You might consider getting a personal loan if you need more financial freedom. How you plan to utilize the loan, how long it will take to pay it off, and your personal credit history is just some factors you need to consider before applying for personal loans.
Comprehending the pros and cons of personal loans is essential when choosing a lender and deciding whether to apply for financing.
Personal loans can be helpful in some situations, but they can also come with high-interest rates and severe consequences for your credit score.
However, the benefits of these loans may outweigh the risks, especially if you qualify for a competitive rate and need quick access to cash.
Measure these pros and cons to determine if you want to take personal loans or not.
Table of Contents
Types of personal loans
- Fixed-rate loans: Monthly payments or rates stay the same till the loan term ends,
- Variable loan rates: Payment rates are benchmarked by banks, which can increase or decreases as the variable rates fluctuate,
- Debt consolidation loans: Type of loan where different types of loans are rolled into one, consolidating competitive interest rates,
- Co-signed or joint loans: Loans co-signed by another individual, 1st party can use the loan, but the co-signer will also have personal loan advantages,
- Personal lines of credit: Lending institute provides you with repayment terms of only paying for how much you use,
- Buy now but pay later: Online lenders allow you to purchase products and pay using small installments for a long period of time.
Types of personal loans you should not take
- Advances in Cash: Lets you borrow extra cash but, in turn, have to pay for subscriptions that might add up,
- Credit Card Debt: Short-term loan in credit terms but expensive payback,
- Pawnshop loan: Leave your accessories and take a loan, which will be seized if you don’t clear the loan up to the repayment schedule,
- Payday loans: High-interest loan payments to personal loan lenders on the next payday.
Other infamous personal loans
- Equity loans: Personal loan borrowing against the equity in possessions,
- Auto loans: Type of installment loan to buy a truck or car with low personal loan rates for professional purposes,
- Online Installment loans: Monthly installments loan options for online purchases,
- Business loans: Personal loan offers for business proposes,
- Affirm loans: Affirm loan does not belong to any actual personal loan category. This is the company that provides an online loan marketplace.
Pros of Personal Loans
Personal loans can be a great option if you want to consolidate high-interest debts or need cash for a home improvement project or other significant expenses and can afford the repayment.
Personal loans can be highly beneficial under the right circumstances. Personal loans can be beneficial because:
1. Loan Dependent on the Wishes of Borrower
Loan seekers can apply for a loan online or in a financial branch. The financial institution then decides on the approval.
The loan amount and term depend on the borrower’s wishes and are recorded in the loan agreement.
Repayment is made in regular installments consisting of interest and principal. What you spend the money on is up to you. There are also special-purpose personal loans such as car loans or home loans.
2. Let borrowers pay for purchases gradually
Lenders issue personal loans in the form of a lump sum that you can use to make a purchase or pay off another debt. It allows borrowers to make large purchases and pay for them over time without saving money upfront.
It can be an ethical strategy for essential purchases, but it can become risky if you take loans as granted to travel or cover other non-mandatory expenses.
3. Simplify Debt Consolidation
Debt consolidation loans allow borrowers to streamline their finances by paying off individual loans and credit card balances with a single personal loan.
It will reduce the monthly payments you must remember and lower your overall interest rate if your credit score has improved from other loans.
Some lenders are experts in debt consolidation and will directly pay off your other debts instead of depositing cash into your account.
4. Fast Cash release
After approval, the credit will be credited to your account within one day. Sometimes, the bank leaves a pre-approved amount for you that will be released through the internet, ATM, and application.
In these cases, the money will already be available in the current account balance a few minutes after the request.
5. Use for almost anything
Personal loans are a popular financing alternative because they are so versatile. You can use the loan money to cover everything from car repair costs to home renovations and expenses related to events like weddings.
The allowable use of the loan depends on the lender, but most institutions allow borrowers to use the funds for personal, family, or household purposes.
Personal loans cannot be used for further illegal activities. Some lenders also limit the use of personal credit funds to buy real estate, pay for higher education, or start a new business.
6. Better than entering the overdraft limit
A personal loan is generally cheaper than using the overdraft on your account, especially for those who have a bank account and pay everything on time.
Negotiate personal credit with your manager if you need to cover an emergency. The overdraft has a daily interest, so the greater the number of days in which the current account is negative, the more expensive the debt with the bank will be.
7. Predictable interest rate
A personal loan allows you to get a sum of cash quickly, but you must pay it back in a fixed term and generally in a short period.
Loan rates are negotiable, a great advantage of choosing a personal loan over other types of credit.
Another advantage of a personal loan is that the interest rate is fixed for the entire repayment period when the agreement is signed. Your interest rate cannot fluctuate, and your payments will always remain fixed.
You can also request loans without interest that you can have in your bank account in 24 hours and do not require paperwork.
A personal loan is an ideal alternative if you need to cover a specific need such as renovations, appliances, and food that do not require much money.
8. Fixed payments are easy to budget
Enjoying fixed payments on a personal loan makes sticking to a monthly budget a breeze.
With a personal loan, you do not have to worry about whether you will have enough money to make the minimum monthly payment, as you would with a credit card, for example.
9. Provide flexible borrowing limits
Borrowing limits vary by lender. For this reason, personal loans can be tailored to meet the borrowing needs of most consumers.
Remember that getting a large personal loan is likely to be more difficult than applying for a smaller, less risky amount.
Alternatively, credit card or point of sale financing may be a better option if you plan to finance a smaller purchase.
10. Anyone with a fixed Income can apply
When it comes to using a loan, you may feel you can’t use it unless you have a high salary at a large company, but that’s not the case with personal loans. Even part-time workers can apply if they receive a fixed monthly salary.
Personal loan repayments are not made in one lump sum but several months. Therefore, it is essential not to have a high salary but to continue to earn income.
11. Eliminate the need for collateral
Collateral are optional aspects of personal loans from the borrower. The risk of losing a valuable possessions such as your home or vehicle if you don’t pay back the loan will not be stuff to worry about.
However, remember that unsecured loans usually have higher interest rates and may be more challenging to qualify as they pose more risk to lenders.
12. Provide quick access to cash
Processing times for personal loan and financing applications vary, but many lenders publicize the same or next-day financing. So, a personal loan may be feasible if you face unexpected car repair costs or need emergency travel.
Student loans are the perfect example of needing a huge lump of cash quickly, which a loan can provide.
However, if you need funds urgently, look closely at the entire loan application procedure.
The actual time it takes to apply for a loan, get accepted, and receive loan funds may be longer depending on when you apply, the size of the loan, and how quickly your bank gives you access to the money once it’s paid off.
13. Option of Online Application
Unlike other general loans, personal online loans can be executed via the web, so applying takes time and effort.
It is a significant advantage that it does not take time and effort like other loans. Documents that must be submitted can be uploaded with a smartphone or the like.
Web applications are accepted 24 hours a day, so even people who are busy with work during the day and have no time can apply during their free time.
If you apply online, you can transfer money to your designated bank account 24 hours a day. You can borrow money without going to an ATM, which is a significant advantage.
14. Helps to build a positive credit history
Paying a personal loan on time benefits you in building a positive credit history, which contributes positively to many credit score calculations.
Its responsible use positively impacts many, including payment history, credit utilization rate, and the mix of credit types.
Cons of Personal Loans
Loans can be an excellent option to cover personal expenses, but some risks and downsides to getting a personal loan are also possible. Before taking out a loan, keep in mind that personal loans can:
1. Interest rates may Vary
The bank charges an interest rate for the offered personal loan and handling fees before issuing the loan to the borrower.
The loan’s interest rate varies from bank to bank, so it is crucial to check interest rates before applying for a loan. Some banks offer high-interest rates but may offer large loan amounts.
Some banks charge a lower interest rate, but the personal loan amount could be much less. Furthermore, the repayment period also determines the interest rate.
Many banks make money from borrowers in financial distress by charging a high-interest rate for personal loans issued without a background check. These loans are issued within 24 to 48 hours and have a high-interest rate.
2. May get into the habit of borrowing
The downside of a personal loan is that you can get into the habit of borrowing. It won’t happen if you’re careful, but some people will borrow it.
The reason is that you can borrow a loan anytime and anywhere within the usage limit. Even if you borrow because it’s tough at first, be careful not to lower the hurdles for borrowing.
Control your desire to borrow loans because you have something you want or want to play.
3. Delinquent repayment may have an impact
If your credit information has a delinquency record, other loans will be at a disadvantage.
A record of delinquency can be considered a “non-repayment person.” Financial institutions also don’t want to lend to people who don’t repay their money correctly.
Regarding this point, personal loans and payment delinquency with credit cards, for example, will be in the same state.
4. Temptation to borrow more money than needed
If the financial or bank clerk offers you more money, keep the amount you need. Remember that the more money you make, the more you will have to pay.
Another factor that can make the personal loan more expensive is the payment term to pay off the bank’s total amount of credit requested. The more the debt is paid in installments, the greater the interest incidence on the value.
5. Difficult for people with low income
When applying for a loan, your financial institute will review your application and the information you provided. The management must ensure you can pay interest and return the loan on time.
The criteria for the screening are mainly income. Non-regular employees with low and unstable income may be disadvantaged in terms of creditworthiness and may not pass the screening.
Even if you pass the screening, the maximum amount will be low, and, likely, you will only receive a small loan.
Also, it is difficult for homemakers and students to borrow personal loans without income.
6. Hidden Fees
Apart from interest rates, many lenders ask for application and processing fees to cover processing costs. The borrower may face penalties for late payment or lack of funds to pay.
There are also prepayment penalties which will be charged if you decide to pay the loan early.
Other fees could be origination fees, application fees, late payment fees, and extra payments for balance transfers.
7. Demand collateral
If your credit score is less to certify for a secured loan, you may need to pledge your assets as collateral.
8. Leads to unnecessary debt
Depending on your reason for getting a personal loan, this financing can lead to unnecessary debt. Before taking out a loan – large or small – evaluate why you are borrowing and whether a personal loan is the best solution.
9. Unsuitable when work situation is at risk
It is like a fixed-term contract about to expire, and the fees you have to pay to exceed the employment contract’s termination period.
Of course, there are many situations where the purchase is impossible without a personal loan. But personal loans should not only be viewed skeptically, as they are beneficial in many situations. It applies to significant investments or purchases, such as a house.
However, it is always important to carefully consider before applying for a loan whether a loan is essential or not.
So there is a lot of financing that is not necessary. Sometimes it’s just worth waiting and saving the money.
Quick Summary (Pros and Cons of Personal Loans)
| Pros | Cons |
| A wide range of propositions from contrasting financial organizations and institutions | The bank is not always ready to approve the amount of money that you need |
| Straightforward and Relatively loyal banks to borrowers’ demands | Tedious paperwork and excessive fuss when applying for a loan |
| Often you can get a loan for a small amount with a minimum set of documents (passport + certificate of income in the form of a bank or even just a passport) | The interest rate on loan is determined individually for each client and may be higher than you would like |
| Possibility of early repayment without penalty | As a rule, the term of the loan is up to 7 years |
| Anyone with a fixed income can borrow a loan | Difficult for homemakers, students, and people with low income |
(Last Updated on August 5, 2022)
