Is $40,000 in credit card debt too much for a consolidation loan?
A high credit card balance can change the debt consolidation equation, but does it put this option out of reach?
The article discusses the feasibility of consolidating $40,000 in credit card debt using a personal loan. It notes that while consolidation is possible, the decision to pursue it depends on several factors. Lenders will consider a borrower's credit score, income, and existing debt obligations when deciding whether to approve a loan of this size.
A borrower with a credit score in the mid-600s or higher will generally have more traditional lending options available to them. However, if high credit card utilization or missed payments have damaged their credit, getting approved for the full $40,000 could be difficult. The article also emphasizes the importance of affordability, noting that consolidating $40,000 into a five-year loan at 12% would result in a monthly payment of about $890, while at 18% it would be about $1,016.
This means that even if the loan carries a lower rate than the credit cards, a borrower would still need enough room in their budget to reliably cover the payment each month. The potential savings from consolidation are also contingent on the borrower's ability to secure a loan with a lower interest rate than their existing credit card debt.
Brief written by urgent.news from CBS News's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
