What is a personal loan?

Breaking down what a personal loan is – and why you might want one.

The content of this article was relevant at the time of publishing. Circumstances change continuously and caution should therefore be exercised when relying upon any content contained within this article.

Source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More.

Personal loans can come in handy in all sorts of scenarios. Whether you are using it to buy a car or pay for some home improvements, a loan can be a well-needed injection of money.

But what exactly is a personal loan? And how does it work?

What is a personal loan?

A personal loan may also be referred to as an unsecured loan. Basically, it is a loan from a provider such as a bank or building society which is not secured against an asset such as your home.

Typically, you borrow a fixed amount of money over an agreed time period. The loan has a prearranged repayment structure and there is a fixed interest rate.

For example, you could borrow £12,500 at 2.9% for three years. This means you would be required to make monthly payments of £362.76 for the duration of the loan period. Taking interest into account, the total amount you would repay at the end of your three-year term would be £13,059.36.

Why get a personal loan?

A personal loan can be used for a variety of reasons, which we will cover in a moment.

You may be asking yourself why not reach for your credit card instead? Here are some reasons why, in certain situations, getting a personal loan may be the better option.

You can borrow more than on a credit card. The amount you can borrow with a personal loan is typically higher than you could borrow with a credit card. If you are looking to do some home improvements or foot the bill for a wedding, then you are probably looking at a larger sum of money than the average credit card limit reaches.

Interest rates are fixed. You know what interest you will be paying for the term of the loan, and therefore what your monthly payments will be. Some people struggle with credit card borrowing because it can be so flexible, which in turn can lead to balances sitting on the card unpaid. There is no such risk with a personal loan. You have a set monthly payment that you are required to make; this will not fluctuate during the period of the loan, because your interest rate is fixed. It is worth noting, however, that if you miss a loan repayment, you run the risk of damaging your credit score.

Loans are unsecured. This means that you don’t need to provide any sort of collateral in order to take out a personal loan. Therefore, you don’t have to be a homeowner in order to qualify for a personal loan.

Are there any downsides to a personal loan?

While there are several advantages to a personal loan, there are also some downsides:

  • Most personal loans require you to have a good credit score in order to be accepted.
  • Lenders typically have a minimum amount they will lend, so personal loans aren’t suitable if you are only looking to borrow a small sum.
  • Personal loans typically carry an early repayment charge: if you were to try to pay off the full amount of the loan before the end of the term, you would be charged a fee for ending your arrangement early.

What is a personal loan used for?

A personal loan can be used for a variety of reasons. However, as discussed, you can typically borrow a larger sum with a personal loan than with a credit card. Things that you may consider using a personal loan for include home improvements, buying a car, a wedding, a holiday or clearing your debts.

In relation to the last point, personal loan rates have been relatively low for a couple of years; in fact, loan rates are currently significantly lower than the average credit card APR. So if you have found yourself with large amounts of credit card debt that are being charged at a higher rate of interest, you could consider taking out a personal loan to pay off that debt and reduce your cost of borrowing.

Should you invest, the value of your investment may rise or fall and your capital is at risk. Before investing, your individual circumstances should be assessed. Consider taking independent financial advice.

MyWalletHero, Fool and The Motley Fool are all trading names of The Motley Fool Ltd. The Motley Fool Ltd is an appointed representative of Richdale Brokers & Financial Services Ltd who are authorised and regulated by the FCA, and we are permitted in this capacity to act as a credit-broker, not a lender, for consumer credit products (our FRN is 422737). The Motley Fool Ltd does not have permissions for, and does not advise on, investment products and services, but may provide information on investment products and services.

The Motley Fool receives compensation from some advertisers who provide products and services that may be covered by our editorial team. It’s one way we make money. But know that our editorial integrity and transparency matters most and our ratings aren’t influenced by compensation. The statements above are The Motley Fool’s alone and have not been provided or endorsed by bank advertisers. The Motley Fool has recommended shares in Lloyds, Tesco and Barclays.

More on Personal Finance

Note paper with question mark on orange background
Personal Finance

Should you invest your ISA in a model portfolio?

Which model ISA portfolios offer both high performance and low fees? Hargreaves Lansdown, Interactive Investor and AJ Bell go under…

Read more »

Economic Uncertainty Ahead Sign With Stormy Background
Personal Finance

Is it time to exit emerging markets investments?

Investors may well be sitting on losses from emerging markets funds. Is it worth keeping the faith for a sustained…

Read more »

Personal Finance

Share trading? Three shares with turnaround potential

Share trading has been difficult in 2022, but which companies have turnaround potential? Jo Groves takes a closer look at…

Read more »

Man using credit card and smartphone for purchasing goods online.
Personal Finance

Revealed! Why Gen Z may be the savviest generation when it comes to credit cards

New research reveals that Gen Z may be the most astute when it comes to credit cards. But why? And…

Read more »

Environmental technology concept.
Personal Finance

The 10 best-performing sectors for ISA investors

The best-performing sectors over the past year invested in real assets such as infrastructure, but is this trend set to…

Read more »

Road sign warning of a risk ahead
Personal Finance

Recession risk ‘on the rise’: is it time for investors to worry?

A major global bank has suggested the risk of a recession in the UK is 'on the rise'. So, should…

Read more »

pensive bearded business man sitting on chair looking out of the window
Personal Finance

1 in 4 cutting back on investments amid cost of living crisis

New research shows one in four investors have cut back on their investing contributions to cope with the rising cost…

Read more »

Image of person checking their shares portfolio on mobile phone and computer
Personal Finance

The 10 most popular stocks among UK investors so far this year

As the new tax year kicks off, here's a look at some of the most popular stocks among UK investors…

Read more »