuses on helping those with fair credit have access to personal loans and provides unique benefits to help them improve their credit score.

Est. APR
7.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $37k
Min credit score
600

Prosper: Best for joint applications

Prosper
Rating: 4.7 stars out of 5
4.7

Overview: Prosper by WeBank has been in business since 2005. Since then, over 1 million users have chosen Prosper for a personal loan. You can get your funds as soon as one business day and you don't need to have a stellar credit score to qualify. Plus, the lender offers loans for just about any purpose, including debt consolidation and healthcare financing.

Est. APR
8.99%–35.99%
Loan amount
$2k– $50k
Min credit score
560

How we choose our best personal loan lenders

Bankrate's trusted personal loans industry expertise

57 years

in business

30

lenders reviewed

20

loan features weighed

665

data points collected

To select the best personal loans, Bankrate’s team of experts evaluated over 30 lenders. Each lender was ranked using a meticulous 20-point system, focusing on four main categories:

What to know about personal loans 

What is a personal loan?

A personal loan is a type of installment loan which means you receive the funds at once, and repay it in monthly installments, similar to a car loan or home mortgage. Personal loans are usually paid over one to seven year terms, although some lenders offer even longer terms. 

The loan funds can be used for just about any purpose, such as paying off other debt, financing a home renovation or paying for family needs, like a wedding or adoption. Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they aren’t backed by collateral such as a car, house or other assets. 

They are available from banks, credit unions or private lenders including online marketplace lenders and peer-to-peer lenders. The approval and funding process is often faster for a personal loan compared to a home equity loan or a cash-out refinance.

Personal loan interest rates 

The interest rate you're offered will depend on a number of factors, including your credit score, the Federal Reserve's actions and what type of loan you're interested in. 

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The interest rate you're offered is based on your credit health and score. Those with less-than-stellar credit are often seen as more 'risky' to lenders and are more likely to be offered higher rates. Borrowers with good-to-excellent credit are more eligible for the lender's most competitive rates and terms. 

Before applying for a loan, make sure to prequalify or look at the lender's requirements and rates, as well as your own credit score to estimate your potential interest rate.

CREDIT BAND CREDIT SCORE RANGE AVERAGE PERSONAL LOAN INTEREST RATE
Excellent 720-850 10.73%-12.50%
Good 690-719 13.50%-15.50%
Average 630-689 17.80%-19.90%
Bad 300-629 28.50%-32.00%

Average rates as of March 13, 2024

Personal loans 12.10%

After raising the key benchmark rate to a 22-year high of 5.25-5.5 percent over a 16-month period, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) has reversed course and signaled plans to cut rates in 2024. 

Because personal loan rates are tied more closely to short term rates, there is a chance they’ll drop when the Fed lowers rates. That could mean lower rates and monthly payments for people hoping to borrow money this year. 

Personal loan uses 

There are a variety of reasons that borrowers take out different types of personal loans.

When does taking out a personal loan make the most sense?

After considering the different ways to use a personal loan, determine whether now is the best time to get the personal loan process started. Here’s senior Bankrate writer Denny Ceizyk on how to figure out if it's the right move to make:

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Bankrate insight

I would suggest four scenarios when a personal loan is a good financial choice:

1. You have a steady, reliable income: A personal loan requires a regular monthly payment you can’t change, making it best for people with a regular salary or full-time job. If you’re having trouble making the minimum payments on credit cards due to unpredictable commissions, seasonal work or varying side-hustle income, a personal loan may not be the best bet.

2. You want a definite debt payoff date: Making minimum payments on credit cards with changing interest rates makes it difficult to pinpoint a payoff date. And keep in mind, every time you use your credit card for a new purchase, you reset the payoff clock. With a personal loan you choose a fixed-rate term that usually ranges between one to seven years, putting you on a potential countdown to being debt free.

3. You don’t want to touch your home’s equity: If you’re sitting on thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equity, it can be tempting to convert some of it to cash with a home equity loan or a HELOC. However, that cash comes with a debt that’s secured by your home. A personal loan leaves your home equity intact without the risk of losing your home that comes with any type of home equity loan.

4. You want to avoid using revolving credit and improve your credit score: Too much revolving credit is bad for your credit scores. The only thing worse is a late payment, which is more likely if you’re struggling to keep track of payments on a pile of maxed-out credit cards. A personal loan can help replace reusable revolving debt with one-and-done installment debt, and usually gives your credit scores a major boost once the balances are paid off.

- Denny Ceizyk, Bankrate Senior Loans Writer

Pros and cons of personal loans 

While helpful, personal loans aren't the best financing tool or solution for everyone. Consider the pros and cons of personal loans.

Green circle with a checkmark inside

Pros

  • Fast funding times.
  • Lower interest rates than credit cards.
  • Few restrictions on how funds are used.
  • No collateral required in most cases.
Red circle with an X inside

Cons

  • Potentially high fees and penalties.
  • Eligibility requirements can be strict.
  • Additional monthly payment.
  • Shorter terms than home equity loans.

How to get a personal loan

Knowing the steps to getting a personal loan will make the application and approval process easier. 

  1. Know how much you want to borrow: Your rate, monthly payment and fees will vary based on your loan amount. Use a personal loan calculator to crunch numbers before you apply. 
  2. Learn lender rules and get your paperwork together: Lender websites usually list the minimum credit scores and basic requirements to qualify. Have a pay stub, address and a picture ID ready — most lenders need them to finalize your approval. 
  3. Weigh your options: A personal loan commits you to a fixed payment for up to seven years. Choose a payment you can realistically afford and that helps improve your overall financial situation. 
  4. Choose what type of personal loan makes sense: You can decide between debt consolidation, credit card refinancing or personal loans for home improvement if you’re not in an immediate cash crunch. Or, you may need an emergency personal loan for a sudden medical expense or car repair. 
  5. Shop at least three different lenders: Get prequalified with at least three lenders and compare their rates, terms and any costs. You can choose from banks, credit unions or online lenders. 
  6. Pick a lender and finalize your approval: Once you’ve chosen the best offer, you’ll officially apply and have your credit pulled. Review the final approval to make sure rate and costs haven’t changed. 
  7. You may need a few extra documents to wrap things up: Lenders may require an extra pay stub or other documents to prepare your final loan documents. Provide them quickly to avoid delays. 
  8. Get your funds and start making payments: Your funds will usually be directly deposited into your bank account. In some cases, you’ll receive funds in one business day, and set up automatic payments from your bank account. 
Bankrate's image file
LEARN MORE ABOUT

How To Get A Personal Loan In 8 Steps

Get more details about how to get approved for the best personal loan for your credit situation.

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How to calculate your loan payment

After considering the options above, use our calculator to find the perfect loan repayment plan for you. Enter in the loan amount, term and interest rate to get your estimated monthly payment and total interest accrual.

How to manage a personal loan 

Effectively managing a personal loan comes down to understanding the full responsibility and predicted repayment timeline before taking out the loan. Your spending habits and budgeting plans must change because you’ll have a fixed payment for one to seven years.  

This is especially true if you take out a personal loan to consolidate credit card debt. There are no minimum payment options and you can’t re-use credit as you pay it off like you can with a credit card.

If you took out a personal loan to cover emergency expenses, consider automatically depositing money into an emergency savings account. That way you’ll have cash to pay for urgent issues, rather than resorting to borrowing. 

If you miss payments or cannot make them, ask your lender about hardship payment relief options as soon as possible.

Frequently asked questions about personal loans

Does it make more sense to borrow with a personal loan or a HELOC right now?


Nationally recognized finance expert

Recent spikes in mortgage rates may make personal loans a better choice than home equity loans. People with high credit scores may find personal loan rates as competitive as home equity loan interest rates. In addition, a personal loan isn’t secured by your home, which means you don’t have to pay it off when you sell your home, and don’t risk losing your home to foreclosure if you can’t pay it off.

Loans Senior Writer

Although I usually recommend HELOCs because they offer lower rates and more flexible payment options than personal loans, personal loans have some distinct advantages in certain circumstances. I’d suggest homeowners planning to sell their homes in the spring avoid tying up their equity with a HELOC, especially if they need the cash from their sale for a down payment on a new home. A personal loan can give them quicker access to cash to spruce up their home for resale without the paperwork hassle that comes with getting a HELOC. Homeowners who racked up credit card debt over the holidays may be better off using a personal loan for debt consolidation too. Getting rid of that revolving debt could give their credit score a boost by the time the spring homebuying season kicks in, and help them get a lower rate, especially with mortgage rates stuck at record highs.