
A History of the U.S. Prime Rate: From 21.5% in 1980 to 6.75% Today
The U.S. prime rate is 6.75 percent in 2026, the same as in 1971. Here is how it peaked at 21.5 percent in 1980, fell to 3.25 percent twice, and what it means for your loans.
An unsecured loan does not require collateral — you do not need to put up your home, car, or savings as security. Lenders approve you based on creditworthiness, income, and financial history. Personal loans, credit cards, and student loans are all common types.
Below are the top lenders for unsecured personal loans.
| Lender | APR range | Loan amounts | Collateral |
| SoFi | 7.99% – 29.99% | $5,000 – $100,000 | None |
| Marcus | 6.99% – 24.99% | $3,500 – $40,000 | None |
| Upgrade | 6.94% – 35.97% | $1,000 – $50,000 | None |
| Best Egg | 8.99% – 35.99% | $2,000 – $50,000 | None |
| LightStream | 7.49% – 25.49% | $5,000 – $100,000 | None |
| Prosper | 6.99% – 35.99% | $2,000 – $50,000 | None |
The most common type of unsecured loan. You receive a lump sum and repay it in fixed monthly installments over 24 to 84 months. Can be used for debt consolidation, home improvements, medical bills, and major purchases.
A form of revolving unsecured credit. You can borrow repeatedly up to your credit limit. However, interest rates are typically much higher than personal loan rates.
Most federal and many private student loans are unsecured. Designed for education expenses with lower rates and flexible repayment.
Similar to a credit card but typically with lower rates. You have a set limit and only pay interest on what you borrow.
Secured loans require collateral (your home, car, etc.) which the lender can seize if you default. Unsecured loans have no collateral — higher rates but no risk to your assets, faster approval, and simpler applications.
Most lenders require 580-660. Upstart accepts scores as low as 300 using AI evaluation.
The lender cannot seize your assets, but they can send your account to collections, damage your credit score, and potentially sue for the balance.
Yes, but at higher rates (20-36% APR). Upgrade accepts 580+, Upstart uses AI beyond credit scores.
SoFi offers large unsecured loans up to $100,000 with zero fees.
Marcus offers fee-free unsecured loans with competitive rates.
Upgrade accepts lower credit scores starting at 580.
LightStream offers same-day funding with no fees.
Best Egg has funded over $24 billion in unsecured loans.

The U.S. prime rate is 6.75 percent in 2026, the same as in 1971. Here is how it peaked at 21.5 percent in 1980, fell to 3.25 percent twice, and what it means for your loans.

The Federal Reserve’s balance sheet held near $6.74 trillion on June 24, 2026, after quantitative tightening ended in December. Here is what it means for your rates.

The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rose in May, with headline PCE at 4.1% and core at 3.4%, the highest in years, reinforcing a hawkish hold and a steady 6.75% prime rate.

Long-run inflation expectations fell to 3.3% in June while year-ahead expectations eased to 4.6%, a modest relief for the Fed’s hawkish hold at 6.75% prime.

Treasury sold $44 billion of seven-year notes June 25 at a 4.260% high yield and 2.50 bid-to-cover, with indirect demand cooling to 57.6% as domestic direct bidders stepped in.

The U.S. yield curve turned positive again in June 2026 after the long 2022 to 2024 inversion. Here is what an inversion signals and where the curve stands now.
