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Personal loans are a type of lending instrument offered through banks, credit unions, and online lenders. They’re paid back, with interest, in installments, and there are few limitations to how the loan funds can be used. They’re also typically unsecured, meaning you don’t have to put up any property as collateral for the loan.

A personal loan is an important financial tool if you can find one from a reputable lender at a reasonable interest rate, and you can commit to making loan payments on time. However, if you only qualify for a loan with a high-interest rate or you feel you may have trouble paying it back, you may want to think twice before applying.

Are Personal Loans Bad?

Not necessarily. There are both advantages and disadvantages to personal loans. Here’s a look at some of the benefits of taking out a personal loan:

•   Personal loans generally offer a wide range of borrowing limits, typically between $1,000 and $100,000.

•   There is flexibility in how the funds can be spent, unlike a mortgage, which you must use to buy a house, or an auto loan, which must be used to purchase a car.

•   Proceeds of personal loans can be used for a variety of purposes, from paying down credit card debt to making home improvements and more.

•   Unsecured personal loans are offered by many lenders. There is no need to put any of your assets up as collateral for the loan, nor do you risk losing them should you default.

It’s important to weigh these benefits against potential disadvantages, and determine if it’s bad to get a personal loan for your financial needs. Here’s a look at some of the downsides of taking out a personal loan.

•   Personal loans may not offer the lowest possible borrowing option. For example, you might be able to get a better rate on a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) if you have enough equity in your home. That said, both of those lending instruments use your house as collateral, so if you default, you could risk losing your home.

•   Personal loans sometimes have fees or penalties that can increase the cost of borrowing. For example, origination fees on personal loans tend to be between 1% and 5%. Some lenders may charge prepayment penalties to ensure they don’t lose future interest payments if you pay off your loan early.

•   When you take out a personal loan, you’re increasing your overall debt. If you have other debts, comfortably affording all your monthly payments can become a challenge. And missing payments or making late payments can have a negative impact on your credit score.

Recommended: What Is Considered a Bad Credit Score?

Pros and Cons of Personal Loans

Here’s a look at the pros and cons of personal loans at a glance:

When Can It Be a Good Idea to Get a Personal Loan?

So when is a personal loan a good idea?

Debt Consolidation

One reason to take out a personal loan is as a credit debt consolidation loan to pay down high interest credit card debt. The average credit card interest rate as of August 2024 is 27.62%. The current average personal loan interest rate, on the other hand, is 12.38% (if you have excellent credit you may pay less; if you have poor credit, you could pay more).

Consolidating high interest credit card debt with a lower-interest-rate personal loan may make your monthly payments more manageable and potentially save you money in interest payments over the life of the loan.

If you use a personal loan to pay down credit card debt, it’s a good idea not to use those credit cards to incur even more debt.

Home Improvement

Using a personal loan to make improvements to your home may also be beneficial as home improvements can increase the value of your home, possibly offsetting the cost of borrowing.

When Can It Be a Bad Idea to Get a Personal Loan?

There are a number of cases when you may wonder if getting a loan is bad. Here’s a look at some situations when getting a personal loan may not be a good idea.

No Credit Check Loans

Most loans — including most personal loans — require a credit check. This helps your lender understand your creditworthiness, or how likely you are to repay your debts. Generally speaking, the healthier your credit, the more favorable your loan interest rates and terms. Those with poor or limited credit may find it difficult to qualify for a loan.

No credit check personal loans, on the other hand, look at your bank account balance or require you to pledge some asset as collateral to secure the loan.

The problem is that these loans also tend to be extremely expensive — interest rates can well exceed 100%, which is considered to be predatory. There’s a pretty good chance that borrowers who rely on no credit check loans won’t be able to pay their bills on time, which could trap them in a cycle of debt.

Recommended: How To Avoid Falling Victim To Predatory Loans

Cheaper Alternatives May Be Available

Before taking out a personal loan, consider whether there are cheaper alternatives. We’ve already mentioned home equity loans and HELOCs. You might also consider a no-interest credit card, which charges 0% interest for an introductory period typically lasting between 12 and 20 months. If you can pay off your debt in this time period, this may be a good option. But whatever balance you don’t pay off in time may revert to the card’s regular rate, which is likely high.

You Are Not Good at Managing Debt

If you’re not good at managing debt, think twice before taking on more. And if you use your personal loan to consolidate credit card debt, you’ll want to be careful about racking up new credit card bills.

Discretionary Spending

Borrowing money for discretionary spending, such as vacations or an engagement ring generally isn’t a good idea. While these things are nice, they are not necessarily worth jeopardizing your financial wellbeing. Instead of borrowing to pay for big-ticket items like these, you may be better off saving for them in advance as a part of your regular budget.

Borrowing Money for Investments

It’s generally not a good idea to borrow money to make investments. By nature, investments are risky, and you are not guaranteed a return. Should the investment lose money instead of gain, you’ll be responsible for paying off your debt regardless of the investment loss.

The Takeaway

So are personal loans bad? The answer depends on how you plan to use the loan. Personal loans can be useful tools for purposes like consolidating credit card debt, making home improvements, and more.

Any time you’re considering a loan, it’s important to understand if it will meet your needs, what it will cost you, and whether there are any better alternatives out there.

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.

Photo credit: iStock/Morsa Images

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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You might be wondering how easy it is to get approved for a $5,000 personal loan. In most cases, the process is straightforward and no collateral is required — though you might pay more in interest if your credit is poor. Overall, a $5,000 personal loan is a good way to access cash for unexpected bills and necessary expenses.

Learn more about the typical terms and requirements for a $5,000 personal loan.

Pros of a $5,000 Personal Loan

A personal loan is money that you borrow from a bank, credit union, or online lender that you pay back in regular installments with interest, usually over about two to seven years. Personal loans have several advantages over high-interest credit cards, making them a good option for a variety of borrowers.

Popular uses for personal loans include consolidating debt, covering medical bills, and home repairs or renovations. Here’s a look at some of the pros of taking out a $5,000 personal loan.

💡 Quick Tip: Planning a getaway? You can use a personal loan to cover travel expenses. Explore vacation loans with competitive rates and flexible terms to make your dream trip a reality.

Flexible Terms

With $5,000 personal loans, you can often choose the repayment terms to fit your budget. For example, you may be able to opt for a longer repayment term with a higher interest rate but a lower monthly payment, or you might be able to choose a shorter repayment term with a lower interest rate and a higher monthly payment.

No Collateral

Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning you aren’t required to provide collateral to be approved. That said, using collateral on a personal loan can increase your approval odds, especially if your credit is poor. Doing so could result in a larger loan amount, lower interest rate, and better terms.

Fixed Payments

The interest rate on a $5,000 personal loan is usually fixed, meaning your payments will stay the same for the life of the loan. Fixed payments are typically easier to budget for.

Cons of a $5,000 Personal Loan

Small personal loans of $5,000 or so also have disadvantages that should be considered before you apply.

Debt

You’ll be going into debt when you take out a $5,000 loan, which is the biggest downside. If you struggle to repay the loan, you can end up in a worse financial position than before you took it on.

Origination Fees

Personal loans can have many fees, including origination fees. This fee is separate from the interest the loan charges and has no direct benefit to you as the borrower.

Some origination fees can be high, up to 15% of the loan principal. Even just a 5% fee on a $5,000 loan is $250 — just to receive the money. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid loan origination fees.

Interest Rates

While personal loan interest rates are usually lower than credit cards’, they can cost you hundreds (or even thousands) over the life of the loan. When evaluating loan options, it’s helpful to compare personal loan rates with other common financing options, such as the average car loan interest rate, to ensure you’re securing the most cost-effective borrowing solution.

💡 Quick Tip: Compare options to find the lowest personal loan rate and secure the best terms for your $5,000 personal loan.

Requirements for a $5,000 Personal Loan

Requirements for a $5,000 loan vary by lender. But in general, you should have at least Fair credit, which is a score of 580 or above. Lenders may also look at other factors, such as your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), during the application process.

Recommended: The Credit Score Required To Get a Personal Loan

$5,000 Personal Loan Terms

Repayment terms for a $5,000 personal loan are usually in the range of two to seven years. The length of the repayment term will play a role in determining the monthly payment amount and the interest rate.

Your credit score will also affect the interest rate. For example, the average interest rate for personal loans is 10.73%-12.50% for those with Very Good or Excellent credit. However, if you have Fair credit, the average jumps to 117.80%-19.90%.

If you’re looking for ways to secure a lower interest rate, programs like SoFi Plus offer eligible members a rate discount on new personal loans, helping to reduce borrowing costs.

Payment on a $5,000 Personal Loan

The payment on a $5,000 personal loan depends on the interest rate and the loan term. You can use a personal loan calculator to estimate your monthly payments based on different rates and terms. For example, a two-year $5,000 personal loan with a 7.80% interest rate results in your paying $226 per month. This means you’ll pay $416.34 in total interest over the life of the loan.

If, on the other hand, you take out a three-year $5,000 loan at an interest rate of 15%, you’ll pay $173 per month. In this case, you’ll pay a total of $1,239.76 in interest over the life of the loan.

Recommended: Personal Loan vs Credit Card 

The Takeaway

Many lenders offer $5,000 personal loans with competitive interest rates and flexible terms. However, you are still charged interest and often additional fees, so you’ll want to shop around for the best deal you qualify for.

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 credit score do I need for a $5,000 personal loan?

In most cases, the credit score needed for a personal loan is at least 580, considered a Fair credit score. If your score is lower than that, your borrowing opportunities will be limited. Lenders may also look at other factors, such as your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), during the application process.

How much is the monthly payment for a $5,000 personal loan?

The amount you will pay per month on a $5,000 personal loan will depend on the loan’s interest rate and term (length of the loan). As an example, the monthly payment on a $5,000 personal loan with a 13% interest rate and a three-year term will be $168.

How can you get a $5,000 personal loan?

Getting a personal loan generally involves checking your credit, comparing lenders (including banks, credit unions, and online lenders), getting prequalified, and then submitting your application. 

Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Labels like prime and subprime help denote loans that are designed for people with different credit scores. Prime loans are built for borrowers with good credit, while subprime loans are designed for those with less-than-perfect credit. While subprime loans can help this group finance big purchases like a home or a car, they also come with potentially significant downsides.

Here are key things to know about prime and subprime loans to help you make better borrowing decisions.

Prime Loan vs Subprime Loan

When you’re shopping for a loan, lenders will consider your credit history to help them determine how much default risk they’d be taking on were they to loan you money.

Your credit score is a three-digit representation of your credit history that lenders use to understand your creditworthiness. While there are different credit scoring models, the FICO® score is one of the most commonly used. Lenders and other institutions may have different rules for which credit scores determine prime vs subprime loans.

For example, Experian, one of the three major credit reporting bureaus, defines a prime loan as requiring a FICO score of 670 to 739. With a score of 740 or above, you’re in super prime territory. Borrowers with a FICO score of 580 to 669 will likely only qualify for subprime loans.

Here are some key differences between the two that borrowers should be aware of.

Interest Rates

Borrowers with lower credit scores are seen as a greater lending risk. To offset some of that risk, lenders may charge higher interest rates on subprime loans than on prime loans.

What’s more, many subprime loans have adjustable interest rates, which may be locked in for a short period of time after which they may readjust on a regular basis, such as every month, quarter, or year. If interest rates are on the rise, this can mean your subprime loan becomes increasingly more expensive.

Down Payments

Again, because subprime borrowers may be at a higher risk of default, lenders may protect themselves by requiring a higher down payment. That way, the borrower has more skin in the game, and their bank doesn’t need to lend as much money.

Loan Amounts

Subprime borrowers may not be able to borrow as much as their prime counterparts.

Higher Fees

Fees, such as late-payment penalties or origination fees, may be higher for subprime borrowers.


💡 Quick Tip: Before choosing a personal loan, ask about the lender’s fees: origination, prepayment, late fees, etc. One question can save you many dollars.

Repayment Periods

Subprime loans typically carry longer terms than prime loans. That means they take longer to pay back. While a longer term can mean a smaller monthly payment, it also means that you may end up paying more in interest over the life of the loan.

Prime Loan vs Subprime Loan: What Type of Loans Are They?

Prime and subprime options are available for a variety of loan types. For example, different types of personal loans come as prime personal loans or subprime personal loans. When you’re comparing personal loan interest rates, you’ll see that prime loans offer lower rates than subprime. Common uses for personal loans include consolidating debt, paying off medical bills, and home repairs.

You can also apply for prime and subprime mortgages and auto loans. What is considered a prime or subprime score varies depending on the type of loan and the lender.

Recommend: How to Get Approved for a Personal Loan

Prime Loan vs Subprime Loan: How to Get One

By checking your credit score, you can get a pretty good idea of whether you’ll qualify for a prime or subprime loan. That said, as mentioned above, the categories will vary by lender.

The process for applying for a prime or subprime loan is similar.

Get Prepared

Lenders may ask for all sorts of documentation when you apply for a loan, such as recent paystubs, employer contact information, and bank statements. Gather this information ahead of time, so you can move swiftly when researching and applying for loans.

Research Lenders

Banks, credit unions, and online lenders all offer prime and subprime loans. You may want to start with the bank you already have a relationship with, but it’s important to explore other options too. You may even want to approach lenders who specialize in subprime loans.

To shop around for the best possible rate, you may be able to prequalify with several different lenders. This only requires a soft credit inquiry, which won’t impact your credit. That way you can see which lender can offer you the best terms and interest rates. Applying for credit will trigger a hard inquiry on your credit report, which will temporarily lower your credit score.

Consider a Cosigner

If you’re having trouble getting a subprime loan, you may consider a cosigner with better credit, such as a close family member. They will be on the hook for paying off your loan if you miss any payments, so be sure you are both aware of the risk.

Subprime Loan Alternatives

There are alternatives to subprime loans that also carry a fair amount of risk. Some, like credit cards, are legitimate options when used responsibly. Others, like payday loans, should be avoided whenever possible.

Credit Cards

Credit cards allow you to borrow relatively small amounts of money on a revolving basis. If you pay off your credit card bill each month, you will owe no interest. However, if you carry a balance from month to month, you will owe interest, which can compound and send you deeper into debt.


💡 Quick Tip: Swap high-interest debt for a lower-interest loan, and save money on your monthly payments. Find out why SoFi credit card consolidation loans are so popular.

Predatory Loans

Payday loans are a type of predatory loan that usually must be paid off when you receive your next paycheck. These lenders often charge high fees and extremely high interest rates — as high as 400%, or more. If you cannot pay off the loan within the designated period, you may be allowed to roll it over. However, you will be charged a fee again, potentially trapping you in a cycle of debt.

The Takeaway

Subprime loans can be a relatively expensive way to take on debt, especially compared to their prime counterparts. If you can, you may want to wait to improve your credit profile before taking on a subprime loan. You can do this by always paying your bills on time and by paying down debt. That said, in some cases, taking on a subprime loan is unavoidable — you may need a new car now to get you to work, for example — so shop around for the best rates you can get.

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

Why are subprime loans bad?

Subprime loans are not necessarily bad. However, these loans typically charge higher interest rates and fees than their prime counterparts. Borrowers may also be asked to put down a higher down payment, and they may be able to borrow less.

What is the difference between subprime and nonprime?

Nonprime borrowers have credit scores that are higher than subprime but lower than prime.

What type of loan is a subprime loan?

A variety of loan types may include a subprime category, including mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. All loans in the subprime category likely have higher interest rates and fees.

Photo credit: iStock/Nikola Stojadinovic

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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A debit memorandum is a notice issued to customers from a bank or a business, informing them of an adjustment being made to their account balance. In all cases, a debit memo means that money will be taken out of an account to cover a fee or an underpayment.

Debit memos occur both in personal banking — like for a bounced check or insufficient funds fees — but are also common in business-to-business (B2B) transactions. They are often to correct an erroneous invoice or respond to changing market prices. Understanding how debit memos work can help you stay on top of your money.

What Is a Debit Memo?

A debit memo is a notice from a financial institution or a business to a customer that there is a forthcoming adjustment (a debit or withdrawal of funds) to their account. You may also hear it referred to as a debit memorandum or debit note.

A debit memo might show up on your bank statement for an atypical fee, like for ordering checks or for overdrafting. Normal checking account debits, like from a swiped debit card or a cashed check, are not classified as debit memos and will not appear on a bank statement as such.

In B2B transactions, a company may issue a debit memo after invoicing if there was something incorrect on the original invoice. Typically, this happens if the customer was undercharged.

💡 Quick Tip: Typically, checking accounts don’t earn interest. However, some accounts do, and online banks are more likely than brick-and-mortar banks to offer you the best rates.

How Does a Debit Memorandum Work?

In banking, if you have incurred a fee, such as an overdraft fee, the bank will add a debit memorandum to your monthly bank statement. If you use a digital banking app, you can often see this debit note in real time — no need to wait for a paper statement in the mail.

Just make sure you’ve turned on account alerts to track deposits, withdrawals, and other important account changes.

Banks cannot just assess fees at random. Federal law requires banks to disclose any fees they might charge for a bank account; before opening a bank account online or in person, ask to see a detailed fee structure. If you don’t think a debit memo on your bank statement is correct, contact customer service to address the issue.

In business, debit memos work a little differently. The company acting as the seller might issue a debit memo after sending an incorrect invoice. Doing so notifies the buying company that their accounts payable will increase to rectify the unpaid amount.

Recommended: How Long Does It Take to Open a Bank Account?

Real-Life Examples of a Debit Memorandum

Here are two real-life examples of bank memos, one for regular consumer checking accounts and one for a B2B transaction.

Banking Scenario

If you write a check to a friend but don’t have enough money in your checking account to cover it, the check will bounce when your friend goes to deposit or cash it. Every time you bounce a check, your bank will likely charge you a fee. Rather than sending you an invoice, they will directly debit the amount from your bank account.

Even if you have no money in your account, you can go into a negative balance. This debit will show up on your bank statement as a debit memo.

Business Scenario

In this example, your company has done construction work for a local business. However, when sending the invoice to the business, you accidentally left off the labor cost and additional materials required for one portion of the project, equivalent to $5,000.

To resolve this problem, you can issue a debit memo to the local business. This signals that you will be recording an increase in your accounts receivable of $5,000. In turn, the local business will then need to increase the amount in its accounts payable by $5,000 to cover the additional fee. To avoid delays or disputes, the debit note should include adequate information to explain the adjustment in the final cost.

Recommended: How to Transfer Money From One Bank to Another

Types of Debit Memos?

Three situations commonly call for debit memos: bank transactions, incremental billing, and internal offset. Here, learn about all three types of debit memos to understand their key differences.

Bank Transactions

As an individual consumer, you will most likely encounter a debit memo as a bank transaction. If you incur a fee through your bank, like for printing checks or an overdraft, the bank will debit your account directly to cover that fee. This will show up on your bank statement as a transaction, labeled as a debit memo or debit note.

Incremental Billing

If you are involved in billing for B2B transactions, you may encounter debit memos. A seller might issue a debit memo to a buyer for several reasons:

•   If there were errors on the original invoice.

•   If the buyer paid upfront, but project costs were higher than expected.

•   If the cost of materials or labor increased during the course of the project.

•   If the scope of the work changed and resulted in higher costs.

Internal Offset

If a customer’s account has a credit balance of insubstantial value, a company can issue a debit memo to clear out the balance. If the balance is large enough to be considered material (i.e., a significant amount of money), the company would typically refund the customer rather than issue a debit memo.

Debit vs. Credit Memorandum: What’s the Difference?

Credit memos are essentially the opposite of debit memos. In banking, credit memos alert customers of an increase in their account balance. In business, a seller might issue a credit balance to alert the buyer that the original invoice was too high, thus reducing the amount the buyer owes.

Notification to Customers

When a bank issues a debit memo, it typically notifies the customer of the debit on the bank statement. Similarly, a credit memo will show up on a customer’s bank statement.

As a customer, you may receive paper or electronic statements. If you bank online, you can typically check your transactions at any time on the app or website. When you receive notification of a debit, you’ll want to take it into account when balancing your bank account.

Invoicing

As a seller issuing a debit memo, you are notifying the buyer that you are increasing the final invoice amount. A credit memo does the opposite: It notifies the buyer that you are reducing the final invoice amount.

Recording the Reduction

In the event of a debit memo, the seller will record an increase in the accounts receivable amount; the buyer must record the larger debit in their accounts payable ledger. For a credit memo, the seller records a decrease in the accounts receivable amount while the buyer records a smaller debit from accounts payable.

Debit: Remit Payment vs. Credit: Future Purchases

To clarify a bit more, debits are amounts owed that must be remitted to settle and account. Credits are money that an individual or business is owed, perhaps reflecting an overpayment, which may be applied to future purchases.

Here’s a summary:

💡 Recommended: Credit vs Debit Memo

Managing a Bank Account

When you open a checking account or savings account, it’s important to understand the fee structure so that you aren’t surprised by a debit memo on your monthly account statement. Ask for a fee structure upon opening a new account, and monitor your statements closely to understand what fees are being assessed.

As best as you can, check your checking account for low balances, and set up alerts for all transactions. It can also be wise to activate fraud alerts to help manage your banking security and protection.

The Takeaway

Debit memorandums alert banking customers that funds will be withdrawn from their account, often to cover fees incurred. This will lower an account balance, so it’s important to be aware of these changes and make sure your account doesn’t go into overdraft.

Looking for the right banking partner? See what SoFi offers.

Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with eligible 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

Do you pay a debit memo?

A debit memo serves as a notification of a debit from your account. The bank will automatically debit your account. In a B2B scenario, a debit memo is a form or document that notifies the buyer that the seller has increased the accounts receivable amount.

Who issues a debit memo?

A bank or credit union may issue a debit memo to a personal or company account for specific fees, including bounced checks, insufficient funds, or printing checks. A business may issue a debit memo to another business to correct an invoice that results in underpayment. A business can also use a debit memorandum internally, to offset a credit balance in a customer account.

Is a debit memo the same as an invoice?

A debit memo is not the same as an invoice. Rather, businesses often issue debit memos as a correction to an initial invoice, typically when they have mistakenly undercharged a customer.

Photo credit: iStock/Vadym Pastukh
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Annual percentage yield (APY) is variable and subject to change at any time. Rates are current as of 12/23/25. 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.
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The maturity date for an installment loan like a personal loan is the date on which you’ll be finished paying off your loan. It’s important to mark this day on your calendar, not only to celebrate successfully paying back your debt, but also because it can tell you important information like how much you’ll ultimately end up paying in interest.

Here’s a look at how to figure out the maturity date for your personal loan, and other important loan terms you should know.

What Is the Loan Maturity Date?

The term “maturity date” can refer to loans or investments. In investing, it refers to the day on which you’ll receive the money you invested, for example, in a savings bond or certificate of deposit (CD). You’ll get your investment back, plus any remaining interest that’s due to you.

If you’re a borrower, the maturity date of a loan is the day your lender has scheduled for your loaned funds and any interest to be paid off in full. Provided you’ve made regular and timely payments throughout the term of the loan, you’ll have no further obligation to the lender after the maturity date.

If, for whatever reason, you still have a balance after your loan maturity date, you’ll want to talk to your lender and work out a plan to pay off the remainder of your loan.

Recommended: What Is a Personal Loan?

How Does the Loan Maturity Date Work?

Your loan’s maturity date is a part of your initial loan agreement. You can find it on your loan contract. For example, say you take out a $10,000 personal loan on June 1, 2024 with a 36-month term. The loan maturity date will be 36 months later, on June 1, 2027.

It is possible to pay off your loan early before the loan maturity. This can save you money in interest payments. However, be mindful of whether your lender charges prepayment penalties. These penalties can outweigh the advantages of paying off your loan early.

Length of a Personal Loan Maturity Date

A loan term is the amount of time you’ll have to pay it off before you reach the maturity date, usually calculated in months. You can often find personal loans with terms from 12 to 60 months, and some lenders will offer loans with terms of up to seven years or longer.

The longer your term, the longer you’ll be paying interest, which generally makes these longer-term loans more expensive for borrowers. When choosing a loan, you may want to consider one with the shortest term (and closest maturity date) possible, as long as you can comfortably afford the monthly payments.

Calculating Your Loan Maturity Value

A loan’s maturity value is the sum of the principal plus all of the interest you’ve paid on the loan. The maturity value (MV) formula is:

MV = P + I

Where “P” is the principal amount of the loan and “I” is the loan’s annual percentage rate (APR).

For example, say you take out a $10,000 personal loan with a 36-month term and 12% APR. In this case P = 10,000 and I = 12%. You can use a personal loan calculator to determine how much interest you will pay on the loan over the 36-month term, then add that to the principal loan amount. Here, the equation would look like:

MV = $10,000 + $1,957.15
In this case, MV = $11,957.15

What Happens at the Personal Loan Maturity Date?

At the personal loan maturity date, you will make your final loan payment. Provided you have stayed up-to-date with all of your payments, you will have fully paid off all of your loan principal and whatever interest you owe and have no further obligation to your lender.

However, this may not be possible if you’ve fallen on hard financial times. If you think you’ll have trouble making any of your loan payments on time, it’s a good idea to reach out to your lender immediately and see if there’s anything they can do to help. They may allow you to pay at a later date.

Recommended: What Happens If You Default on a Personal Loan?

Other Important Information on the Personal Loan Agreement

In addition to maturity, you’ll find other useful information on your personal loan agreement.

Loan Principal

Your loan principal is the initial amount of money that you borrow, and it is the amount you agree to pay back with interest. So if you take out a $30,000 personal loan, the loan principal is $30,000.

The total amount of interest that you pay will be determined by the principal, as well as the interest rate. When you make a payment each month, part of the total is applied to your interest while the remainder goes to your principal. Typically, as you make more monthly payments, a larger portion of your payment each month will go toward the principal, until your loan is repaid in full on the maturity date.

Recommended: What Is an Installment Loan and How Does It Work?

Loan Interest Rates

The interest rate is the amount that your lender charges you to borrow, and it’s the main way that lenders make money. Most personal loans rates are fixed interest rates, meaning the rate will not change over the life of the loan. The average personal loan interest rate is currently 12.21%. But rates will vary depending on your credit score.

Variable rate loans, on the other hand, carry interest rates that are usually pegged to a market interest rate. As a result, they can change over the life of the loan.

There may also be hybrid situations in which a loan starts with a fixed interest rate for a period of time, after which it switches to a variable rate. If market rates have gone down, this can be a good thing for borrowers. But if they’ve gone up, a variable-rate loan could be more expensive than its fixed-rate counterpart.

Monthly Loan Payments

You’ll be able to find the amount you owe each month on your personal loan agreement. Your loan payment should be the same over the course of your loan unless you have a variable interest rate.

The Takeaway

For an installment loan like a personal loan, the maturity date is the day of the final loan payment. This date is set based on the loan’s repayment period — how long you have to repay the loan, including both principal and interest. A personal loan is typically considered to have short- to medium-term maturity, since terms generally run from a few months to seven years.

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FAQ

What happens if the loan is not paid by the maturity date?

If your loan is not paid by the maturity date, you’ll need to work with your lender to come up with an extended repayment plan. If your last loan payment is late or your loan is in default, you may face penalties and your credit score may be negatively affected.

What is the maturity date on a loan?

The maturity date on a loan is the date by which a borrower has agreed to pay off the loan principal and interest in full. You generally make your final loan payment on the maturity date.

When is the maturity date on a loan?

The maturity date on a loan is the date when your final payment is due. It is based on the term of your loan. If you take out a personal loan on June 1, 2024 and the loan has a 36- month term, for example, the maturity date will be June 1, 2028.

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