Does LendingTree perform a hard credit inquiry when I apply for a loan?

LendingTree itself does not perform a hard credit inquiry when consumers shop for loans on its platform. As an online loan marketplace, LendingTree connects consumers with multiple lenders, allowing them to compare various loan offers. When one initially uses LendingTree to find potential loan options, the service typically conducts a soft credit pull to provide quotes from its network of lenders. A soft inquiry does not affect one's credit score. However, once someone decides to proceed with an application for a specific loan from a lender within the LendingTree network, that lender may perform a hard credit inquiry to make a final lending decision, which can have an impact on their credit score.