Why credit scores matter in loan approval
When applying for a personal loan, lenders don't just think about your income; they also assess your financial reliability. And among the most significant indicators of this reliability is your credit rating. Good rating means that you have paid bills timely, managed debts in a responsible manner, and have never defaulted. To lenders, this implies less risk, and a good credit score will be enough to approve your loan application for many cases alone. Without an excellent score, income borrowers will not be able to get significant loan amounts.
Loan amounts with increased scores
Improved credit scores can literally make a big impact on the size of loan that you'll be able to get. For example, a customer with more than 750 will be comparatively more likely to be able to secure a ₹10 lakh personal loan than a customer with a credit score of about 600 and who can at best be given ₹2–3 lakhs. The lenders use the credit scores to understand the extent of credit that they will provide. By being good on your credit, you show that you can be trusted with more money, freeing up available money to spend on important goals like household repairs, doctors' bills, or debt consolidation.
Lower interest rates and favourable terms
The second major benefit of having good credit is borrowing at lower interest rates. The high-scoring borrower is quoted 10%, and the low-scoring borrower is paying 18% and more. Over the duration of the loan, this amounts to paying thousands of rupees less in interest fees. Good scores grant access not just to rates but also terms of repayment that are flexible, faster processing, and better pre-approved offer chances. In reality, the higher one's score, the easier and cheaper to borrow.
Impact on debt-to-income ratio
While income and expenses are still major considerations in borrowing, your credit score puts the icing on the cake. Your debt-to-income ratio is good, so you're not burdened with too many debts, and with an excellent credit score, you're the ideal borrower. This double whammy increases your prospects of getting larger loans since the lenders can visualize you having both the income stability and repayment capability.
Ways to improve your credit score for larger loans
You can improve your credit score by maintaining personal financial discipline at all times. Pay all bills, EMIs, and credit card dues on time. Keep your credit usage, or credit card balance utilized as a percentage, at less than 30%. Do not apply for many loans and cards within a short time period because multiple inquiries lower your score. Over time, even very small positive trends do their thing, making your account all the better and having enough power to be able to apply for bigger personal loans down the line.
FAQs
Q1: What credit score is good enough to get personal loans?
700+ is good, 750+ is very good. Borrowers are more likely to be approved at these scores with better terms.
Q2: Can you get a large loan if you have bad credit?
Yes, but it has trade-offs. The lender will make smaller loans at significantly higher interest rates to make up for the risk. Sealing the score upfront is the better deal in the long run.
Q3: How long does it take to raise a credit score?
Depending on where you live, you can start seeing improvement in as little as six months of on-time payments made consistently and reduced debt. To really kick in, consistent discipline for 12–18 months is generally the standard.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
