Understanding Personal Loan Fees & Charges When evaluating personal loan offers, the APR is only part of the story. Upfront and ongoing fees can add hundreds of dollars to your borrowing costs. In this guide, we’ll break down the most common fees associated with personal loans and share strategies to minimize or avoid them. Table of Contents 1. Common Personal Loan Fees 2. Origination Fee 3. Late Payment Fee 4. Prepayment Penalty 5. How to Avoid or Reduce Fees 6. Example Fee Breakdown 1. Common Personal Loan Fees In addition to interest, lenders often charge: Origination Fee: A one-time charge (1%–5% of loan) to process your application. Late Payment Fee: Charged when a payment is missed or late—can range from $15 to $50. Prepayment Penalty: Fee for paying off your loan early—less common but still used by some lenders. NSF/Returned Payment Fee: Assessed if your payment bounces for insufficient funds. 2. Origination Fee This fee is...