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Guide to Large Personal Loans: $100k+

Guide to Large Personal Loans - $100k
Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Sulaiman Abdur-Rahman

Updated January 25, 2022
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Getting a large personal loan up to $100,000 may require borrowers to have a low debt-to-income ratio, a steady source of income, and a strong credit score of at least 720.The application requirements to receive a $100,000 personal loan can be high because lenders like to review a consumer’s ability to manage debt and make timely repayments before approving any loan application.Below we provide an overview on why larger personal loans are harder to get and explain the pros and cons of borrowing large amounts of money.

Why Are Large Personal Loans Harder to Get?

Large personal loans are harder to get because borrowing large amounts of money can present far greater risks than borrowing small sums of money.Lenders can lose significantly more money if a borrower defaults on a $100,000 personal loan versus a $5,000 personal loan, so lenders may require applicants to have an excellent credit history and a sufficient source of regular income before approving large loan amounts.

Finding a Large Personal Loan Lender

Consumers can take these steps when attempting to find a large personal loan lender: 

1. Compare Rates

Lenders who offer $100,000 personal loans may offer different rates of interest. Consumers can shop around and compare rates to see which lender offers the lowest rate of interest on large personal loans.Higher interest rates add to the cost of the loan, so borrowers can spend less money over time by borrowing money at the lowest rate of interest they can find.

2. Compare Terms

The terms of taking out a $100,000 personal loan can vary across lenders. Some lenders may charge origination fees for processing the loan application. Other lenders may charge prepayment penalties if the borrower pays off the loan early.Personal loans are installment loans that provide borrowers with a lump sum of money to be repaid over a set period. Some lenders may have terms as low as 12 months and as high as seven years.Comparing terms can help you make an informed decision, because the costs of repaying a $100,000 personal loan can be higher or lower depending upon the terms and conditions of a loan agreement.

3. Compare Monthly Payments

Monthly payments can vary depending on the length of the loan term. Shorter terms can translate into higher monthly payments, and longer terms can translate into lower monthly payments.How personal loans work is that borrowers receive a lump sum of money with an obligation to repay the loan over a set term. Getting a $100,000 unsecured personal loan with a term of seven years and 10% interest would result in monthly payments of $1,660.12, whereas a $100,000 unsecured personal loan with a term of 12 months and 10% interest would result in monthly payments of $8,791.59.Borrowers with a 12-month personal loan term would be expected to make monthly payments for each of those 12 months, while borrowers with a seven-year personal loan term would be expected to make 84 total monthly payments over the life of the loan.Lenders may consider your monthly income and creditworthiness when determining whether to approve your personal loan application and what term length to offer. Comparing monthly payments can help you make an informed decision.

4. Compare Total Repayment Costs

The total repayment cost of a loan could be influenced by several factors, including the rate of interest and the length of the term. Borrowers are responsible for repaying principal, interest, and any fees associated with the loan.Borrowers seeking the lowest total repayment cost for a $100,000 personal loan can shop around for the lowest rate of interest and the shortest term length they can afford. Longer terms can minimize your monthly repayment burden, but they may also saddle you with more interest payments over the life of the loan and leave you with a total repayment cost far above the amount you borrowed. For example, the total repayment cost for a $100,000 personal loan with a term of seven years and 10% interest would be $139,449.95. Shorter terms can maximize your monthly repayment burden, but they may also soften your total debt repayment obligation by minimizing the amount you’ll pay in interest over the life of the loan. The total repayment cost for a $100,000 personal with a term of 12 months and 10% interest would be $105,499.06.

Qualifying for Large Personal Loans

As mentioned earlier, qualifying for large personal loans may require borrowers to have a low debt-to-income ratio, a steady source of income, and a strong credit score of at least 720 on the FICO® base scale ranging from 300 to 850.

Credit Score

Credit scoring models, such as FICO Scores and VantageScore®, can rate your credit risk based upon your reported credit history. Consumers who pay their bills on time and manage their debt well may have a strong credit score.Equifax, a major consumer reporting agency, also has a credit scoring model ranging from 280 to 850, and according to that model:
  • Poor credit scores range from 280 to 559
  • Fair credit scores range from 560 to 659
  • Good credit scores range from 660 to 724
  • Very good credit scores range from 725 to 759
  • Excellent credit scores range from 760 to 850. 
Getting a $100,000 personal loan may require you to have a good credit score or better. 

Get the Required Documentation

Getting approved for a $100,000 personal loan may require you to provide lenders with the following documentation:
  • Recent pay stubs, W2s, or tax returns to verify your employment and sources of income
  • Utility bills to verify your residential address
  • A copy of your driver’s license or Social Security card to verify your identity

Pros and Cons of $100k Personal Loans

Here are some advantages and disadvantages to taking out a $100,000 personal loan:

What Are Large Personal Loans Used for?

As mentioned earlier, large personal loans can be used for financing large purchases, consolidating debt, and rebounding from a personal emergency. Borrowers can use the $100,000 for virtually any personal expense, including dream vacations.Borrowers in some cases may use personal loans for entrepreneurial purposes. When considering a business loan vs personal loan, a $100,000 personal loan may provide you with financing to jump-start a venture, while business loans may provide your business with hundreds of thousands of dollars in long-term funding if you need it. It's important to note that personal loans generally cannot be used for business purposes. Make sure you check for any restrictions against using a personal loan for business purposes before submitting your application.

Can You Get a Large Personal Loan With Bad Credit?

Consumers with bad credit scores face large barriers to getting approved for large personal loans. As mentioned earlier, a $100,000 personal loan can expose lenders to high losses if the borrower defaults on the loan, so lenders may require applicants to have an excellent credit history and a sufficient source of regular income before approving large loan amounts.Detailing what is a bad credit score, the Equifax scoring model we mentioned earlier defines poor credit scores as those ranging from 280 to 559.

Alternatives to Large Personal Loans

Here are some alternatives to personal loans:

Personal Lines of Credit

Personal lines of credit are revolving forms of credit that can allow you to withdraw funds from the account up to the credit limit. Borrowers may use a personal line of credit for personal expenses. Some consumers may qualify for personal lines of credit with borrowing limits that exceed $100,000.

Home Equity Loans

Home equity loans can provide homeowners with a lump sum of money to use for personal expenses. A home equity loan is essentially a second mortgage in which homeowners borrow against the equity of their home. Borrowers are expected to repay the home equity loan over a set term.

Home Equity Lines of Credit 

Home equity lines of credit are revolving lines of credit that allow homeowners to borrow against the available equity in their homes during a draw period. The home equity line of credit is also known as a HELOC. Homeowners can use a HELOC to help finance large purchases, and the available credit on the HELOC replenishes as the borrower repays the outstanding balance.

The Takeaway 

Whether large or small, personal loans can provide consumers with funding to meet a variety of needs. Vacations, emergency expenses, and major purchases can be financed with personal loans.Lantern by SoFi can help you explore personal loan interest rates. Lantern has a user-friendly interface that can guide you in the process of finding and applying for a personal loan of your choosing.
Photo credit: iStock/ilkercelikThe 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.SOLC1221065

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest personal loan you can get?
Can you get a large personal loan with bad credit?
How long can you take to pay off a large personal loan?

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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