No fee home equity line of credit

Best HELOC Rates


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Best Overall HELOC Rates

PenFed Credit Union

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

0.99% for the first six months, 5% thereafter

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

0.99% for the first six months, 5% thereafter

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

PenFed’s initial interest rate, 0.99% for the first six months, isn’t just a great deal; the 5% rate that could follow is also below the national average. PenFed also lets you borrow up to 90% of your home’s equity, which is more than many lenders do.

Since PenFed is a nonprofit credit union, you will first need to become a member before gaining access to their loan products.

Pros & Cons

  • Rates are lower than the national average
  • PenFed says it will pay “most” closing costs associated with obtaining a HELOC

  • It takes 39 days to close on a HELOC, which can be longer than other lenders
  • You’ll need a credit score of at least 660 to qualify

Extra Details

Loan Terms
PenFed generally offers HELOC amounts from $25,000 to $1 million. You can draw on the credit for the first 10 years and then the repayment term is 20 years. PenFed also offers the ability for a HELOC borrower to switch from a variable-rate loan to a fixed-rate loan on all or some of the interest payments.

Available Nationwide
PenFed’s HELOCs are available in all states.

How to Apply
Borrowers can apply online. Customer support by phone is available 24/7.

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Best for Rate-Lock Options

Fifth Third Bank

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

2.99% for the first 6 months, variable rates 4.22% to 11.15% thereafter

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

2.99% for the first 6 months, variable rates 4.22% to 11.15% thereafter

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

Fifth Third Bank has a good promotional APR for HELOCs starting at 2.99% for the first six months; and then thereafter, the variable rate can range from 4.22% to 11.15%, depending on current prime rates. Fifth Third’s starting rates are still below the national average.

Fifth Third also does not charge closing costs with its HELOCs and offers a special rate lock feature in which you can lock in a fixed rate on any amount of your loan for a $95 fee. You can also unlock the rate at any time and do up to three rate locks at the same time.

Pros & Cons

  • Offers a unique rate-lock option, which helps in a rising-rate environment
  • Homeowners can access up to 90% of their home’s equity
  • No closing costs

  • Bank did not disclose its loan closing timelines

Extra Details

Loan Terms
Fifth Third offers HELOCs from $10,000 to $500,000. The terms are a 10-year draw period when you only pay the interest. After that, there is a 20-year repayment period when you pay the outstanding balance, plus interest.

Available Nationwide
Fifth Third’s HELOCs are available in all states.

How to Apply
Borrowers can apply online. Customer support by phone is available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. ET and Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET. Fifth Third is closed on Sundays.

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Best for APR discounts and cash rewards

PNC Bank

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

PNC’s starting variable rate of 4.28% for a HELOC is still below the national average. While the bank does not publish average rates on its main page about HELOCs, a rate can be found by inputting the amount you’d like to initially withdraw, the total borrowing amount and your zip code.

In this example, the 4.28% rate was based on a $20,000 withdrawal for a $200,000 total line of credit and a 33605 zip code. PNC’s fixed rates range from 8.49% to 9.09% using the same scenario.

PNC is also offering $150 cash for applicants of its Choice HELOC through August 31, 2022 if the line amount is at least $75,000, and certain terms and closing deadlines are met.

The bank offers a 0.25% discount on the APR if you set up automatic payments from a PNC checking account.

Pros & Cons

  • PNC offers borrowers the ability to switch between variable and fixed interest rates during the life of the HELOC
  • You can get a 0.25% discount on your rate by setting up automatic payments from a PNC checking account

  • Does not offer online prequalification
  • Does not offer HELOCs in every state

Extra Details

Available Nationwide
PNC offers HELOCs in most states except if the home is in Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada or South Dakota.

How to Apply
Borrowers can start the application process online. Customer support by phone is available Monday through Thursday 8am-10pm ET; Friday from 8am-6pm ET; and Saturday and Sunday from 8am-5pm ET.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Best for quick turnaround times

Connexus Credit Union

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

3.57% the first six months, 4.58% thereafter

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

3.57% the first six months, 4.58% thereafter

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

Connexus has a lower-than-average promotional rate of 3.57% for the first six months and then the rate goes to 4.58% thereafter. The credit union’s rates were posted as of June 22, 2022.

Connexus also offers home equity loans and an interest-only HELOC with an APR introductory rate starting at 3.57% for the first six months and 5.08% thereafter.

Since Connexus is a credit union, you will have to become a member before accessing their loan products.

Pros & Cons

  • Offers a variety of home loan options including home equity loans and an interest-only HELOC
  • Has an introductory APR below the national average
  • Can approve most home equity products online and has fast turnaround times

  • Connexus does not offer HELOCs in some states
  • Its CLTV cap of 80% is average but some lenders allow up to 90%

Extra Details

Loan Terms
You must borrow at least $5,000 to receive the promotional APR. Connexus HELOCs have a 15-year draw period and then a 15-year repayment period. The minimum payment requirement is 1.5% of the amount borrowed (a $25 minimum).

Not Available Nationwide
Connexus’ home equity products are not available in Alaska, Hawaii, Maryland or Texas.

How to Apply
Borrowers can start the application process online, and Connexus says most applications can be completed entirely online. Customer support by phone is available Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 7 AM-7 PM CT; Thursday from 9 AM-7 PM CT; and Saturday from 8 AM-1 PM CT.

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Best flexibility for borrowers

Citizens

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

Citizens offers HELOCs with APRs starting at 4.5% as of July 13, 2022, which was below the national average at that time. Citizens does not disclose how low of a credit score an applicant may have to qualify, however.

The bank does not charge an application fee or closing costs. And it offers a 0.25% interest rate discount for borrowers who make automatic payments from a Citizens checking account.

Pros & Cons

  • No application fee or closing costs
  • 0.25% interest rate discount for borrowers who automatically pay from a Citizens checking account

  • Not available in all states
  • Doesn’t disclose credit requirements

Extra details

Loan Terms
Citizens offers HELOCs starting as low as $17,500; however, you must have a credit line of more than $200,000 to get the lowest APR available. The draw period is for 10 years, and the repayment period is 15 years. There are no fees, and some discounts are available, including for Citizens checking account customers. A $50 annual fee is waived during the first year of financing.

Not Available Nationwide
Citizens’ HELOCs are only available in the following areas: Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia or Vermont as well as Washington, D.C.

How to Apply
Borrowers can start the application online, in person or by phone. Customer support by phone is available from Monday to Friday 7am-10pm ET, and Saturday to Sunday 9am to 6pm ET.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Best for borrowers with low credit scores

Alliant Credit Union

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

Alliant’s HELOC APR’s start at 4.75%, making it below the national average. It will consider an applicant with a credit score as low as 620.

Alliant also waives the application fee, appraisal fee or closing costs on HELOCs up to $250,000.

Pros & Cons

  • Interest rates are still low, even for borrowers with lower credit scores
  • Online application process

  • Not available in all states

Extra Details

Loan Terms
Alliant offers HELOCs as low as $10,000 and up to $250,000 in order to get certain closing costs waived. Terms range from 15 to 30 years.

Not Available Nationwide
Alliant says its HELOCs are available in most states.

How to Apply
Borrowers can start the application online. Customer support by phone is available Monday through Saturday 7 AM ET to midnight ET, and Sunday 9 AM to midnight ET.

FEATURED PARTNER OFFER

Best for large HELOC amounts

U.S. Bank

No fee home equity line of credit

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

No fee home equity line of credit

Compare Rates

Compare rates from participating lenders in your area via Bankrate.com

APRs starting at

CLTV

Min credit score

Why We Picked It

U.S. Bank’s HELOCs have APRs that range from 4.95% to 9.35% as of July 11. Its starting rate was below the national average at the time. U.S. Bank also offers HELOCs to borrowers with credit scores as low as 620, which is slightly below most other lenders.

The bank does not charge an application fee or closing costs in most cases. And it offers a 0.50% interest rate discount for borrowers who make automatic payments from a U.S. Bank account.

Pros & Cons

  • A wide variety of options for homeowners who need cash, including home equity lines of credit and loans, and cash-out refinances
  • HELOCs do not have closing costs

  • Borrowers cannot complete an application entirely online

Extra Details

Loan Terms
U.S. Bank offers HELOC amounts from $15,000 to $750,000, or up to $1 million for California properties. The draw period is for 10 years. During this period, U.S. Bank does allow you to lock in your HELOC from an adjustable to a fixed rate on any outstanding balances.

Available Nationwide
U.S. Bank’s HELOCs are available in all states.

How to Apply
Borrowers can start the application online. Customer support by phone is available 24/7.

Summary: Best HELOC Rates


Methodology

We reviewed nearly 20 mortgage lenders that offer home equity lines of credit for customers across the U.S. Lenders that do not display their interest rates online are not eligible for review.

We scored lenders primarily on the basis of their interest rates but added additional information that’s most important to borrowers such as time to close, discounts or promotional rates offered, closing costs, minimum credit score requirements and general loan terms.

The score is weighted evenly among the following loan and lender features:

  • Interest Rate: 20%
  • Minimum credit score requirements: 20%
  • Closing timelines: 20%
  • Accessibility: 20%
  • Lender fees: 20%

Bonus points: Lenders who also underwrite Home Equity Loans (HELs) are awarded five points for offering more equity loan options


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is a home equity line of credit?

A home equity line of credit (HELOC) is a loan backed by your home. The amount of loan you can receive is based on how much equity is in your home. This can be found by taking the total current value of your home, minus the remaining balance on your mortgage.

A HELOC allows you to draw money as you need it for a certain period of time—typically the first 10 years—and you only pay interest during this time. Then, there’s a repayment period after that when you pay back the amount borrowed, plus interest. Repayment periods are typically 20 years.

How does a HELOC differ from a home equity loan?

Home equity loans are similar to a HELOCs (home equity lines of credit), but they require homeowners to take all of their funds at once and repay the balance with fixed monthly payments.

Another important difference between the two products is that HELOCs typically have floating interest rates, while home equity loans are fixed. In a rising-rate environment, that might make loans a better option.

What is home equity?

The equity you have in your home is defined as the home’s value minus any debts you owe on the house, such as a first mortgage. In order to approve you for a home equity loan or line of credit, a lender will generally require you to have an appraisal so there’s a trusted third-party assessment of the value of the property.

How does a HELOC work?

HELOCs are revolving credit lines, meaning you can make use of only the amount you need, repay it and use it again. This takes place during what’s known as a draw period. Draw periods typically last 10 years. During this time, you still have to make a monthly payment, but it is often interest only.

However, once the draw period is up, you’re no longer allowed to use the line of credit and must start repaying the balance, including principal and interest. Repayment periods often last 20 years, though that can vary by lender.

What is a combined loan-to-value ratio?

Your combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio is the sum of any loans or debts you owe on the home—such as a first mortgage, second mortgage or home equity loan—divided by the home’s value. For example, if you have a $200,000 mortgage plus a $50,000 home equity line of credit, and your home is worth $300,000, your CLTV is 83%.


Next Up in Home Equity


Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. Past performance is not indicative of future results.

Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.

Is a home equity line of credit interest free?

You only pay interest on the money you use. Most HELOCs charge variable interest rates. Those rates are tied to a benchmark interest rate and can adjust up or down. During the borrowing period, you'll need to make at least minimum monthly payments on the amount you owe.

Does a home equity line hurt your credit?

Because it has a minimum monthly payment and a limit, a HELOC can directly affect your credit score since it looks like a credit card to credit agencies. It's important to manage the amount of credit you have since a HELOC typically has a much larger balance than a credit card.

What is the monthly payment on a 50000 HELOC?

For example, on a $50,000 HELOC with a 5% interest rate, the payment during the draw period is $208. Whereas, during the repayment period the monthly payment can jump to $330 if it is over 20 years.

What are the disadvantages of a HELOC?

Variable interest rates could increase in the future..
There may be minimum withdrawal requirements..
There is a set draw period..
Possible fees and closing costs..
You risk losing your house if you default..
The application process for a HELOC is longer and more complicated than that of a personal loan or credit card..