Personal Finance
What Is A Personal Loan? A Comprehensive Guide To Singapore’s Options
September 1, 2023
In cases of extreme urgency, loan applications are often necessary. There are numerous lending options in Singapore to choose from.
In contrast to secured loans like mortgages and vehicle purchases, which one must use for their intended purposes, unsecured loans like personal loans offer greater freedom. One can use a personal loan for everything from covering expenses like tuition and books to more significant life events like weddings and car repairs.
But what is personal loan? How does it work in Singapore? This guide will highlight all you need to know about personal loans in Singapore.
What Is A Personal Loan?
Personal loan definition: It refers to a sum of money individuals can borrow for various purposes. For example, you can use a personal loan in Singapore for debt consolidation, funding home repairs, or financing a desired wedding ceremony.
Online lenders, credit unions, and banks can all provide personal loans. You must make gradual repayments of the borrowed funds, usually with interest. Specific lenders in Singapore may impose additional charges for personal loans.
Key Takeaways
Below are three key takeaways on what is personal loan:
- Personal loans are a financial instrument that individuals utilise to address specific personal expenditures.
- These loans are available from credit unions, traditional financial institutions, and online loan companies.
- There are two categories of personal loans: secured loans, which require borrowers to provide collateral as a guarantee for borrowing money, and unsecured loans, which do not necessitate collateral.
The fees, interest rates, repayment terms, and personal loan amounts can vary significantly.
The Basics Of A Personal Loan
Now that we know what is a personal loan, let us look at how it works.
Borrowing Process
You must complete a request and await approval to receive a personal loan. This procedure could take a couple of days or just a few hours.
After obtaining approval, the lender will transfer the funds into your designated bank account, which you can use for whatever purpose. The repayment process will commence immediately.
What Are The Purposes Of Personal Loans?
Unless otherwise stated in the loan agreement, one can use a personal loan for any benefit to the borrower. Nevertheless, there exist numerous popular reasons for obtaining a personal loan.
Some examples of common uses for personal loans in Singapore include:
- Home renovations and maintenance
- Wedding loans
- Medical expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Vacations and excursions
- Unforeseen financial obligations
- Debt consolidation
Nevertheless, lenders forbid utilising personal loans to finance unlawful activities. You might not be eligible for personal loans if you use them as education loans and cover your college tuition or other costs.
Personal Loans And Personal Lines Of Credit Differences
A personal loan and a personal line of credit are distinct. Credit lines function similarly to credit cards rather than as a single lump sum. The individual possesses a specific credit that one can utilise for expenditure purposes.
As you make expenditures, the amount of credit accessible to an individual reduces. One possible method for boosting the credit available to someone is by submitting a payment towards their credit line.
Fixed End Date Vs. Open-Ended Credit Line
In the context of personal loans, it is customary for such financial arrangements to have a set termination date, at which point the financial obligation will be fully repaid.
In contrast, a personal line of credit has the potential to stay accessible permanently, provided that the borrower maintains a positive standing with the lending institution.
Personal Loan Types In Singapore
There are two categories of personal loans: secured and unsecured.
Secured Vs. Unsecured
A secured personal loan is a form of borrowing that necessitates the provision of collateral as a prerequisite.
For example, it is possible to obtain a personal loan by providing cash assets, such as a certificate of deposit or savings account, or by offering a tangible item, such as a boat or vehicle, as collateral. If the loan fails to repay, the financial institution possesses the authority to retain the collateral to fulfil the outstanding loan.
An unsecured personal loan is a type of loan that does not necessitate the provision of security to get funds. Financial institutions like online lenders, credit unions, and banks can provide eligible borrowers unsecured and secured personal loans.
Interest Rates And Risks
Banks in Singapore typically perceive unsecured personal loans as posing a higher risk level than secured ones, primarily due to the absence of collateral that can be a substitute form of repayment. Because of this, the unsecured personal loans may have higher interest rates.
Loan Application Process In Singapore
As mentioned earlier, you must approach a creditor for a personal loan. Again, this might be a traditional financial institution or digital personal loan service.
Typically, applications are the initial step. After looking at it, the lender will either approve or decline it. If your application is successful, the lender will give the loan’s terms. If you agree, the next stage is to complete the loan paperwork.
Upon completing these steps, the lending institution will authorise the loan and distribute the money to you. The lender will choose funding methods: a cheque funding or direct deposit into your bank account. The next step is for you to start paying back the loan per the terms you agreed upon when you took it out.
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Consequences Of Defaulting
When you default on a personal loan, you could:
- Lose your collateral
- Ruin your credit score
- The lender can sue you
An Illustration Of A Personal Loan And APR Impact In Singapore
When contemplating acquiring a personal loan, it is advantageous to possess a comprehensive understanding of the potential expenses you will incur.
The annual percentage rate of a personal loan signifies the yearly expense of loan repayment, taking into account the interest and associated costs. This rate and the loan period can influence the total interest paid during the duration of a loan.
Loan Term Considerations And Interest Rates
As an illustration, let us consider the scenario where an individual obtains a personal loan amounting to $10,000, with an Annual Percentage Rate of 7.5%. The length of time given to pay back the loan is 24 months.
Depending on the provided parameters, the monthly payment amount would be $450, while the cumulative interest accrued throughout the loan’s duration would reach $799.90.
Suppose you take out a loan for the same value, although under varying terms. Instead of repaying it within two years, you do it in three years, and also, the rate would be lesser, i.e., 6% instead of the initial rate of 7.5%.
By employing the parameters, the cost of each month would be $304, resulting in a higher total interest obligation of $951.90.
Personal Loan Calculator
Comparing data in this manner holds significance while seeking to obtain the most optimal monthly payment or minimise the total interest of a personal loan. You may find out which type of payment schedule and rates best suit your financial situation through an easy online personal loan calculator.
Where Can You Find Personal Loans In Singapore?
One potential initial source for personal loans could be an individual’s existing financial institution, such as their credit union or bank. Your private banker can guide the availability of different kinds of personal loans and financing choices most likely to align with your qualifications.
Online platforms also offer the availability of personal loans. A wide array of financial institutions provide online personal loan services. Applying electronically allows you to receive a decision quickly and, in some situations, payment as soon as a day or two following loan approval.
When comparing online and offline personal loans, it is imperative to scrutinise the specific particulars carefully. Think about the following, for instance:
- Fees
- Rate of interest
- The repayment conditions
- Collateral conditions
- The borrowing restrictions, both maximum and minimum
Tips For Checking Credit In Singapore
Access your credit report at no cost at AnnualCreditReport.com. It’s essential to watch for mistakes that could lower your score and to dispute those you find.
Finding out what you must do to get a personal loan is also a good idea. There is no universally accepted minimum income, credit score, or debt-to-income ratio that all creditors must meet before approving a borrower for a personal loan. By doing so, you can focus on loans most likely to work for your financial and credit situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Distinguishes A Personal Loan From A Cash Advance Loan In Singapore?
Cash advance loans are short-term, unsecured loans that cover unexpected financial needs. It typically entails a fee and a higher interest. Personal loans often offer lesser interest and longer repayment periods than cash advances.
How Do I Obtain A Personal Loan Approval?
Loan conditions and approval requirements vary widely between lending institutions. Improving your financial condition and credit score, particularly by paying off debt, might raise your chances of receiving approval for a loan. Consider enlisting the help of a co-signer who has excellent credit if you need help with the approval.
Is There A Fee For A Personal Loan?
Extra charges could come with getting a personal loan, among them origination costs. Charges for document processing or payment processing may also apply. You should familiarise yourself with the specifics of your lender’s cost structure.
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Conclusion
Due to the abundance of personal loan options, you should be able to choose a plan that works for your budget. However, the overwhelming volume of available options might distract you, which could cause you to unintentionally lose out on the best loan terms and rates for which you could be eligible.
That’s why shopping around and contrasting loan terms, borrowing fees, and interest rates from multiple lenders is essential. By conducting thorough loan research and comparison, you can lower the cost of your payments and the likelihood of default.