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Personal loan impact on credit score: Key factors and tips to manage

06 January, 2025 | 12:32 IST

Applying for personal loans has become quite convenient these days with the advent of the digital platform and online lending apps. While it’s easy to apply for a personal loan, getting approval could be a tough task. And here one factor is your key to success— your credit score.

Your credit score plays a significant role in determining your eligibility for various financial products, including personal loans, and it can be affected by how you manage your loans. Ironically, availing a personal loan or applying for it could also temporarily impact your credit score.

Understanding credit score for personal loan

A credit score is a number that indicates your creditworthiness to potential lenders. It ranges between 300 and 900, with higher scores over the long-term representing better financial behaviour. A score above 750 is considered excellent and it can help you secure a personal loan at favourable interest rates.

For those considering a personal loan, the credit score plays an important role in determining eligibility and the interest rate offered. Lenders often run a credit score check before approving a loan, and they prefer applicants with a higher score because it indicates a lower risk of default.

Personal loan impact on credit score

Your credit score can be impacted both positively and negatively when you take a personal loan. Here’s how:

personal loan impact on credit score

  • Helps in terms of credit mix: Your credit score is determined by several factors, and one of them is the variety of credit you have. Having a mix of different types of loans can positively influence your credit score if managed responsibly.
  • Timely repayment boosts credit score: One of the most significant factors affecting your credit score is your repayment history. If you take a personal loan and make timely EMI payments without default, your credit score can improve. Lenders report your repayment behaviour to credit bureaus, and a record of timely repayments shows responsible financial management, boosting your credit score.
  • Dip in credit score due to hard inquiry: When you apply for a personal loan, the lender performs a thorough check on your credit report, also known as a hard inquiry. Your credit score may drop marginally with each hard inquiry. While this dip is usually temporary and could improve in a few months, multiple loan applications within a short span can also lead to a negative impact on your credit score.

Protecting your credit score after taking a personal loan

Maintaining a healthy credit score after taking a personal loan is essential. Here are a few ways in which you can do it:

  • Check your credit score regularly: To avoid surprises, make it a habit to check your credit score regularly. This helps you monitor changes and rectify any discrepancies that could affect the score. It also helps you track the impact of your loan on your credit score.
  • Set reminders for EMIs: Making late payments or missing EMIs can damage your credit score. Set up reminders or automatic payments to ensure that your EMIs are paid on time every month. If you have multiple loans or credit cards, make sure to clear the high-interest debts first.
  • Avoid borrowing more than necessary: Though it may be tempting to borrow the maximum loan amount offered, it’s important to consider your repayment capacity. Borrowing more than what you require could lead to financial stress, increasing the risk of late payments and defaults, which would negatively impact your credit score.Moneycontrol offers instant loans up to Rs 15 lakhs in partnership with top lenders. The process is completely digital and 100% hassle-free, with interest rates starting at just 12% per annum. Plus, there are no hidden charges.

ALSO READ: What Affects Your Credit Score & How To Build a Healthy Credit Score

Credit score for personal loan: Impact of defaulting on a payment

Defaulting on a personal loan will lead to a negative impact on your credit score, and the longer the default, the harder it becomes to restore a healthy credit score. The lender may also escalate the matter, leading to legal complications and debt recovery actions. Your credit history will show defaults, making it challenging to get approved for future loans or credit cards. Even if lenders do approve your applications, you will likely be offered loans at a much higher interest rate, reflecting the perceived risk.

Credit Score: Balancing is the key

Personal loans are unsecured, meaning they come with relatively higher interest rates compared to secured loans like home loans or auto loans. So, it is important to balance your personal loan with other financial commitments such as existing loans, credit card payments, and regular monthly expenses. Failing to manage these expenses can lead to high debt-to-income ratio, which will further reduce your credit score.

Moneycontrol offers flexibility by providing both personal and business loans depending on your employment status. What makes Moneycontrol stand out is its easy, three-step process to get a loan — enter your details, complete KYC and set up EMIs. Within minutes, you can have the funds transferred to your bank account.

In conclusion, a personal loan can either enhance or damage your credit score, depending on how responsibly you manage the loan. By making timely payments, avoiding over-borrowing and regularly checking your credit score, you can protect and improve your credit score.

Disclaimer

This piece/article was written by an external partner and does not reflect the work of Moneycontrol's editorial team. It may include references to products and services offered by Moneycontrol.
Fintech

About the Author

Fintech

Stay updated on the latest personal finance trends, with a focus on products like credit cards, credit score, personal loans, fixed deposits, and more

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