What is a Personal Loan and Should You Get One To Start Your Business?

A personal loan is an amount of money loaned to an individual typically without any collateral, though some lenders do require collateral depending on your credit situation. Though personal loans used to be seen as a solution for people in dire financial straits, today the options and terms are better than ever and more and more everyday people are taking out personal loans, especially if you are opening a new business.

A personal loan can be a great idea when you're starting a new business. Most business loans require minimum time in business and revenue requirements to approve funding, so new businesses may not be eligible. A personal loan, on the other hand, will not require any business history. 

Since a personal loan is paid to you as an individual, your eligibility will depend on your personal credit score and finances as opposed to your business finances.

What to Know Before Applying For a Personal Loan

1. What’s my credit score?

Your credit score is calculated based on your loan repayment history, credit card usage, and other financial markers that can give lenders a rough guide of how responsible you are with money and how much of a default risk you are. Even though all lenders don’t use credit scores to qualify you for a loan, it is still a good thing to keep track of. 

Typically, the higher your credit score the more likely you will be to receive loans. Also, because with high credit you are considered less of a risk, your interest rates will tend to be lower.

That doesn’t mean that less than great credit is a deal-breaker, but it's good to know what the numbers mean:

*Rates as of December 2020

Having no debt history is not a good thing when it comes to your credit score. Most of the leading personal loan companies like to see that you’ve had debts in the past and that you’ve made your payments, and can be trusted to do so again.

2. What if I have bad credit?

Many lenders can provide loans even if you have bad credit, though you will face tougher interest rates and less leeway with the loan amount and repayment terms.

Typically anything under 630 is considered a bad credit rating, and even when people in this range do get loans, they tend to have a 28.5% - 32.0%APR on average. If you have collateral to put up, this can help you secure a loan despite a low credit rating.

In addition, many lenders allow cosigned loans. These are loans where someone with better credit co-signs the loan with you. While this is a way for you to get a loan that you’d be shut out from otherwise, there are some caveats. Mainly, the person who cosigned for the loan is on the hook too so if you default on the payment, it could wreck their credit as well as your own.

3. How do interest rates work?

The interest rate is how much the lender charges in interest to a borrower for a loan. It is normally expressed as a percentage of the amount borrowed. If you’re consolidating debt and the interest rate is still lower than your earlier loan, then you’re in good shape. If not, you need to examine if the interest rate makes the loan worthwhile for you.

The interest rate is going to be one of the most important things to look at when considering a personal loan. It adds a significant amount to the overall repayment terms, and even just one percentage point here or there can make a big difference.  You also need to consider the APR which includes fees and charges.  APR is discussed below. 

4. What affects interest rates?

Variable vs fixed rate loan - With a variable rate loan, the interest rate can fluctuate as the market changes, and typically has lower interest rates than a fixed loan, which stays at the same rate throughout the repayment of the loan. 

The length of the repayment - The longer the repayment term the more interest you will pay over the lifetime of the loan. If you can keep up with a higher monthly payment over a shorter period of time, then you can find loan terms that will save you money on interest. It's crucial though that you first look at your monthly budget and determine how big of a loan you can stay ahead of, so you don’t dip further into debt paying off the new loan.

Your credit score - A better credit score may help you get a lower interest rate, though some lenders don’t use credit score when considering you for a loan.  Lenders will also look at your past financial history to look for any delinquent loans, foreclosures, bankruptcies, and other red lights that could make you a high-risk borrower before they determine the interest to assign you. Your income - or lack thereof - will always be a central factor in determining your interest rate.

5. What is an APR?

APR is an acronym for annual percentage rate. It combines the charges, fees, and payments to tell you the grand total of what your loan will cost you per year. The lower the APR, the less you are going to pay in the long run.

The APR calculation on personal loans will vary depending on your lender, but it will typically be lower than what you would receive from a payday or short-term loan – usually starting at 3% and capping at 35.99%. It is not ideal to owe any money, but if you require a loan, then a personal loan could certainly be a viable option.

APR rates mentioned include associated fees.

Full repayment for the loans displayed range between 61 days to 180 months.

Representative example: assuming a loan of $10,000 over 60 months at a fixed rate of 3.1% per annum and fees of $60.00. This would result in a representative rate of 3.3% APR, with monthly repayments of $180.80, for a total amount paid of $10,868.00.

6. How much can I get approved for?

There isn’t a clear right or wrong answer to this question - it all depends on your needs, your income and your abilities. 

7. What loan term should I take?

This is a pretty simple calculation, but what works for you can be anything but simple. If you decide to go for a lender that offers short term loans you will have higher monthly payments but will pay less interest over the life of the loan. If you spread it out over a longer loan term, your monthly payments will be lower, but the overall interest you pay will be higher.

Paying more interest isn’t a bad idea if it means that you can lock down a monthly payment that you know you can make.

The Types of Personal Loans

Unsecured vs. secured loans 

The main difference between an unsecured and secured loan is that an unsecured one doesn’t require you to put up any collateral. That’s the good news. The bad news is that because the loan is “unsecured” (no collateral), the lender is taking a bigger risk on you, and typically will assign you a higher interest rate. Lenders will also give you a lower ceiling on the loan, as well as a shorter repayment term. 

These loans typically appeal to borrowers who don’t have assets like a car or a house, but still want some financial assistance. 

A secured loan requires the borrower to put up some form of collateral. While it’s more risky for you in that you have to put up an asset that the bank can seize if you default on the debt, you stand to enjoy an easier interest rate, a higher borrowing ceiling, and a longer repayment period.

P2P loans 

Peer-to-Peer lending has become a major industry in recent years, and provides all types of opportunities for borrowers who may have had less options in the past. Often called “social lending” or “crowd lending,” P2P sidesteps the banks and connects borrowers and lenders directly with one another online. It’s a solid option if you have less than great credit or lack assets to put down as collateral. That said, there are some costs, including origination fees which can range from 0.5% to 5% of the loan. Late fees can also be expensive if you don’t make your payments on time. In addition, as unsecured loans, the interest rates tend to be around 15% or so. 

Fixed rate vs. variable rate loans 

With a fixed rate loan the interest rate stays constant throughout the life of the loan, which will help you budget every month and stay on top of your payments. With variable rate loans, the interest rate fluctuates in accordance with the market. You may get a lower initial rate than you would with a fixed rate loan, but because the market can be unpredictable, it can be harder to know for certain what your future payments will be. 

Lines of credit

These are loans that are given as a line of credit that you can use for any purpose. They are typically unsecured, so the interest rates tend to be high, though not as high as a credit card. Also, these loans give you the freedom to draw from the credit line as needed, so you only owe what you spend. 

Signature loans 

These are sometimes called character loans or good faith loans. This is an unsecured loan that only requires you to put down your signature. Because there is no collateral and the lender is taking a risk, these loans come with higher interest. 

Cash advances and balance transfers

A cash advance is taken against the credit line on your credit card, and typically comes with fees in addition to the interest on repaying the money. With a credit card balance transfer you move the money you owe on one card to another credit card with a lower interest rate. This typically includes a fee.

Installment loans

This is just a term to refer to a loan that is repaid over a set period of time with set payments. 

Applying for an Online Personal Loan

The best online lenders usually have an easier loan application process than banks: 

Stage 1: This generally consists of an online questionnaire where you are asked to provide information including the amount of the loan, the purpose of the loan, and your personal information. You will also probably be asked to provide your income level and housing status. 

Stage 2: This involves a soft credit pull, which won’t affect your credit rating like a hard credit pull. Based on the credit score and other details you provided the lender, they will determine how much to loan you and under what terms and interest rate. 

Stage 3: Once your application has been pre-approved, you will then complete your application and a hard pull will occur that may impact your credit score. You should have all relevant paperwork on hand and ready to send, including your driver’s license or passport, proof of residence (utility bills, rent contract, etc), and pay stubs from your place of work. 

Types of Lenders

Direct lenders

This is a company that directly loans money to borrowers and doesn’t merely facilitate lending between lenders and borrowers. 

Marketplaces 

These are companies that don’t lend out money themselves, rather, they facilitate loans between borrowers and lenders, by creating an online marketplace where borrowers can apply to all types of lenders at the same time, typically with one simple application. 

Peer-to-Peer lenders

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lenders refers to private lenders and borrowers which are connected to one another online. P2P lending is a way for lenders to invest some money in small-scale loans, typically spread out across a large number of borrowers in order to offset the default risk. For borrowers without collateral who have less than ideal credit, these can be a great option, despite the origination fees and often high interest rates. 

Banks

This is the most traditional, tried-and-tested way to attain a loan. That said, banks tend to be more cautious, and if your credit isn’t in good shape, or you don’t have any collateral, you might have real trouble finding a loan through a bank. 

How to Choose a Lender

Shop around: Compare several top lenders

This may go without saying, but don’t settle on the first lender you find. Make sure to cast a wide net and really invest your time in reading online reviews and comparing the best personal loan companies so you can get the most competitive rates and save money in the long run. If the terms the company is offering you aren’t to your liking, feel free to look elsewhere and remember - you're the customer, they’re looking for your business, and are likely to try to meet you in the middle.

Make sure the lender is legitimate

Does the lender have a good reputation? Do you find a high number of complaints online? What about customer service, are they responsive? Make sure to take a long look at the company’s pedigree to see if they are legitimate, how long they’ve been in business and whether or not they’ve built a good reputation with their clients.

Check the fees and charges

The cost of your loan isn’t merely a matter of the interest or how much you took out - there are also often origination fees at the start of the loan, as well as late fees, processing fees, and the like. Make sure that the fees are not going to be too much of a burden, and add it to your list of considerations.

In order to choose the best personal loan provider for you, you must first determine what your needs are as a borrower, compare lenders and then see which one can fulfill those needs at the best rate possible.

Some of the key criteria that you should check when comparing loan providers are:

Maximum Loan Amount: Some online loan providers offer loans up to $20,000, while others will offer loans as high as $100,000.

APR: Different lenders will give you differing APRs so it’s important to find rates that you know you will be able to keep up with.

Loan Term: These vary from months to years, so it is advisable to check with your lender when your loan must be paid off.

Qualifications: Some lenders will require you to have an excellent credit score in order to get a loan, while others will be more forgiving. You may be required to provide proof of employment or income as well. It is advisable not to waste your time applying for a loan before you check the lender’s basic requirements.

Simplicity and Speed: A major advantage that online lenders have over banks is that they generally cut out a lot of the bureaucracy from the process. This means an easier and quicker process for the borrower. Some lenders can transfer funds to you in as little as a few days.

* Marcus By Goldman Sachs Offer Terms and Conditions:
Your loan terms are not guaranteed and are subject to our verification of your identity and credit information. To obtain a loan, you must submit additional documentation including an application that may affect your credit score. The availability of a loan offer and the terms of your actual offer will vary due to a number of factors, including your loan purpose and our evaluation of your creditworthiness. You may be required to have some of your funds sent directly to creditors to pay off down certain types of outstanding unsecured debt. Rates will vary based on many factors, such as your creditworthiness (for example, credit score and credit history) and the length of your loan (for example, rates for 36 month loans are generally lower than rates for 72 month loans. Your maximum loan amount may vary depending on your loan purpose, income and creditworthiness. Your verifiable income must support your ability to repay your loan. Marcus by Goldman Sachs is a brand of Goldman Sachs Bank USA and all loans are issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA, Salt Lake City Branch. Applications are subject to additional terms and conditions.

* Credible Terms and Conditions:
Credible is so confident in the personal loan rates you’ll find on Credible, we’ll give you $200 if you find and close with a better rate elsewhere. See full terms and conditions

* SoFi Limited Offer Terms and Conditons:
Fixed rates from 4.99% APR to 19.63% APR (with AutoPay). SoFi rate ranges are current as of August 11, 2021 and are subject to change without notice. Not all rates and amounts available in all states. See Personal Loan eligibility details. Not all applicants qualify for the lowest rate. Lowest rates reserved for the most creditworthy borrowers. Your actual rate will be within the range of rates listed above and will depend on a variety of factors, including evaluation of your credit worthiness, income, and other factors. See APR examples and terms. The SoFi 0.25% AutoPay interest rate reduction requires you to agree to make monthly principal and interest payments by an automatic monthly deduction from a savings or checking account. The benefit will discontinue and be lost for periods in which you do not pay by automatic deduction from a savings or checking account.