Does Prequalifying for a Personal Loan Hurt Your Credit?
Prequalifying for a personal loan generally does not hurt your credit score when the lender uses a soft credit inquiry. A soft inquiry lets you review potential rates and terms without the scoring impact tied to a hard inquiry. A hard inquiry may occur later, during a formal application, so it helps to confirm which type of check a lender uses before you share your information. Checking your options for a personal loan can feel risky, especially if you've worked hard to build or protect your credit score. It's a common concern: will simply exploring potential rates lower your score before you've even decided whether to borrow? The short answer is reassuring. Prequalifying for a personal loan generally does not affect your credit score when the lender uses a soft credit inquiry. A soft inquiry is different from a hard inquiry, which may occur later if you move forward with a formal application. Understanding this distinction can help you explore your options with more co...