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Which Banks Offer Personal Loans?
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Several major U.S. banks offer personal loans, including Wells Fargo, Citibank, Discover, U.S. Bank, and American Express. Each bank has different APR ranges, loan amounts, and eligibility requirements.
Personal loan rates from banks currently range from about 6.74% to 24.99% APR, depending on the lender and your credit profile. Most banks require a minimum credit score of 660 and offer loan amounts between $1,000 and $100,000.
Here is a breakdown of the top banks offering personal loans in 2026, including their current rates, terms, and what makes each one stand out.
Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo is one of the most popular banks for personal loans in 2026. They offer loan amounts from $3,000 to $100,000 with repayment terms between 12 and 84 months.
Their APR ranges from 6.74% to 25.99% with autopay from a qualifying Wells Fargo account. There are no origination fees, closing fees, or prepayment penalties.
One thing to keep in mind: Wells Fargo personal loans are only available to existing customers who have had an open account for at least 12 months. Smaller loans ($3,000 to $4,999) are limited to 12-36 month terms, while loans from $5,000 to $100,000 can stretch up to 84 months.
Wells Fargo also offers same-day funding for approved borrowers, which is a big advantage if you need cash quickly.
Citibank
Citibank offers personal loans from $2,000 to $30,000 for most borrowers, with existing Citi deposit account or credit card holders qualifying for up to $50,000. Repayment terms range from 12 to 60 months.
As of early 2026, Citibank's APR ranges from 9.99% to 17.49%. That upper end is notably lower than most competitors, making Citi a strong choice if you have average credit.
Citibank charges zero fees across the board. No origination fee, no late fee, and no prepayment fee. You can also get a 0.5 percentage point rate reduction by enrolling in automatic payments, plus an additional 0.25 percentage point discount if you have an existing Citi banking relationship.
Discover
Discover offers personal loans from $2,500 to $40,000 with APRs between 7.99% and 24.99%. You can choose repayment terms of 36, 48, 60, 72, or 84 months.
Like Citibank, Discover doesn't charge origination fees, application fees, or late fees. They can also send funds as soon as the next business day after you accept the loan terms.
To qualify, you generally need a credit score of 660 or higher and a minimum individual or household annual income of at least $25,000. Discover is one of the largest online banks in the U.S. and has a solid reputation for straightforward lending.
U.S. Bank
U.S. Bank offers personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000, making them one of the few major banks that will lend amounts under $2,000. Their APR ranges from 8.74% to 24.99%, and terms run from 12 to 84 months for existing customers (up to 60 months for non-customers).
There are no origination fees and no prepayment penalties. Borrowers who set up automatic payments from a U.S. Bank checking or savings account get a 0.5 percentage point rate discount.
You need a credit score of at least 660 to qualify. Non-customers can apply, but they need to verify their external bank account before receiving funds.
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LightStream (Truist Bank)
LightStream is the online lending division of Truist Bank and is known for offering some of the lowest personal loan rates available. Their APR starts at 6.49% with autopay, ranging up to 25.29% depending on your credit profile and loan purpose.
Loan amounts range from $5,000 to $100,000, with repayment terms from 2 to 7 years for most purposes. Home improvement loans can extend up to 20 years.
LightStream charges no origination fees, no prepayment penalties, and no late fees. They also have a Rate Beat Program where they will beat a competitor's qualifying rate by 0.10 percentage points.
The minimum credit score is 660, and LightStream is best suited for borrowers with good to excellent credit who want the lowest possible rate.
American Express
American Express offers personal loans with APRs between 6.99% and 19.97% for eligible cardholders. Loan amounts range from $3,500 to $50,000 with repayment terms of 12 to 60 months.
The catch with Amex is that personal loans are only available to existing American Express cardholders who receive a pre-approval offer. You cannot apply directly without an invitation.
There are no origination fees, and funds can be disbursed within one business day. One limitation is that you cannot use an Amex personal loan to pay down an American Express credit card balance.
| Bank | APR Range | Loan Amount | Terms | Fees |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells Fargo | 6.74% - 25.99% | $3,000 - $100,000 | 12 - 84 months | None |
| Citibank | 9.99% - 17.49% | $2,000 - $50,000 | 12 - 60 months | None |
| Discover | 7.99% - 24.99% | $2,500 - $40,000 | 36 - 84 months | None |
| U.S. Bank | 8.74% - 24.99% | $1,000 - $50,000 | 12 - 84 months | None |
| LightStream | 6.49% - 25.29% | $5,000 - $100,000 | 24 - 84 months | None |
| American Express | 6.99% - 19.97% | $3,500 - $50,000 | 12 - 60 months | None |
How to Get a Personal Loan From a Bank
Getting a personal loan from a bank is a straightforward process, but a little preparation goes a long way.
First, check your credit score. Most banks require a minimum score of 660, and borrowers with scores above 740 will get significantly better rates. You can check your score for free through many banks and credit card issuers.
Next, compare offers from multiple lenders. Don't just go with your current bank. Different banks specialize in different loan amounts and borrower profiles. Use a loan comparison tool to see what rates you actually qualify for.
When you apply, you will typically need proof of income (pay stubs or tax returns), identification, your Social Security number, and details about your existing debts. Most banks allow you to pre-qualify with a soft credit pull that won't affect your score.
Once approved, funds are usually disbursed within one to three business days. Some banks, like Wells Fargo, offer same-day funding.
Pro Tip
Many banks offer autopay discounts of 0.25% to 0.50% off your APR. Always enroll in automatic payments when taking out a personal loan to lock in the lowest possible rate.
Banks That Give Personal Loans Without Being a Member
Not every bank requires you to be an existing customer. Discover, U.S. Bank, and LightStream all accept applications from non-members.
Wells Fargo and American Express, on the other hand, require an existing relationship. Wells Fargo needs at least 12 months of account history, and Amex only extends personal loan offers to current cardholders.
If you don't have a relationship with any of these banks, your best options are Discover (no membership needed, competitive rates) and U.S. Bank (accepts non-customers but limits terms to 60 months). LightStream is another solid pick for non-members, especially if you have strong credit.
You can also explore our full best personal loans comparison to see options beyond traditional banks, including online lenders and credit unions.
Does Chase Offer Personal Loans?
Chase Bank does not offer traditional personal loans. This is a common question because Chase is one of the largest banks in the country, but they have never offered a standard unsecured personal loan product.
Chase does offer two alternatives:
- My Chase Loan lets you borrow from your credit card's available credit at a fixed APR lower than your standard purchase rate
- Chase Pay Over Time allows you to split purchases into installment payments over 3 to 24 months
Neither of these is a true personal loan. If you are a Chase customer looking for a personal loan, you will need to apply with a different bank like Citibank, Discover, or Wells Fargo (if you also bank there).
What to Consider When Choosing a Bank Personal Loan
The best bank for a personal loan depends on your specific situation. Here are the key factors to weigh:
APR: This is the total cost of borrowing, including interest and any fees. Compare APRs, not just interest rates. The average personal loan APR in 2026 is around 12.26%, but borrowers with excellent credit can get rates below 8%.
Loan amount: If you need less than $2,000, U.S. Bank is one of the few major banks that will go that low. For larger amounts up to $100,000, Wells Fargo and LightStream are your best bets.
Repayment terms: Longer terms mean lower monthly payments but more interest paid over time. Shorter terms save you money overall. Most bank personal loans offer 12 to 84 months.
Fees: All six banks listed above charge zero origination fees, which is not always the case with online lenders. Make sure any lender you consider has no hidden costs.
Existing relationship: If you already bank with Wells Fargo or have an Amex card, you may get preferred rates or exclusive access to loan products.
Funding speed: Need cash fast? Wells Fargo offers same-day funding. Discover and Amex can fund the next business day. Most others take two to three days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What bank is best for personal loans?
It depends on your situation. Wells Fargo is best for large loans up to $100,000 with same-day funding. Citibank has the lowest maximum APR (17.49%) making it ideal for average credit borrowers. LightStream offers the lowest starting rate at 6.49% for borrowers with excellent credit. Compare multiple banks to find the best rate for your credit profile.
Which bank can give a personal loan easily?
Discover and U.S. Bank are among the easiest to get a personal loan from because they accept non-customers and have a minimum credit score requirement of 660. Both offer a fully online application process with quick approval decisions. Discover can fund your loan as soon as the next business day.
Can you get a personal loan from a bank with bad credit?
Most banks require a minimum credit score of 660 for personal loans, which means bad credit borrowers (below 580) will have difficulty qualifying at traditional banks. Online lenders and credit unions are often more flexible with credit requirements. You can also consider secured personal loans or credit-builder loans as alternatives.
How much would a $5,000 personal loan cost a month?
Monthly payments on a $5,000 personal loan depend on your APR and loan term. At a 12% APR with a 36-month term, you would pay about $166 per month. At 20% APR over 48 months, the payment would be around $152 per month but you would pay significantly more in total interest. Use a loan calculator to estimate your specific payment.
Do you need to be a member to get a bank personal loan?
Not always. Discover, U.S. Bank, and LightStream accept applications from non-members. However, Wells Fargo requires at least 12 months of account history, and American Express only offers personal loans to existing cardholders with a pre-approval invitation.




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