Can a credit counselor lower your interest rate? (2024)

Can a credit counselor lower your interest rate?

Under debt management plans credit counselors usually do not negotiate any reduction in the amounts you owe - instead, they can lower your overall monthly payment. They may do so by getting the creditor to increase the time period over which you can repay a loan. They may also get creditors to lower the interest rates.

The bottom line

If you do end up with debt, make sure you're getting the lowest interest rates possible. Securing a lower interest rate may be as simple as asking your current credit card issuer to lower your APR.

Credit card interest rates can make it harder to pay off your debt, but you may be able to negotiate a better rate or a limited-time offer by simply calling your credit card issuer. While it can some time and effort and your request may be denied, it doesn't hurt to ask.

This is a hard figure to track since the credit counseling industry does not publicly report their success rate. But industry insiders report success rates of 20% to 25%. (See this article: Does Credit Counseling Work?) Debt Settlement.

Don't be afraid to contact your lender and ask for a better deal. Speak with confidence and ask for the same rate offered to new customers. You may find lenders will be willing to negotiate to retain their customers, provided you are in a strong position with no missed repayments etc.

If you maintain good credit and a clean payment history you can often be granted a lower interest rate. Even if you don't, don't give up. Continue to make payments on time, reduce outstanding debt and make a plan to try again in three to six months. Improving your credit health will help you make your case next time.

Talk to your credit card issuer and ask them to lower your rate. If that doesn't work ask to downgrade to a lower interest rate card. If your credit has improved since you first received the card, mention that to your issuer.

Card rates are high because they carry more risk to issuers than secured loans. With average credit card interest rates above 20.7 percent, the best thing consumers can do is strategically manage their debt. Do your research to make certain you're receiving a rate that's on the lower end of a card's APR range.

Should I use credit counseling?

Credit counseling may make sense if:

You want to consolidate your debts into one regular payment. You want help creating a budget or advice on money management. You want help disputing an error on your credit report or simply accessing or reviewing your credit report.

Credit counseling organizations can advise you on your money and debts, help you with a budget, develop debt management plans, and offer money management workshops. Working with a credit counselor can be a great way of getting free or low-cost financial advice from a trusted professional.

Credit counseling may not necessarily impact your credit score. But some agencies may report that you are on a debt repayment plan. As such, existing and future creditors can see this information and may decline applications as they may consider you a risk.

Debt counselling usually lasts between three and five years, depending on the amount of debt, the arrangements the debt counsellor is able to negotiate and what you can afford to pay each month.

They'll assess your situation, help you make a budget and give you tips about dealing with your debt. If you decide to sign up for a debt management plan, they'll contact your creditors on your behalf. Your credit counsellor will ask your creditors if: they'll reduce or eliminate the interest rate or fees on your debt.

In fact, credit counselling services DO negatively affect your credit, and potential creditors will know that you have been in a debt management plan—credit counselling—for up to three years after the plan is settled because that is how long the credit counselling history remains on your credit report.

The U.S. Federal Reserve will likely cut interest rates by a cumulative 0.75 percentage points to 1 point in 2024, investment strategists said Wednesday. The Fed will likely achieve a so-called “soft landing” as it navigates interest rate policy, they said.

A good credit card APR is a rate that's at or below the national average, which currently sits above 20 percent. While there are credit cards with APRs below 10 percent, they are most often found at credit unions or small local banks. If you don't have good credit, you're likely to receive a higher credit card APR.

In contrast, a reducing interest rate decreases as the outstanding loan amount decreases, potentially saving you money over time. Consider your financial situation, repayment capabilities, and long-term cost implications to determine which option aligns better with your needs.

The Fed lowers interest rates in order to stimulate economic growth, as lower financing costs can encourage borrowing and investing. However, when rates are too low, they can spur excessive growth and subsequent inflation, reducing purchasing power and undermining the sustainability of the economic expansion.

Is 12% interest on a credit card high?

Yes, an APR of 12% is a good credit card interest rate. However, you should still pay off your balance in full each month to avoid paying interest. If you are carrying a balance, consider a debt consolidation loan or a balance transfer offer.

The average credit card interest rate -- usually expressed as the annual percentage rate or APR -- for cardholders carrying a balance is more than 24%, according to LendingTree. But that isn't necessarily a good APR for a credit card, especially considering that the Federal Reserve interest rate is at historic lows.

Few of the most popular credit cards offer an interest rate below 16%. More commonly, you'll pay around 20% in interest, even if you've got an excellent credit score and especially if you're applying for any of the best rewards credit cards.

The APR you receive is based on your credit score – the higher your score, the lower your APR. A good APR is around 22%, which is the current average for credit cards. People with bad credit may only have options for higher APR credit cards around 30%. Some people with good credit may find cards with APR as low as 16%.