What is a Personal Loan? A Comprehensive Guide
A personal loan is one that people seek out to finance their expenses or other monetary obligations. If you need to pay for unforeseen bills, this kind of loan can be beneficial. A personal loan is advantageous for a variety of purposes, such as making large purchases, paying off high-interest debt, covering wedding and educational costs, taking a vacation, and many more. Typically, a bank or non-banking financial organisation (NBFC) will offer the loan with defined terms and conditions. In this article, we will explain the concept of personal loans in detail.
Table of Contents
Benefits of Personal Loan
Personal loans require less documentation and have a quicker approval process than other loan types, such as home loans or gold loans, which require lots of paperwork. The loan amount can be released within a few hours if the lender is assured of your capability to repay since several financial institutions offer personal loan online services. Having the freedom to select the length of your loan is another important aspect of personal loans. The usual term of a personal loan is one to five years. Therefore, you can choose the loan duration depending on your ability to repay it. To reduce interest costs and expedite loan repayment, you need to choose a shorter loan.
Personal Loan Interest Rate
A borrower's credit rating and the loan dimensions may impact the interest rate on personal loans. A borrower with a higher credit score benefits from a cheaper interest rate. It is essential to comprehend the interest rates and terms of repayment when contemplating a personal loan. Interest rates on personal loans can range from 6% to roughly 36% annually. Your credit score, the length of your loan's repayment timeline, and the interest rate are all based on the loan amount you have taken out. The following table shows the personal loan interest rates for different banks in 2024.
Interest Rates | Range (p.a.) |
SBI | 11.45% – 14.85% |
HDFC | 10.85% onwards |
Axis Bank | 11.25% onwards |
ICICI Bank | 10.85% onwards |
BOB | 10.60% – 18.75% |
PNB | 11.40% – 17.95% |
Canara Bank | 10.95% – 16.40% |
IDFC Bank | 10.99% – 23.99% |
Yes Bank | 11.25% – 21.00% |
Union Bank | 11.35% – 15.45% |
Indian Bank | 10.00% – 15.05% |
Eligibility for Personal Loan
Each bank has distinct prerequisites for receiving a personal loan. You should be aware of certain general essentials listed in the table below.
Particulars | Salaried Individuals | Self-Employed Individuals |
Age | 23-58 years | 28-65 years |
Income | Rs.25,000 per month salary | Rs.40 lakh per annum turnover |
Minimum Experience | 2 years; should have been employed with the current employer for at least a year | 2-3 years of business experience with the existing business |
Factors Affecting Eligibility for Personal Loan
Credit Score
A credit score is a three-digit figure that indicates to a lender how reliable you are. It explains how you previously handled your money and bills. Your chance of receiving a good deal on your loan application lessens with a lower score. Since many lenders believe that borrowers with lower credit ratings might not be able to make loan payments, they will even reject to give them credit. It is recommended that you check your credit score in advance to enhance your chances of receiving the loan; if it is poor, you can try to raise it before seeking the loan.
Monthly Income
Your monthly income and ability to repay personal loans become important because collateral does not support them. Depending on where you live, the income specifications might differ for metro areas, tier-1, and tier-2 cities, towns, and villages.
Work Experience
Lenders do not consider applicants who recently started their firm or found a job as financially secure. Because lenders think applicants with sufficient work experience have comparatively secure financial plans and savings, they are more likely to have their applications granted. Experience of at least two to three years is favored, and the candidate must have worked for the current company for at least a year.
Liabilities
The decision to approve your loan application depends on your current liabilities. If you have applied for a personal loan and already made large payments on your credit cards, home loan, auto loan, and other debts, the lender could assess your debt-to-income ratio and decide to reject your application. This is because the loan repayments may take up a significant portion of your monthly income, leaving you with insufficient funds for household needs.
Age
The applicant's age has a major effect on whether or not the loan is approved. The borrower's age is reviewed by lenders to ensure they have adequate working time to pay back the loan. To facilitate loan approval, salaried applicants must be between the ages of 23 and 58, and self-employed non-professionals must be between the ages of 28 and 65 at the time of application.
Documents Required for Personal Loan Application
Some of the necessary documents you need to provide with your application form, though the specifics vary from lender to lender, are as follows:
Evidence of income (pay statements, financial records, and ITR forms)
Evidence of residency and authentication
An official copy of your degrees and license (only for those who work for themselves).
Personal Loan Application Process
Step 1: Analyse if you qualify for a personal loan.
Step 2: Research personal loan options and choose lenders you believe will be best for you.
Step 3: Explore their website or the branch office nearest to you.
Step 4: After investigating the offer, apply and include the required paperwork.
Step 5: Within the allotted time, the bank will process your application and notify you of its decision.
Applying for a loan no longer needs several visits to the bank because of digitalisation. It can be done online instead. The bank collects the necessary paperwork once you understand the entire loan procedure and agree on the terms and conditions of the personal loan. It starts the loan application procedure, which involves identifying the type of financial urgency, your CIBIL score, etc. The bank will inform you of its verdict regarding your loan application after reviewing the documentation.
When to Take a Personal Loan
Pay Off a Higher-Rate Debt: When people are incapable of paying back a credit card bill or a loan with a high interest rate, they choose personal loans to pay off the high-interest debt right away and repay the loan in monthly installments.
Medical Emergency: People apply for personal loans when they face a medical emergency and have insufficient funds to cover the associated costs. Personal loans are helpful in emergencies because some lenders provide them immediately.
Education Expenses: A personal loan can be the better option if you or your loved ones wish to pursue higher education to cover the related expenses.
Downpayment for Car/House: Typically, a margin of at least 10% to 15% is included in home or auto loans. This implies paying at least 10% to 15% of the property's cost out of pocket. You can take out a personal loan to cover this expense if you don't have enough saved.
Finance your Business: Some people finance their businesses with personal loans. Imagine a sudden need for money to purchase more inventory or fulfil a large order for a client on schedule. It can require a few days to examine your papers when you apply for a business loan. A personal loan may be beneficial in this situation.
Wedding Expenses: It is expensive to plan a wedding ceremony, especially in India. You might take out a personal loan to regulate your spending and pay back the outstanding balance later if the requirements are above your budget.
Vacation: You might take out a personal loan to settle the deficit in your finances and go on your ideal holiday if you want to travel abroad but are unable to because of a shortage of funds. Once you return, it is always possible to pay back the loan.
Conclusion
People are looking for personal loans in more cases these days to cover their higher expenses. Being unsecured, personal loans don't require collateral and have a fast application period, which is one of the main reasons for their significant increase in popularity. A personal loan is easily available from any bank or non-banking financial institution of your choosing. With the introduction of financial institutions' online services, you can receive your money in less than forty-eight hours.
FAQ
Q1. What is a personal loan?
Financial organisations offer personal loans, which are unsecured forms of debt based on credit history, occupation, income level, repayment ability, and work history. A personal loan, referred to as a consumer loan, is a multipurpose loan that you can utilise to support any of your immediate demands.
Q2. What is the maximum amount that I can borrow?
The maximum amount you are allowed to borrow is determined by your occupation, income level, and how the lender analyses your loan application. Lenders approve loans based on their calculations, ensuring that the monthly instalments do not exceed 40% to 50% of your income. Additionally, the lender any outstanding debts while determining the loan amount.
Q3. Can I apply for a joint Personal Loan?
Yes, you and your spouse, as well as any other family members like your parents or siblings, can apply for a personal loan jointly. Applying for a personal loan with a co-borrower offers several advantages, including lenders will notice both applicants' income when calculating the loan amount. You must be aware that there is a chance the lender can reject your loan application if the co-borrower has bad credit ratings.
Q4. Are there any foreclosure charges?
The lender can impose penalty expenditures known as foreclosure fees if you opt to pay off the loan before the end of the real term. In general, this penalty is between one and two percent of the total amount owed.
Q5. How quickly can I avail of a Personal Loan?
Banks generally take one to two weeks to consider a personal loan application after you complete the application process and send in the required paperwork. You should be able to get your money in one to two days, depending on the loan type and your lender.
Q6. How to check personal loan eligibility?
Verifying your eligibility for a personal loan is a straightforward process. Before requesting a personal loan, borrowers should review their income, assets, credit history, and credit score. Lenders will also need other kinds of identification and evidence of income to make sure the applicant can afford to pay back the loan. An eligibility calculator is available on certain websites to help estimate your loan eligibility based on your income and expenses.
Q7. What is an example of a Personal Loan?
Taking out a debt consolidation loan to streamline several debts into one with a more affordable interest rate is an example of a personal loan.
Q8. What is a Personal Loan used for?
Medical costs, home renovation projects, debt consolidation, and other expenses are frequently addressed by personal loans. They are also useful for paying for unanticipated or urgent costs. It's essential to know the type of loan you're getting, the interest rate and terms of repayment, and the ability to borrow before taking out a personal loan.
Q9. Can I use a personal loan for multiple purposes?
Yes, personal loans are versatile and can be used for various needs such as medical emergencies, education, weddings, or even vacations.
Q10. Is collateral required for personal loans?
Personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t need to provide collateral or security to avail of them.
Q11. How is the interest rate for a personal loan determined?
The interest rate depends on factors like your credit score, income stability, and repayment history with other loans.
Q12. What is the typical repayment period for personal loans?
Most personal loans offer flexible tenures ranging from 1 to 5 years, depending on the lender.
Q13. Can I prepay my personal loan?
Yes, many lenders allow prepayment, but some might charge a penalty or fee for early closure.
Q14. Does taking a personal loan affect my credit score?
Yes, timely repayment improves your credit score, but defaults can negatively impact it.
Q15. What documents are required for a personal loan?
Typically, you need proof of identity, address, income, and bank statements to apply for a personal loan.
Q16. Are there any tax benefits on personal loans?
Tax benefits on personal loans depend on the purpose, such as for home renovation or education. Otherwise, personal loans are not tax-deductible.
Q17. How much can I borrow through a personal loan?
Loan amounts vary but usually range between ₹50,000 to ₹25,00,000, depending on your eligibility.
Q18. Are personal loan EMIs fixed or flexible?
Most personal loans have fixed EMIs, ensuring consistent repayment amounts throughout the tenure.
Q19. Can I apply for a personal loan with a low credit score?
A low credit score may limit your options, but some lenders offer loans at higher interest rates.
Q20. How quickly can I get a personal loan?
Many lenders provide instant approval, disbursing the loan within 24-48 hours.
Q21. What is a personal loan top-up?
A top-up is an additional loan amount provided on your existing personal loan if you meet the lender's criteria.
Q22. Is it possible to apply for a personal loan jointly?
Yes, many lenders allow joint personal loans, which can improve eligibility and borrowing limits.
Q23. Are there any hidden charges in personal loans?
Watch out for processing fees, late payment charges, and prepayment penalties as part of personal loan costs.
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