Key takeaways
- A soft credit check lets you see Regional Finance prequalification options with no score impact.
- A hard inquiry happens only when you proceed with an offer and usually lowers a score by a few points.
- Hard inquiries stay on your report for two years but affect FICO scores for about one year.
- Shop within a short window and only formally apply where you intend to borrow.
Soft vs hard credit checks explained
Both types let a lender view your credit file. The difference is whether the inquiry is counted in your credit score.
| Soft inquiry | Hard inquiry | |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | Prequalification, account reviews, checking your own credit | Formal application for new credit |
| Score impact | None | Small, usually a few points |
| Visible to other lenders | No | Yes |
| Time on report | Varies; visible only to you | Up to 2 years |
Finder and SuperMoney both report that Regional Finance prequalification uses a soft pull, with a hard inquiry if you proceed. Read the full lender picture in our Regional Finance personal loan overview.
How a hard inquiry affects your score
For most people, one hard inquiry lowers a FICO score by fewer than five points, according to FICO. The effect fades over the following months and stops counting after about 12 months.
Inquiries make up only a small part of a score. Payment history and amounts owed matter far more, which is why an on-time installment loan can lift your score over time despite the initial inquiry.
Shopping for Regional Finance loans without hurting your credit
- Prequalify widely. Use soft-pull prequalification with several lenders to compare APRs.
- Narrow to one or two offers based on total cost, not just payment.
- Apply formally only where you plan to borrow.
- Keep applications close together. Some scoring models group similar loan inquiries made within a short period.
Our free loan request on the homepage is designed to show options without affecting your score. Compare costs on the Regional Finance rates and fees page.
What Regional Finance sees in your credit file
Payment history
Late payments, collections and charge-offs, with recent events weighted most.
Current debts
Balances and monthly obligations used to estimate your debt-to-income ratio.
Recent inquiries
Many new inquiries in a short span can signal financial stress.
Public records
Items such as bankruptcies, which affect approval and pricing.
For score guidance, read Regional Finance credit score requirements.
Spotting inquiries you did not authorize
Finder lists unauthorized credit checks among common complaints about Regional Finance. Review your reports at AnnualCreditReport.com regularly.
- Dispute any hard inquiry you did not authorize with the credit bureau.
- Contact the lender to ask why the inquiry was made.
- If you suspect identity theft, report it at IdentityTheft.gov and consider a credit freeze.
- File a complaint with the CFPB if the issue is not resolved.
See how the full process works on how Regional Finance loans work.
How long inquiries matter and why
Scoring models treat inquiries as a short-term signal. A burst of new applications can mean someone is taking on debt quickly, which statistically raises risk. As time passes without new debt problems, that signal fades.
| Time since hard inquiry | Typical effect |
|---|---|
| 0 to 3 months | Most noticeable, usually a few points for one inquiry |
| 3 to 12 months | Effect shrinks as on-time payments build |
| 12 to 24 months | No longer counted by FICO scores but still visible on your report |
| 24+ months | Removed from your credit report |
Because the effect is temporary, an inquiry should never stop you from applying for credit you genuinely need. It should only stop you from applying for credit you do not need.
Inquiries you may see on your report
When you review your report, you may notice entries you do not recognize. Many are harmless soft inquiries that only you can see.
- Promotional inquiries from lenders pre-screening you for mail offers. You can opt out at OptOutPrescreen.com.
- Account review inquiries from creditors you already have, checking your file periodically.
- Your own checks through credit monitoring apps or AnnualCreditReport.com.
- Employment or rental screenings, which may be soft or hard depending on the provider.
Only hard inquiries tied to applications appear to other lenders. If a hard inquiry appears from a company you never contacted, treat it as a possible sign of identity theft and act quickly.
Opting out of prescreened offers also reduces the number of mailed loan offers and live checks you receive, which lowers the chance of one being stolen from your mailbox.
Prequalification vs preapproval vs approval
Lenders use these terms loosely, but they mean different things for your credit and for how firm an offer is.
| Stage | Credit check | How firm |
|---|---|---|
| Prequalification | Soft | An estimate based on limited information |
| Preapproval | Often soft, sometimes hard | Conditional offer pending verification |
| Final approval | Hard | Binding offer after documents are verified |
With Regional Finance, the soft-check stage gives you a realistic sense of what to expect. The final terms may still change after the lender verifies your income and other details, so treat any early number as a guide rather than a guarantee.
Ask the lender directly which stage triggers the hard inquiry. A clear answer lets you decide when you are ready to proceed.
Keep notes as you shop: the lender, the date, the type of check and the estimated APR. A simple log makes it easy to match inquiries on your report later and to compare offers side by side. It also helps you spot an inquiry you never authorized, which is the earliest warning sign of identity theft. Most borrowers need only two or three prequalifications to find a fair offer, so there is rarely a reason to let the list grow long.
Regional Finance credit check FAQ
Does Regional Finance do a hard credit check?
Only if you proceed with an offer. Prequalification is reported to use a soft credit check.
How many points will a Regional Finance hard inquiry cost me?
For most people, fewer than five points, and the effect fades within about a year.
Can I get a loan with no credit check?
Legitimate installment lenders check credit. "No credit check" offers often carry very high costs or are scams.
Will checking my own credit lower my score?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and never affects your score.
Check your options with no score impact
A free request shows what participating lenders may offer without a hard inquiry.
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