Personal loans allow for a convenient and flexible method to meet different needs, whether it is for paying for home renovations, debt consolidation, emergency purposes such as a medical bill or auto repair, or even the trip of a lifetime. You repay personal loans in equal, fixed monthly amounts over a term agreed upon with the lender. The loan does not require you to put up collateral. A large number of borrowers opt for personal loans since, unlike secured loans, they do not put any asset in jeopardy in case of default.
What is a Personal Loan?
A personal loan is an unsecured loan that advances a single amount to a borrower to cater for a variety of personal expenses. Unlike secured loans, personal loans are mainly credit-based.
Because of the flexibility of personal loans, it can be applied for almost everything such as consolidating debts, managing unanticipated medical costs, and financing home improvements and holidays. The repayment is made by the borrower through monthly installments over a given period, which often comes with a fixed interest rate, thereby helping in budgeting.
Personal Loan Features & Benefits
Personal loans are the popular choice these days, mainly due to ease of access and speed in transactions. Here are some salient features and benefits:
- No Collateral Required: Personal loans are unsecured; therefore, you risk nothing against your assets.
- Flexibility: No restriction on end use; you can use them for large purchases, life change, or in case of emergencies.
- Amount: The amount of a loan ranges from 40 lakhs and above, depending purely on the lender.
- Flexible Repayment: The repayment tenure can be anywhere up to 60 months, in some cases extendable higher.
- Top-Up Loans: Some lenders allow you to take out a higher amount loan when you really need the money.
- Minimal Documentation: The process of applying for a personal loan is pretty easy and has very little paperwork involved.
- Fast Disbursals: Many lenders can assure you of the money you require, with disbursement in just a day or two.
Personal Loan Eligibility Criteria
As lenders rank applicants differently according to the manner in which they assess credit risk, personal loans have various eligibility criteria. Besides, the financial background of the applicant and the variant nature of loans also pose a challenge. The general factors include:
- Age: Generally, applicants should be between 18 and 60 years of age.
- Minimum Salary: Salaried applicants must have a minimum salary of ₹15,000 per month.
- Minimum Income: Self-employed individuals need to have a minimum net taxable income of approximately ₹5,00,000 every year.
- Credit Score: The chances of approval of the loan with a substantial interest rate increase significantly when the credit score exceeds 700.
- Employment Stability: While it's mostly one year minimum of stable or permanent employment with most lenders, there are a few who might call for past experiences more than that.
- Business Stability: The self-employed applicant must have been working a certain minimum number of years for business continuity, usually three.
- Employment Type: Only salaried professionals from the government sector, public sector projects, multinational companies, and, of course, reputable organizations will be preferred.
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When to Consider a Personal Loan?
These loans are beneficial in dealing with emergencies when you need quick cash without using your assets as collateral. Here are some other situations that a personal loan may be the best solution:
- Emergencies: Several events in life can place us in positions where we must act quickly, such as an urgent medical emergency or rapid home repairs. The instant cash availability that personal loans offer will let you fulfill these requirements without requiring the sale of either other assets or investments.
- Debt Consolidation: Managing several debts of different interest rates becomes a nightmare for you. A personal loan provides an opportunity to consolidate those debts through a lower interest rate, thus making the burden on you easier to bear. Besides budget simplicity, you may be able to save money on total interest payments.
- Funds for Large Expenses: When funded outright, expenses such as big appliance purchases, weddings, and vacations can put further strain on your finances. A personal loan enables these expenses to be spread out over a designated period of time, making it that much easier to afford.
- Home Improvements: If you are remodeling or renovating your house, a personal loan can help you fund it without utilizing your home equity or going for a secured loan; now you can invest in your living space or in raising the value of your home.
- School Expenses: Although student loans cover tuition and other education costs, they don't offer funds for living expenses, books, and materials. For that gap, personal loans are an option to provide you with the finances you need so you are able to concentrate on your studies.
Where to secure a Personal Loan from?
There are possibilities available to meet your needs, credit history, and convenience as you contemplate taking a personal loan. Here is a concise overview of the popular sources:
- Financial Institutions: Traditional banks offer reliable choices for personal loans and, in most cases, low-interest rates. Although offers are usually safe, the credit score often needs to be high as the qualifications are usually stricter.
- Credit Unions: Credit unions are member-owned businesses that place the needs of their members first. This makes them an excellent choice when you're looking for affordability and personalized care as they typically provide lower interest rates and more flexible terms than banks.
- Online Lenders: The online loans are known for being fast and easy to use. The application is generally simple, and the application process is typically fast from approval to disbursement. They tend to serve a wider range of credit profiles which makes them the preferable choice for borrowers who have low to average credit scores.
- Peer-to-Peer Lending Platforms: These platforms connect borrowers directly to private investors by replacing traditional financial intermediaries. They are perfect for borrowers who might not qualify for traditional loans, as they commonly offer competitive interest rates and likely have less demanding credit requirements.
- Specialised Financial Companies: Some financial companies have given personal loans for specific purposes like weddings, refurbishing a house, or paying for medical bills. The applicants may have tailored loan offers based on that case.
How to Apply for a Personal Loan?
Applying for a personal loan can be a tough process, but doing it part by part makes it easier and feasible. Here is how to do it:
- Check your Credit Score: Credit score is the other determining factor in your loan eligibility and the rate of interest you will be offered. Check your credit score before applying and correct any errors or areas that need repair. Some of these problems may be solved in advance, thus increasing the chances of being approved and obtaining better loan conditions. For checking your credit score, you can utilize our website to know your credit score in a few simple steps for free.
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- Gather the Necessary Documents: It is easier to get through the application process if one prepares all the necessary paperwork. Lenders usually ask for:
- Proof of income: Pay stubs, bank statements, or tax returns.
- Identification: Government issued paper, like passport or driver's license.
- Work experience: Records about your past and present positions.
- Apply: Once you are ready with all your documents, fill up the loan application form. Most of the lenders make it easy and process applications online, but if you prefer you can do it personally at a bank or credit union. Be careful to fill out all information to avoid rejection or delay.
- Review Loan Terms: Do understand the loan terms fully before making any decision based on an offer. Be sure to note down the following.
- Interest rate: It should lie within your budget.
- Repayment schedule: This should be appropriate for you to accept the month's payment as well as loan term.
- Fees: Ensure that there aren't any concealed processing fees.
- Prepayment penalties: Determine if any additional charges have to be borne to pay for the loan repayment early.
- Receive Your Money: In most cases, the money will be directly transferred to your bank account after your loan is approved. This can take a few hours to a few days depending on the lender. Use this wisely and ensure it goes to the right purpose.
Who Can Apply for a Personal Loan?
Depending upon the credit-worthiness and steady income, a vast number of persons can avail personal loans. Personal loans are versatile financial instruments. Whoever wants to take a personal loan is usually eligible on the basis mentioned below:
- Employed Individuals: Personal loans are often in their greatest demand from those who have steady employment and a stable income. Such individuals qualify for loans easily and get good conditions because lenders view them as relatively risk-free clients.
- Self-Employed Individuals: The qualification of freelancers and small business owners also falls into the category of a personal loan. For them, evidence to prove steady income will be through bank accounts, profit-loss statements, and other business-related tax returns, besides their usual tax return.
- Students: With the help of a co-signer, most often a parent or guardian with a good credit history, students can qualify for personal loans. This option helps pay for non-reimbursed personal or education expenses that cannot be covered through traditional student loans.
- Senior Citizens: Personal loans are also available for retirees with pension or other sources of income, provided they fulfill the requirements that the lender requires in terms of creditworthiness and stability in income.
Who to Contact for a Personal Loan?
The process of getting a personal loan becomes much easier with the right information. Contact them at:
- Loan Officers: Loan officers are those who manage loans products in commercial banks and other financial institutions. Loan officers can, therefore, help explain the loan application process from start to end, propose good solutions, and help you choose the best one that meets your needs.
- Customer Service Representatives: Customer service of banks and other lending institutions are able to provide overall information about loans, eligibility and the application procedure. They would be able to answer any other questions you have and guide you through the early stages.
- Online Helplines: Most online lenders provide e-mail and online chat service for instant ease. This comes in handy whenever you are inclined to use e-mail or chats and want it at your comfort outside regular hours.
Types of Personal Loans
Banks and NBFCs provide extensive varieties of personal loan products as the financial requirement may vary from client to client. While the fundamental attributes, especially the term as well as the processing fees may not be as differentiated as from traditional personal loan, the versions here are particularly made for requirements: Here's an overview of the most frequent forms of personal loan products:
- Personal Loan Balance Transfer: This is an option for borrowers to shift their current personal loans from one bank or NBFC to another that may offer better conditions or cheaper interest rates. It's a practical method to lessen the amount of interest you spend on your loans.
- Pre-Approved Personal Loan: Pre-approved personal loans are meant for selected customers who have excellent credit profiles. This loan is issued with instant approval and disbursal at preferential interest rates. Such loans are generally extended by banks and NBFCs to their existing customers, making it easier to borrow.
- Top-Up Personal Loan: This facility is able to withdraw existing loan borrowers extra money beyond what is owed as loan. This is one simple way for extra cash-raising when need comes, but with no other form of applying for another loan.
- Short-Term Personal Loan: Short-term personal loans for tenures of a year or less are suitable for individuals with the need to borrow smaller loan amounts and flexibility in repaying. They form a practical way for managing short-term immediate financial needs.
- Personal Loan for Travel: This version shall benefit people who are organizing a trip within and outside the country. It shall give its borrowing an experience to have a fun vacation without stressing over money owed due to travel by air, accommodations, etc.
- Personal Loan for Medical Emergency: This loan helps pay for hospital charges, fees for diagnostic tests, consulting fees, and treatment of the patient in an attempt to address unexpected medical problems. Loans help achieve quick access to money in case of emergencies.
- Debt Consolidation Loan: A debt consolidation loan is most appropriate for borrowers who would like to consolidate several high-interest loans or credit card debt into a single loan with a reduced interest rate or a longer payback period so that their payments can be easier to manage and money managed in the best manner.