In the present financial market, investments and returns are more unpredictable than ever. Fueled by the unsettled market dynamics caused by the COVID19 pandemic, along with the disruption of the usual supply and demand chain, businesses, as well as individuals, are struggling more than ever to gather enough capital. This is where personal loans provide a huge boon for struggling individuals. Whether it’s a personal emergency or you simply need some extra cash at hand for your next venture, personal loans provide a large coverage area for you to explore your options with. So before you decide whether or not you need a personal loan, let us delve into the details of what exactly are personal loans, how they work, the cheapest personal loan rates, and much more.
What exactly are personal loans?
Personal loans are typically a type of loan that is provided for a short tenure, typically without any restrictions regarding the purpose of the loan and given out on an individual basis. One of the key factors that separate personal loans from other types of loans are that they are typically unsecured, meaning you don’t need to put up suitable collateral to be eligible for a personal loan. Due to these reasons, personals loans are a great way to finance personal ventures or to raise enough money to tide over any financial emergency that may occur on a day-to-day basis.
Things to remember while choosing the right personal loan
Before you select a specific personal loan for yourself, there are a lot of points to check out. This ensures you know exactly what you are getting into and reduces your chance of getting into an unnecessary financial backlog that you cannot get out of. Some of the important points to consider before picking out a personal loan have been discussed below.
How much can I borrow from a moneylender?
One of the first things that you need to check out while applying for a personal loan is exactly how much of a loan amount you are eligible for and how much does your chosen lender bank lets you borrow. Different banks have different criteria that applicants need to meet to be eligible for a personal loan of a certain amount. These criteria can include present income, financial history, credit scores, among many other factors. So, before you settle on a particular personal loan plan, make sure you have a clear idea about how much capital you require and whether or not you are eligible for that amount from your chosen lender bank.
Check out interest rates from different banks
In today’s market, all information is accessible through the internet. Before you select a particular personal loan plan, make sure you go through different banks’ websites and find out which bank provides the best interest rates in the market. The interest rates vary a lot on a day-to-day basis, so you should be updated about the current interest rates from different banks before you decide on which bank you want to take a personal loan from.
Be aware of the fine print
One of the common mistakes that are made while applying for a personal loan is that you skip over the fine print of the loan agreement, which gives rise to significant problems down the road. Before you finalise your loan agreement:
- Make sure you go through the fine print in the loan agreement carefully.
- Note down the terms of repayment and the allocated tenure of repayment.
- Check whether there are any late repayment costs associated with the loan.
- Check out whether or not the loan comes with any processing fees or tax deductibles.
These are all part of the fine financial print that comes with most personal loan agreements, and it is best to be completely aware of their presence and implications before finalising a loan agreement.
Fixed Or Variable Rate?
There are two types of interest rates when it comes to personal loans. One is the fixed interest rate, which means a single interest rate is valid throughout the entire repayment tenure. The other type is a variable interest rate, where you repay your loan amount based on the current market interest rate. Before you decide on a personal loan that works for you, make sure you check whether the loan comes with a fixed or variable interest rate. This helps you to better plan out the finances during the loan tenure so that you are always well prepared to repay the loan on time.
Be aware of your Credit score
Your credit score is a financial benchmark for you. It incorporates multiple factors such as your current outstanding loans, your current income, and your financial history, among other factors. Your credit score determines which loans you are eligible for and how high an interest rates you are paying while repaying the loan. While applying for a personal loan, make sure you have a good enough credit score to be eligible for the particular loan you are looking to apply.
Look for flexibility of repayment
Repayment flexibility is a very important factor to be considered while choosing a personal plan. The flexibility of repayment means how much processing fees you have to pay the bank in the event you decide to repay the entire loan amount before the term for the loan ends. Banks in Singapore usually charge anywhere between 5 to 7 percent of your total loan amount. So make sure you find a bank that has suitably low early repayment costs if you have plans to repay the loan early.
Personal loans are a great way to obtain quick finances for emergencies or even just for personal requirements. They do not require any security collateral, and they come with short repayment tenures that don’t burden you for too long. With the help of the above checklist, you can be assured of finding the best personal loan plan for yourself.
