Secured Personal Loans: Why They Might Be The Best For You?

What Is A Secured Personal Loan?

Any personal loan that is protected by collateral comes under the category of secured loans. Secured personal loans are considered safe for lenders as they can claim the collateral to make up for any losses if you fail to pay the loan amount. That said, lenders are willing to lend you a larger loan amount with a secured personal loan.

What Does Collateral Mean?

Collateral means any assets that work as debt products. While applying for a personal secured loan, you need to tell your lender about the assets you want to use to back up the loan. 

Tip: Since your collateral plays an essential role in getting the loan, you should make a sound decision on the assets you are willing to keep for collateral. 

How To Get A Secured Personal Loan?

How To Get A Secured Personal Loan

Many financial institutions offer secured personal loans. You should carefully review their policies regarding collateral requirements and compare interest rates before choosing from any of the following.

  • Banks: One advantage a bank may offer over other lenders is that you can obtain a lower loan amount from the bank. Secured personal loans from banks start at as low as $300. However, you might need more credits to get a lower loan amount.
  • Online Lenders: If you like the convenience of a digital process, online lending is a great option. You can easily apply for a secured vehicle loan and a home loan through online lending institutions. There are many online lenders, so you should do extensive research to find the ones that fulfill your needs.
  • Credit unions: If you want to get a credit union loan, you must become a member first. But the good part is that this process is pretty simple and quick. Many national credit unions offer deposit-secured loans, like Excel Federal Credit Union; it is best to start by contacting the ones in your neighborhood.

Factors To Consider Before Getting A Secured Loan

Once you have decided to get a secured personal loan from the financial institution of your choice, here are a few things to keep in mind.

  • How much interest are you willing to pay for the borrowed money?

Borrowers with poor or no credit ratings might have to pay a high-interest rate for various loans, for example- vehicle loans. These loans can be costly and should be avoided.  

  • The length of the loan — How long do you have to pay it back? 

Higher monthly payments mean that there is a shorter repayment period. Moreover, since the loan duration is short, you will also pay less interest overall.

  • Loan-Related Fees – What is the overall fee charged by the lender?

To determine the value of your asset, you may have to pay an application fee, a loan initiation fee, monthly fees, and an appraisal value. Keep this cost in mind when trying to get a loan. For example, the high cost of auto loans makes them a bad choice for many consumers.

  • Collateral Required – Which of your belongings will the lender collateralize? 

Different lenders have different criteria when it comes to accepting things as collateral. For example, some lenders only accept vehicles that have been fully paid for; others may accept first tech share certificates or savings accounts. 

  • How long does it take to obtain the loan?

Depending on the circumstances, secured loans are usually faster to obtain than unsecured loans. 

Final Words

Secured personal loans are an excellent option for borrowers as they provide them with better flexibility regarding the loan amount and the length of the loan period. We advise you to carefully choose a lender by reviewing their interest rates, availability, fee rate, loan amounts, and repayment terms in detail.