We all know how to carefully research interest rates from several lenders when looking for a personal loan. But what else should you be aware of? To assist you in choosing the best loan for your needs and the necessary steps, we’ll delve further into personal loans in this piece. The following are the key points you should be aware of when applying for a personal loan:
1. Use the Money Wisely
Although a personal loan can be used in any way you like, you shouldn’t take this freedom for granted. What should you do with the money from a personal loan, then? The wisest course of action is to pay off expensive debt.
Think of a scenario where you pay at least 25% every year toward the balance on your credit card. It would make sense to use a personal loan to combine and pay off your expensive debts if you can get one approved at an 8% annual percentage rate. Unexpected medical costs, money problems, and home improvements are among the common reasons for taking out a personal loan.
2. Understand the Interest Rate
Interest rates are the most important elements of personal loans you should pay attention to.
Personal loan interest rates vary from one lender to another. You will undoubtedly encounter the terms Applied Rate (AR) and Effective Interest Rate (EIR). AR ignores the fact that each repayment lowers the principal amount by a certain amount, assuming the loan principal would remain constant throughout the loan term.
If your payments are made on time, an effective interest rate accurately depicts the cost of borrowing. It is determined after considering the principal’s steady reduction during the loan’s term. To compare EIR, remember to use the same loan amount and term.
3. Get Familiar with The Charges and Fees
Personal loan interest rates shouldn’t be your only concern when applying for a personal loan. There are additional fees, some of which you should be aware of:
Yearly fees: In addition to the interest you must pay, some banks charge a set amount each year. Five years of borrowing might entail five annual fee payments.
Late payment fees: If you pay less than the agreed-upon amount by the deadline or miss any payments, you will be charged a late payment fee. Since lenders can be extremely demanding when it comes to payment delays, this warrants additional attention.
Change in tenure fee: While not all banks provide this flexibility, the following example demonstrates its significance: You’ve been approved for a personal loan with a two-year repayment period, but due to some changes in your circumstances, the monthly payment has grown to be too much for you to afford. It would be advantageous if you could extend the payback time for a cost.
4. Know How Much You Can Borrow
When determining a borrowing limit, banks consider several variables, including your relationship with the bank, your credit score, and—most crucially—your monthly income.
This is how it goes. An individual may be permitted to borrow up to four times their monthly income if they meet the minimum income criterion. Yet, someone making under $30,000 a year might be restricted to spending no more than twice that amount each month. The dollar worth is typically limited as well.
What happens if you need a larger loan? Up to eight or ten times your monthly salary can be borrowed from some banks, although these larger loans are often only given to customers with higher incomes.
5. Are the Payments Within Your Means?
The main thing to consider is the effect of personal loan repayments on your monthly spending plan. Your monthly salary will often determine your loan limit, which may not be the required amount. Instead, ask yourself, “How much do you need and can afford to repay each month?” and take into account:
- How do you now spend your monthly income?
- How much do you spend on necessities?
- What would the personal loan’s monthly payment be?
- Do you have enough money left over to cover your everyday needs?
When settling on your loan amount and tenure, consider your spending trends over the previous few months.
6. How Quickly Will You Receive the Money?
Speed is a significant factor for many borrowers. When will the money be sent into your bank account when your loan is accepted, and how soon will it happen? Understanding this before applying is crucial, as this differs from lender to lender.
7. Determine if The Early Repayment Fee Is Fair
Wait for a second. The bank shouldn’t charge for early repayment; right? They are receiving their money back early. You ought to receive a discount from them! I’m sorry, but that’s not quite how it works.
The lender will lose some of their anticipated profit if the loan is repaid early, so they will wish to make up some of this loss with an early repayment fee.
How much should you anticipate spending? Early repayment penalties are often determined as either a fixed fee or a percentage of your total loan balance. Check this point carefully if you think you might wish to pay off your debt early.
8. Your Credit Card Limit May Change
Do you want to obtain a personal loan from the same financial institution that provided you with a credit card? If so, the personal loan amount will probably be deducted from your credit card limit. This isn’t always a bad thing though.
It will assist you in limiting the overall amount of borrowing to a manageable amount. This cap will eventually be reinstated when you make loan payments.
9. The Lender You Choose Is Equally Important
Some people place little importance on this matter, but working with reputable, long-standing lenders who provide complete transparency is essential. Consider a scenario where you obtain a personal loan from an unreliable lender who keeps shoddy records.
They can forget about your payments, which could lead to conflict. Even though you are not at fault, you can end up having to deal with a collection agent’s harassment.
So how exactly do you choose a lender? Avoid businesses that promise you a personal loan without investigating your credit history or with extremely lower personal loan interest rates, and only do business with recognized organizations. Your greatest option would be a sizable bank with a reputable name.
