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Unsecured Loans – finance for everybody
As the name implies, unsecured loans don’t require the borrower to pledge any of his assets like home as security against the loan amount borrowed. Instead, the loan is granted viewing the borrower’s credit history and his ability to repay the loan. These loans are also called signature loans or consumer loans. Unsecured loans are multiple loans that can be used for a plethora of purposes. Some of these are mentioned below
The following are the parameters on the basis of which a lender grants unsecured personal loans to the customers.
The credit history of the borrower – This is the most important criterion for judging a borrower. If the borrower has a number of defaults, arrears and miss payments in his credit history, his chances of securing an unsecured personal loan are low. He may, though, get a bad credit unsecured loan at high interest rate. If the credit score of the borrower is above 700 on the scale of 800, he may get an unsecured more comfortably because of his excellent credit record.
The DTI ratio of the borrower – DTI i.e. Debt to consolidation ratio reflects the affordability of the borrower. DTI = Debts/ Income of the borrower. If the DTI is greater than 3.6, the borrower has good chances of getting an unsecured loan.
So, the above cited reasons are the two most important factors that contribute in the lender’s decision in respect to the loan amount, loan tenure and APR to be charged. If the credit history of the borrower is bad but the DTI ratio is good, the borrower may get an unsecured loan. Better the credit score of the borrower, lower his annual percentage rate (APR).
The amount one can borrow as unsecured loans start from as little as £500 and can go up to £25,000. Because the borrower doesn’t secure the money by any collateral, lenders tend to limit the value of unsecured loans to £25,000. The repayment period may stretch from six months to 10 years.
How To Protect Yourself From Pre-Approved Credit Card Offer?
Have you received before a pre-approved credit card offer that sent to you through your email address? If you are not, then you are the lucky one. Most of people who have access to email are receiving dozens of “good offer” from credit card companies. Low-internet rate and higher credit limit are among the good deals in the offers and the best part is: it has been pre-approved to you. Sound good? Well, before you go ahead and accept one. Ask yourself whether you really need it or not. According to the credit card site CardWeb.com, average American household are holding a $10,000 credit card debt. Don’t let you be one of the statistics.
The best way to keep credit card debt down is not to use a credit card. But if you do receive a pre-approved card that intrigues you, at least know what you are getting into before signing on the bottom line:
What interest are you paying? Make sure you understand the interest rate you will be paying for. There are two types of interest rates, fixed-rate annual percentage rate (APR) and variable rates that swing according to the market rate. A better option would be APR because credit card companies have to notify you before raising rates.
The low interest rate being offered is usually only an “introductory rate” which means the rate can – and probably will – increase significantly at the end of the introductory period. This means that balances transferred from higher interest rate credit cards to the new, low introductory rate card could, over the long run, actually cost you more in interest payments. So, be aware of the terms and conditions before you sign to accept the card.
Know that a credit card may carry more than one rate. You may not aware that most of credit cards carry more than one rate. The balance transfer and cash advance normally have higher interest rate. Interest rate shows in the offer normally is the interest rate of your purchases with credit card. Hence, at the end you probably pay higher interest rate if you have balance transfer or withdraw any cash advance with your credit card.
Credit card companies may raise the interest rate if you have late payment. Some credit card companies will immediately raise your interest rate from introductory teaser rate to the regular rate if you are late just one time.
Don’t accept the new credit card offer if fee involved. If there is fee involved with your new credit card, don’t accept the offer. Why pay a fee for a credit card when, with good credit, you don’t have to? If you have good credit, there are many other better offers which you can choose from.
Many of these cards are just preliminarily approved. This means that when you actually apply, the credit card company will reviewing your credit report in full as well as verifying information provided on your application. Terms and conditions may change according to your qualification, such as higher interest rate or smaller credit line. And if your application is rejected, it could cause at least minimal damage to your credit report.
So, in order to protect yourself, you need to carefully read all of the fine print in the offer and, if you don’t fully understand and like everything you read, throw the credit card offer away. Even if you fully agree with the stated terms and conditions, do some calculations to be sure that the lower introductory rate, especially in the case of balance transfers, will actually save you money over the long run.