Posts tagged: personal loan

What Is The Future Of Loans?

loan futureThe technological revolution has been a serious point of interest for the lending industry. In the wake of mass digitisation and an increasing reliance on the Internet and connected technology for business purposes, many lenders (and borrowers) have found themselves wondering where lending will be and what the process will look like in the future.

Well, fear not: if you’re a borrower, then things are looking up for you. The future isn’t quite as rosy for traditional lenders, though; they’ll have to work harder to compete in an increasingly crowded market, and they’ll need to be able to battle online-only companies with significantly lower overheads and a more persuasive and desirable brand identity.

The first indication that the lending industry was changing as a result of an increasingly online-dominated landscape was arguably the peer-to-peer lending boom. The first P2P lending companies began appearing in the late 2000s, revolutionising the concept of money-lending by emphasising a more grassroots approach which favoured the relationship between consumers and companies rather than the transaction itself.

P2P lenders represent (in theory) a more transparent, more grounded industry with an increased focus on the consumer, which is why borrowers will be better off in the future. The Internet has already created a number of opportunities for companies to fill niches which were not previously filled by bigger companies.

These niches include more flexible student finance agreements, online-only mortgage lending which allows users to get a quote in minutes without a lengthy credit check process, and quick-turnaround lending which majorly threatens credit cards, among others. Put simply, the Internet has changed the landscape of loans and lending forever, and it’s not looking likely that this change will be reversed.

With that said, a large amount of the functionality and operation of loans looks likely to continue as normal, albeit with a decidedly more ethical spin. Let’s take payday loans as an example. Some negative press around certain payday loan lenders means that the public is more wary than ever about hidden terms and conditions; with scandal comes increased scrutiny.

Even though this is the case, the best payday loan lenders are unlikely to be fazed by this. A huge amount of payday lenders already carry out their business with near-total transparency and an emphasis on ethical treatment of their customers; problems begin when loan companies attempt to draw more money out of their customers than they have been honest about, and that’s just not something that a reputable payday loan company would ever want to do.

In a similar sense, the types of loans on offer to consumers are unlikely to change, although we’ll probably see more lending around bitcoin and cryptocurrency as the kinks in these systems are worked out and the security around them increases. Right now, the issue with lending cryptocurrency is that there’s no centralised authority, so there’s no way of absolutely guaranteeing the safety of cryptocurrency transactions. At the moment, the bitcoin lending process requires a huge amount of trust from both parties, so as these systems are refined and changed, expect to see this currency taking off in a big way in terms of lending.

Otherwise, the future of loans is, well, business as usual, as boring as it might sound (but boring is good when it comes to finance). As it stands, the vast majority of loans fall into four categories: secured loans, unsecured loans, short-term loans (payday loans) and peer-to-peer loans. There are other kinds, but these are the most common types of loan you’re likely to come across.

There’s just no reason why increasing digitization and cryptocurrency are likely to change this. Unsecured loans will still be offered to consumers, although the amounts are likely to change based on new developments in online technology and companies who are willing to trust their customers more. Secured loans will continue as long as people have property against which the loan can be secured.

Peer-to-peer lending looks like it is only going from strength to strength, although there will need to be tighter regulation and a closer eye on business practices going forward if it’s to maintain its current standing. Payday lending is unlikely to change as long as there are people who need money on a short-term basis, and with the recent rise of the gig economy, the number of people who require this service is only likely to increase. If the future of loans will change at all, it will likely be towards this more short-term lending system as people’s incomes are less certain in a majority self-employed economy (if that is indeed where we’re going as a society).

Weighing the Options: The Pros and Cons of Unsecured Personal Loans

personal money loansOften unexpected expenses come up in life, catching us unawares and unprepared. When that happens, it is good to have the option of a personal loan to turn to for financial assistance.

Personal loans come in two types: secured and unsecured. Secured loans are less common. They require you to hold something for collateral, such as a car title or property. If you default on your payments, your lender is legally able to take your personal secured property.

Unsecured loans are less strict and much easier to get approved for. They require no collateral to get approved. However, they have many drawbacks to them as well, and borrowers should always know the pros and cons of their loan terms before they sign for one.

Personal Loans: What Are They Good For?

If you prefer to leave your personal property safe and not use it as collateral, you have the option of an unsecured loan. These types of loans have an easier application process and quick turnaround on distribution of money. If you need cash fast in an emergency situation, you can apply for a personal loan.

Unsecured personal loans can be applied for online from the comfort of your own home, and many times your approval or denial can be obtained in minutes.

Borrower Beware: Know the Cons of an Unsecured Personal Loan

Although there is no collateral involved in an unsecured personal loan, if you do not make your payments the lender still has recourse to take against you. They may be able to place a lien on your assets to ensure they are paid before you can sell your property.

They also may be able to take you to court and sue you for what you owe, plus legal expenses. Your credit score will be severely impacted, and your wages may even be garnished depending on the terms of the settlement.

Another drawback to unsecured personal loans is that the amounts you can receive are much smaller than secured loans. This helps limit the lenders’ financial risk. If you do not pay the loan back, they are only out a small amount.

You can also expect the interest rates to be higher if you are using a lender that does not run your credit, or approves you even with poor or bad credit. This high interest rate will make your monthly payments larger.

The terms will also be more strict if you can’t make your payments. High late payment penalties or rises in the interest rate for payments not made on time are very common with unsecured personal loans.

Weigh Your Pros and Cons

Before you sign on the dotted line, read the terms carefully. Be sure that you really need the money that you are borrowing, and that the monthly repayment terms are within your budget. Know your consequences and be willing to accept them should you end up having to default on your payments.

If you are comfortable with the cons of a personal loan, they are there for you to help you get through this difficult financial time.

How to achieve the best rates for personal loans

personal money needsYou may utilize fixed-rate personal loans as an important debt consolidation tool. Such debt may include meeting some forthcoming expense or credit cards depicting higher rates. Your car or property can be used as collateral while financing a secured personal loan. On the contrary, there’s no need for collateral to back up an unsecured personal loan.

Check Out a Few Good tips to Achieve Better Rates:

Take a Look at Your Credit Score

You may achieve loans with a much lower rate of interest when you possess a higher credit score. Financial institutions don’t take any risks, but they wish to earn good returns on the money that they lend. You must assess your entire credit situation prior to applying for a loan. Your loan application stands a higher chance of being rejected if you aren’t aware of your risks. You must run your eyes through your credit report before even applying for your first quote. The three major credit reporting agencies can provide you with free copies of the same every year.

Improve the Current Credit Score

You must do all it takes to improve your credit score if it doesn’t look satisfactory in the report. Before you even set out on applying for a loan, you must get the errors rectified. You may not even recognize some of the errors like that those concerning unpaid accounts; these errors will certainly leave a strong impact on your credit score. They would even lower your chances of securing a personal loan with a lower interest rate. Likewise, you must also take care of all collection accounts and unpaid credit cards that yield a poor reflection on your report.

Do Some Smart Shopping

A credit inquiry is triggered by each loan application that you submit with a lender. Such an inquiry has an adverse effect on your credit score. Your credit score takes a major hit when you apply for multiple personal loans simultaneously. You must choose loans with credit standards that seem to be affordable for you. By visiting a lender’s website, you may easily find out the minimum credit score that you ought to have in order to submit your loan application with them.

Identify the Right Banks

Apart from a few online market-places, you may check out the prospect of obtaining a loan from banks wherein you already have a savings or checking account. If you’ve succeeded in establishing a long-term banking relationship through your first mortgage or deposits, they’re more likely to provide you with discounted rates or other great deals. Even by enabling your savings or checking accounts to allow an automated payment each month, you may achieve an extra discount.

Draw a Budget

You must check out your affordability before you even try to obtain the best rates. Prior to submitting your loan application, you must understand how much you should actually consider as a reasonable payment every month. Drawing the right budget plays a crucial role over here. You’re more likely to face a problem down the line if your budget gets stretched in order to meet your monthly payments. You don’t need to get over-stretched in order to achieve an inexpensive rate. Winding up more in terms of debt is the last thing that you’d want right now.

How To Qualify for a Personal Loan in Singapore

personal loan needsPersonal loans are beneficial, especially when you encounter an emergency. You do not have to worry about where to get enough funds to support your needs because there are several licensed money lenders in Singapore you can approach. However, qualifying for the loan may be challenging if you do not have the requirements.

Approach A Licensed Money Lender

Your qualification requirements for your loan may vary depending, on the type of lender you approach. Look around for various moneylender in Singapore and check out their requirements. From the very beginning, you can already determine whether you think you qualify for the loan. Here are some common personal conditions you should prepare for:

  • A government issued ID such as your passport or driver’s license;
  • Recent pay slip;
  • Latest Income Tax Return;
  • Utility Bills; and
  • Credit Card Statements

These documents are pretty accessible for anyone who wants to apply for the loan, primarily when you are employed. Moreover, the records are essential for any moneylender in determining your identity and ability to pay.

Prepare Your Financial Statements and Credit Card Scores

Some personal loans do not require you to give collateral, which should make borrowing money more accessible for anyone. But if there is one thing everyone should be prepared for instead, it is their financial and credit score ratings. These ratings are determinative in your ability to pay and serves as an indicator and basis for your lender’s.

As much as possible, you want to show your lenders that you have a good credit card score and your financial statements are looking great. Even if you are not planning on applying for a personal loan shortly, it still pays to be responsible and have proper credit. You can do this through the following examples:

  • Never delay your credit card payment;
  • Manage your expenses wisely;
  • Do not borrow too much money from a moneylender in Singapore.

Deal with Your Existing Debts First

If you have any existing debt or even a long-standing debt, you want to make sure you settle those first. It is vital that you do this, or else it will appear like you have a bad credit score which leaves a significant dent in your capacity to apply for a loan. Regardless of whether you got your previous loan from a licensed money lender in Singapore, you want to make sure you start with a clean slate with your moneylender.

This step is crucial, especially if you have a bad credit score. There are many ways for you to deal with your existing debts, and here are some easy techniques which you can observe:

  • Pay-off any current or long-standing deficit, by creating a strict payment schedule.
  • Check with your moneylender if they can reduce the interest rate you have to pay;
  • Negotiate whether they can extend the payment schedule so it would not be hard for you.

Make an Estimate of the Amount You Need to Loan

If you are lucky enough, you might be able to secure a big personal loan from your moneylender. But you want to make sure that you try applying for an amount which you need, because you may have to pay off the loan if you overestimate the amount. Before you contract the credit, identify the amount that you need and set a minimum and maximum limit.

One of the things you need to keep in mind when making a list is also your ability to pay. It isn’t just the responsibility of various money lender in Singapore to check your requirements because you also have to be aware of it.

  • Determine whether you can pay the amount you set;
  • Identify the necessity of contracting the loan;

Personal loans are easy to get, especially if you have all the requirements. But you should also remember that you also have the responsibility to check whether you think you qualify for the loan. As much as possible, you want to make sure you keep all your financial scores are excellent so you can increase the likelihood of your credit being approved.