It’s possible to get a personal line of credit with bad credit, but you’ll probably have to look online. Bad credit PLOCs often come with high rates and fees. NetCredit, for example, offers bad credit PLOCs but charges a 10% fee every time you use your line — that’s $100 out of every $1,000 you borrow.
Traditional PLOCs are usually offered by banks, which tend to require at least good credit (670+).
Personal Line of Credit Rates from 9.75% in August 2025
A smarter way to borrow for ongoing expenses, with lower interest rates
Updated on:
August 18, 2025
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Personal line of credit rates
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| Lender | APR range | Line amounts |
|---|---|---|
 | 9.75%-11.25% (with autopay) | $5,000-$100,000 |
 | 13.25%-18.00% | $500 - $10,000 |
 | 13.25%-17.75% (with discounts) | $500-$25,000 |
 | 35.99% | $1,000 - $8,000 |
 | 11.50%-21.50% | Up to $25,000 |
On this page
- Personal lines of credit lenders at a glance
- What is a personal line of credit?
- How does a personal line of credit work?
- PLOC fast facts
- Making sense of PLOC rates
- How to use a personal line of credit
- Personal line of credit pros and cons
- Choosing between a personal line of credit, personal loan or a credit card
- From the expert: When a PLOC may be the better choice
- Alternatives to personal lines of credit
- Frequently asked questions
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Fifth Third Bank (OH)
9.75%-11.25% (with autopay)
$5,000-$100,000
$65 (first year waived)
11 states
5 year draw period; 10 year repayment period
Pros
- Lower rates than most
- Offers up to $100,000 — could be ideal for large ongoing projects, like a home remodel
- Hardship program available if you’re having trouble keeping up with payments
Cons
- Only available in 11 states (see “How to qualify” below)
- Although the first year is waived, annual fee is high
- Can’t apply online
- Has a 5-year draw period, which means you can only borrow for five years
What to know
Fifth Third offers personal lines of credit (PLOCs) with some of the lowest annual percentage rates (APRs) around. It charges an annual fee, but this small expense might be worth it depending on the rate you qualify for.
However, Fifth Third personal lines of credit aren’t available for most people — it only does business in 11 states. And if you do live in an eligible state, you’ll have to apply over the phone or at a branch.
How to qualify
Fifth Third Bank (OH) is only available if you live in Ohio (home to its headquarters), Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee or West Virginia. If you do live in one of these states, you can call Fifth Third at 866-671-5353 or stop into a branch to apply.
First Tech Federal Credit Union
13.25%-18.00%
$500 - $10,000
None
Nationwide
Continuous draw period
Pros
- $500 minimum line amount can help you avoid overborrowing and build credit
- Available in all 50 states
- Can receive advice on how to reach your financial goals through free, one-on-one consultations
- Continuous draw period, so borrowing has no time limit
Cons
- Have to become a credit union member first (it’s easy to do online)
- Can only borrow up to $10,000, so might not work for larger projects
What to know
On-time payments on a small personal line of credit can help you boost your credit score — First Tech’s lower minimum line amount could be perfect for this. Smaller lines of credit are generally easier to qualify for, and having less available credit can also help you avoid taking on too much debt.
But since it’s a credit union, you’ll need to become a First Tech member to borrow. To meet First Tech’s requirements, most people will also need a membership with the Oregon Computer History Museum or the Financial Fitness Association. First Tech will help you do this, and will even pay for your first year of dues.
How to qualify
You can apply before you become a member, but you’ll have to join First Tech to accept your PLOC. To qualify, you need to meet one of the requirements below:
- Be related to or live with a current First Tech member
- Work for a company that partners with First Tech
- Work for the state of Oregon
- Live or work in Lane County, Oregon
- Become a member of the the Computer History Museum or Financial Fitness Association (First Tech will pay your dues for the first year)
KeyBank
13.25%-17.75% (with discounts)
$500-$25,000
None
15 states
Continuous draw period
Pros
- Two rates discounts (autopay from a KeyBank checking account and one for established members)
- Two financial hardship options to help you get back on track
- Can get help from a person (not AI) via live chat, seven days a week
Cons
- Only available in 15 states
- Established customers get the best benefits
- Comes with checks but no card
- Can’t apply online — you’ll have to go to a branch
What to know
Put KeyBank on your radar, especially if you’re an established member.
If you have a checking account with at least five transactions in a calendar month, or more than one eligible KeyBank account, you could get a rate discount of 0.75%. It offers another 0.25% discount for setting up autopay with your KeyBank checking account.
Unfortunately, KeyBank doesn’t issue cards along with its personal lines of credit; you can only move money online or access it by check or in a branch. Not having a card could make in-person purchases a pain.
How to qualify
You could qualify with lower credit, but KeyBank only gives its best rates to people with 780-plus credit scores. You’ll also need to be at least 18 years old and have a Social Security number.
KeyBank is only available in Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont and Washington. Further, you’ll also have to apply in person — use KeyBank’s branch locator tool to find one close to you.
Pathward
35.99%
$1,000 - $8,000
None
41 states and the District of Columbia
Continuous draw period
Pros
- Don’t need perfect credit
- APR is fixed (most PLOCs are variable), so you won’t have to worry about rates going up
- No fees whatsoever
Cons
- High APR only makes sense if you can’t qualify somewhere else
- Due dates generally line up with your pay day, so you might have to pay more than once a month
- Can only access funds by transferring them online
- Doesn’t transfer funds on weekends
What to know
If you aren’t exactly sure how much you need to borrow, a PLOC from Pathward could be a good alternative to a bad credit loan. Traditionally, you’ll need at least good credit (670 or higher) to get a personal line of credit — Pathward may be willing to work with lower scores.
Pathward is unique in a few ways. Your due dates usually align with your pay day, though that can mean juggling multiple monthly payments if you get paid every two weeks.
Pathward PLOCs also have fixed rates, when most PLOCs have variable rates. A fixed rate means your rate won’t change, but a flat 35.99% APR is very high if you have excellent credit.
How to qualify
To get a Pathward PLOC, you’ll need to be the legal age in your state and have a personal checking account, phone number and email address.
Pathward isn’t available in Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island or West Virginia.
U.S. Bank
11.50%-21.50%
Up to $25,000
None
Nationwide
Continuous
Pros
- Can access your line of credit with a card (many lenders only allow online transfers)
- Checking rates won’t affect your credit score
- Available in all 50 states
Cons
- Must be a U.S. Bank customer to qualify
- No autopay discounts
- Charges a 4% fee if you access funds with an ATM
What to know
U.S. Bank makes it easy to access your line of credit — that is, once you’re a member. Only U.S. Bank members are eligible for PLOCs, but you could open a checking account and then apply.
After you’re a member and approved, though, you can pay with your line by card. In contrast, many lenders just send out checks (if that — some will only allow online transfers).
Still, using your card could be expensive. If you use it to draw money from an ATM, U.S. Bank charges 4% of the total amount ($10 minimum). This is similar to a credit card cash advance.
How to qualify
It’s hard to get U.S. Bank’s lowest rates — you’ll need to have a credit score of at least 800. To generally qualify, though, it only requires a 680 score. You’re also required to have a current U.S. Bank checking account.
How to choose between a personal line of credit, personal loan or a credit card
Choosing between a PLOC, personal loan or a credit card can seem intimidating, but it’s easier if you break it down based on how you need the money and how often.
From the expert: When a PLOC may be the better choice
When might a PLOC be the better choice?
Deputy editor and certified financial health counselor |
“If you want to consolidate debt or make a major purchase with a fixed price, a personal loan would be preferable. PLOCs and credit cards are similar, so knowing which to choose is tricky. If you have excellent credit, you might qualify for lower rates on a PLOC. But if your credit needs work or you want to earn rewards, the latter option may be a better fit.” |
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Frequently asked questions
Compared to other types of financing, personal lines are heavy on fees. Your personal line of credit could include:
- Application fees: These aren’t common and can be a sign of predatory lending.
- Origination fees: When you open your line of credit, your lender could charge a percentage of your line as an origination fee.
- Annual or monthly fees: You may need to pay a maintenance fee every year or month that your line of credit is open.
- Late payment fees: Budget for a possible fee if you pay late.
- Over-limit fees: If you charge past your credit limit, that could be another fee.
- Cash equivalent fees: Some lenders charge when you use your PLOC card to pay for things directly (as opposed to doing an online transfer into your checking account).
- Cash advance ATM fees: You might be able to tap your PLOC using an ATM, but it will probably come with a fee.
- Foreign transaction fees: These can apply to foreign purchases or if you use an ATM overseas to get foreign currency.
When you’re comparing offers for personal lines of credit, pay special attention to:
- APRs: Your APR measures the cost of your PLOC, including interest and fees. The higher the APR, the more expensive the PLOC.
- Draw/repayment period: Most PLOCs have a continuous draw period, which means there’s no end date to your borrowing. However, some lenders have specific draw periods and specific repayment periods. These dictate when you can borrow and when you have to start paying off any remaining balance left on your line.
- Line amounts: Some PLOCs are small, some are big. If you don’t need a lot of money, make sure that you meet the lender’s minimum line requirement. The same goes for big loans; instead, make sure the lender can provide the amount you need.
- Fees: PLOCs have more fees compared to some other types of loans (including personal loans). Ask for a breakdown of fees to make sure the PLOC is actually worth it.
- Ease of use: Does the PLOC come with a card or just checks?
- Customer complaints: The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau maintains a database of database of complaints against lenders. Before signing a contract, check it to make sure the company is legit.