What Effect Does A Loan Have On Your Credit Score

By Mav OT •  Updated: 02/28/24 •  5 min read

Have you ever thought about how complicated it is that your credit score affects the loans you can get? This subject often leads to misunderstanding and the spread of false information. Let us find out more. 

Your credit score is like a record of your finances; it is a number that shows how creditworthy you are. Lenders look at this crucial factor when deciding if you can responsibly handle your debt. What happens to your credit score when you get a loan?

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Many things can change how a loan affects your credit score. Lenders usually do a full check of your credit report when you apply for a loan. This request may lower your credit score for a short time because it gives a quick look at your current financial situation. But the effect is usually small and short-lived.

We will talk more about how loans affect credit scores as we go along. 

What effect does a loan have on your credit score?

Loans are important ways to get money that can help you pay for things like buying a house or car, starting a business, or paying for unexpected medical bills. In other words, how do loans change your credit score?

Your credit score is a very important factor in figuring out if you can get loans and other credit goods. The types of loans and credit cards you can get and the interest rates you will be charged depend on your credit score. You might not be able to get a job, rent an apartment, or pay less for insurance if your credit score is low.

It is very important to have a good credit score. There are credit repair pros ready to help you right away if your credit is not good or if you do not have enough. 

Getting a loan can have different effects on your credit score, depending on how you handle it. It could be good or bad. Here is a complete list of these effects:

Does my credit score go down when I get a loan?

Truthfully, it is not the loan that causes a dip in your credit score but rather something that most people find frustrating. 

When you apply for a loan, your lenders do a quick background check on your credit history. This is to determine your financial discipline and the possibility of repaying the loan. 

It is normally considered an inquiry, which could be soft or hard. 

When a hard inquiry is done on your credit before a loan approval, it does not go well, your credit loses some point. 

However, getting a loan does not let your credit score go down. 

How long does a personal loan stay on your credit report?

A personal loan is one of the easiest loans to help you build your credit score. When you apply for a personal loan and receive the approval with all the terms, the loan gets to be part of your credit history and credit report. 

It can take a year to a decade for a personal loan to stay on your credit report. Even if you finish paying your personal loans, it may take a decade or more to leave your credit report.

Why is my credit score going down if I pay everything on time?

Even if you make timely payments, your credit score could go down for several reasons. One thing to think about is your credit utilization, which is the ratio of your credit card balances to credit lines. If your accounts go up, even if you make payments on time, it can hurt your credit score. Also, applying for new loans or credit often can cause hard questions, which can temporarily lower your score.

Lastly, if the credit bureaus change the scoring model or formulas they use, it could affect your score. To help with these issues, you should keep an eye on your credit report, pay off your credit card bills quickly, avoid opening too many new accounts, and dispute any mistakes you find.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Keep Reading

How To Check Credit Score On The Absa App

How To Check Credit Score On The Absa App

This article will take you through checking your credit score on ABSA App, delving into the credit rating of ABSA Bank

How to Check Credit Scores For International Students

How to Check Credit Scores For International Students

This is why our blog will focus on the South African context, taking our audience through how to check credit scores for international students. 

How to Temporarily Unfreeze Your TransUnion Credit Report?

How to Temporarily Unfreeze Your TransUnion Credit Report?

Today we will look at how to deal with this circumstance, using TransUnion as an example. 

Why Is My Credit Score Zero?

Why Is My Credit Score Zero?

If you are monitoring your credit report and are puzzled as to why you seem to have no records at all, this is the article for you.

What Type of Loan Does Not Require A Credit Check?

What Type of Loan Does Not Require A Credit Check?

Today we will walk you through some common questions we see from people in these circumstances, and what your options are. 

How to Use A Credit Card to Build Credit Score

How to Use A Credit Card to Build Credit Score

This article will guide you on using a credit card to build a score in South Africa and have certain common queries answered.

What Is A Good Credit Score to Buy A House In South Africa?

What Is A Good Credit Score to Buy A House In South Africa?

As we advocate good credit scores, we will take you through the required credit score to acquire a house. 

What is Considered a Good Credit Score?

What is Considered a Good Credit Score?

Today, we will unpack some of the mystery around these numbers, including what is considered a good score and an average score.

Does Checking My Score with ClearScore Decrease It?

Does Checking My Score with ClearScore Decrease It?

Today, we will be looking at it and what it can do for your creditworthiness in more detail. 

How to Pay Credit Card Bills to Increase Credit Score

How to Pay Credit Card Bills to Increase Credit Score

This article explores the steps you can take to pay your credit card to increase your credit score.  

What Can Negatively Affect Your Credit Score?

What Can Negatively Affect Your Credit Score?

In this part of the blog post, we will look at some of the things that could negatively affect your credit score and other related matters. 

How Bankruptcy Affects Your Ability to Secure Credit

How Bankruptcy Affects Your Ability to Secure Credit

Ultimately, we will understand the ability to secure credit and how long bankruptcy can affect your credit.

Credit Score Auto Loan Calculator

Credit Score Auto Loan Calculator

The eligibility measure, how to utilize a credit rating auto loan calculator, a good credit grade for an automobile loan, the bottom-level credit grades to purchase a vehicle in South Africa

How To Check Credit Scores On Standard Bank App

How To Check Credit Scores On Standard Bank App

We’ll also explore how to increase your credit limit within the app and provide tips if your home loan application is declined.

Can I Rent An Apartment With A Low Credit Score?

Can I Rent An Apartment With A Low Credit Score?

Let us look at the feasibility of renting an apartment with a low credit score and a minimum credit score to secure an apartment.