Pros and cons of personal loans: Making informed financial decisions
Taking a personal loan is a major financial decision that requires crucial consideration of the pros and cons. With financial institutions like IDFC FIRST Bank offering quick and easy personal loans, it may seem tempting to get one.
However, as a wise borrower, you must verify the benefits against the drawbacks before signing up for any personal loan. This article discusses the pros and cons of personal loans to help you make an informed choice.
Pros of Personal Loans
1. Quick Access to Funds
One of the biggest advantages of personal loans, including instant loan is that they provide quick access to funds. The loan approval and disbursal process is much faster than other financing options with personal loans. Various institutions offer instant personal loan approval and same-day disbursal for select customers. This makes personal loans ideal for meeting urgent financial needs.
2. Flexible Usage
Personal loans come without restrictions on end-use. You can use the loan amount for legal purposes like debt consolidation, wedding expenses, home renovation, medical emergencies, or even a vacation. This flexibility sets personal loans apart from loans tied to a specific purpose, like auto or home loans.
3. Fixed EMIs
Most personal loans come with fixed EMIs or equated monthly installments. This allows you to plan your monthly budget better. Your EMIs do not fluctuate with changing market interest rates. Unlike credit cards, the minimum due amount can vary monthly.
4. No Collateral Needed
Personal loans are unsecured, so you do not have to provide any assets as collateral. This makes personal loans easily accessible to salaried individuals. Lenders approve these loans based on your creditworthiness and repayment capacity alone.
Cons of Personal Loans
1. High-Interest Rates
One of the biggest drawbacks of personal loans is that they come with higher interest rates. On average, personal loan interest rates vary from 15% to 24%, p.a., So you end up paying more for unsecured funds.
2. Limited Loan Amount
The personal loan amount is capped at Rs. 25 lakhs for salaried individuals. So, personal loans may not suffice for very high funding needs. Home loans cater to higher loan requirements against the security of property.
3. Repayment Burden
Personal loans put a repayment burden as you have to repay the loan fully along with interest in the form of EMIs. Missing EMIs can lead to late payment fees and lower credit scores. So, only opt for a loan amount and tenor that fits your repayment capacity.
4. Prepayment Penalties
Many personal loans levy charges for foreclosure or prepayment. So, if you wish to foreclose the loan early, you may have to pay a penalty of up to 2% of the outstanding amount. Check the lender’s prepayment policy before signing up.
Summing Up
Personal loans offer easy and fast financing but have a higher cost and repayment burden. Analyze your needs, repayment capacity, interest rates, and lender policies before taking a personal loan. This will help you make the right borrowing decision. Opt for moderate loan amount and tenure and make timely repayments to get full value from personal loans while maintaining healthy finances.
