Signature Loans – The Only Loans for Bad Credit Risks
June 7, 2009 by Garrison Galbraithe
Filed under Credit Debt
When credit markets get tough, getting a loan can be a very difficult endeavor. The current financial situation means that fewer lenders are willing and / or able to offer loans to individuals or small businesses. Credit card companies have decreased the credit limit on many accounts. This can make it very difficult to get your hands on cash. However, there is an avenue that is still available to many people that is the signature loan.
Signature loans are unsecured debt obligations that lenders make available. However, since these types of loans are not secured by any collateral, they tend to be more expensive than traditional loans that are collateralized. This is especially true for those people who have a bad credit history. Lenders have become extremely selective as to who they are willing to lend money to. Those people who have bad credit will find it tough to get a loan. And if they are able to obtain financing, they will likely have to pay a significant interest for this privilege.
If you are in need of financing, and are looking for a loan, here are key items that you need to know about before trying to obtain a signature loan.
First, as with any loan, the lending institution will look at your credit score, also known as your FICO score. This number is very important because it indicates how well you manage your debt and how likely you are to repay any outstanding loans. If you have a better credit score than you can expect to get a loan with much more favorable terms.
Signature loans are unsecured loans. This means that there is no collateral against your loan. As an example, if you default on the loan, the lender cannot take back your car. Because this is the case, most lenders will take the time to understand the borrower. This means you stand a better chance of getting a signature loan from you bank as they understand your cash flow and your history of debt repayment.
Since there are no collateral securing signature loans, these loans are considered high-risk debt obligations. Loans that are deemed to be high-risk loans tend to be more expensive. These expenses are usually loan initiation fees and above average interest rates. The interest rates on signature loans can be exorbitant. Sometimes, the interest rate on these types of loans exceeds that which you would pay on your credit card.
It is important for you to look at all the costs when you are borrowing money. Do all the fees and interest rate add up to a number that is higher than if you ran a balance on your credit card? Can you get better rates elsewhere? Make sure to read all the fine print on any loan you are being offered. What are the penalties for late payment? Are there prepayment options? And remember that defaulting on this type of loan will significantly negatively impact your credit score.
If you are fortunate enough to be able to obtain a signature loan, the likelihood is that the repayment period for the loan will be very, very short. Sometimes, these loans are for people just trying to make ends meet until their next payday. As such, these loans may be for thirty or fewer days in duration. Typically, as with interest rate, the better ones FICO score, the longer the loan repayment period will be.
Lenders want to have a good sense that the borrower will have wherewithal to repay the loan. So, along with ones FICO score, lenders also have other metrics that they use when considering whether or not to make a loan. They will consider a potential how much debt a borrower currently has as compared with their income level. Lenders like to see this ratio of debt to income below 35%. The lower the ratio is, the more likely a lender will be to loan money to a potential borrower. A simple rule of thumb is that your outstanding debt should be no more than one third of your annual income.
Signature loans are a reasonable option for many people. But you should always be careful who you borrow money from. Look for reputable lenders by checking with your local Better Business Bureau and your state Attorney Generals Office. You should also do a quick check online. And make sure to read the fine print of your loan. If you do not understand what you are reading, by all means, seek clarification. Remember once you sign on the dotted line, you are committed to the terms of the loan.
Do you want to learn more about how to get a signature loan?
