What minimum credit score do I need to get approved for a personal loan?

Most prime lenders (such as LightStream, SoFi, and Marcus) require a minimum credit score of 660 to 680 to qualify, and offer their lowest advertised rates (7.49% to 11.99% APR) only to borrowers with scores above 720. However, for borrowers with fair or average credit (scores between 580 and 669), lenders like Upgrade, Avant, and Best Egg specialize in fair-credit underwriting—often approving applicants by evaluating debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, steady employment history, and bank cash-flow data, though APRs range higher (14.99% to 35.99%).