If you are currently on the market for a loan, it is important that you are familiar with the various types available. As it is with any loan, there are risk factors involved which you must also familiarize yourself with. Generally speaking, loans are broken down into two categories: unsecured loans and secured loans.
Starting with the latter, if a loan is categorized as unsecured, the borrower does not need to present anything of value as collateral, to the lender in order abide by terms of the loan. Unsecured loans are awarded to a borrower on the basis of past credit history and current financial resources. Typically, an unsecured loan is also issued with higher rate of interest, compared to a secured loan, and is usually awarded in smaller amounts.
A secured loan, on the other hand, is one in which collateral has to be presented to secure the amount of the loan. For example, obtaining a secured vehicle loan, you could use a property as collateral. In the unlikely event that you default on the loan then the possession of the property, as well as ownership, is transferred to the lender in lieu of payment. Because there is collateral presented at the time the loan is issued, the interest rates are much lower, and the amounts that can be borrowed are potentially limitless, so long as the amount of collateral available is equivalent to the loan. As the interest rates with a secured loan are much lower relative to an unsecured loan, the borrower could potentially save thousands of dollars per year in payments.
From the lender’s point of view, with secured loans, by putting up collateral you are providing added security. These are undoubtedly the most popular loans, because of their lower interest rates and higher borrowed amounts. Most lenders are more inclined to issue secured loans rather than unsecured loans, as the lender generally has much less risk going into the transaction.
Another important thing to note with a secured loan is that qualification standards, such as credit rating and income levels, do not factor in as much in order to be approved. This is because the standard of using collateral offsets any risks in favour of the lender.
As you can see, a secured loan has lots of benefits compared to an unsecured loan. While the prospect of securing a loan against an asset may intimidate a potential borrower, this is really the only logical and more often than not, affordable option.
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