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Federal Bank vs Hero FinCorp vs Punjab National Bank Personal Loan: Which Is Better?

Written by KhatuLoans Editorial Team · Edited by Hemant Kumar, Founder and Editor · Figures checked · Information only, not a loan provider

Punjab National Bank has the lowest published starting personal loan rate at 11.25%, against 11.75% at Federal Bank and 17.90% at Hero FinCorp. On ₹5 lakh over 5 years the monthly EMI is ₹11,059 at Federal Bank, ₹12,670 at Hero FinCorp and ₹10,934 at Punjab National Bank, a gap of ₹1,04,153 in total interest. Your approved rate depends on your credit profile and the amount, so treat a starting rate as the best case. Figures are from each loan provider's own website, checked 12 October 2026.

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Key facts: Federal Bank vs Hero FinCorp vs Punjab National Bank personal loan

  • Starting rate: Federal Bank 11.75%, Hero FinCorp 17.90%, Punjab National Bank 11.25%. This is the lowest rate each loan provider advertises for a personal loan, not the rate everyone is offered.
  • Gap between starting rates: 6.65 percentage points between the lowest and the highest.
  • Top of the published range: Federal Bank up to 18.99%.
  • Maximum tenure: Federal Bank 5 years, Punjab National Bank 6 years. Hero FinCorp does not state one in months or years.
  • Type of loan provider: Federal Bank is a private bank; Hero FinCorp is an NBFC; Punjab National Bank is a public sector bank. Banks and NBFCs price floating rates differently.
  • Official websites: federal.bank.in, herofincorp.com, pnb.bank.in.
  • Pages checked: 5 official pages opened for this loan type.
  • Loan types with a published rate: Federal Bank 7, Hero FinCorp 6, Punjab National Bank 5 (out of 8 we track).
  • EMI on ₹5 lakh over 5 years: Federal Bank ₹11,059, Hero FinCorp ₹12,670, Punjab National Bank ₹10,934 a month, at each starting rate.
  • Total interest on the same loan: Federal Bank ₹1,63,550, Hero FinCorp ₹2,60,172, Punjab National Bank ₹1,56,019.
  • Last checked: 12 October 2026, on each loan provider's own website.

Who each loan provider suits on a personal loan

Built only from figures the loan providers publish. It says where each one is ahead on paper, not who will approve you.

Where Federal Bank stands

No clear edge on the published figures we could compare for a personal loan. Check the table below and the Key Fact Statement.

Where Hero FinCorp stands

No clear edge on the published figures we could compare for a personal loan. Check the table below and the Key Fact Statement.

Pick Punjab National Bank if you want

  • The lowest published starting rate (11.25%)
  • The longest maximum tenure (6 years)
  • The most complete published terms for this loan (4 of 5 details)

Federal Bank vs Hero FinCorp vs Punjab National Bank personal loan: rate, fees and tenure

Starting personal loan rates as published: Federal Bank from 11.75%, Hero FinCorp from 17.90% and Punjab National Bank from 11.25%. Punjab National Bank is lower at the starting rate, but the top of each range and your own credit profile decide what you are offered. Punjab National Bank lists the longer maximum tenure (salaried 72 emis (defence 60); self-employed 60 emis or age 65).

DetailFederal BankHero FinCorpPunjab National Bank
Published rate11.75% to 18.99% p.a.Starting from 17.9% p.a.11.25% p.a. (Pre-Approved Personal Loan and PNB Swaagat), effective 10.02.2025 per revised retail rates notice
Rate basisfixedNot publishedNot published
Loan amountNot publishedNot publishedSalaried up to 24x gross monthly salary capped Rs 20 lakh
Maximum tenure60 monthsNot publishedSalaried 72 EMIs (defence 60); self-employed 60 EMIs or age 65
Processing feeNot publishedMinimum 2.5% + GST, deducted at disbursal (non-refundable)Not published
Prepayment / foreclosurePart or full prepayment allowed; charges not stated on pagePrepayment charges: not applicable. Foreclosure: 5% + GST on outstanding principalNil
Eligibility (as published)Age 21 to 55 years; monthly net salary Rs.25,000 and aboveNot publishedSalaried: confirmed govt/PSU/reputed institution employees with 2 yrs service, salary via PNB account
Other terms published
  • Quick approvals with minimal documentation
  • Repayment tenure of up to 60 months
  • Flexible EMI payment options
  • No restrictions on end use
  • High loan eligibility up to Rs 7 Lakh
  • Attractive interest rates
  • Digital application process
  • No margin required
  • No prepayment charges
  • Security: suitable third-party guarantee
  • Wide range of personal needs
Official sourcefederal.bank.in/personal-loans
federal.bank.in/loan-rate
herofincorp.com/personal-loan-fees-and-chargespnb.bank.in/personalloanforpublic.html
pnb.bank.in/downloadprocess.aspx

EMI illustration: ₹5 lakh over 5 years

Loan providerRate usedMonthly EMITotal interestTotal repayable
Federal Bank11.75%₹11,059₹1,63,550₹6,63,550
Hero FinCorp17.90%₹12,670₹2,60,172₹7,60,172
Punjab National Bank11.25%₹10,934₹1,56,019₹6,56,019

Illustration only, at each loan provider's lowest published rate. It leaves out processing fees, GST, insurance and any other charges, and it is not an offer. Your approved rate may be higher.

Read the full guide: Personal loan

Federal Bank vs Hero FinCorp vs Punjab National Bank personal loan EMI by amount and tenure

Monthly EMI at each loan provider's lowest published rate, on a reducing balance. Fees, GST and insurance are not included, and your offered rate may be higher.

By loan amount, over 5 years

Loan amountFederal Bank (11.75%)Hero FinCorp (17.90%)Punjab National Bank (11.25%)
₹1 lakh₹2,212₹2,534₹2,187
₹3 lakh₹6,635₹7,602₹6,560
₹5 lakh₹11,059₹12,670₹10,934
₹10 lakh₹22,118₹25,339₹21,867
₹20 lakh₹44,237₹50,678₹43,735

By tenure, on ₹5 lakh

TenureFederal Bank (11.75%)Hero FinCorp (17.90%)Punjab National Bank (11.25%)
1 year₹44,366
interest ₹32,391
₹45,816
interest ₹49,794
₹44,249
interest ₹30,990
2 years₹23,478
interest ₹63,482
₹24,938
interest ₹98,510
₹23,362
interest ₹60,688
3 years₹16,548
interest ₹95,711
₹18,051
interest ₹1,49,841
₹16,429
interest ₹91,430
5 years₹11,059
interest ₹1,63,550
₹12,670
interest ₹2,60,172
₹10,934
interest ₹1,56,019
7 yearsAbove its stated maximum₹10,480
interest ₹3,80,289
Above its stated maximum

A longer tenure lowers the EMI and raises the total interest. Pick the shortest tenure your monthly budget can carry.

What each loan provider publishes about its personal loan

Federal Bank

Private bank · The Federal Bank Limited

  • How the rate is set: fixed
  • Eligibility as published: Age 21 to 55 years; monthly net salary Rs.25,000 and above
  • Quick approvals with minimal documentation
  • Repayment tenure of up to 60 months
  • Flexible EMI payment options
  • No restrictions on end use

Hero FinCorp

NBFC · Hero FinCorp Limited

  • High loan eligibility up to Rs 7 Lakh
  • Attractive interest rates
  • Digital application process

Punjab National Bank

Public sector bank · Punjab National Bank

  • Eligibility as published: Salaried: confirmed govt/PSU/reputed institution employees with 2 yrs service, salary via PNB account
  • No margin required
  • No prepayment charges
  • Security: suitable third-party guarantee
  • Wide range of personal needs

Before you apply for a personal loan

  • Total repayable amount: Compare the APR and the total you will repay, both shown in the Key Fact Statement, not only the monthly EMI.
  • Existing EMIs: Loan providers look at how much of your monthly income already goes to EMIs. Closing a small loan first can improve the offer.
  • Processing fee: Charged upfront, usually as a percentage of the loan plus GST. Ask for the amount in rupees and check whether it is cut from the money you receive.
  • Fixed or floating: Most personal loans carry a fixed rate. If yours is fixed, ask what the foreclosure charge is before you borrow.

RBI requires every loan provider to hand you a Key Fact Statement before you sign. It shows the rate, every fee, the APR and the total you will repay.

Terms used on this page

Plain meanings of the terms this comparison uses.

Starting rate: The lowest rate a loan provider advertises for a product. Most borrowers are offered a higher rate, because the final rate depends on credit score, income, employer and loan amount.

APR: Annual percentage rate. It adds the processing fee and other charges to the interest rate, so it shows the yearly cost of the loan better than the interest rate alone.

Key Fact Statement: A short summary the loan provider gives you before you sign. It lists the interest rate, every fee, the APR and the total amount you will repay. RBI requires it for retail loans.

Floating rate and repo rate: A floating rate moves with a benchmark, and for banks that is usually the RBI repo rate, the rate at which RBI lends to banks. A fixed rate stays the same for the period you agree.

Processing fee: A one-time charge for handling the application. It is usually a percentage of the loan amount plus GST, and it is often deducted before the money reaches you.

Credit score: A number from 300 to 900 that shows how you have repaid past loans and cards. A higher score usually gets you a lower rate.

Sources and last check

Every figure above is read from the loan provider's own website and was checked on 12 October 2026. A blank means the page does not show that figure, and we never estimate one.

Read our editorial policy, how we make money and tell us about an error.

More personal loan comparisons

Federal Bank vs Hero FinCorp vs Punjab National Bank: every loan type on one page · All personal loan comparisons · Personal loan guide · Personal loan EMI calculator

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better for a personal loan: Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp or Punjab National Bank?

Punjab National Bank has the lowest published starting personal loan rate at 11.25%, against 11.75% at Federal Bank and 17.90% at Hero FinCorp. On ₹5 lakh over 5 years the difference in total interest is ₹1,04,153. Rate is only one part of the cost, so also compare the processing fee, the prepayment terms and the total repayable amount in the Key Fact Statement.

Which has the lower personal loan interest rate: Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp or Punjab National Bank?

Punjab National Bank has the lowest published starting personal loan rate at 11.25%, against 11.75% at Federal Bank and 17.90% at Hero FinCorp. The published ranges run to Federal Bank up to 18.99%, so the rate you are offered can sit well above the starting rate.

What is the personal loan processing fee at Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank?

Federal Bank: not published. Hero FinCorp: Minimum 2.5% + GST, deducted at disbursal (non-refundable). Punjab National Bank: not published. Fees can change, so confirm the amount in rupees, with GST, before you accept.

What is the maximum personal loan tenure at Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank?

Federal Bank: 60 months. Hero FinCorp: not published. Punjab National Bank: Salaried 72 EMIs (defence 60); self-employed 60 EMIs or age 65. A longer tenure lowers the EMI and raises the total interest.

Can I prepay or foreclose a personal loan early at Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank?

Federal Bank: Part or full prepayment allowed; charges not stated on page. Hero FinCorp: Prepayment charges: not applicable. Foreclosure: 5% + GST on outstanding principal. Punjab National Bank: Nil. Ask whether the rate on your loan is fixed or floating, because the charges depend on it.

What is the EMI on a ₹5 lakh personal loan at Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank?

Over 5 years at each loan provider's lowest published rate the monthly EMI is ₹11,059 at Federal Bank, ₹12,670 at Hero FinCorp and ₹10,934 at Punjab National Bank. This leaves out processing fees, GST and insurance, and your approved rate may be higher.

Who is eligible for a personal loan at Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank?

Federal Bank: Age 21 to 55 years; monthly net salary Rs.25,000 and above. Hero FinCorp: not published. Punjab National Bank: Salaried: confirmed govt/PSU/reputed institution employees with 2 yrs service, salary via PNB account. Each loan provider can ask for more documents once you apply.

Are Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank regulated by the RBI?

Yes. Federal Bank is a private bank, Hero FinCorp is an NBFC, Punjab National Bank is a public sector bank, and all lend under RBI rules, including the requirement to give you a Key Fact Statement before you sign.

Where do these personal loan figures come from?

From the official pages of Federal Bank, Hero FinCorp and Punjab National Bank, opened and checked on 12 October 2026. The sources are listed at the bottom of this page. We show a blank where a loan provider does not publish a figure, and we do not estimate one.

KhatuLoans is not a loan provider and is not paid by the loan providers named here to rank them. Rates, fees and eligibility change; always confirm with the loan provider. Read our editorial policy and how we make money.