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| What is Loan (photo: useline.com) |
The lender assesses the creditworthiness of the applicant to either approve or deny the loan application. If the loan application is declined, the lender must give a reason for the rejection. On approval, both the lender and borrower sign a contract that outlines the agreement's details. After the lender disburses the loan, the borrower repays the sum, including any extra charges like interest.
Before any transaction, the parties involved agree to the loan terms. If collateral is necessary, the lender will state this in the loan documents. There are specific provisions in most loans, like the maximum amount of interest and the time frame for repayment, among other conditions.
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Why Are Loans Used?
Loans serve several purposes, including making significant purchases, investing, renovating, consolidating debt, and starting a business. Additionally, loans enable established companies to expand their operations, increase the overall money supply in an economy, and promote competition by lending to new businesses.
Banks and some retailers earn revenue from the interest and fees charged on loans, as well as from credit facilities and credit cards.
Components of a Loan
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Several critical components determine a loan's size and the time frame for repayment, including:
- Principal: This refers to the original borrowed amount of money.
- Loan Term: The period within which the borrower must repay the loan.
- Interest Rate: The percentage at which the money owed accumulates, usually expressed in terms of an Annual Percentage Rate (APR).
- Loan Payments: The sum of money required to be paid every month or week to meet the loan terms. This can be determined from an amortization table based on the principal, loan term, and interest rate.
Furthermore, the lender may add extra charges such as an origination fee, servicing fee, or late payment fees. For significant loans, they may also demand collateral, like real estate or a vehicle. If the borrower is unable to repay the loan, the lender may seize these assets to pay off the outstanding debt.
Tips on Getting a Loan
To be eligible for a loan, potential borrowers must demonstrate that they possess the capacity and financial responsibility to repay the lender. Various aspects are considered by lenders when evaluating whether a borrower is a suitable candidate for a loan:
The following are several factors that lenders evaluate to determine whether a borrower is qualified to receive a loan:
Income: Lenders may require a minimum income threshold for larger loans to ensure that the borrower can make timely payments. They may also require a few years of steady employment, particularly for home mortgages.
Credit Score: A credit score is a numerical representation of an individual's creditworthiness, based on their borrowing and repayment history. Missed payments and bankruptcies can significantly harm a person's credit score.
Debt-to-Income Ratio: In addition to income, lenders examine the borrower's credit history to determine the number of active loans they currently have. A high debt-to-income ratio suggests that the borrower may experience difficulty repaying their loans.
To increase the likelihood of being approved for a loan, it is crucial to exhibit responsible use of debt. Promptly paying off loans and credit cards, as well as avoiding unnecessary debt, will help to qualify for lower interest rates.
Although it is possible to qualify for loans with high debt or poor credit scores, the interest rates are likely to be higher. As these loans are significantly more expensive in the long term, it is advisable to focus on enhancing credit scores and debt-to-income ratios.
Relationship Between Interest Rates and Loans
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Interest rates can have a significant impact on loans and the overall cost for the borrower. Loans that come with higher interest rates typically require higher monthly payments, or it takes longer to pay off the loan as compared to loans with lower interest rates. For instance, if someone borrows $5,000 on a five-year installment or term loan with a 4.5% interest rate, they will have to pay $93.22 each month for the next five years. However, if the interest rate is 9%, the monthly payments increase to $103.79.
Loans that come with higher interest rates require borrowers to make higher monthly payments, which in turn means it takes them longer to fully repay the loan compared to loans with lower interest rates.
For example, consider a person who owes $10,000 on a credit card with a 6% interest rate and pays $200 each month. In this case, it will take them approximately 58 months, or almost five years, to pay off the balance. However, if the interest rate is 20% and the balance and monthly payments remain the same, it will take them around 108 months, or nine years, to pay off the card.
Simple vs. Compound Interest
Loans can have either a simple interest or a compound interest rate. Simple interest is based solely on the principal amount of the loan and is rarely used by banks.
For instance, suppose an individual borrows $300,000 from a bank with an annual interest rate of 15% on a simple interest loan. In that case, they will have to pay back a total of $345,000, which is the principal plus the 15% interest, as calculated by multiplying $300,000 by 1.15.
Compound interest refers to the interest charged not only on the principal amount but also on the accumulated interest from previous periods, resulting in higher interest payments for the borrower.
When a loan has a compound interest rate, the bank calculates the amount owed by adding the principal and the interest for the current year. At the end of the second year, the bank calculates the total amount owed by adding the principal, interest for the first year, and the interest on the interest charged during the first year.
Unlike simple interest, the interest charged on compound interest is calculated monthly, including the accrued interest from previous months. For shorter loan periods, the difference between the two methods of calculating interest is minimal. However, as the loan period increases, the gap between the interest calculated using the two methods widens, resulting in higher interest payments for loans with compound interest.
If you're considering taking out a loan to cover personal expenses, using a personal loan calculator can assist you in finding the most suitable interest rate for your needs.
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Types of Loans
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There are various types of loans available, and they can differ in terms of associated costs and contractual terms.
- Secured vs. Unsecured Loan
Loans can be categorized as secured or unsecured. Secured loans, such as mortgages and car loans, require collateral as a form of security for the lender. The asset being financed, such as a home or vehicle, serves as collateral. Other forms of collateral may be necessary for different types of secured loans.
On the other hand, unsecured loans, such as credit cards and signature loans, do not require any collateral. As a result, unsecured loans typically have higher interest rates than secured loans because the lender assumes a higher risk of default. In contrast, a secured loan lender can repossess the collateral if the borrower defaults. The interest rates for unsecured loans tend to vary significantly based on the borrower's credit history and other factors.
- Revolving vs. Term Loan
Loans can also be classified as revolving or term loans. A revolving loan is a type of loan that can be utilized, repaid, and then utilized again. In contrast, a term loan is paid off through equal monthly installments over a fixed period of time.
An unsecured revolving loan is exemplified by a credit card, while a secured revolving loan is represented by a home equity line of credit (HELOC). On the other hand, a car loan is a secured term loan, and a signature loan is an unsecured term loan.
What Is a Loan Shark?
A loan shark refers to a type of lender who provides informal loans to individuals with little or no credit or collateral, charging extremely high interest rates. Due to the unregulated nature of these loans, they are often not legally enforceable. As a result, loan sharks have been known to use intimidation or violence to compel borrowers to repay the loans.
How Can You Reduce Your Total Loan Cost?
One of the most effective ways to reduce the total cost of your loan is to make payments exceeding the minimum payment whenever feasible. This strategy reduces the overall interest accrued on the loan, enabling you to pay off the loan early. It is worth noting that some loans may carry early pre-payment penalties, so it's important to be aware of such terms before taking this approach.
How Do You Become a Loan Officer?
A loan officer is a staff member of a bank who has the responsibility of granting approvals for various types of loans, such as mortgages and car loans. Licensing requirements vary among states, but typically involve completing a minimum of 20 hours of pre-licensing classes.
For mortgage loan officers, there are additional requirements that include passing the NMLS National Test, as well as undergoing a criminal background check and credit check. Commercial loan officers may have fewer requirements, but their employers may still require them to obtain additional credentials.
The Bottom Line
Is that loans serve as fundamental building blocks of the financial economy. Lenders offer funding for economic activities by lending money with interest, which enables them to be compensated for the risks they undertake. Lending money is an essential function of the modern economy, ranging from small personal loans to billion-dollar corporate debts.
Read More: How to Get a Loan with Bad Credit
Source: https://www.investopedia.com
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