Wealthy PotPersonal Loan Rates in 2026: Average APR and 11 Lenders Compared
The average interest rate on a 24-month personal loan from a commercial bank was 11.90% in August 2026, according to the Federal Reserve. Credit unions charged less: 10.64% on a 36-month unsecured loan at the end of 2025, against 12.00% at banks, according to the NCUA. What you're offered depends mostly on your credit, income and existing debt. The lenders below publish APR ranges from about 6% to 35.99%, and the fee some of them take out of the loan can add several points to the real cost.
The Short Answer
- Average bank rate: 11.90% (24-month loans, August 2026, Federal Reserve G.19), up from 11.14% a year earlier and about 10.3% in 2019.
- Credit unions: 10.64% average on 36-month unsecured loans (December 2025), and federal credit unions can't charge more than 18% through September 10, 2027.
- Lender ranges: online lenders run up to 35.99%; banks and credit unions in our table top out between 17.99% and 26.74%.
- Origination fees of up to 8% to 9.99% at some lenders come out of the money you receive, so compare APRs, not just rates.
- On $10,000 over 3 years at 11.90%, you'd pay $331.67 a month and $1,940 in interest (our arithmetic).
Average Personal Loan Rates
| Quarter | Commercial bank rate, 24-month personal loan |
|---|---|
| 2026 Q3 (August) | 11.90% |
| 2026 Q2 (May) | 11.86% |
| 2026 Q1 (February) | 11.36% |
| 2025 Q4 (November) | 11.63% |
| 2025 Q3 (August) | 11.14% |
| 2025 Q2 (May) | 11.57% |
| 2025 Q1 (February) | 11.66% |
| 2024 Q4 (November) | 12.32% |
| 2024 Q1 (February), recent peak | 12.49% |
| 2022 Q2 (May), recent low | 8.73% |
Federal Reserve, G.19 Consumer Credit (release of October 7, 2026). The rate is an APR: a simple average of each bank's most common rate in the first week of the middle month of each quarter. Annual averages: 2023 11.87%, 2024 12.27%, 2025 11.50%. The next new figure covers November 2026.
Credit unions report separately. NCUA's latest comparison (December 26, 2025) shows an average of 10.64% on a 36-month unsecured fixed-rate loan at credit unions and 12.00% at banks. Federal credit unions are limited to an 18% APR on most loans until September 10, 2027, under an NCUA Board extension in early 2026; without it the legal limit would be 15%. Their payday alternative loans can go up to 28%.
Lender APR Ranges
| Lender | APR range | Amount | Term | Origination fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Happen Bank (formerly LendingClub) | 5.96% - 35.99% | $1,000 - $75,000 | 24 - 84 months | 0% - 8% |
| PenFed (credit union) | 6.39% - 17.99% with autopay | $600 - $50,000 | Up to 60 months | None |
| Wells Fargo | 6.74% - 26.74% (with relationship discount) | $3,000 - $100,000 | 12 - 84 months | None |
| Best Egg | 6.99% - 35.99% | $2,000 - $50,000 | 36 or 60 months shown | 0.99% - 9.99% |
| Discover | 6.99% - 24.99% | $2,500 - $40,000 | 36 - 84 months | None |
| Upgrade | 7.74% - 35.99% | $1,000 - $50,000 | 24 - 84 months | 1.85% - 9.99% |
| Navy Federal (credit union) | 8.74% - 18.00% | $250 - $50,000 | Up to 60 months | None |
| Prosper | 8.99% - 35.99% | Up to $50,000 | 2 - 6 years | 1% - 9.99% |
| LightStream (Truist) | 9.99% - 24.94%, by loan purpose, with autopay | $5,000 - $100,000 | 24 - 84 months | None |
| Avant | 9.95% - 35.99% | $2,000 - $35,000 | 24 - 60 months | Administration fee up to 9.99% |
| Citi | 10.24% - 18.49% (with autopay discount) | $2,000 - $30,000 | 12 - 60 months | Not stated |
Each lender's own website, read October 20, 2026, except Happen Bank (July 6, 2026), Wells Fargo (July 10, 2026), Citi (September 29, 2026) and PenFed ("October 2026", from an archived copy of October 19). Ranges change often and the rate you're offered depends on your application. Not included because their pages couldn't be read: SoFi, Upstart, PNC and U.S. Bank. Discover is now a division of Capital One. We don't earn a commission from any lender here.
A few details behind the ranges. LightStream's rates assume autopay and run 0.50 points higher without it, and its range depends on what the loan is for (for example 9.99% to 23.94% to pay off credit cards). Navy Federal's lowest rate on 37 to 60 month loans is 10.69%. Best Egg charges at least 4.99% in origination fees on terms of four years or more. Prosper says the average APR on three-year loans it funded in the first quarter of 2026 was 24.19%, a reminder that most borrowers don't get a lender's lowest advertised rate.
What Origination Fees Do to Your APR
Most origination fees are taken out of the loan before you get the money, but you repay the full amount. A hypothetical $10,000 three-year loan at an 11.90% interest rate with a 6% fee puts $9,400 in your account while you pay $331.67 a month on $10,000. Measured on the $9,400 you actually received, the cost is about 16.3% a year (our arithmetic). That is why the APR, which includes the fee, is the number to compare. A lender with no fee and a slightly higher rate can be the cheaper loan.
If you need exactly $10,000 in hand, ask the lender how much you must borrow to net that amount after the fee, and check the total of payments on the disclosure before you sign.
Personal Loan Calculator
Set to the August 2026 average rate. Enter the APR you're offered, the amount and the term to see your payment, total interest and the payoff schedule.
| $10,000 loan | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| 7.00% APR, 3 years | $308.77 | $1,116 |
| 11.90% APR, 3 years | $331.67 | $1,940 |
| 11.90% APR, 5 years | $221.94 | $3,316 |
| 24.00% APR, 3 years | $392.33 | $4,124 |
| 35.99% APR, 3 years | $457.98 | $6,487 |
Our arithmetic, fixed-rate loans with equal monthly payments.
What Sets Your Rate
- Your credit score and history. Our credit score guide explains the ranges; checking your own credit doesn't affect it.
- Your income and debt-to-income ratio.
- The term. Longer terms lower the payment but cost more interest, and some lenders charge higher rates or fees on them.
- Discounts: autopay (LightStream 0.50 points; Citi and PenFed 0.25 points) or an existing relationship (Wells Fargo).
- A credit union membership, with rates capped at 18% at federal credit unions.
If the loan is to pay off credit cards, compare it with the cards' rates and a balance transfer in our debt consolidation guide, and avoid payday loans, which cost far more; see our payday loan guide.
Sources & Methodology
- Federal Reserve, G.19 Consumer Credit (October 7, 2026): commercial bank rate on 24-month personal loans, also on FRED (TERMCBPER24NS).
- NCUA, Credit Union and Bank Rates, 2025 Q4 and NCUA, Board extends loan interest rate ceiling (18% through September 10, 2027).
- Lenders' own personal loan pages: Happen Bank (happen.com), PenFed, Wells Fargo, Best Egg, Discover, Upgrade, Navy Federal, Prosper, LightStream, Avant, Citi.
Method notes. Each lender's figures are what its own site showed on the date given; ranges include autopay or relationship discounts where the lender includes them. Payment, interest and effective-rate figures are our arithmetic. We don't rank lenders, because the rate you're offered depends on your own credit and income; compare the real offers you get after applying or prequalifying.
This page is general information, not financial advice. Rates checked on October 20, 2026.
FAQ
What is the average personal loan interest rate right now?
11.90% for a 24-month personal loan from a commercial bank in August 2026, according to the Federal Reserve. Credit unions averaged 10.64% on 36-month unsecured loans at the end of 2025.
What is a good personal loan rate?
Anything below the 11.90% bank average is below average. The lowest advertised rates in our table start around 6% to 7%, usually for borrowers with strong credit and autopay.
Are credit union personal loan rates lower?
On average, yes: 10.64% vs 12.00% at banks on 36-month unsecured loans (NCUA, December 2025), and federal credit unions can't charge more than 18%.
What is the highest personal loan rate?
Several online lenders in our table go up to 35.99% APR. Federal credit unions are capped at 18%.
Do personal loans have fees?
Some do. Origination fees in our table range from 0% to 9.99%, usually taken out of the loan. Discover, LightStream, Wells Fargo, Navy Federal and PenFed list none.