We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.

Advertiser Disclosure

Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

How We Make Money

We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently from our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.

What is a Low Interest Personal Loan?

Tricia Christensen
By
Updated May 17, 2024
Our promise to you
WiseGEEK is dedicated to creating trustworthy, high-quality content that always prioritizes transparency, integrity, and inclusivity above all else. Our ensure that our content creation and review process includes rigorous fact-checking, evidence-based, and continual updates to ensure accuracy and reliability.

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

Editorial Standards

At WiseGEEK, we are committed to creating content that you can trust. Our editorial process is designed to ensure that every piece of content we publish is accurate, reliable, and informative.

Our team of experienced writers and editors follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure the highest quality content. We conduct thorough research, fact-check all information, and rely on credible sources to back up our claims. Our content is reviewed by subject matter experts to ensure accuracy and clarity.

We believe in transparency and maintain editorial independence from our advertisers. Our team does not receive direct compensation from advertisers, allowing us to create unbiased content that prioritizes your interests.

The low interest personal loan is not a mythical beast, though it may be considered rather rare in the finance industry. In order to obtain a loan of this nature, it takes relatively perfect credit because the lender is at much greater risk in extending this money. It’s also known that low interest may not be as low as other forms of loans because a person pays a higher interest amount to subsidize the lender’s extra risk.

There are certainly companies that will advance a low interest personal loan to people with excellent credit ratings. Amounts are usually not that high, though each company specifically determines what they will lend. It does have to be understood that low interest is only low when contrasted to other personal loans that have higher interest rates. These are not usually the lowest interest loans people can get, but they’ll typically be the lowest interest loans obtainable without some form of security. Generally, the very lowest interest loans are those taken out on the equity of a home or other property; higher amounts can be obtained, and interest rates will certainly be lower.

As with all types of loans, people will need to do some shopping to find the best low interest personal loan. This could mean looking at bank rates, online lenders, and small finance companies to determine best interest rates. It also helps to know personal credit score before beginning this search, as many lenders will clearly define who qualifies for best low interest personal loan based on credit score. Changes in lending practices since the late 2000s typically mean people must have 700 or above to qualify for the most attractive rates.

The reason that rules for lending at low rates are so incredibly stringent is due to the fact that the loan is given on the borrower’s word or signature. There is no way for the lender to recoup losses, except by suing, if the lender defaults on the loan. Since litigation is a time-consuming and expensive process, most financial institutions want to avoid it. Thus, they do everything they can at loan origination to make certain the borrower is the type of person who will repay the loan.

Yet, as stated, interest rates are still going to exceed loans that aren’t constructed like personal loans. People who really want a low rate should not get a personal loan unless it is from a family member or friend not charging interest. It is usually far better to obtain a loan that is secured by collateral because this will cost less in interest payments.

When this isn’t an option, certainly a low interest personal loan is a good alternative. People should make extremely careful comparisons. Interest is not the only cost factor. Other details like loan origination fees, fees for late charges, and possibly even fees if a loan is repaid too soon can make one loan more or less attractive than another.

WiseGEEK is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Tricia Christensen
By Tricia Christensen , Writer
With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGEEK contributor, Tricia Christensen is based in Northern California and brings a wealth of knowledge and passion to her writing. Her wide-ranging interests include reading, writing, medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion, all of which she incorporates into her informative articles. Tricia is currently working on her first novel.

Discussion Comments

Tricia Christensen

Tricia Christensen

Writer

With a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and years of experience as a WiseGEEK contributor, Tricia...
Read more
WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGEEK, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.