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

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.

Where to Check Your Credit Score as a Foreigner

Where to Check Your Credit Score as a Foreigner

With so many foreign nationals contributing positively to our society, this is a rather important question. Today we are here with all the answers. 

What Credit Score Secures the Best Mortgage Rate?

What Credit Score Secures the Best Mortgage Rate?

Are you wondering about the score for the best mortgage rate in South Africa or how to boost your score before applying? Remain tuned for insightful tricks and info.

What Is a Credit Score And Why Is it Important?

What Is a Credit Score And Why Is it Important?

Today we unpack the mystery of the credit score, why it matters, and what you can do to fix a bad one. 

How Do I Remove A Dispute From My Credit Report?

How Do I Remove A Dispute From My Credit Report?

Today we are here to walk you through everything to know about disputing items on your credit report,

Do Consolidation Loans Hurt Your Credit Score?

Do Consolidation Loans Hurt Your Credit Score?

As we continue to educate our readers, we will be sharing with you a couple of narratives concerning consolidation hurting your credit score and the aftermath of debt consolidation.

What Does “Favourable” In A Credit Score Mean

What Does “Favourable” In A Credit Score Mean

But we must first understand what it means to have an average credit score, poor credit score or good credit score. What defines these remarks?

How to Have a Spotless Credit Score (South Africa)

How to Have a Spotless Credit Score (South Africa)

You can still have a fantastic credit score that practically guarantees lenders will want to throw money at you without reaching the highest possible score.

Where Can You Access Your Credit Score For Free

Where Can You Access Your Credit Score For Free

Today, we will walk you through everything to know about finding and accessing your credit score safely and for free. Let’s get started!

How Long Does it Take for a Credit Score to Update?

How Long Does it Take for a Credit Score to Update?

Today we take a closer look at credit score timelines and when you can expect to see those changes work their magic for you.

How to Get Quick Cash When Your Credit Score is Low in South Africa

How to Get Quick Cash When Your Credit Score is Low in South Africa

How to Get Quick Cash When Your Credit Score is Low in South Africa. Today, we will explore some of them with you.

Loans For Low Credit Scores

Loans For Low Credit Scores

The limitation on low credit can disqualify you from certain benefits. Learn more about the possibilities of securing a loan with a bad credit score in South Africa. 

Why Your Credit Score Goes Down When Checked

Why Your Credit Score Goes Down When Checked

Today we look into the facts behind this common myth, when a credit check will really pull down your credit score

When Do the Credit Bureaus Update Credit Scores?

When Do the Credit Bureaus Update Credit Scores?

Today, we will look deeper into this often ill-defined and fuzzy aspect of credit scores.

How Fast Can Credit Score Improve

How Fast Can Credit Score Improve

Our focus is to enlighten, educate and inform our readers about positivity. And this includes ways to improve your credit score; it is all about making your credit score look good.