In the past, most people would stay away from personal loans. Nonetheless, this has changed considering that you might get more convenient terms on a personal loan than on a credit card. In some cases, it might even help you enhance your credit score. That’s because personal loans are fixed-rate loans, whilst a credit card is conveyed as a revolving line of credit. Thereupon, from a credit score viewpoint, getting a personal loan might be more convenient. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that personal loans aren’t made equal. Each offer has a specific interest rate and fees attached to it. That’s why it is mandatory for borrowers to comprehend their features before shopping for one. We explain further below how interest works on personal loans.
Types of Personal Loans
When you’re shopping for personal loans, one of your priorities should be to assess the interest rate. Evidently, the interest rate might be convenient or the other way around. This will usually be dictated by a number of factors.
Secured Loans
First and foremost, you may choose between secured and unsecured personal loans. Now, if you wish to purchase a car or a large asset, a secured personal loan might work better for you. That’s because you may add the asset as security for the loan. In the event in which you default on the loan, then, the lender is entitled to repossess the collateral in order to sell it and use the money to recover the unpaid debt.
In this case, you might ask why someone would choose a secured loan over an unsecured loan. For one thing, secured loans are less risky for lenders. This safety net allows lenders to provide a better deal in the form of lower interest rates.
Unsecured Loans
On the flip side, if you are in need of some extra cash for an upcoming holiday, renovation, or debt consolidation, an unsecured personal loan might be a preferable choice. This type of financing doesn’t require collateral – making unsecured loans more flexible than a secured personal loan. The risk to the lender is significant and higher interest rates reflect this.
Types of Interest Rates
There are two types of interest rates – namely variable and fixed.
Variable Interest Rate Personal Loans
Variable-rate personal loans feature a rate that is likely to change during the lifespan of the loan. As a result, the amount of money you must repay on a monthly basis will fluctuate depending on the interest rate. This could be inconvenient for some borrowers, especially those that budget their finances in advance.
In plain English, if your interest rate diminishes, the monthly payment will be reduced. In the meantime, if the interest rate increases, this will increase the monthly payment as well. As a rule of thumb, variable interest rate personal loans tend to be more flexible and advantageous, providing a range of benefits and features.
Fix Interest Rate Personal Loans
Fixed-rate interest loans charge the same amount of money for the duration of the personal loan, so you don’t have to worry about interest rate fluctuations. The disadvantage to this that if the average market interest rate were to drop, there would be no benefit to you.
How Is the Interest Rate Calculated?
The type of loan you pick, as well as the type of interest rate, will influence the amount of money you end up paying over the course of time. Still, aside from that, we’d like to briefly explain the elements that matter most when the interest rate is calculated.
How Your Credit Score Affects Interest
To start with, your credit score is the factor that matters most in the equation. Still, the exact rate you’re likely to get will depend on the lender. For one thing, how much you borrow and how often are factors that are widely considered by lenders. At the same time, your overall creditworthiness and reliability as a borrower are just as critical.
At the same time, if you decide to place collateral, you’re likely to benefit from a more convenient offer. Of course, the duration of the loan matters just as well. A loan with extensive repayment terms includes a higher risk of default; therefore, the amount of interest rate you’ll end up paying will be higher than in the case of a loan with shorter terms.
In summary
Bear in mind that the way in which lenders make a profit is by charging interest rates. On the other side, consumers want to get the best bang for their buck, and this makes sense – for both sides. A common-sense approach would be to do your part and research. After determining what lenders expect of you, try to enhance your credit rating and consider placing collateral if that can help you to get more beneficial loan terms. Get in touch with us for excellent loan offers for every budget!
