and you likely not be approved for as much as you would like. (Not sure how your credit looks? Use services from Equifax , TrueCredit , and Credit Sesame to figure that out first.) However, the interest rate on a personal loan at a bank that values you as a customer is usually quite low compared to the alternatives. Other Options for Personal Loans There are other options for personal loans, beyond your bank or credit union. Some of your other options include: Credit Cards : Many of us don't think of credit cards as loans, but, in reality, your credit card constitutes a personal loan. If you have good credit, and you are hoping for a larger limit, you can apply for a new credit card . You can boost your available credit, and then draw on that for your personal use. However, credit cards usually have relatively high interest rates, and if you carry a balance, you could wind up paying quite a bit. Try to get a new card with an introductory period, and you will have an interest-free personal loan. Here are some of the best credit cards you can get with a 0% introductory rate for either purchases or balance transfers: Peer to Peer (P2P) Lending : One of the increasingly popular options right now is P2P lending. Whether you are financing a business, paying for college , or trying to buy a motorcycle, P2P lending can help. You will have to apply for the