There are a lot of advantages to having a good credit score — you'll have an easier time getting approved for that new apartment and you'll often get the best rates on car and homeowners insurance, for example — but one of the biggest benefits is that it's cheaper to borrow money when you need it.
Those with solid credit are typically offered the best interest rates and loan terms, which plays a role in why they end up taking on larger personal loan debts than their lower credit score counterparts.
In fact, according to a recent LendingTree study, even though the majority of personal loans taken out by high-score borrowers were for debt consolidation, these borrowers tended to spend the most on personal loans to finance home improvements and business-related expenses. Those borrowing for home improvements took out an average of $21,510 while those borrowing for business purposes took out an average of $22,778.
The study looked at closed personal loan data between April 2021 and March 2022, and defined a high credit score as being 720 and above.
Below, Select takes a closer look at just why home improvements and business expenses made up the largest loan amounts for borrowers with high credit scores.
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Why high-score borrowers spent the most on loans to finance home improvements and business expenses
One obvious reason why high-score borrowers spent the most to finance home improvements and business expenses may just be that remodeling a home or funding a business typically requires large amounts of capital, and therefore large loans.
But beyond just that fact, high-score borrowers spent the most on these loan purposes because they saw them as investments, which over time would help them build wealth.
"Having a greater financial margin for error allows high-score, high-income individuals to use debt as an investment," says Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst at LendingTree, in a company statement. "So they can take on debt to improve their home and increase its value or to start a small business that can help generate more income for the family."
This isn't to say that those with lower credit scores choose not to use personal loans as an investment, rather they may not have the capacity to take on larger debt loads that entail larger monthly payments. The lower an individual's credit score is, the less access they'll have to large borrowing power since lenders view these borrowers as less likely to pay back their debts as someone with a high credit score.
Personal loan options for everyone
The good news — when it comes to taking out a personal loan, no matter the amount — is just about anyone can get one. There are lenders that cater to borrowers with high credit scores just as there are those who cater to borrowers with lower credit scores.
If you're looking for the best personal loans for those with fair or good credit, consider Upstart, which allows borrowers to apply for up to $50,000 and has a minimum credit score requirement of 300. Upstart will make exceptions in certain cases and may approve applicants with no credit history. It also offers long loan terms ranging from 36 to 60 months to give you ample time to pay off your debt. Keep in mind that if you're approved with a lower credit score, you may still be subject to paying a higher interest rate.
Upstart offers accessible personal loans for people with fair or average credit.
- Accept applicants with low or no credit
- No early payoff fees
- Most loans funded the next business day
- High late fees
- Origination fee of 0% to 10% of the target amount
- $10 fee for paper copies of loan agreement
Higher-score borrowers on the hunt for the best personal loans for excellent credit should consider LightStream, which offers low-interest loans with flexible terms for borrowers with good credit or higher. Those with excellent credit can take advantage of some of the lowest interest rates, which range from 6.94% - 25.29% APR when you sign up for autopay. Take note, however, that LightStream doesn't offer loans for small business uses, in case this article's topic has inspired you. You can, however, get a LightStream personal loan to take on projects such as remodeling your bathroom or kitchen.
LightStream Personal Loans offer low APRs, no fees and the ability to apply online. Its terms are as long as 20 years, or 240 months.
- Same-day funding available through ACH or wire transfer (conditions apply)
- Loan amounts up to $100,000
- No origination fees, no early payoff fees, no late fees
- LightStream plants a tree for every loan
- Requires several years of credit history
- No option to pay your creditors directly
- Not available for student loans or business loans
- No option for pre-approval on website (but pre-qualification is available on some third-party lending platforms)
Other options for home renovation and small business financing
There are many ways to finance a home renovation or small business. Beyond personal loans, alternatives include saving up money in a high-yield savings account to pay in cash, taking out a revolving home equity line of credit, also called a HELOC — for funding home renovations, specifically — or using a credit card.
The best credit cards to help you pay for your next home remodel include the Chase Freedom Unlimited® (see rates and fees) for its introductory 0% APR on new purchases — you'll get up to 15 months of no-interest financing on new purchases to cover the cost of your project (after, 18.24% - 27.74% variable APR). That way, you'll have over a year to finance home repairs. Plus you'll earn cash back on your purchases.
The Chase Freedom Unlimited® is a no-annual-fee card that earns generous cash-back on everyday purchases and a lucrative welcome bonus.
- Users get a high rewards rate and strong welcome bonus
- Purchases and balance transfers get long intro APR
- No annual fee
- Travelers face a foreign transaction fee
- Few rewarding ongoing benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a $200 Bonus after you spend $500 on purchases in your first 3 months from account opening
- Enjoy 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, our premier rewards program that lets you redeem rewards for cash back, travel, gift cards and more; 3% cash back on drugstore purchases and dining at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery service, and 1.5% on all other purchases.
- No minimum to redeem for cash back. You can use points to redeem for cash through an account statement credit or an electronic deposit into an eligible Chase account located in the United States!
- Enjoy 0% Intro APR for 15 months from account opening on purchases and balance transfers, then a variable APR of 18.24% - 27.74%.
- No annual fee – You won't have to pay an annual fee for all the great features that come with your Freedom Unlimited® card
- Keep tabs on your credit health, Chase Credit Journey helps you monitor your credit with free access to your latest score, alerts, and more.
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Intro fee of either $5 or 3% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater, in the first 60 days. After that, either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater.
Foreign transaction fee
3% of each transaction in U.S. dollars
The best small business credit cards can help you finance business expenses while offering everything from rewards and interest-free financing on new purchases to luxurious travel perks, extended warranties, and insurance, among other business-related benefits.
With The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, for example, cardholders can benefit from an introductory APR of zero interest for 12 months on purchases from the date of account opening (after, 16.74% - 28.49% variable APR; APR will not exceed 29.99%, see rates and fees). This special financing period can provide you with an interest-free period of up to a year. You'll also earn 2X Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases up to $50,000 a year (then 1x).
The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express is a great option if you're starting a business because it's affordable, earns flexible travel rewards and offers an intro-APR on purchases for a year.
- Valuable intro-APR offer for purchases for 12 months
- Earns flexible rewards you can transfer to 20+ airline and hotel loyalty programs
- No annual fee
- Bonus rewards for purchases are capped
- Few useful travel insurance benefits
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 15,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $3,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within your first 3 months of Card Membership.
- 0.0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable rate, 16.74% - 28.49%, based on your creditworthiness and other factors at account opening. APR will not exceed 29.99%
- Earn 2X points on everyday business purchases such as office supplies or client dinners. 2X applies to the first $50,000 in purchases per year, 1 point per dollar thereafter. Terms and limitations apply.
- You've got the power to spend above your credit limit* with Expanded Buying Power. *The amount you can spend above your credit limit is flexible, so it adapts with your use of the Card, your payment history, credit record, financial resources known to us, and other factors. Just remember, the amount you can spend with Expanded Buying Power is not unlimited.
- No Annual Fee
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Balance transfer fee
N/A
Foreign transaction fee
2.7% of each transaction after conversion to US dollars.
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For rates and fees of The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express, click here.
*Your LightStream loan terms, including APR, may differ based on loan purpose, amount, term length, and your credit profile. Excellent credit is required to qualify for lowest rates. Rate is quoted with AutoPay discount. AutoPay discount is only available prior to loan funding. Rates without AutoPay are 0.50% points higher. Subject to credit approval. Conditions and limitations apply. Advertised rates and terms are subject to change without notice. Payment example: Monthly payments for a $10,000 loan at 3.99% APR with a term of three years would result in 36 monthly payments of $313.32.
