Compare Loans
When you're on the hunt for a loan, it can be hard to determine the ideal starting point for your search.
If you find yourself in need of extra funds to make a major purchase, start a new business venture, or simply consolidate your debts, understanding the ins and outs of different loan options at your disposal is crucial.
Arming yourself with knowledge on how to navigate the process of comparing loans products will empower you to make great financial decisions.
Why do I need to compare loans?
Think of loan comparison as shopping for the best deal on a laptop.
Just as you wouldn't settle for the first one you see on the shelf without checking the price or quality against other models, the same principle applies to loans you find during your search.
By comparing credit products, you can make an informed decision and find the most suitable option for your current needs and financial goals.
Interest Rates
One of the most critical factors you should consider when comparing a few loans is the interest rate each product carries.
This figure outlines how much you'll pay in addition to the sum you borrow.
Even a slight difference between the interest rate of two loans can have a huge impact on the total cost of borrowing the cash you need over time.
Terms and Conditions
Loan terms and conditions should also play a vital role in your comparison process.
These terms outline the rules and requirements which are set out by each lender, including the duration you’ll have to repay, any penalties for early repayment, associated fees, and other important details.
Fully understanding the fine print always helps to avoid any surprises or hidden costs later down the line. Let’s face it, you don’t want to be hit with extra costs you weren’t aware of!
Repayment Options
Repayment options are another important aspect to consider when weighing up different loan offerings. Each product will come with a different repayment structure, such as fixed monthly instalments or adjustable payment sums to name a couple.
Making sure you bear this factor in mind will ensure that you’re able to meet your loan obligations comfortably without unnecessary stress.
Fees and Charges
It's also important to be aware of any additional fees and charges which lenders may charge, beyond the traditional selection we mentioned above.
As well as interest rates, lenders might apply set up fees, late repayment fees, or prepayment penalties to your bill.
Try to compare loan products in advance of making an application, so you can identify lenders who offer transparent fee structures, potentially saving you heaps of cash which might otherwise be spent on unnecessary charges.
Understanding these additional costs upfront, and in advance, can make a significant difference in the overall affordability of any loan you take out with a lender.
Borrowing Limits
Last but not least, comparing different loan offerings allows you to consider the range of borrowing limits available on the market.
Different lenders have different limits on the amount you’ll be able to borrow when accessing their product.
Whether you need a small loan to complete a project, or a larger sum to buy a car, comparing loan options can help you to ensure that you can find the right fit for your borrowing needs.
What could impact my eligibility for a loan?
As you may be aware, several factors could impact how eligible you are for a loan.
Lenders will assess these factors to evaluate the overall level of risk which is tied to lending you money.
To make sure you’re in good stead to compare loans effectively, it's important to be clued up on these factors before sending an application.
Credit Score
Your credit score is a numerical representation of how creditworthy you are.
It’s a reflection of your past behaviour surrounding borrowing money and repaying it.
Your use of things like credit cards, personal loans, and any other financial obligations you’ve had to manage in the past all come into the equation, formulating your score.
Generally, a higher credit score will indicate to a lender that you’re a lower credit risk, making you much more eligible for loans which carry great terms and conditions.
On the other hand, a lower credit score might limit your options for taking out the most attractive loans, or result in you having to pay higher rates of interest to the lender in exchange for borrowing funds.
Income and Employment Stability
As it forms a big part of your capacity to maintain a good cash flow, lenders look at your income and employment stability to gauge how able you are to repay a loan you’ve applied for.
They consider factors like your employment history, how stable your current work is, and the consistency of your income.
As you can imagine, a steady income and a stable employment history can work wonders in elevating your chance to get that all important loan approval.
Lenders normally favour borrowers with a reliable source of income to ensure they’ll be able to make timely repayments.
However, if you’re a freelancer or have seasonal income, there are specialist lenders out there to help you obtain credit!
Debt-to-Income Ratio
Your debt-to-income ratio is a figure which lenders may look at when they assess whether you’re a good candidate for one of their loan products.
It compares the monthly debt obligations you already have to your monthly rate of income, ultimately gauging what percentage of your cash is committed to paying off existing debts.
Lenders regularly use this ratio to assess your ability to manage any additional debt, this being the loan you’ve applied for with them.
A lower debt-to-income ratio will show lenders that you’re carrying a lower financial burden, ultimately resulting in a higher chance that you’ll receive approval for a loan.
However, if your existing debt commitment is pretty high compared to your income, it may negatively impact your eligibility for certain loans a lender has on the market.
Loan Amount and Security
The loan amount you’re after and whether or not you have any collateral to offer a lender to secure the loan can impact your eligibility to access credit.
Some lenders operating in the UK may have specific amount limits which they’re licensed to offer customers, and others can require collateral for certain types of credit products, like car loans, for example.
Having collateral at hand can increase your chances of receiving loan approval.
This is because it provides an additional layer of security for the lender to ensure they’ll be able to retrieve their money in the event that you don’t pay (they can sell the asset and recover the money from the proceeds).
Financial History
Lenders might consider your financial history beyond the details reflected in your credit score.
Other aspects of your financial profile they may look into include factors like any bankruptcy filings you’ve made, previous defaults on loans, or late payments on utility bills.
Any ominous or negative marks on your financial history can leave lenders hesitant to approve your loan application as they may have concerns surrounding your reliability.
Alternatively, any risk factors a lender can identify may result in higher interest rates being applied to any cash you borrow, even if your application for a loan gets approved.
Loan Purpose
Some lenders place restrictions on the purpose of the loan you’re trying to take out.
For instance, certain loans might only be given for specific uses like funding education, buying a home, or bolstering investment in your business.
For this reason, you should ensure that the loan you’re making an application for aligns with the lender's guidelines and the purpose for which you’re taking it out.
When comparing loans, remember that each lender has their own eligibility criteria that you’ll need to comply with.
In addition, the weight given to each factor may vary depending on your specific circumstances.
It's really important to review the requirements and guidelines of a few different lenders to assess your eligibility for each product accurately.
What is APR on a loan?
When looking on loan comparison websites, it’s safe to say that you’ll come across a lot of new terms.
On such term you may be unfamiliar with is APR.
But what does it mean?
APR stands for the Annual Percentage Rate charged on a loan.
It’s a common metric in the world of personal finance which is used by would-be borrowers to compare loan offers from different lenders you may encounter during your search and comparison process.
The APR takes a couple of factors into account in its calculation.
It reflects the interest rate on the loan in question, and also encompasses any additional fees and charges which the lender may expect you to cover.
Things like set up fees and administration costs comprise this total.
The law requires lenders to publish the APR for each loan offering they make available to customers.
This is useful as it means you can easily compare the overall costs of different loan options you may be interested in pursuing.
The APR is expressed as a percentage and generally represents the total cost of a loan over a year, including both the interest rate and any fees.
To work out the cost of borrowing a loan for a longer period, and compare different offerings you have in mind, you can calculate based on this figure.
As it’s a more comprehensive figure than just the interest rate alone, it's vital to take the APR into account when comparing loan offers you find online.
APR will give you a much more accurate picture of the total cost you’ll have to cover when repaying a loan.
A lower APR generally means you’ll pay less in total over the life of a loan, enabling you to clearly assess the best product among a crop of offerings you’ve found online.
FAQs
What is the APR for loans?
APR, or Annual Percentage Rate, is a yearly rate that represents the total cost of borrowing. It includes both the interest rate and any additional fees or charges associated with the loan.
It's expressed as a percentage and provides a more comprehensive view of the loan's cost than the interest rate alone.
What is a good APR rate?
A "good" APR rate varies depending on the type of loan and your credit score. As of 2023, for credit cards, anything below 15% is considered good. For mortgages, rates below 4% are good. However, the lower the APR, the better.
Is APR paid monthly?
APR is not directly paid monthly. It's an annual rate, but it does affect your monthly payments.
The interest portion of your monthly payment is calculated using a monthly rate derived from the APR. The APR helps you understand the total yearly cost of your loan, including fees.