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Failing to negotiate personal loan fees is like handing a cashier a $50 bill for a $25 purchase and walking away without change. You're leaving money behind if you don't at least attempt to lower loan fees. Here's how to do it.
Loan fees are the "extras" lenders charge you for a loan. For example, a personal loan might include origination fees and prepayment fees.
All fees must be outlined in a Truth in Lending Disclosure provided by the lender. This document breaks the loan down so you can see the total cost you will pay, including fees and finance charges. If you see a fee you don't recognize, ask the lender to explain it to you.
Pretty much every fee associated with a loan -- from interest rates to origination fees -- is negotiable. The exceptions are fees set by your local or state government, like taxes or title and registration fees.
Get the best rates and terms to fit your needs. Here are a few loans we'd like to highlight, including our award winners.
Here are few insider tips that can help you get the most out of negotiating:
Start by checking your credit score. The higher your score, the more likely lenders are to negotiate with you. A good credit score for a personal loan is generally 670 or above. If your score is lower, and you can wait to apply for a new loan, take steps to raise your credit score in order to strengthen your negotiating position.
Next, get pre-qualified with multiple lenders. This allows you to compare multiple lenders with different fee amounts.
Let's say your preferred lender wants to charge high fees. In this case, you can tell your preferred lender you're pre-qualified with another lender -- whose fees are lower. Your preferred lender may be willing to match or beat other lenders' fees in order to keep you as a customer.
The lenders most likely to negotiate fees are online lenders, credit unions, local banks, and financial institutions you already frequent.
Generally, credit unions and small community banks don't have as many set-in-stone rules as larger lenders. Online lenders tend to have lower overhead costs and may also be open to discounting or cutting fees.
When possible, work with a financial institution you have worked with before. Your good reputation and relationship with the lender may give you leverage in negotiations.
TIP
To snag the lowest fees possible, it's important to get pre-approved with high-quality, reputable lenders. Whenever you're ready to look at personal loan lenders, check out our experts' list of best personal loan lenders to make sure you get a fair deal on loan fees.
Don't be shy. Ask the lender to discount or waive any fee that can legally be discounted or waived. Be honest about what you want. For example, you might say, "I'm cautious with my finances and am uncomfortable paying these fees." Then, be prepared to find another lender if you are shot down.
If you work with a local lender, try to meet with them in person. There are few negotiating tools more powerful than human connection.
Negotiating loan fees is equal parts preparation (the research you're doing right now) and confidence (don't be afraid to make demands). After all, who would willingly pay more for a loan than they have to?
Here are some other questions we've answered:
Looking for a personal loan but don’t know where to start? Our favorites offer quick approval and rock-bottom interest rates. Check out our list to find the best loan for you.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
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