The Benefits of Personal Loans: What You Need to Know - 2023

What Is a Personal Loan?

A personal loan is a loan that individuals can borrow from a lender, such as a bank or credit union, and repay in fixed monthly installments. If you need debt consolidation or home improvements, or you are facing unexpected expenses such as emergent medication, you might want to consider applying for a personal loan.

Types of Personal Loans

Personal loans can be categorized into two main types: secured and unsecured.

Secured personal loans require collateral, such as a car or property, which the lender can seize if the borrower fails to repay the loan.

Unsecured personal loans, on the other hand, do not require collateral.

The borrower's financial appearance will be evaluated when applying for an unsecured personal loan, the criteria are:

• Credit score.
• Credit history.
• Debt-to-income (DTI) ratio.

Personal Loan Pros

1. Keep Debt Under Control with Personal Loans

One of the biggest advantages of personal loans is that they can help you consolidate your debt. Multiple loans from different lenders usually come with different payment due dates, lender policies, and interest rates. By taking out a single personal debt, it's easier for you to manage your debt, as you will only need to schedule one monthly payment to one lender.

Plus, by consolidating your debt, you may be able to lower your credit utilization ratio, which is an important factor in determining your credit score.

2. Lower and Fixed Interest Rates

Compared to credit cards, personal loans typically have lower interest rates, which means you can save money on interest over the life of the loan.

The better you perform with your credit, the lower interest rates you will be offered. For instance, you could get 5% interest rates for personal loans if you have a good credit score.

Additionally, most personal loans come with fixed interest rates, which means that your interest rate will stay the same for the duration of the loan. This provides predictability and helps you plan your budget accordingly.

3. Regular Payment Schedule

Personal loans come with a fixed term and interest rate, making it easier to plan and budget for your payments. This is in contrast to credit cards, which have revolving monthly payments that depend on your spending.

4. Easy Application & Fast funding times

For most situations, you could receive your personal loans in your bank account on the next business day after the application. This makes personal loans a great option for emergencies or other situations where you need money quickly.

5. No collateral requirement (Unsecured Loans)

Unsecured personal loans do not require collateral. While you may face significant financial and credit consequences if you default on the loan, you won't lose your assets as a direct result.

6. Repayment Term Longer Compared to Other Loans

Personal loans offer a wide range of repayment terms, making it easier to find a loan that fits your budget and financial goals. Additionally, unsecured personal loans may offer longer terms than other types of loans, such as payday loans.

7. You can borrow large sums of money than a credit card

Personal loans allow you to borrow larger sums of money than credit cards, which typically have lower monthly limits.

Personal loans typically range from $1,000 to $10,000 in value, but some lenders may provide loans as small as $100 or as large as $100,000.Therefore, if you are looking to make large purchases or the high interest from other debts is not affordable, applying for personal loans will be a great help in these situations.

8. Flexible

Personal loans are flexible and can be used for a variety of purposes, such as paying bills, financing a wedding, or consolidating debt.

9. Easy To Track and Manage

This can help you avoid late payments and keep your finances on track.

Various Uses of Personal Loans

Personal loans can be an excellent option to help you finance various expenses, depending on your financial situation and goals. Here are some of the most common uses of personal loans:

1. Debt Consolidation

Consolidating your high-interest debts into one personal loan can simplify your finances, lower your interest rate, and help you pay off your debts faster.

2. Home Improvements or Remodeling

A personal loan can fund your home improvement project without the need to use your home as collateral, making it a convenient option.

3. Special Events and Occasions

Personal loans can help you finance big events such as weddings, vacations, or business start-ups.

4. Medical or Emergency Expenses

A personal loan can be an effective way to pay for unexpected medical bills or emergency expenses.

5. Financing some types of training.

You can use personal loan funds to finance career development purposes, such as getting a commercial driving license, certificate programs, or professional development courses.

6. Making major one-off purchases.

You can use it to finance one-time large purchases, such as a home renovation project, a service dog, or a vehicle.

7. Boost Your Credit Score

As long as you take out any loans, you are building your credit history, which will also impact your credit score.

Therefore, making on-time payments is necessary for you to build a strong credit history and boost your credit score. On the other hand, missing payments will potentially have a negative impact on your credit score.

Additionally, secured personal loans allow you to use your savings or certificate account as collateral, which can help you build credit while earning interest on your savings.

Personal Loan Cons

While personal loans can be a suitable choice for some borrowers, they are not always the best option. It's important to weigh the downsides before applying for a personal loan. Here are some potential drawbacks to consider:

1. Higher interest rates for individuals with poor credit

Personal loans come with higher interest rates for individuals with poor credit. This can result in paying a considerable amount more in interest over the loan term. Those with lower credit scores can find themselves paying thousands more in interest than someone with better credit.

Personal loans come with higher interest rates for individuals with poor credit. For people who are underperforming in credit, it could result in needing to pay thousands of dollars more in interest than those who have good credit.

2. More strict eligibility requirements

When you have a bad credit score or little credit history, you might not want to consider personal loans as it is more difficult to be approved by lenders. Some lenders do not allow co-signers, which can make it harder for some borrowers to get approved. If you have poor credit, you may have fewer options for finding a personal loan.

3. High fees and penalties

One notable thing about personal loans are that you might be charged with additional origination fees, which can range from 1% to 6% of the loan amount. Some lenders charge prepayment penalties if you pay the balance off before the end of your loan term. Before applying, review all fees and penalties associated with any personal loans you're considering. Fees and penalties can significantly increase the total cost of borrowing.

4. Another monthly payment to manage

A personal loan can strain your budget if you borrow more than you can afford.

Personal loans come with a fixed, higher monthly payment than credit cards, which must be repaid by the end of the loan term. Be careful when you consolidate your credit card debt into a personal loan, as you might face potential risks such as:

• You need to repay higher amounts, this could cause miscalculation in budgeting, and affect your payment planning.
• You might put yourself at risk of defaulting on the loan which could lead to overdrawn accounts and red numbers.

5. Potentially increases debt load

A personal loan can lead to further debt if it doesn't address underlying spending habits. Personal loans may be useful for consolidating high-interest debt like credit cards, but they don't address the root cause of the problem. For those who have bad spending habits, paying off credit cards with a personal loan might eventually end up stacking up charges for the overspenders rather than payback the debts.

6. Possible credit score damage

Your credit score will multiple loan applications or missed payments can negatively impact your credit score. Some possibilities might lower your credit score:

• When the credit inquiry is conducted strictly by the lender.
• When your debt-to-income ratio is high.

A weak repayment history and a high debt-to-income ratio can make it harder to get approved for future loans, such as a mortgage or a car loan.

When Should and Shouldn't Consider a Personal Loan?

Personal loans can be beneficial in specific circumstances, but they may not be suitable for everyone. Consider the following factors when determining if a personal loan is a right choice for your needs:

Situations where a personal loan might be appropriate:

Quick cash requirement:

If you need money urgently, personal loans can be advantageous, as many lenders can disburse funds within a few days.

Strong credit history:

Personal loans could be optional when your credit score or credit history is satisfying.

Consolidating high-interest debts:

Personal loans can effectively pay off expensive credit card balances and combine multiple debts into a single monthly payment.

Financing necessary expenses:

You can use personal loans to cover unexpected medical bills, home repairs, or other necessary expenses.

Situations where a personal loan might not be suitable:

No specific purpose for the loan:

Obtaining a loan without a clear use plan may result in overspending and unnecessary interest expenses.

Past overspending issues:

If you have already overspent and it caused payback issues before, applying for personal debt might not be suitable as you will likely accumulate new debt.

Unaffordable monthly payments:

Before applying for a personal loan, check if you can manage the monthly payments throughout the loan's duration.

No urgent need for money:

If there's sufficient time, saving is a wiser choice. You don't need to pay interest for years.

How to Take a Personal Loan?

1. Review your finances.

Before applying for a personal loan, you should calculate how much you need to borrow and determine how much you can spend on monthly payments.

2. Research and compare different lenders.

Finding the one that best suits your needs and financial situation is crucial. Some lenders will support bad credit loans if your credit history is unsatisfying or you need a credit history.

3. Prepare your documents.

Lenders will require specific documentation to approve your loan, such as proof of income, address, and a valid photo ID. Secured loans may require additional documentation, such as vehicle registration and pictures of your car.

4. Fill out the loan application:

Once you have selected a lender, complete the application and submit the required documentation. Many lenders can provide a decision within minutes and fund the loan within 24 hours.

5. Receive and Use the loan.

Once approved, you can use the loan to pay for the personal expenses you need it for.

6. Start making payments.

Once you receive your funds, you must repay your loan monthly. To avoid missing payments, consider setting a reminder or scheduling automatic payments.

7. Alternatives to Personal Loans

While personal loans may be an excellent option for some, there are instances where other financial products may be a better fit. Here are a few alternative options:

1. Home equity loan.

If you have enough equity in your home, you may qualify for a home equity loan. This type of loan also has a fixed installment payment and interest rates.

However, one major downside is that a lender can only foreclose on your home if you repay the loan as promised.

2. Home equity line of credit (HELOC).

Another way to tap into your home's equity is to take a HELOC. There are different interest rates for HELOC; you could borrow funds based on your situation. Like a home equity loan, a lender can foreclose on your home if you fail to repay the loan.

3. 0% APR credit card.

If you have good to excellent credit, consider a credit card with an interest-free promotion period. You can forgo paying interest altogether if you repay what you borrowed before this promotional period ends. However, if you don't pay back on time, the APR on the remaining balance will be heavy.

4. Small business loan:

If you're looking to fund your business, a small business loan may be better than a personal loan. Some lenders are supportive of small businesses, such as Accion Opportunity Fund. Try looking for them!

FAQs About Obtaining a Personal Loan

1. What is the average interest rate for a personal loan?

As of November 2022, the average rate on a 24-month, fixed-rate personal loan from a commercial bank was 11.23%, accordin'g to the Federal Reserve.

The lenders, your income, and your credit history will hugely impact the interest rate. And it could potentially be influenced by economic situations.

2. What Credit Score Do I Need for a Personal Loan?

There is no fixed number to this. Most personal loan lenders require a credit score of 600 and above. Each lender has different requirements. A higher credit score usually leads to a better annual percentage rate (APR). Therefore, you can apply with a score of at least 670 to secure the best terms.

3. Can I Get a Personal Loan with Bad Credit?

Having bad credit doesn't necessarily disqualify you from getting a personal loan. However, you may get a higher interest rate and less favorable terms. Hence do remember to make sure that the loan lenders support bad credit borrowers and that you have met their minimum criteria.