Personal Loan Comparison
Same three questions, three different lenders — see how the actual numbers stack up.
| Lender | APR Range | Loan Amount | Origination Fee | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PenFed Credit Union | 6.74% – 17.99% | $600 – $50,000 | $0 | Lowest capped rate |
| SoFi | 6.49% – 25.39% | $5,000 – $100,000 | $0 | Highest loan ceiling |
| U.S. Bank | 9.24% – 24.99% | $1,000 – $50,000 | $0 | Smallest minimum, longest term |
Rates and amounts are published figures as of this comparison and can change. Your actual offer depends on your credit profile, income, and the lender’s full underwriting review.
The Details Behind Each Option
Pick the priority that matters most to you, then check that lender’s full breakdown.
PenFed Personal Loan
A federal credit union, legally capped at 18% APR on personal loans — often the lowest worst-case rate on the market. Membership is open to anyone with a $5 savings deposit.
SoFi Personal Loan
An online-only lender with the highest loan ceiling of the three and stackable discounts — up to 0.50% off for autopay plus direct debt-consolidation payoff.
U.S. Bank Personal Loan
Allows smaller loan amounts than most major banks — as low as $1,000 — plus longer terms up to 84 months for existing customers.
Before You Pick One
Federal credit unions are legally required to cap personal loan APRs at 18%. That’s a regulatory ceiling, not a marketing promise, which is why PenFed’s worst-case rate tends to beat a bank or online lender for the same credit profile.
Yes, but membership is open to the general public — you simply open a savings account with a $5 minimum deposit. No military or employer affiliation is required.
SoFi’s minimum is $5,000 in most states (higher in a few). If you need a smaller amount, U.S. Bank’s $1,000 minimum or PenFed’s $600 minimum are a closer fit.
No. Each button takes you to an information page about that lender’s personal loan. No application is submitted from this comparison.
Reading This Comparison Correctly
A short note on what these numbers do — and don’t — guarantee.
Every APR range above starts at the lender’s best-case rate, reserved for the strongest applicants, and ends at their published maximum. Where you land inside that range depends on your credit profile, income, existing debt, and sometimes the loan purpose — not just the number advertised on the homepage.
None of these three lenders charge an origination fee, which makes comparing them more straightforward than lenders that deduct a fee from the amount you receive. Still, always confirm current fees and terms directly with the lender before signing, since published rates can change.
The “best for” column reflects one clear differentiator per lender — it isn’t a ranking. A federal credit union’s rate cap benefits borrowers with average or lower credit the most; a higher loan ceiling matters more if you need a large amount; a lower minimum and longer term matter more for smaller, longer-horizon borrowing.
Checking your rate with any of these three typically uses a soft credit pull, which doesn’t affect your score. That means comparing all three costs you nothing but a few minutes before deciding which one to actually apply with.