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What Is a Personal Loan Prepayment Penalty?

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Dana George
Author: Dana George
Dana George
Dana George
Writer

Dana George has a BA in Management and Organization Development from Spring Arbor University. For more than 25 years, she has written and reported on business and finance, and she's still passionate about her work. Dana and her husband recently moved to Champaign, Illinois, home of the Fighting Illini. And though she finds the color orange unflattering on most people, she thinks they'll enjoy Champaign tremendously.

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When you're looking for a personal loan, there's a lot of details to consider -- from interest rates to credit score requirements. One extra fee you don't want to get stuck with is a prepayment penalty.

Here, we'll cover what a prepayment penalty is, when it's applied to a loan, and what you can do to avoid it altogether.

What is a personal loan prepayment penalty?

A prepayment penalty is a fee some lenders charge if you decide to pay your personal loan off early.

Why lenders charge prepayment penalties

Lenders make their money from the interest paid on loans. When you pay a loan off earlier than expected, you end up paying less in interest. Some lenders see that as a breach of the original agreement. In other words, they loaned you money, but you didn't end up paying them back as much as they expected. They try to make up for that loss by charging a prepayment penalty.

Do all personal loans charge a prepayment penalty?

No. Some of the best personal loans charge no prepayment penalty.

How much is a personal loan prepayment penalty?

A prepayment penalty can cost you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars, so it's worth looking for a loan that won't charge that fee.

The exact fee varies by lender, loan type, and your specific loan agreement. Here are some types of prepayment penalty you might encounter:

  • A flat fee
  • A percentage of the loan balance
  • The interest the lender will miss out on because you paid the loan off early

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Lender APR Range Loan Amount Min. Credit Score Next Steps
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$5,000 - $100,000
680
7.99% - 24.99%
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660
7.80% - 35.99%
$1,000 - $50,000
300

How to avoid paying a prepayment penalty

Here are a few ideas to help avoid paying a prepayment penalty:

Loan shop. Talk to multiple lenders. Work only with lenders that don't charge a prepayment penalty -- regardless of credit score.

Join a credit union. If you have trouble getting approved by a lender that doesn't charge a fee, consider joining a credit union. Credit unions are far more interested in keeping you happy than the average lender, so your chances of avoiding a prepayment penalty are better.

Consider a secured loan. Some lenders will waive the fee if you take out a secured personal loan rather than an unsecured loan. A secured personal loan requires something of value that you own -- like a car, house, investment account, land, or jewelry -- as collateral in return for a loan.

Raise your credit score. Borrowers with high credit scores can sometimes negotiate loan fees. If you have a little extra time, try credit-raising strategies like checking your credit report for mistakes, asking for a higher limit on your credit cards, and paying off credit card debt.

Questions to ask your lender about prepayment penalties

Before signing a loan agreement, ask the lender these four questions:

  1. Do you charge a prepayment penalty?
  2. How do you calculate the penalty?
  3. What's the maximum amount I can be charged if I pay the loan off early?
  4. Are you willing to negotiate the penalty?

If the lender does charge a prepayment penalty, read the prepayment penalty clause in the contract. If that clause sparks any more questions, ask before signing.

Still have questions?

Here are some other questions we've answered:

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