Debt consolidation loans to combine multiple debts
Not everyone searching personal loans wants new money for a purchase. A large share want to combine several existing debts, usually credit cards, into a single loan with one fixed payment, ideally at a lower rate than what they're currently paying across cards.
This is a distinct use case from a general personal loan search: the borrower already has a debt total in mind, cares more about the payoff timeline and rate than the loan amount itself, and often wants the lender to pay creditors directly rather than deposit cash.
- Direct payment to creditors avoids the temptation to spend the loan proceeds elsewhere
- A fixed-rate installment loan replaces revolving credit card balances with a set payoff date
- Lenders will want a list of debts and balances to consolidate, not just an income figure
- Consolidation only saves money if the new rate is meaningfully lower than the blended rate on existing debts
What it costs
Pricing is driven by credit profile and the total amount being consolidated. Borrowers with steadier income and existing debt at high credit card rates tend to see the most savings, since the new loan's fixed rate just needs to beat the average rate being replaced. Origination fees, where charged, are usually a percentage of the loan taken off the top.
Top 3 by our score
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FAQ
- Do I get cash or does the lender pay my creditors directly?
- Both models exist. Some lenders deposit funds to you to pay debts yourself, others pay your listed creditors directly as part of the loan process.
- How many debts can I consolidate into one loan?
- Most lenders will consolidate several accounts at once, limited mainly by the total loan amount they're willing to approve for your income and credit profile.
- Will debt consolidation lower my monthly payment?
- It can, especially if it replaces higher-rate credit card debt with a lower fixed rate or a longer repayment term, though a longer term can mean more total interest.