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Guide to Closed-End Credit: What It Is & How It Works

Are Personal Loans Closed-End Credit?
Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Updated April 12, 2022
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Editor’s note: Lantern by SoFi seeks to provide content that is objective, independent and accurate. Writers are separate from our business operation and do not receive direct compensation from advertisers or partners. Read more about our Editorial Guidelines and How We Make Money.
Closed-end credit is a loan agreement that requires borrowers to repay the loan in full by a specified date. A closed-end credit agreement generally includes a payment schedule that defines the number of payments a borrower is expected to make over the life of the loan.Examples of closed-end credit include personal loans, auto loans, and mortgages. A closed-end credit agreement may require borrowers to make a fixed monthly payment that goes toward repaying the principal loan amount and any interest charges. Below we describe how closed-end credit works and how it differs from open-end credit.

Are Personal Loans Closed-End Credit Loans?

As mentioned above, personal loans are a closed-end credit example. A personal loan provides borrowers with a lump sum of money, and borrowers are generally expected to repay the loan in full over a set period. Payments on a closed-end credit product are usually made in monthly installments.Personal loan agreements may require the borrower to make a fixed payment each month that goes toward repaying the principal loan amount and any interest charges. Some lenders may allow the borrower to pay off the loan early without charging prepayment penalty fees.

Closed-End Credit Definition

Closed-end credit is any nonrevolving consumer lending product that provides borrowers with an installment loan. This form of credit features a prearranged payment schedule that usually requires the borrower to make monthly payments over the life of the loan. Closed-end credit is an extension of credit that must be repaid in full by a specified date. Examples of closed-end credit include personal loans, auto loans, mortgages, and student loans.

How Does Closed-End Credit Work?

Closed-end credit works by requiring borrowers to repay a loan in full by a specified date on a prearranged payment schedule. Borrowers may sign a loan agreement that outlines the terms and conditions of the closed-end credit transaction between the borrower and lender.A 48-month personal loan, for example, would require the borrower to make 48 monthly payments on the loan. A $5,000 personal loan with a 48-month repayment schedule and 12% annual interest rate would cost you $131.67 every month and about $6,320 over the life of the loan.

Closed-End Credit Example

As mentioned above, a 48-month personal loan of $5,000 featuring a 12% annual percentage rate of interest is a closed-end credit example. The prearranged 48-month repayment schedule in this case would require the borrower to pay $131.67 every month and about $6,320 over the life of the loan.Despite the prearranged payment schedule, borrowers may make larger periodic payments than required on a closed-end credit account. Some lenders may charge prepayment penalty fees if you pay off the loan early, but many lenders do not penalize borrowers for paying off their loans early.Borrowers can minimize their interest charges by paying off their loans early. Failing to make a required loan payment when due may constitute a default, and nonpayment delinquencies of 30 days or more could severely damage your credit.

Secured Closed-End Credit vs Unsecured Closed-End Credit

Closed-end credit can be secured with collateral or unsecured. The table below highlights the differences between secured and unsecured closed-end credit:

How Does Closed-End Credit Affect Your Credit?

Applying for closed-end credit could cause your credit score to drop several points if the lender conducts a hard pull inquiry into your credit report. Closed-end credit could also damage your credit if you make late payments or veer deep into nonpayment delinquency.Closed-end credit can enhance your credit in the long run if you make on-time payments over the life of the loan. Nonrevolving credit, including best personal loans and other closed-end consumer lending products, can broaden your credit history. Carrying a diverse mix of credit may have a positive impact on your credit scores if you honor your repayment obligations.

How is Closed-End Credit Different From Open-End Credit?

Closed-end credit is a nonrevolving lending product, while open-end credit is a revolving credit product. That’s the core difference between these distinct forms of credit.A revolving credit account, such as a credit card or personal line of credit, allows the consumer to make repeated transactions up to the credit limit. Revolving credit replenishes automatically whenever you make repayments on the open-end account. Nonrevolving credit does not replenish and the closed-end credit account effectively closes once you repay the loan in full. Closed-end credit must be repaid in full by a predetermined date, also known as the loan maturity date.Open-end credit must be repaid over time and generally gives consumers the option of making minimum monthly payments or greater each billing cycle. Open-end credit account holders have no obligation to use their available credit and can maintain their accounts indefinitely.

Closed-End Personal Loan

A closed-end personal loan is a consumer lending product that provides borrowers with a lump sum of money and a payment schedule for repaying the loan. All personal loans, whether secured or unsecured, are closed-end credit.The cons and pros of a personal loan include several advantages and disadvantages. Personal loans can promote debt consolidation, but monthly payments on a personal loan could be higher than credit card minimum payments.

The Takeaway

Having a healthy mix of closed-end credit and open-end credit can broaden your credit profile and enhance your credit score over time. Consumers, however, may see their credit scores plunge if they cannot afford their credit payment obligations.Lantern by SoFi makes exploring personal loan rates easy. Just provide basic information about yourself and the loan you need, and Lantern can guide you in the process to apply for a personal loan with the lender of your choice.
Photo credit: iStock/praetorianphotoThe tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.SOLC0222002

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a closed-end personal loan?
Is a personal loan closed-end credit?
Which loans are closed-end credit?

About the Author

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman writes about personal loans, auto loans, student loans, and other personal finance topics for Lantern. He’s the recipient of more than 10 journalism awards and currently serves as a New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists board member. An alumnus of the Philadelphia-based Temple University, Abdur-Rahman is a strong advocate of the First Amendment and freedom of speech.
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