Applying for a Personal Loan? Don't Make These 9 Mistakes


Applying for a Personal Loan? Don’t Make These 9 Mistakes

Getting a personal loan these days is not difficult considering a large number of banks and financial institutions marketing their loan products at competitive rates. Moreover, the freedom to repay the loan at your own choice of loan tenure makes it even more attractive. Personal loans may be sought for myriad reasons like funding a dream vacation, paying off sudden medical expenses, house restructuring, etc.

Common Personal Loan Mistakes

One can apply for a personal loan online or go to the nearest branch of the lender to fill a loan application form for the loan amount. However, irrespective of the ease of getting personal loans approved and sanctioned, there are common mistakes that borrowers make while filling in their loan application forms. Some of them are:

  • Unsure About The Loan Amount: Easy availability of personal loans does not mean that one should start taking loans to meet every financial need. While determining the loan amount, you must understand if the need for the investment is essential or is being taken to meet frivolous demands. Personal loan interest rates are high, which means that repaying such loans can be costly.
  • Not Comparing Lenders: Your bank may promise you a pre-approved loan within 15 minutes of the loan application. However, this must not be the sole cause of ignoring the interest rates and benefits offered by other lenders in the market. Comparing interest rates helps as you may gain from cheaper personal loans availed by others. A careful observation of your potential lender’s terms and conditions will ensure considerable savings soon.
  • Not Taking Care Of Your Credit Score: Most personal loans are unsecured, which means that lenders do not ask for security or collateral during loan approval. It explains why lenders are inclined to know your credit score. Higher your credit score, lesser is the risk of you defaulting on your loan. Since unsecured personal loans involve a lot of uncertainty for the lender, you must maintain a high credit score for quick loan approval apart from getting the loan approved at low-interest rates.
  • Opting For A Prolonged Loan Tenure: Longer loan repayment period translates to lower equated monthly installments (EMIs). However, this also implies more money as interest payouts, thus, raising the cost of the loan taken. It is essential to adopt an aggressive approach when it comes to loan repayment to benefit from the lower burden of interest.
  • Ignoring Excess Charges: Many lenders charge extra under the guise of providing better online service or additional levy charges as management fees or processing fees. Check for the supplementary costs involved. Also, a potential high windfall in future means that you would like to prepay your loan. Ensure if your bank charges extra for foreclosure of the loan amount. Avoid lenders who charge over and above the loan interest amount.
  • Signing Loan Form Blindly: Be it for a Personal Loan or any other purpose, it is essential to read the fine print given in the loan document. Many people sign the loan document without making sure of the loan details. The misconception that your lending bank can do wrong can spell a substantial financial loss in the long run, thus, necessitating checking of the loan documents before signing them.
  • Hiding Existing Loan Details: If you have taken another loan and are repaying it currently, it is vital to share details about the same. Withholding information about your current loans can adversely impact your credit history, thus, making it arduous for you to apply for loans in future.
  • Withholding Loan Details With Family Members: Bearing responsibility is one thing and hiding the burden of loan from your loved ones is different. Before applying for a personal loan, you must discuss its details; including EMI payout information the loan interest payment each month may affect your family’s budget. After all, your family may have a better idea to secure the amount than taking a personal loan.
  • Not Paying Heed To Lender’s Credibility: Rushing for a personal loan without checking the lender’s credentials may be risky. It happens in cases when fraudulent lenders announce nominal personal loan interest rates to entice new customers. It is beneficial to approach a bank or lender you have a long-standing relationship with than to contact a new lending institution with no credibility in the market to avoid financial hassles in the long run.