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Generally speaking, the better your credit score, the better your potential loan rates and offers may be. The reason is that your credit score tells lenders how much risk you pose as a borrower. A good credit score may qualify you for what’s known as a prime loan.

Here, what a prime loan is and how it works.

Understanding a Prime Loan

To understand a prime loan, it can help to understand the prime rate. The prime rate is established by banks as the interest rate given to its best customers, generally large corporations that borrow and repay loans on a regular basis This number is based on the federal funds rate set by the Federal Reserve.

The prime rate is a critical financial benchmark. Banks and other lenders typically use it to set interest rates for various consumer products, including credit cards, personal loans, personal lines of credit, auto loans, and home loans. Lenders will use the prime rate as a baseline, then add a margin on top of the prime rate to determine a loan’s interest rate. How much more a borrower will pay above the prime rate will depend on their creditworthiness.

Many loans are based on the prime rate, so it can be a good rate to track if you’re in the market for any type of lending product. For example, if you’re considering a fixed-rate loan, like a mortgage or a personal loan, and the prime rate is currently low, you may be able to lock in a lower rate for the life of your loan. If you’re considering variable-rate debt, like a credit card or home equity line of credit (HELOC), your rate might start low but go up over time if market rates rise. If market rates decline, on the other hand, your rate could go down.

Prime Loan Borrowers

The term “prime” is also used by lenders to refer to high quality in the consumer lending market — including borrowers, loans, and rates. Prime loans generally have a competitive interest rate and are offered to borrowers who have a low default risk and good or better credit scores. The opposite of prime is subprime, a term for riskier loans with a higher interest rate.

According to the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau (CFPB), borrowers with a credit score of 660 to 719 are generally considered prime borrowers. Those with scores above 720 are considered “super-prime” borrowers, and will receive even more favorable interest rates.

Here are the five credit score categories for borrowers:

Knowing your credit score can help you assess the category you will fit in.

Prime Loan Rates

As of May 20, 2024, the current official prime rate is 8.50%, according to The Wall Street Journal’s (WSJ’s) Money Rates table, which aggregates prime rates charged throughout the U.S. and in other countries. The prime rate is typically three percentage points higher than the federal funds rate, set by the Federal Reserve.

Each bank has the ability to set its own prime rate, but most base it off the national average listed under the WSJ prime rate.

Prime rates for consumer loans, however, aren’t the same as the “prime rate” that is used for a bank’s top corporate customers. Since consumers generally do not have the same resources as large companies, banks typically charge them the prime rate plus a surcharge based on the product type they want and their qualifications as a borrower. For example, a credit card interest rate might be the prime rate plus 10%.

How Does the Prime Loan Rate Affect You?

The prime loan rate affects everyone. From buying a car to buying a house to opening a credit card, the benchmark prime loan rate will have an influence on how much interest you’ll pay. You may be more vulnerable to prime loan rate fluctuations if you have a lot of variable interest loans, like credit card debt. As the prime rate climbs, so too might the APR of your cards. When you see a prime rate hike, it can mean that your APR will quickly rise as well.

Conversely, when the prime rate falls, some people use that time to refinance a mortgage or lock in a rate for a loan, like a personal loan or an auto loan.

Because the prime rate affects credit cards, some people who carry a high credit card balance who have good credit may consider using a personal loan to consolidate their credit card debt. This is one popular use for personal loans and can potentially help you save money on interest, depending on the rates offered.

What Is the Difference Between a Prime Loan and Subprime Loan?

Prime rates for consumer lending products are what lenders charge individual borrowers with good or better credit scores. Borrowers with lower credit scores are considered subprime borrowers and can apply for subprime lending with higher (or subprime) rates. Here’s a closer look at the differences between prime vs. subprime loans.

Interest Rates

Interest rates are one of the most obvious differences between a prime and subprime loan. But even within the prime lending category there may be subcategories that receive different interest rate offers. For example, a prime borrower with a credit score near super-prime territory may receive more favorable rates than a borrower whose credit is close to subprime.

Recommended: 8 Reasons Why Good Credit Is So Important

Repayment Periods

A subprime borrower may also have fewer options when it comes to repayment periods. They may have a shorter repayment period at a higher interest rate than a prime borrower.

Down Payments

A prime borrower may have a low, or no, down payment required for a loan. But subprime borrowers may have to make a substantial down payment to qualify for a loan. This is especially true for loans like car loans or mortgages.

Loan Amounts

Prime borrowers may have access to greater loan amounts than subprime borrowers.

Fees

Non-prime borrowers may also have to pay more loan fees than a prime borrower. This may be due to the types of loans they can access. If they can’t get a loan from a traditional bank, a subprime borrower may seek payday loans or other loans that come with sky high interest rates and fees.

Recommended: How Does a Subprime Personal Loan Work?

What Do You Need To Qualify for a Prime Loan?

You generally need a credit score of 660 higher to qualify for a prime loan. If your score is 720 or above, you may qualify for super-prime loans. That said, a lender will typically look at more than your credit score to determine whether you qualify for a prime or better loan. Other factors that can impact your loan rates and terms include your income, employment status, and how much debt you currently carry.

Recommended: Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): How to Calculate It

The Takeaway

The prime rate is out of your control. But you do have some control over the actual interest rate you’ll pay for a loan. One key factor is your credit score. If you’re not currently considered a prime borrower, building your credit before you apply for new credit can help you have the most competitive loan options, whether you’re researching mortgages, credit cards, or personal loans.

Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.

FAQ

What does prime mean in loans?

The term “prime” is used in consumer lending to refer to high quality borrowers, loans, and rates. Prime loans generally have a competitive interest rate and are offered to borrowers who have a low default risk and good or better credit scores. The opposite of prime is subprime, a term for riskier loans with a higher interest rate.

Is there a difference between prime loans and subprime loans?

Yes. Prime loans come with competitive interest rates and favorable terms and are generally offered to people whose credit scores are in the 660 to 719 range. (Borrowers with credit scores above that are considered super-prime borrowers and may be given even better rates and terms.) Borrowers with lower credit scores are considered subprime borrowers and may only be able to access loans with high interest rates and less favorable terms.

What is the current loan prime rate?

As of May 20, 2024, the current official prime rate is 8.50%, according to The Wall Street Journal’s Money Rates table.

Photo credit: iStock/Imagesrouges

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What does it mean to be prequalified or preapproved for a mortgage? One lets a future homebuyer dream, and the other takes that homebuyer one giant step closer to reality. Here’s a look at how these two steps vary, how each can play a part in a home-buying strategy, and how one in particular can increase the chances of having a purchase offer accepted.

What Does Prequalified Mean?

Getting prequalified is a way of finding out how much you might be able to borrow to purchase a home, using the most basic information about your finances. Getting prequalified by phone or online usually takes just minutes.

Here’s how it goes: You provide a few financial details to mortgage lenders. The lenders use this unverified information, usually along with a soft credit inquiry, which does not affect your credit scores, to let you know how much you may be able to borrow and at what interest rate.

Getting prequalified can give homebuyers a general idea of loan programs, the amount they may be eligible for, and what monthly payments might look like, the way a home affordability calculator provides an estimate based on a few factors.

You might want to get prequalified with several lenders to compare monthly payments and interest rates, which vary by mortgage term. But because the information provided has not been verified, there’s no guarantee that the mortgage or the amount will be approved.

What Does It Mean to Be Preapproved?

After you get prequalified, you can consider the options before you from a range of lenders. You’ll want to brush up on types of mortgage loans, and then zero in on the lender — and loan — you feel is the best fit. Then you’ll face the probe known as mortgage preapproval.

Preapproval for a mortgage loan requires a more thorough investigation of your income sources, debts, employment history, assets, and credit history. Verification of this information, along with a hard credit pull from all three credit bureaus (which may cause a small, temporary reduction in your credit scores) allows the lender to conditionally preapprove a mortgage before you shop for homes.

A preapproval letter from a lender stating that you qualify for a loan of a specific amount can be useful or essential in a competitive real estate market. When sellers are getting multiple offers, some will disregard a purchase offer if it isn’t accompanied by a preapproval letter.

When seeking preapproval, besides filling out an application, you will likely be asked to submit the following to a lender for verification:

•   Social Security number and card

•   Photo ID

•   Recent pay stubs

•   Tax returns, including W-2 statements, for the past two years

•   Two to three months’ worth of documentation for checking and savings accounts

•   Recent investment account statements

•   List of fixed debts

•   Residential addresses from the past two years

•   Down payment amount and a gift letter, if applicable

The lender may require backup documentation for certain types of income. Freelancers may be asked to provide 1099 forms, a profit and loss statement, a client list, or work contracts. Rental property owners may be asked to show lease agreements.

You should be ready to explain any negative information that might show up in a credit check. To avoid surprises, you might want to order free credit reports from www.annualcreditreport.com. A credit report shows all balances, payments, and derogatory information but does not give credit scores.

Knowing your scores is also helpful. There are a few ways to check your credit scores without paying.

Those who have filed for bankruptcy may have to show documentation that it has been discharged.

Calculate Your Potential Mortgage

Use the following mortgage calculator to get an idea of what your monthly mortgage payment would look like.

Do Preapproval and Prequalification Affect Credit Scores?

Getting prequalified shouldn’t affect your credit scores. Only preapproval requires a hard credit inquiry, which can affect scores. But the good news for mortgage shoppers is that multiple hard pulls are typically counted as a single inquiry as long as they’re made within the same 14 to 45 days.

Newer versions of FICO^® allow a 45-day window for rate shoppers to enjoy the single-inquiry advantage; older versions of FICO and VantageScore 3.0 narrow the time to 14 days.

You might want to ask each lender you apply with which credit scoring model they use.

Do I Have to Spend How Much I’m Preapproved for?

No! The preapproval amount is your maximum house-hunting budget. Staying well under that number can’t hurt and might free up money for, say, a college fund, retirement, or — groan — emergency home repairs.

Recommended: Guide to First-Time Home Buying

Are Prequalification and Preapproval the Same Thing?

By now you know that they are not one and the same. Here’s a visual on what’s needed for each:

Do I Need a Prequalification Letter to Buy a House?

No. Nor do you have to have a preapproval letter when making an offer on a house.

But getting prequalified can allow you to quickly get a ballpark figure on a mortgage amount and an interest rate you qualify for, and preapproval has at least three selling points:

1.    Preapproval lets you know the specific amount you are qualified to borrow from a particular lender.

2.    Going through preapproval before house hunting could take some stress out of the loan process by easing the mortgage underwriting step. Underwriting, the final say on mortgage approval or disapproval, comes after you’ve been preapproved, found a house you love and agreed on a price, and applied for the mortgage.

3.    Being preapproved for a loan helps to show sellers that you’re a vetted buyer.

The Takeaway

Prequalified vs. preapproved: If you’re serious about buying a house, it’s important to know the difference. Getting prequalified and then preapproved may increase the odds that your house hunt will lead to a set of jangling keys.

Looking for an affordable option for a home mortgage loan? SoFi can help: We offer low down payments (as little as 3% - 5%*) with our competitive and flexible home mortgage loans. Plus, applying is extra convenient: It's online, with access to one-on-one help.

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When you open an individual retirement account (IRA) or 401(k), you can generally choose from a variety of different types of investments, such as stocks, bonds, options, real estate, and more. You may also be able to put some of the money in a money market account, where it will typically earn a higher annual percentage yield (APY) than in a traditional savings account yet still remain liquid.

While you might choose to keep most of your retirement savings in potentially higher-return investments, it may make sense to keep some of your retirement funds in a money market account, since it is a relatively low-risk place to store cash. Even if the return may be lower than other investments, it’s predictable.

Another reason to have some of your retirement money in a money market account is to serve as a holding place as you sell investments or transfer money between investments.

Unlike a regular money market account, a money market account that is offered as a component of a retirement account is subject to the benefits and restrictions of those accounts. Here’s what else you need to know about retirement accounts that offer a money market component.

What Is a Money Market Account That Can Be Used for Retirement?

While there is no such thing as a “retirement money market account,” some retirement accounts allow you to keep some of your money in a money market within the account. The money market account (MMA) could be within a traditional, rollover, or Roth IRA, a 401(k), or other retirement account, which means those funds are governed by the rules of that account.

If the MMA is a component of a traditional IRA, that means you can contribute pre-tax dollars (up to certain limits), your money can grow tax deferred, and you won’t be able to withdraw funds before age 59 ½ without paying taxes and penalties.

Money held in the money market component is liquid. This is usually where money is held when you first transfer money into your retirement account, or when you sell other investments in your account. You can use the funds in the money market to purchase investments within the retirement account.

Recommended: The Different Between an Investment Portfolio and a Savings Account

What Is a Money Market Fund?

Bear in mind an important distinction: A money market fund, which is technically a type of mutual fund, is different from a money market account. A money market fund is an investment that holds short-term securities (and is not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, or FDIC). For example, these funds may hold government bonds, municipal bonds, corporate bonds, cash and cash equivalents.

A money market account is essentially a type of high-yield savings account and it’s FDIC insured up to $250,000.

How Does a Money Market Within Your IRA Work?

If you are starting a retirement fund that has a money market component to it, you’ll want to make sure that you understand how these money market accounts work. One major way they differ from regular money market accounts is that they are governed by a retirement plan agreement.

This can place some limits on what you can do with the money. Typically, that will mean that you can’t withdraw the money until you have reached a certain age. But one advantage is that the money in the account will grow tax-free or tax-deferred (depending on what type of retirement account it is in).

For example, a money market account in a Roth IRA would follow different rules than money in a traditional IRA.

•   You can deduct contributions to a traditional IRA, but a Roth IRA is funded with after-tax money.

•   You can’t withdraw money from a traditional IRA until you’re 59 ½, except under special circumstances.

•   Because contributions to a Roth are post tax, you can withdraw your contributions at any time (but not the earnings).

Advantages of a Money Market Account Held Within a Retirement Account

•   Since these accounts are held at a bank, they are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000. By contrast, money held in a brokerage account is not FDIC-insured.

•   The money market component can be used to store proceeds of the sales of stocks, bonds, or other investments.

•   Many money market accounts offer the ability to write checks against the account (just keep in mind that withdrawals are subject to restrictions).

Disadvantages of a Money Market Account Held Within a Retirement Account

•   Money market accounts offer a relatively low rate of return compared to what you might be able to earn in the market over time.

•   Opening this type of money market account requires opening a retirement account.

•   You may not be able to withdraw money until retirement age without paying a penalty.

Money Market Account Within a Retirement Account vs Traditional Money Market Account

The biggest difference between a money market account that is a component of a retirement account vs. a traditional money market account is where they are held. Unlike a regular money market account, the money market component is held inside a retirement account, such as a 401(k) or IRA account.

While you can generally access money in a traditional money market account at any time, early withdrawal from a money market that is part of a retirement account can trigger taxes and penalties.

Recommended: What is an IRA and How Does it Work?

What Should I Know About Money Market Accounts Held Within IRAs?

If you are wondering how to save for retirement, there are a few things to keep in mind before opening a retirement account with a money market component.

The most important is that money put into the money market component is subject to the same conditions as any other money you invest into a retirement account. You generally will not be able to access it without penalty until you retire.

You’ll also want to bear in mind that these are low-risk, generally low-return accounts. The money that you deposit, or money that is automatically transferred, is not going to provide much growth.

In some cases, when you open a retirement account, the funds will be automatically deposited in the money market component. In these instances, be sure to check that the money in that part of your account is then used to purchase the securities you want. Given the relatively low yield of an MMA, you may only want a certain portion of your savings to remain there.

Opening a Money Market Account That Is Part of an IRA

If you want to put some of your retirement savings in a money market account, you likely won’t be able to open the account separately, as you can with a traditional MMA.

Instead, you would open a retirement account with your bank, brokerage firm, or company provider. Depending on your IRA custodian, they may automatically include a retirement money market account as an investment option inside your IRA account.

Does It Make Sense to Put Retirement Funds in a Money Market?

There are many different types of retirement plans, so you’ll want to make sure to choose the options that make the most sense for you. While it might make sense to put some money into the money market component of your 401(k) or IRA, you might not want to put much money in it.

The reason for this is due to the relatively low interest rate that money market accounts pay. In some cases, the interest rate may be lower than the rate of inflation. If so, the money kept in the money market component will lose purchasing power over time.

The one exception to this rule would be retirees who are currently living off of the money in their retirement accounts. These investors already in retirement will often want to keep some of their money in money market accounts so they have to worry less about market volatility.

Alternatives to Money Market Accounts Held Within Retirement Accounts

There are any number of low-risk alternatives to money market accounts within retirement accounts, including vehicles outside a retirement account, such as a high-yield savings account. For similar alternatives within a retirement account, you could consider investing in bonds, bond funds, and other lower risk investment options.

The Takeaway

A money market account is often a component of a retirement account, such as an IRA or 401(k). This type of account has the advantages of being FDIC-insured and fairly liquid. However, it may not earn enough interest to outpace inflation. Many investors will want to keep the money in their retirement accounts in investments that can provide higher rates of return. That said, one advantage to keeping some of your retirement funds in a money market is that it can become part of the low-risk, cash/cash equivalents portion of your portfolio.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.

FAQ

Can you keep some of your retirement funds in a money market account?

Yes, some retirement accounts offer a money market component. To keep some of your retirement savings in a money market account, you’ll need to open up an individual retirement account (IRA), 401(k), or other type of retirement account. Many retirement account custodians will include a money market account as one “investment“ option for your account.

What is the difference between an IRA and a money market account?

A standard money market account is similar to a regular savings account. An Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is an account that allows you to save for retirement with tax-free growth or on a tax-deferred basis. An IRA account can be used to invest in a variety of different ways. Many IRAs will have a money market component to them.

What is the difference between a money market account and a 401(k)?

A money market account is similar to a savings account in that the money is liquid and earns interest. A 401(k) is a special tax-advantaged account designed to help people prepare for retirement.

With a 401(k), contributions are typically tax-deductible and the money grows tax-deferred until retirement. By contrast, a money market account is funded with after-tax dollars, and there are no tax benefits associated with these accounts. The only exception is if the money market account is a component of a retirement account. In that case, it is governed by the rules of the retirement account it’s in.

Photo credit: iStock/Pixelimage

Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 11/12/25. There is no minimum balance requirement. Fees may reduce earnings. Additional rates and information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet

Eligible Direct Deposit means a recurring deposit of regular income to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government benefit payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Eligible Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network every 31 calendar days.

Although we do our best to recognize all Eligible Direct Deposits, a small number of employers, payroll providers, benefits providers, or government agencies do not designate payments as direct deposit. To ensure you're earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, we encourage you to check your APY Details page the day after your Eligible Direct Deposit posts to your SoFi account. If your APY is not showing as the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit, contact us at 855-456-7634 with the details of your Eligible Direct Deposit. As long as SoFi Bank can validate those details, you will start earning the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit from the date you contact SoFi for the next 31 calendar days. You will also be eligible for the APY for account holders with Eligible Direct Deposit on future Eligible Direct Deposits, as long as SoFi Bank can validate them.

Deposits that are not from an employer, payroll, or benefits provider or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, Wise, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, or are non-recurring in nature (e.g., IRS tax refunds), do not constitute Eligible Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Eligible Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate. SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder's Eligible Direct Deposit activity to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility.

See additional details at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
SoFi Checking and Savings is offered through SoFi Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. The SoFi® Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Tax Information: This article provides general background information only and is not intended to serve as legal or tax advice or as a substitute for legal counsel. You should consult your own attorney and/or tax advisor if you have a question requiring legal or tax advice.

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Social security is a right and even a rite of passage ahead for many Americans, and one it’s never too early to start better understanding and planning for.