A 669 credit score falls in the “fair” range on the standard 300 to 850 FICO scale. This means you may still be able to qualify for some loans and credit cards, but you may need to pay higher interest rates to borrow. You can check your rate through Upstart to see if your are qualified for any loan products. 
What does a 669 credit score mean?
Credit scores within the 580-669 range are considered to be fair credit. While your credit score is below average, it isn’t in the realm of “bad credit” and shouldn’t necessarily prevent you from getting certain types of loans.
With your 669 credit score, lenders will generally consider you to be a higher-risk borrower. This means to get loan approval, you’re likely to need strong qualifications when it comes to income, employment, and other debts. And you’re likely to get relatively high interest rates on loans when compared to borrowers with excellent credit scores.
What loan can I get with a 669 credit score?
At a 669 credit score, most types of credit are still available including:
- Personal loans. A fair score may allow you to qualify, though not at a lender’s best rates.
- Personal lines of credit. A revolving line you draw from as needed, rather than taking a lump sum up front. It’s typically easier to get than at lower scores, though the best terms still go to good credit.
- HELOC(home equity line of credit) or other Home equity loans. If you own a home with equity, a home equity line or loan may be available, though not at the best rate.
- Credit cards. A basic or store card is typically realistic. A secured card is always an option.
- Auto loans. Generally available, but you could get a higher rate than a prime borrower would get.
- Mortgages. An FHA loan is possible at 580 and above. A conventional mortgage generally requires 620.
What a 669 score generally doesn’t get you yet:
- a lender’s lowest advertised rates
- the largest loan amounts
- premium rewards credit cards
- the smallest mortgage down payments
Can I get a loan through Upstart with a 669 credit score?
It may still be possible get a loan through Upstart with a 669 score. Instead of setting a minimum credit score, Upstart’s AI-powered underwriting model looks at more than 2,500 variables3 beyond your FICO score, including education4 and employment history when reviewing an application. A 669 score is within a range where many borrowers may qualify, though your specific rate and terms depend on your full financial picture, not the score alone.
If you own a vehicle, you may be offered the option of using it as collateral in your personal loan application which may improve your chances of approval or help you qualify for a better rate.
What loans and rates are available at a 669 credit score?
With a 669 credit score, you can expect to see personal loan rates of about 22.6% on average, although there are some lenders who may offer you significantly higher or lower rates. Plus, keep in mind that your exact rate will depend on your full application, not your credit score alone. Personal loan rates through Upstart currently range from 6.2% to 35.99%2.
| Credit tier | Average personal loan APR* | Typical 30-year mortgage rate impact | Typical auto loan APR (60 month used auto) |
| 720-850 | 14.48% | 6.64%-6.92% | 6.36%-6.62% |
| 690-719 | 18.82% | 6.95%-7.07% | 7.33%-7.92% |
| 630-689 | 22.61% | 7.07%-7.42% | 7.92%-9.46% |
| 300-629 | 26.38% | N/A | N/A |
Note: Examples are for illustration only. Actual rate, term, and savings will vary based on your credit profile and lender. Rates vary significantly over time with overall market conditions.
Can I get a personal loan with a 669 credit score?
You aren’t likely to get a lender’s best rates on a personal loan without a good credit score, but a FICO score of 669 should allow you to qualify for one. This is especially true when it comes to a lending platform like Upstart that specializes in loans for consumers with less-than-perfect credit histories.
It’s also important to emphasize that your credit score is only one component of loan approval. You’ll also need income to justify the loan, as well as an acceptable level of indebtedness. In fact, borrowers with top-notch credit scores get rejected for loans often if they already have too much outstanding debt.
What loans and rates are available at a 669 credit score?
With a 669 credit score, which is widely considered to be fair credit, you can expect to see personal loan rates of about 22.61% on average, although there are some lenders who may offer you significantly higher or lower rates. Plus, keep in mind that your exact rate will depend on your full application, not your credit score alone. Personal loan rates through Upstart currently range from 6.2% to 35.99%2.
| Credit tier | Average personal loan APR* | Typical 30-year mortgage rate impact | Typical auto loan APR (60 month used auto) |
| 720-850 | 14.48% | 6.64%-6.92% | 6.36%-6.62% |
| 690-719 | 18.82% | 6.95%-7.07% | 7.33%-7.92% |
| 630-689 | 22.61% | 7.07%-7.42% | 7.92%-9.46% |
| 300-629 | 26.38% | N/A | N/A |
Note: Examples are for illustration only. Actual rate, term, and savings will vary based on your credit profile and lender. Rates vary significantly over time with overall market conditions.
Can I get a credit card with an 669 credit score?
With a 669 credit score, you might be able to get a traditional credit card. While most credit card issuers don’t publish minimum credit scoring standards, some will approve applicants in the fair credit range. You’re unlikely to get approved for the best credit card offers, but you might be able to get a basic credit card or store credit card with your score.
If you can’t qualify for a credit card (or one with decent benefits), you can apply for a secured credit card. Secured credit cards work just like traditional credit cards, including regular credit reporting. The difference is that you’re typically required to make a deposit equal to your credit limit to open an account.
Can I get an auto loan with an 669 credit score?
The short answer is yes, but you’re likely to get a significantly higher-than-average interest rate. With a score in the 620-659 credit score range, the average APR was 12.426%. And with a score of 590-619, the average rate was 16.44%.
It’s also worth mentioning that interest rates can vary significantly among lenders, even for borrowers with the exact same credit score. And this is especially true for borrowers in the subprime credit tiers (below-average credit scores).
So, if you’re buying a home or car, it’s important to shop around for the best loan terms. In fact, the FICO model is designed to encourage rate shopping. Any credit inquiries for the same type of loan in a short period (usually two weeks) will count as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. Therefore, it doesn’t hurt your credit score to apply at multiple lenders or lending platforms, especially those like Upstart that consider far more than just applicants’ credit scores.
Can I buy a house with an 669 credit score?
Yes, your 669 credit score can qualify you for a mortgage to buy a house. And you have a couple of main options.
FHA loan
With a credit score of 580 or higher, you can qualify for an FHA loan to buy a home with a down payment of just 3.5%. These loans are guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration and have their downsides (such as mandatory FHA mortgage insurance), but can be a great option for those who want to become homeowners.
Convertional mortgage
To get a conventional mortgage, the minimum credit score requirement is 620 per Fannie Mae’s lending standards. However, a credit score on the lower end of the spectrum comes with certain caveats. For example, to get a conventional loan with a 620, you’ll need a maximum debt-to-income ratio of 36% and be prepared to make a 25% down payment. You can get a conventional loan with 5% down (or even 3% in some cases), but the minimum credit score required for this is 660 according to the latest Fannie Mae underwriting standards.
How can I improve my 669 credit score?
Although you have a fair credit score and should be able to qualify for loans in many cases, it is certainly easier to borrow money with good credit. Plus, a higher credit score can save you money on interest, and could even make it easier to rent an apartment or get a job.
Here are some steps you can take to boost your fair credit score:
1. Assess the damage and check for errors
First of all, your credit score is just a number. To figure out why your credit score is below average, you’ll need to check your credit reports. You can get a free copy of your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus every year at annualcreditreport.com.
Once you have your credit reports, there are two things you should do:
- Check for errors. Incorrect information is a silly reason to have a below-average credit score, so if you find information that is inaccurate or outdated, this should be the first move.
- Read through your credit report and make a note of any negative information. This can mean late payments, delinquent accounts, charge-offs, collection accounts, judgements, foreclosures, etc.
2. Do some damage control
Adverse information typically stays on your credit report for seven years, and if your score is in the fair credit range, you probably don’t have too much of it. But you might be surprised what you can accomplish with a little damage control.
For example, if you have a delinquent credit account, try calling your credit card company or the collection agency to see what can be done. It’s not uncommon for a creditor to agree to delete a negative item in exchange for payment in full, or to stop reporting late payments if you explain a financial hardship and promptly bring the account current.
3. Use your credit
Did you know that your “credit mix” makes up 10% of your FICO score? This means that if you have a variety of different account types (say, a mortgage, auto loan, and credit card), it can help your score? Plus, by using your credit and showing responsible behavior, you can establish a good payment history and favorable debt utilization, both of which are key credit scoring factors.
Now, we’re not saying to go borrow money just to improve your credit score. But you can take steps like applying for a credit card (or secured credit card) if you don’t have one already. Use it for a few purchases you were going to make anyway, and then pay the entire bill by the due date.
Frequently asked questions about a 669 credit score
Is a 669 credit score good or bad?
A 669 credit score is generally considered to be fair credit, although there’s no formal cutoff and different lenders have different definitions of good credit scores.
What loans can I get with a 669 credit score?
The loans you can get with a 669 credit score depend on your income, employment history, and several other factors, as well as the lender’s specific underwriting standards.
Can I get a personal loan through Upstart with a 669 credit score?
Upstart’s model doesn’t have a fixed minimum credit score requirement in most states, so it may be possible to get approved with a 669 credit score.
How much can I borrow with a 669 credit score?
The amount of money you can borrow depends primarily on your income and other monthly debt obligations, not on your credit score. The main factor influenced by your credit score is whether you get approved, and the interest rate you’ll pay.
What rate can I get with a 669 credit score?
The rate you can get with a 669 depends on several factors, including the type of loan, the lender’s rate range, the overall rate environment, and other personal factors such as your employment history.
Do I need a minimum credit score to get a personal loan?
Some personal loan providers have minimum credit score requirements, but not all of them do. Some platforms, like Upstart, will consider many other factors in addition to your credit score to form a complete picture of your creditworthiness.
Will checking my rate affect my credit score?
No. Checking your rate through Upstart won’t affect your credit score1. If you accept your rate and proceed with your application, we do another (hard) credit inquiry that will impact your credit score.
