Your HELOC's APR determines your monthly payments and total borrowing cost. The national average HELOC APR is 6.64%. Aven, PNC Bank and TD Bank offer the best rates. Their APRs start at 7.99%, 8.22% and 8.34%. Rate discounts and fees beyond APR impact how much you pay.
Best HELOC Loans and Rates of 2026
Updated: September 9, 2026
Advertising & Editorial Disclosure
In our research, MoneyGeek assessed each HELOC lender using a rubric that measured APR ranges, annual fees, affordability and other key factors.
17
Lenders Analyzed
Our analysis, completed in March 2024, evaluates banks, lenders and financial companies that partner with federally insured institutions across the United States. We focused on lenders with the most competitive rates for a wide range of homeowners.
Top HELOC Lenders With Competitive Rates
- Aven
- 7.99% to 15.49%APR Range
- 620Minimum Credit Score
- Up to $250,000Loan Amount Range
- Unlimited draw period; 5 to 10-year repayment period for cash out;Repayment Terms
- NoneAnnual Fees
Aven's HELOC, with APRs from 7.99% to 15.49% for borrowers with a minimum credit score of 620, is a standout choice for homeowners. Aven offers a credit card backed by your home's equity, providing a nifty 2% unlimited cashback on purchases and a 0.25% rate cut for autopay, without origination, annual fees or prepayment penalties. Its product is a hybrid HELOC that functions similarly to a credit card but is reported as a HELOC to credit bureaus. Drawbacks include a maximum line limit of $250,000 and a one-time 2.5% fee for direct cash out to a bank. The card usually arrives in 10 business days. Unlike some lenders, Aven doesn't offer hardship assistance, which could be a concern during financial bumps.
Pros
- Credit card backed by home equity
- Unlimited 2% cashback on purchases
- No origination, annual or prepayment fees
Cons
- Limited line of $250,000
- 2.5% cash-out fee
- Card takes 10 days to arrive
- PNC Bank
- 8.22% to 14.5%APR Range
- UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
- $10,000 to $1,000,000Loan Amount Range
- Undisclosed draw period; 5-30 year repayment periodRepayment Terms
- $50Annual Fees
PNC Bank is a standout for homeowners seeking a flexible HELOC with competitive rates from 8.22% to 14.5%. They allow customers to switch from variable to fixed rates and offer a 0.25% rate reduction for autopay from a PNC account. Borrowers benefit from fee reimbursements including valuation and property search, have the opportunity to borrow up to $1 million and get support during financial hardships. The intuitive online tracker streamlines the application process. However, a $50 annual fee applies and borrowers in California and New York must pay origination fees. Some information, such as minimum credit scores and detailed repayment terms, is not disclosed upfront.
Pros
- Offers variable/fixed rate switching
- Autopay rate reduction available
- Up to $1 million borrowing limit
Cons
- Annual fee of $50 applies
- Origination fee in certain states
- Lacks transparency on key terms
- TD Bank
- 8.34% to 12.69%APR Range
- UndisclosedMinimum Credit Score
- Starting at $25,000Loan Amount Range
- UndisclosedRepayment Terms
- $50Annual Fees
TD Bank offers HELOCs with APRs ranging from 8.34% to 12.69%. It's a solid choice, granting a fixed rate option and a 0.25% rate discount for those with a TD bank checking account. These features can lead to stable payments and potential savings. Nevertheless, TD Bank limits its HELOC availability to 16 states and keeps some pivotal details under wraps like minimum credit score. Minimum borrowing starts at $25,000, coupled with a $50 annual fee. These factors might limit options or slightly increase the cost for some borrowers.
Pros
- Fixed-rate options available
- Rate discounts with TD checking account
- Early closure penalties limited to first 2 years
Cons
- Minimum loan amount is $25,000
- Charges a $50 annual fee
- Only available in 16 states
What’s a Good HELOC Rate?
The national average HELOC interest rate is 6.15%. The average APR is 6.64%, which includes lender fees and other expenses over the loan term. Use APR when comparing lenders. It reflects the full cost of borrowing, so you can compare lenders on equal footing.
Your HELOC rate depends on your location, credit score and loan-to-value (LTV) ratio. The table below shows how each factor affects your rate and APR.
Data filtered by:
Alabama
680 - 740
80% - 95%
| HELOC (10 year) | 6.71% | 6.96% |
| HELOC (15 year) | 6.71% | 6.96% |
| HELOC (20 year) | 6.71% | 6.96% |
Factors Affecting HELOC Rates
Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) usually have variable rates, meaning your rate can change over time. Fixed-rate HELOCs exist but are uncommon. Knowing what drives your rate helps you compare lenders and negotiate better terms.
Borrower creditworthinessYour credit score, debt-to-income (DTI) ratio and home equity affect your HELOC rates. A stronger financial profile gets you lower rates.
Interest rate policiesThe prime rate and federal funds rate, set by banks and the Federal Reserve, directly impact HELOC rates.
Economic indicatorsInflation and employment data signal the economy's health and affect the rates lenders charge for HELOCs.
Market demandLoan demand affects interest rates. Higher demand raises rates; when demand drops, lenders tend to offer better terms to attract borrowers.
Global economic eventsEvents in the global economy, such as financial crises or major trade shifts, can push HELOC rates up or down as U.S. lenders react.
How to Get the Most Competitive HELOC Rates
- 1Check and improve your credit score
Higher credit scores get lower rates. Review your credit report for errors before you apply.
- 2Lower your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio
Pay down existing debts before applying. A lower DTI ratio qualifies you for better rates.
- 3Build more home equity
More equity means less risk for lenders. Making extra mortgage payments is one of the fastest ways to build equity.
- 4Compare multiple lenders
Request quotes from at least three lenders and compare APRs, not just interest rates. Lender fees vary and can offset a lower rate.
- 5Negotiate terms
Use competing quotes as leverage to negotiate better rates and lower fees.
- 6Add a co-signer
A co-signer with strong credit can bring your rate down if your own score is too low to qualify for good terms. Both parties share legal responsibility for the loan, so choose carefully.
- 7Watch market trends
Keep an eye on the prime rate. HELOC rates move with it, so applying when rates are trending down can lower your costs.
TIME YOUR HELOC APPLICATION RIGHT
Compare HELOC lenders when your financial profile is strongest. Strong credit, manageable debts and substantial home equity give you negotiating power. Lenders compete for qualified borrowers, which puts you in a better position to negotiate rates and fees.
— Timothy Manni, Mortgage and Real Estate Consultant
FAQ: Best HELOC Loans and Rates
A good HELOC rate depends on your credit score, debt level and home equity. The national average HELOC APR is 6.64%. Compare rates and fees from multiple lenders.
Yes, lenders may adjust rates or fees to get your business.
HELOC rates vary every month, often linked to the prime rate.
The lender may begin foreclosure proceedings to recover what you owe.
Some lenders let you switch from variable to fixed rates during the loan term, but this is rare. HELOCs are usually variable-rate products.
Yes, you can refinance a HELOC for a better rate, especially if your credit score has improved or market rates have dropped since you opened it.
Yes. HELOCs come with fees such as application, appraisal and sometimes annual fees. Ask each lender for a full breakdown before you commit.
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About Zachary Romeo, CBCA
Zachary Romeo is a certified Commercial Banking and Credit Analyst (CBCA) and the former Head of Loans and Banking at MoneyGeek. Previously, he led production teams for some of the largest online informational resources in higher education, with over 13 years of experience in editorial production.
Zachary has a bachelor's degree in biological engineering from Cornell University. He geeks out on minimizing personal debt and helping others do the same through people-first content.