A personal loan is a general purpose loan that you can request from a bank. Unlike loans for mortgages, cars, or businesses, a personal loan can be used as the borrower sees fit. This loan is generally paid back on a monthly basis with certain additional fees, such as interest on the loan, being required by the bank.
This type of loan is also known as an unsecured loan as it does not use any of your personal property as collateral. While this may be a relief to some, it also means that it is more difficult to get a personal loan from a bank. Here we will look at some aspects of a personal loan that may or may not fit your needs and income.
On a cautionary note, it is always best to get advice from professionals in the field before you engage in any financial activity so if you have any inquiries, there are plenty of websites that offer personal loan advice.
Credit Score
If you have a good credit score, the process of applying for a personal loan immediately becomes easier for you. If your credit history is good, your odds of receiving a higher personal loan are drastically increased. Similarly, if you can prove that you have a good credit score, the interest attached to your loan will be significantly lower.
Fixed Amount, Fixed Period
If the bank has accepted your application for a loan and decided upon the amount of the money they will lend you, the next step is to figure out how to pay back your loan. To do this, you must decide the sum of money you can deposit into the bank every month. This amount will depend on your monthly income. Once you know how much you have to pay, you and the bank can calculate how long it will take for you to pay back your loan.
High Risk Loan
Banks consider personal loans to be high risk loans. As this type of loan is an unsecured loan, the bank cannot seize any of the borrower’s belongings or house, at least not immediately. As there are no stringent consequences in place, banks have to frequently worry about people defaulting on their loans. To counteract this outcome, banks generally have two measures in place. Either the process for applying is exhaustive or there are high interest rates in place against the original loan.
Interest Rate
While the interest rate can be quite high with most personal loans, once set, this remains a fixed number. This means that most banks will not increase the interest that you will have to pay to the bank. However, inquire about your bank’s policy regarding personal loan interest rates.
Now that you know many of the advantages and the disadvantages surrounding the application of a personal loan, you can make an informed decision regarding whether or not this loan will benefit you. Remember to get professional advice should you choose to apply for a personal loan.