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What is a loan?

A loan is a way to borrow money from a finance company, like a bank, building society, credit union or specialist lender.

When you get a loan, you must repay the borrowed money in pre-agreed instalments monthly until the debt is cleared.

When you borrow money by taking out a loan, you won't just have to repay the amount you borrowed. You'll also need to pay "interest," which is the cost of borrowing that money.

When you apply for a loan, the lender will tell you the Annual Percentage Rate (APR). This APR shows you how much the loan will cost if you borrow the money for a year.

The higher the APR, the more money you'll have to pay back in addition to the borrowed amount. The APR includes the interest you'll be charged and any other standard fees that come with the loan; therefore, it's essential to check the APR and understand the total cost of borrowing before deciding to take out a loan money.

The loan interest rate you are offered will be based on your financial circumstances, credit history and how much of a risk you pose to the lender.

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How to get a loan

Choose Wisely provides a wide selection of lenders to help you find a loan that fits your needs. Our eligibility checker lets you see if you qualify for a loan without affecting your credit score.

Once you've found the loan that suits you best, you can apply online. Here's a brief overview of the typical loan application process:

• Fill out your details, including your income and how much you’d like to borrow.
• You can decide how long you want to take to repay the loan. You can choose a short-term loan, usually paid off within 24 months, or a long-term loan that could last up to 60 months. Remember, the length of your repayment term will determine the amount you need to pay back each month.
• Your lender will review your details and check your credit history, looking into how you’ve handled credit products in the past and how reliable you are at paying your bills.
• After reviewing your details, the loan application will be accepted or rejected. If accepted, the loan provider will then offer you an annual percentage rate (APR).

Once your loan is accepted and you’ve received the money, you’ll make your first repayment, either at the end of the month or thirty days after taking the loan out.

You’ll pay off your loan along with interest every month. Interest is charged because that’s how loan companies profit from lending you money.

What can you use a loan for?

Common reasons for taking out a loan include:

• Buying a car
• Making home improvements
• Paying for an emergency repair
• Consolidating debts
• Paying for a holiday
• Covering wedding costs

There's no right or wrong thing to spend a loan on; it's entirely your call as long as it’s within the lender's terms. Before getting a loan, make sure you can afford the monthly repayments over the entire period of the loan and don’t forget to add the repayments to your budget.

If you’re struggling with budgeting, several free apps are available to help you keep on top of your spending and avoid falling behind on bills and credit repayments.

What are the different types of loans?

Various loan options are available, each suited to different needs. Knowing which type of loan is best for you can be confusing, so we’ve broken down the different kinds of loans below:

Unsecured personal loan

An unsecured or personal loan is a popular option and isn’t designed for a specific purpose; you can use the loan for whatever you want, providing it doesn’t go against the lender's terms.

Personal loans don’t need to be secured against your home. Because of this, interest rates on unsecured loans can be higher than those on secured loans. If you don’t own a property, you’ll only be able to get a personal loan.

Secured loans

With secured loans, your home or other high value asset is used to guarantee loan repayment. If you can't keep up with your monthly loan repayments, your home could be repossessed, and the lender can sell the property and use the funds to pay off the loan.

Secured loans are considered less risky for lenders because your home guarantees they will get their money back if you do not repay what you owe. Because of this added security, you can often borrow more money with a secured loan, with lower interest rates, even if you have a poor credit history. These loans are also spread over an extended period, making each monthly repayment more affordable.

Specific purpose loans

Particular loans are designed for specific purposes, meaning they can only be used to pay for certain things. For instance, you can get a car loan to purchase a car or a home improvement loan to upgrade your house.

The advantage of these loans is that they typically come with lower interest rates than general personal loans.

Bad credit loans

Bad credit loans are specifically created for individuals with a poor or limited credit history. Since borrowers with a low credit score are considered higher risk by lenders, these loans often come with higher interest rates than standard personal loans.

If you consistently repay a bad credit loan on time, it can help improve your credit score. As your credit score improves, it becomes easier and more affordable to borrow money in the future. So, responsibly managing a bad credit loan can lead to better financial opportunities in the long run.

Guarantor loans

A guarantor loan is a type of lending where a third party, typically a friend or family member, “guarantees” the loan. This means that they agree to make the repayments if you fail to do so.

When applying for a guarantor loan, the person who guarantees the loan for you will also have their affordability and credit report checked.

These loans tend to have a higher APR than other loans but can be a good option if rejected elsewhere.

Payday loans

Payday loans are a type of high-cost short term loan. They’re designed to help tide you over until your next payday if an emergency expense has hit you.

Payday loans have a bad reputation, primarily because of rogue lenders who’ve since been removed from the market. In recent years, payday loan costs have been capped under new rules by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

When used sensibly, payday loans can be a helpful way to help you cover your expenses in emergencies.

Bridging loans

A bridging loan is short-term lending designed to be repaid in one lump sum.

These loans are commonly used when you want to buy a new property but are still waiting for your current home's sale to be completed. They can also be helpful if you've purchased a property at an auction and are waiting for your mortgage application to be finalised. Once your current property is sold or your mortgage application is approved, you can use the proceeds to pay off the bridging loan.

With a loan like this, you have options for paying back the interest. You can make monthly payments to cover the interest or add the interest to the loan amount and repay it when you've raised the necessary funds.

Put simply a bridging loan provides temporary financial support to help you manage the gap between buying a new property and selling your existing one or securing a mortgage.

How much do loans cost?

When you take out a loan, you'll be charged interest on top of the original amount you’ve borrowed.

The APR of the loan dictates the total amount you’ll repay.

For example, if you've taken out a loan for £4,000 and agree to pay it back over twelve months with a 20% APR, you'll need to pay back approximately £4,400. This is an illustrative example, and the exact payment term will be agreed with your lender.

The loan length also plays a part in determining the cost of your loan. The longer you take to repay what you’ve borrowed, the more time your balance accumulates interest, resulting in a more expensive loan.

Because of this compound interest, a loan of £4,000 with an APR of 20% spread over ten years will cost more than the same loan over five years..

Compound interest is essentially interest on interest, so if your monthly repayments don’t cover the interest applied to your loan each month, the interest added to the balance you owe will accrue interest the following month.

Although the total cost to you is greater, spreading a loan over a longer term will reduce your monthly repayments making it more affordable in the short term.

Different loan types can have significantly different APRs. A bad credit or guarantor loan usually has a higher APR than other personal loans. Your credit history and income can also impact the APR you're offered when you apply.

If you’re not in a rush to borrow money, taking time to improve your credit score could help to improve your chances of being offered a more competitive interest rate.

Some lenders will charge additional fees associated with their loans, such as:

• Paying off the loan early - called an early exit fee
• Missing a repayment - called a missed payment charge

These extra charges can increase the overall cost of your loan.

How do I know if I'm eligible for a loan?

Each lender will have their own eligibility criteria. The requirements you’ll need to meet will differ depending on the type of loan you’re looking for.

For example, if you have a poor credit score and you’re struggling to get a personal loan, you may need to opt for a loan from a bad credit lender. Or, if a traditional bank declines your loan application, you may be accepted by an online lender.

Your credit score, creditworthiness and affordability will typically determine your eligibility.

Despite the different criteria between lenders, all will require you to be over 18, a UK resident, and pass a hard credit check.

Before applying for a loan, don't guess your eligibility. Use our eligibility checker to increase your chances of approval. It's better to be informed before submitting your loan application.

When you apply for a loan, the lender will do a hard search on your credit report. Multiple hard searches within a short period can negatively impact your credit score, making it seem like you're facing financial difficulties.

To avoid this, use our Eligibility Checker before applying for a loan. It will show how likely you are to be approved without affecting your credit score. This way, you can gain insights into your credit report and apply for loans with more confidence.

What do I need to apply for a loan?

Specific requirements may vary depending on the type of loan you're applying for and the lender's policy, but you'll typically need the following information to hand:

• You'll need to provide basic personal details, such as your name, date of birth, address, and contact information.
• Lenders may require a form of identification, such as a valid passport or driver's licence to verify your identity.
• You'll need to demonstrate your ability to repay the loan, which typically involves providing recent bank statements or pay slips to prove your income.
• Some lenders may require employment information such as your job title, employer's name and contact information.
• Lenders will assess your creditworthiness by checking your credit history. This helps them determine the level of risk associated with lending money to you.
• You’ll need to specify the amount you want to borrow and the purpose of the loan, for example, for a specific purchase or debt consolidation.
• If you're applying for a secured loan, you’ll need to provide information about the collateral you're offering (e.g. your home or vehicle).
• Lenders will ask for your UK current account information to arrange direct debit payments for loan repayments and to transfer the borrowed money to you.

Pros and cons of personal loans

Are there any alternatives to loans?

Before deciding on a loan, exploring alternative borrowing options is essential to ensure you make the right choice. Here are a few alternatives to consider:

Credit cards

Credit cards can be an alternative option for borrowing small amounts over a short time. They offer the flexibility to borrow as needed. While some credit cards have high-interest rates, having a good credit history may qualify you for an interest-free period, avoiding interest charges if paid within that time frame.

Borrow from friends and family

Consider borrowing from family or friends to alleviate financial difficulties. While it might only be feasible for some and could feel awkward, it can help you to avoid high-interest charges. To protect your relationship with your loved one, it’s important to document the borrowed amount and repayment agreement to provide reassurance and clarity for both parties.

Salary advance

The week before payday can be challenging, especially when money runs low for essentials like food and fuel. If you need a small amount to get by, consider asking your employer for a cash advance. Remember that this will result in a smaller paycheck next month since you've received part of your pay early.

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