There are a variety of different types of loans available to borrowers today. Unfortunately, there are some myths that exist about personal loans. Our experts have put together this guide to share what personal loans truly are and bust these myths.
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The number of Americans who enjoy the benefits of a personal loan hovers around 20 million. Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union and other lenders have made borrowing increasingly simple. But despite personal loan availability and more people qualifying, several myths deter people from securing the resources they deserve. By better understanding how a personal loan works and what it can be used for, everyday people may be more inclined to apply when they need additional funds. And by offering a fact-based summary that busts common myths, community members can determine if a personal loan is a right solution for them.
Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union and other lenders offer lump sums of money to qualified borrowers who pay them back with interest. Personal loans are typically structured in a way that allows the borrowers to make fixed monthly payments over a period of time that fits within their budget and schedule. Some typical factors that determine approval and interest rates include the borrowers credit score, debt-to-income ratio, and borrowing history, among others.
When everyday people do not have the available cash on hand to make quality of life improvements or to pay for emergencies or unexpected costs, a personal loan often proves an invaluable solution. The following examples are common ways personal loans are typically used.
The average American credit card holder reportedly carries more than $5,300 in debt that accumulates interest on a monthly basis. When people acquire and leverage multiple credit cards, the growing interest often puts them in debt quicksand. But with a reasonably healthy credit score, hard-working people can secure a personal loan that consolidates that debt into one monthly payment with reduced interest. This personal loan strategy saves money and minimizes the escalating stress associated with credit card debt.
Similar to getting over-extended with credit card debt, everyday people sometimes find themselves with more monthly payments than they can manage. These may include debts associated with automobiles, boats, medical expenses, vet bills and a wide range of other monthly expenses. When the accumulation of loan products strains monthly incomes, a personal loan for debt consolidation remains a reasonable solution. The outstanding debts would be tallied into one lump sum which would be paid off in full by the personal loan. This would save the borrower money in interest and simplify their monthly bills. Potential borrowers often use a debt consolidation calculator or personal loan calculator to see their potential savings.
For more tips on finding the best loan for debt consolidation, review our blog on why a personal loan may or may not be the best choice for your situation.
Taking out a personal loan to make home improvements ranks among the most common borrowing strategies. Property owners may decide to leverage a personal loan to fund improvements that, in turn, often increase the home’s value. Ranked among the popular uses of the personal loan are bathroom and kitchen updates, new roofs, built-in swimming pools, decks, verandas, and basement remodels. The return on investment and quality of life enhancements makes personal loans for home improvements an excellent reason to borrow.
The high cost of medical expenses often overwhelms the cash-on-hand many of us have available. Injuries and conditions that require surgery can outpace short-term financial resources. Personal loans can help pay for long term planned or unplanned medical treatments and procedures while also offering a solution for shorter but still important medical items including braces. Personal loans are also a great go to solution for your family pet when finding the money for vet bills can be difficult.
An increased number of couples need to borrow money to enjoy a dream wedding. The costs associated with a venue, catering, a band or DJ, and additional logistics reportedly prompts upwards of 74 percent of couples to borrow or take on some form of debt to get married. A personal loan ranks among one of the most cost-effective ways to fund a wedding.
Along with weddings, an increased number of families utilize personal loan products to fund memorable vacations and other once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The essential point is that a personal loan can prove instrumental in making a difference when everyday people need additional money the most.
Despite the proven benefits of taking out a personal loan, wide-ranging misinformation exists that sometimes undermines people’s confidence. It may be true that some of these personal loan myths seem to have roots in reality. However, understanding the facts about a personal loan versus products such as payday loans, unsecured loans, and bad credit loans allows people to make informed decisions.
Access to credible information has become increasingly difficult in American culture. Many community members have lost faith in media reports, and click-bait marketing on the internet too often leads consumers down a rocky path. The myths about personal loans have also been perpetuated in ways that leave potential borrowers uncertain. By dispelling the following myths about securing a personal loan, qualifying borrowers can feel more confident about getting the financial resources they need and finding the right solution.
When developing or maintaining a healthy credit score, it’s essential to understand the long-term benefits of borrowing and timely personal loan repayment. The common myth that a personal loan will result in a lower credit score stems from people looking only at the short-term loan application process. This short-sightedness often deters people from enhancing their credit score and history through savvy borrowing.
Whenever lenders perform what is commonly called a “hard pull” on your credit history, that inquiry can result in the credit score ticking down slightly. One of the common missteps everyday people make when trying to secure a personal loan is to fill out too many applications. Each one typically requires a hard pull and delivers a modest blow to your otherwise stable credit score. In this sense, the notion that applying for personal loans hurts your credit score is driven by not conducting due diligence to minimize personal loan applications and credit history inquiries.
Given that each hard pull will likely have some modest impact on your credit score, it stands to reason that even a strategic personal loan application can result in losing a few points. But the seemingly negative impact in the short term is usually far outweighed by the long-term benefits of securing and repaying a personal loan on time. With each monthly installment, a borrower’s debt-to-income ratio is steadily reduced, and those on-time payments have a positive effect on your credit score.
While credit scores typically rebound relatively quickly and responsible repayment helps develop a healthy history, there are ways some people get themselves into a financial pickle when taking out personal loans. Having multiple loans or high credit card balances causes an uptick in debt-to-income ratios. In scenarios where someone’s ability to make timely payments gets stretched thin, their credit score could take a hit. That’s why being fiscally responsible remains the key to a healthy credit score.
Although the idea that applying for and securing a personal loan can hurt your credit score is a common myth, it has some roots in reality. Poor planning and excessive borrowing tend to be the reason credit scores suffer, not the personal loan.
For more tips on how your credit score may be affected, review our blog on 3 ways your credit score can improve using a Personal Loan.
When people look for lending resources, it’s not uncommon to come across marketing promotions that seem to imply personal loans, bad credit loans, and payday loans are one and the same. Such claims couldn’t be further from the truth. Although all three are loans, enough differences exist to consider them very different products.
Getting approved for a personal loan is based on the applicant meeting certain criteria. To say the bar for gaining payday or bad credit loan approval is set lower would be something of an understatement. When hard-working people don’t necessarily meet the personal loan qualifications, other options such as bad credit loans and payday loans come with high interest, excessive fees, and if not handled carefully, a likely slip deeper into debt.
Although bad credit loans may be confused with personal loans, there are distinct differences between the two. As their name indicates, bad credit loans are products that people with less than stellar credit scores can secure. The potential borrower may check several of the boxes one would expect when applying for a traditional loan. But a low credit score may prompt some lenders to consider the applicant high-risk or may find a personal loan is not the right fit for their financial situation.
Most lenders consider a credit score below 669 “fair”. If the score is under 580, it is definitely “poor”. Scores can be improved by correcting any blemishes found on the credit history or taking steps such as reducing debt-to-income ratios.
Getting turned down for a personal loan may cause some borrowers to consider a bad credit loan. Bad credit loans function in a similar fashion to personal loans except they typically feature a much higher interest rate and possibly fees. Many involve a steady repayment schedule with fixed monthly payments and can be a viable option in an emergency. Although they can serve as a fallback position when a traditional personal loan is not an option, you should review your personal financial situation with a financial institution before making any decisions. Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union will work with you to determine the best solution for your needs without putting you or your credit score in harm’s way.
Check out this blog about bad credit loans and how to avoid a scam.
It may be easier to understand a payday loan as a type of cash advance on earnings. These loans are typically offered in relatively small sums and require short-term repayment with high fees.
In many instances, a borrower must make full repayment with fees within 30-60 days. Payday loans are generally unsecured and loosely based on the applicant's next paycheck amount. Payday lenders require minimum approval thresholds that usually include proof of a job, bank account, and an ID that proves the borrower is 18 or older. People with bad credit often leverage the payday loan system because they have limited or no access to credit cards or traditional personal loans.
Beyond paying excessively high interest and fees, payday loan borrowers sometimes get into deeper financial difficulties. Things such as losing a job, missing work, or agreeing to a repayment cycle that strains someone’s resources can result in worsening credit and debt. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, upwards of 80 percent of payday loans are renewed, and working people end up paying more in fees than they initially borrowed.
After reviewing pertinent facts about payday and bad credit loan products, it’s easy to see they bear little resemblance to a mainstream personal loan. Unless someone faces a dire emergency, improving credit scores and repayment history may be worthwhile before borrowing. Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union is willing to work with financially responsible people to secure a better solution.
Personal Loans vs. Payday loans find out the difference in this blog.
It seems as if every myth has some basis in reality. But it also appears that the myth itself is a misinterpretation of the pertinent facts. The myth that a personal loan can only be secured by top-tier borrowers is not necessarily true.
It’s far more likely that everyday people extrapolate from the fact many of the largest personal loans appear more readily available to people with a credit score above 670 and incomes that position them in the upper-middle-class or wealthy one percent. Needless to say, high incomes and healthy credit scores make borrowing seamless in many cases. But to say someone on a modest income and middle-of-the-road credit score cannot secure a personal loan is patently false.
Lenders understand there are plenty of good, hard-working community members deserving of a personal loan. That’s largely why Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union offers personal loan products for everyday people who might not have excellent credit. In fact, many applications gain approval even when debt-to-income ratios are borderline, but the individual demonstrates a reasonable ability to make timely repayments.
If your credit score and income are not necessarily considered top tier, it may be worthwhile to take determined measures to position yourself for personal loan approval from a local lender. Consider reducing your debt-to-income ratio and lower credit card balances whenever possible. These steps usually improve a potential borrower’s approval chances.
In cases in which you need a personal loan expediently but don’t check all the boxes, a cosigner could get you across the finish line. Your cosigner’s credit score will not be negatively impacted as long as on-time payments are made. Earning personal loan approval may seem easier for wealthy individuals with top credit scores, but these same products are available to every community member who qualifies.
Sometimes called “good faith” or “signature” loans, these unsecured products typically do not require collateral. Although personal loans are unsecured, they are not the only option available to those looking for a quick solution without collateral to offer in exchange.
Borrowers would be well-served to understand that a lender takes an increased risk when approving an unsecured product. That’s largely because lenders do not have access to the collateral they sometimes need for repayment if the borrower defaults due to unforeseen circumstances. In such instances, lenders may be forced to take a loss. Those risks are reasons why unsecured loans come with higher interest rates and possible fees. The following are examples of other popular unsecured loans.
Applicants are typically afforded educational loans based on need and generally do not undergo a credit check or offer collateral.
These types of products may not require collateral to secure them. Lending institutions offer credit cards based on scores, income, and repayment history.
This product can be secured to bring high-interest debt and multiple monthly payments under one roof. As a debt reduction solution, lenders approve them without collateral.
Property owners who have not yet amassed equity in their house can apply for home improvement loans. The funds are employed to fund upgrades that can result in increased property value.
These products include credit limits and allow borrowers to withdraw up to a certain amount at any given time. As long as the borrower makes agreed-upon payments, collateral is not a factor. A revolving loan is very similar to a credit card.
Retired people sometimes take out an unsecured loan in the event of an emergency. Lenders typically agree that people with steady, reliable incomes are good candidates for unsecured loan products.
Borrowers often have the option of including collateral to decrease interest costs over the life of the loan and gain more favorable terms. These and other options allow qualified borrowers access to funds they might otherwise not enjoy.
Check out this blog to understand the pros and cons of unsecured loans.
The myth about applying for a personal loan being difficult may have held true 20-30 years ago. But the advanced technology and internet make the process relatively seamless.
Personal loans can be applied for online in a matter of minutes and the funds can be transferred into an account in as little as 1-7 days. Success rates may be improved by potential borrowers conducting due diligence regarding their financial position before applying for a personal loan. Personal loan applicants may want to consider taking the following steps.
Every day people can request a free credit history report from major reporting bureaus every 12 months. Request a report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, to evaluate your borrowing and repayment history. Take measures to rectify any errors and cure any blemishes that may improve your credit score.
Going through the prequalification process allows people to understand their borrowing bandwidth. Lenders make what is known as a “soft credit inquiry.” This process avoids negatively impacting a credit score the way a hard inquiry might.
Compare Loan Products: After gaining prequalification, borrowers usually have a more comprehensive understanding of their ability to secure funds. The next step is negotiating the most favorable interest rates and terms possible.
Although the personal loan process is not necessarily difficult, everyday people will be tasked with making decisions. Items such as APR, fees, repayment schedules, and monthly premiums rank among the major difference-makers.
Today’s loan officials eliminate any guesswork by telling community members precisely what they need to complete the formal application. The items typically include a valid ID, income verification, collateral to be used, and a reasonably accurate breakdown of monthly expenses. A hard credit inquiry will be made, and you will know the results relatively quickly.
Once approved, your lender will provide details about the terms, interest rate, and other important facets of the personal loan. You can accept the personal loan and move forward with the formal closing or decline. Applying for a personal loan doesn’t necessarily mean you are committed to taking the lump sum, but qualified borrowers have the ability to utilize the money to make significant quality of life improvements with those resources.
Securing a personal loan has never been easier than it is right now. Common uses such as credit card consolidation, medical expenses, weddings, vacations, home improvements and unexpected costs are the tip of the iceberg of possibilities. The reality is that qualifying for a personal loan funds a seemingly limitless number of anticipated and unanticipated expenses.
Contact Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union to see if a personal loan is the right solution for you, or if you are ready to get started, apply online!
Read through some more blogs our experts put together to help you learn about personal loans and make the best financial decisions for you and your family!
Sometimes, you need a little extra money for life occurrences, and we get it. Whatever it may be, don’t worry— we’ve got a loan for that.
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