What is the APR on a personal loan?
An APR is a snapshot of how much your personal loan will cost each year.
5 min read
May 21, 2026
Erin Lowry
Expert Reviewer, Personal Finance
EXPERTISE
- Credit cards
- Banking
- Consumer loans and debt management
- Mortgages
- Real estate
- Personal finance
Bankrate's Expert Contributors
Our Expert Contributors are a select group of creators, experts and thought leaders who share first-person perspectives on finance and its intersections with our lives.
Meet our expertsAbout Erin
Erin Lowry is the author of the four-part Broke Millennial series, including: Broke Millennial, Broke Millennial Takes On Investing, Broke Millennial Talks Money and Broke Millennial Workbook: Take Control and Get Your Financial Life Together. Erin’s been featured in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and on GMA3, ABC News, CBS Sunday Morning, CNBC and The Rachael Ray Show. She has written for The New York Times, USA Today, and other major publications.
Erin's latest articles
-
-
New homes may be cheaper, but buyer beware
There aren’t enough homes for sale. Existing homeowners have self-imposed golden handcuffs in the form of 3% mortgage rates, and they aren’t in a hurry to move. We keep hearing that the U.S. needs [...]
4 min read May 21, 2026 -
Mortgage rates continue to rise as bond yields climb
Mortgage rates continue to rise, jumping 14 basis points to 6.6% this week.
3 min read May 20, 2026 -
Upward streak for HELOCs continues as home equity loans decline
HELOC rates rose for the fifth straight week, nearing their highest level of the year.
2 min read May 20, 2026 -
Why do high-yield savings account rates fluctuate?
High-yield savings rates fluctuate over time. Let’s explore what causes that.
3 min read Apr 29, 2026 -
What is a good interest rate on a savings account?
The top high-yield savings accounts are currently earning APYs of 5 percent and greater.
2 min read Apr 29, 2026 -
How to trade in a car that is not paid off: Your guide
Equity will determine whether you can easily trade in a car that’s not paid off.
6 min read Apr 29, 2026 -
Super savers: How much is too much to put in a savings account?
Here’s how to determine the amount to put in savings — and what to do with the rest.
5 min read Feb 10, 2026
