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Aven HELOC Review 2026
Last updated on May 8, 2026
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Our Take
4.5
HELOCs
NerdWallet rating
The Nerdy headline:
Aven combines a HELOC with a credit card featuring unlimited 2% cash back — considered an “excellent” flat rate by NerdWallet’s credit card experts. Aven also offers closing in an average of seven days, which is much faster than most HELOC lenders. Other HELOCs also offer a card that customers can use to access their funds, but rewards like Aven’s are not typical.
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Pros
- Will either beat other lenders’ HELOC rate offers or pay $250.Â
- No origination or annual fees.Â
- Repayment period up to 30 years.Â
Cons
- Charges 2.5% fee for all balance transfers.
- No introductory rate offer.
Full Review
Aven HELOC Rates
HELOC rates are determined by two things. The first is the prime rate, a benchmark interest rate that banks set to determine the lowest rate offered to their most creditworthy customers. The prime rate is generally set around 3% above the federal funds rate.
The second part is a margin, which the lender calculates based on your financial qualifications (including your credit score, existing debts and income). The prime rate plus your margin equals your HELOC rate offer.
Current prime rate — last changed Dec. 2025 | Prime rate last week | Prime rate in the past year — low | Prime rate in the past year — high | Projected median prime rate for 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
6.75% | 6.75% | 6.75% | 7.5% | 6.4% |
Aven advertises sample rates online, though they are not customizable.
đź‘Ť Reasons to get an Aven HELOC
Aven’s HELOC stands out among typical home equity lenders for giving borrowers 2% cash back on withdrawals from their credit line, as well as for its offer to beat other HELOC offers or pay $250. Aven also offers fast funding — closing is typically completed in seven days, compared to the 20-day average time to close among lenders surveyed by NerdWallet in 2026.
Aven has a maximum borrowing limit of 89% CLTV, which is higher than what you’ll find at many lenders. It also offers a fixed-rate repayment option, as well as no annual or origination fees. There are no initial draw requirements. HELOCs are also available for second homes.
» MORE: Best HELOC lenders
🤔 Reasons why Aven’s HELOC gives us pause
Borrowers are charged a 2.5% fee for all balance transfers, adding an upfront cost that can cut into the overall savings, especially if you’re transferring a large balance.
Aven operates fully online, there is no inperson support which may be a drawback for borrowers who prefer face-to-face guidance.
Like all HELOCs, because the card is secured by your home, you risk foreclosure if you can’t keep up with payments.
đź“Ž Ways to apply for an Aven HELOC
How to Apply | Availability |
|---|---|
Online 🧑‍💻 | ✅ |
Over the phone đź“ž | âś… |
Mobile app 📶 | ✅ |
In person 🏦 | 🚫 |
You can contact Aven customer service via online bot chat or over the phone.
đź›’ Alternatives to a Aven HELOC
Wondering if another lender or product might be a better fit? It’s worth it to shop around to learn more about your options.
If you’re looking for a lender that has extensive experience with HELOCs, consider Citizens Bank, which was the largest HELOC lender by volume in 2025. If you like Aven’s high borrowing limit, TD Bank’s HELOC has a maximum CLTV of 89.9%.
If you’re looking for a rate discount, FourLeaf Credit Union offers an introductory rate below prime for the first 12 months.
A HELOC isn’t your only option
You can also explore products outside of HELOCs. Alternatives to home equity lines of credit include a home equity loan, which offers a lump sum with a fixed rate, or a cash-out refinance, which replaces your existing mortgage with a larger loan.
Aven offers cash-out refinancing.
Borrow from your home’s equity
Methodology
NerdWallet rates home equity line of credit lenders based on what matters most to borrowers: HELOC rates and fees, how much of a lender’s business is dedicated to home equity lines of credit, HELOC market share, product accessibility, borrowing flexibility and features, customer experience and rate transparency.
We review more than 40 lenders and score HELOC lenders using a weighted system that prioritizes affordability, flexibility and a smooth borrowing experience. Lenders earn higher scores for offering lower borrowing costs, higher combined loan-to-value (CLTV) limits, flexible draw and repayment terms, fixed-rate options, faster closing times and clear, accessible rate information, along with strong customer support throughout the process.
We use a mix of lender-provided information, publicly available data and our own analysis to evaluate each lender. Recent regulatory actions may affect a lender’s score.