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 of 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.
Finance

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.

What is a Personal Finance Loan?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,401
Share

A personal finance loan is a loan that is extended for general purposes. This is in contrast to loans that are granted for a specific purpose, such as a mortgage or debt consolidation loan. In many cases, the lender may be completely unaware of what the debtor intends to do with the funds acquired from the loan arrangement.

There are many reasons why someone would want to take out a personal finance loan. The money may be used to finance a vacation or provide financial assistance to a loved one. Loans of this type may be taken out with a plan of investing the money and paying off the outstanding balance from the profits derived from the investment. Since the recipient of the personal loan is free to use the money in any way he or she chooses, the possibilities are endless.

For the most part, obtaining a personal finance loan is a straightforward process. An application is submitted to a lender, who then reviews the application and runs a credit check on the applicant. If the applicant meets the basic criteria set in place by the lender, the application is approved and the applicant is offered specific terms of repayment. The applicant reviews the terms, accepts them, and the loan is processed. At that point, the proceeds from the loan are forwarded to the debtor and the money is free for use in any manner he or she chooses.

There are different types of personal loans. Unsecured personal loans are lending arrangements that do not require the applicant to pledge any type of collateral or security in exchange for receiving the personal finance loan. Secured personal loans involve pledging some type of security or asset that the lender can seize in the event that default occurs on the personal finance loan.

While there are advantages to both types of loans, there are also factors that should be considered before committing to any kind of personal finance loan. Secured personal loans often carry a lower interest rate, since the collateral minimizes the degree of risk that the lender incurs when extending the loan. An unsecured personal finance loan means that there is no hold on any of the debtor’s assets, but is often granted at a higher rate of interest, since the lender is assuming a greater amount of risk with this type of loan.

When applying for a personal finance loan, it is important to make sure that your finances are in order. This includes checking your credit report for accuracy before attempting to obtain a loan. You will also want to compare personal loan terms and rates with several different lenders, to ensure you are getting the best deal possible. Once you find a lender that offers a favorable personal loan rate, you can apply for and hopefully obtain the loan you need.

Share
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.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-personal-finance-loan.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

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

WiseGeek, in your inbox

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