 TITLE: How to Get the Best Personal Loan for You CONTENT: Know Your Credit Before Applying for a Personal Loan\n----------------------------------------------------\nMany lenders use FICO® Scores☉ to rate borrower creditworthiness. Here is how FICO® rates creditworthiness by credit score band:\n*   800-850: Exceptional\n*   740-799: Very good\n*   670-739: Good\n*   580-669: Fair\n*   300-579: Very poor\nMany online lenders focus on a specific segment of borrowers. If you have exceptional credit—a FICO® Score of 800 or higher—you may qualify for a low-interest loan through an online lender such as SoFi, which caters to top-tier borrowers.\nIf your credit is good to very good, you'll find a range of lenders and lending platforms, including Marcus and Best Egg, that may want to work with you—although you'll pay higher interest rates and are more likely to pay upfront origination fees to get your loan started. Even borrowers with poor to fair credit have options, though these loans are typically the most expensive. Still, finding a reputable lender or loan product that caters to borrowers with lower credit scores, such as Avant, OneMain Financial or RISE, is always a better option than resorting to a payday loan.\nBefore you begin looking for a personal loan, find out where your credit stands by downloading a copy of your credit score and credit report. Checking your own credit won't impact your credit score, so it's a good practice to do this periodically even if you're not shopping for a loan.\nContact lenders individually to get a rate and terms based on your credit score and other qualifying factors. You can find online lenders that fit your credit profile doing research online or by using a service such as Experian's CreditMatch™. Compare as many offers as you can, since rates and terms can vary widely. In addition to online lenders, check with your bank or credit union to see if they offer personal loans. The more information you gather, the more informed your decision will be. END