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Home » Personal Loans » Will COVID-19 Affect Personal Loans and Interest Rates?

Will COVID-19 Affect Personal Loans and Interest Rates?

March 29, 2020 by Brian Allen

COVID-19 Creates Surge in Personal Loan Applications

Whether you’re looking to get a personal loan due to the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, or you’re a financial services professional, you may be wondering how this pandemic has affected personal loans in America. Let’s take a look now, and examine the effects of this virus on the personal loan industry.


More Americans Take Out Personal Loans Due To Unemployment & Layoffs

Unemployment in the United States has spiked in a way that’s never been seen before, due to widespread quarantining, shutdowns of “non-essential” business, and the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on gig workers, performers, bars and restaurants, and more. More than 3.3 million Americans filed for unemployment in a single week – bringing the overall unemployment rate to more than 5%.

While unemployment can help with bills and a $2 trillion stimulus package is on the way to provide emergency cash, some Americans still need help making ends meet, and personal loans are one of the options that borrowers with good credit are taking advantage of. However, if you don’t have good credit already, this might not benefit you as much as some with good credit.  In this case, it’s important to compare bad credit loans rates.


Falling Interest Rates Drive Loan Costs Down

Another indirect effect of the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak is that the Federal Reserve has dropped interest rates to record lows. An emergency rate cut to 0% indicates that rates may actually turn negative in the future. This rate cut has affected the cost of a number of different loans, including mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans. Due to low-interest rates, personal loan interest rates have been relatively low for a long time – and continued rate cuts may drive APR even lower for some borrowers.


Banks Offer Low Rates For Qualified Borrowers

The Fed cutting interest rates is not the only factor affecting personal loan rates for qualified borrowers. Some banks are taking steps to help their customers get the cash they need to get through these difficult economic times and are cutting personal loan rates accordingly. US Bank, for example, is offering 2.99% APR personal loans to qualified customers, and many other traditional lenders and online personal loan companies are following suit, providing customers with access to the cash they need.


Some Lenders Are Offering To Defer Payments & Interest

For individuals who are already repaying a personal loan and may face hardship and difficulties repaying due to job loss and the COVID-19 coronavirus lockdown and quarantine, many banks are offering to defer payments on an individual basis. This guide from Bankrate has information about many of the banks participating in hardship relief programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I get a personal loan during the COVID-19 crisis?

All banks and lenders are continuing to operate as usual, for the most part. Which means, they are still lending money to borrowers. If you need a loan, it’s best to apply at well-known online lenders such as Credible, LendingClub, and Prosper.

Do banks and lenders have better personal loan rates right now?

Before the COVID-19 crisis, personal loan interest rates were, on average, 18% – 36% APR. With the Fed introducing zero percent interest rates, personal loans are now being offer for around 11% APR…and if you have good credit, it can be as low as 5.6% APR.

What if I lost my job? Do I still have a chance at getting approved?

There’s a chance you are still eligible. With new government programs coming out daily to ease the economic burden inflicted on working families, it’s possible it will not be an issue. It is best to check with each lender, as it is on a case-by-case basis right now.

What if I have an existing loan and I lost my job? How can I pay the monthly payment?

Good question. Most lenders are deferring payments for their customers – anywhere from 30 days – 90 days out. This doesn’t mean you aren’t responsible for the loan payment in the future – it is simply deferred, which extends your loan out further.

Filed Under: Personal Loans

About Brian Allen

Brian Allen has been helping people make smarter financial decisions for over 10 years. As the Editor-in-Chief for Goloans, Brian writes about sage financial advice, "how to" articles, and reviews about lenders and creditors.

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