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Finance

4 Essential Things To Keep In Mind Before Applying For A Personal Loan

Summary: If you require money, taking a loan is not bad. However, the problem comes when you borrow money for your desires and not needs.

If you need money, you can come across an ocean of choices. From banks, and personal financial institutions to lending apps that lend small sums between INR 2K and 10K, many Indians are borrowing money to fulfill their business and personal needs. However, these lending apps are proving harmful and costing many their money, peace, and even their lives.

“The number of suicide cases has been on the rise since the pandemic and approximately 25,200 of those are attributed to unemployment, job loss, and being in debt”, according to data from National Crime Records Bureau.

In 2021, at least six people committed suicide in Hyderabad alone due to harassment by the recovery agents of these apps. These apps lure those who are in dire need of funds and exploit their unmet need for credit by offering no-strings-attached credit. However, they come with a high rate of interest and tricky terms and conditions to which borrowers have no recourse.

Along with that, these loan apps get access to all information from the customer’s phones after which is later used by the company to perpetrate some other financial crime.

Many business coaching programs will help you to manage your finances and get rid of your debt quickly. For those who are looking for a personal loan for the first time, it is critical to understand the nature of these loans.

Here are 5 essential tips you should consider before applying for an immediate personal loan online:

1. Pick a Loan with Lower Interest Rate

Personal loans usually come with higher interest rates and often range from 11% to 20%. Thus, even a small drop in the interest rate can make a huge difference to your overall loan costs. If you opt for a low monthly payment over a long repayment term out of convenience or for any other reason, it will cost you more as it comes with high-interest rates. Small monthly payments might seem very appealing, but it ultimately leads you to pay more for the loan over its lifetime.

2. Assess the Need for a Loan

While availing of a loan is not a bad thing, it is a financial responsibility that can extend over some time. A bad loan will lead to a financial liability that can give you sleepless nights. Hence, it is essential to weigh your motivation behind the loan and ensure that it is necessary. If the purpose of the loan is to only buy a luxury car, it might not be a wise decision.

Also, it is a high-risk move if the idea behind taking a loan is to invest in other financial products/schemes hoping to make profits. Such borrowing and reinvestment schemes are also subject to market risks and there is never a guarantee of lucrative returns.

3. Always Take a loan from the Credible Financial Institution

Apart from traditional banks, there are other financial institutions as well that are approved by the market regulator Reserve Bank of India. Digital lenders are comparatively quicker in verifying and processing loan requests, disbursement often happens faster.

It is advantageous to have multiple options to choose from as it further allows a borrower to evaluate and compare interest rates, processing time as well as other important parameters before deciding on their loan.

4. Consider Insuring Your Loan

One thing that pandemic has taught us is that life is unpredictable. Before taking a loan, ensure that your family does not have to bear the consequences of the worst-case scenario. Hence, it is important to get your loan insured. Loan insurance also works like any other insurance plan. You can pay its premium every month or as a lump sum amount.

Personal loans can be beneficial if you have planned your finances well. When used wisely, it can help you to bridge the gap in your finances without putting your assets at stake. But, it is important to ensure that you are taking a loan from a genuine source and that you pay your loan back promptly. And most importantly, remember to use the loan only for its intended purpose. You can also learn debt management through our business coaching program. To know more, visit: https://www.badabusiness.com/BCP-Event/?pp_code=BHBB000078&ref_code=SM

Categories
Finance

Govt Keeps Small Savings Rate Unchanged For 2nd Successive Quarter Of FY22!

To provide relief to common man from lower saving earnings amid the pandemic, the Central Government has kept small savings rate unchanged for the July-September quarter.

As the interest rates are falling all across financial instruments, the government has widely expected to cut rate on small savings too.

Previously, the Centre withdrew a decision to cut rates for previous April-June quarter too as they feared backlash from savers.

The decision on rate cut was withdrawn in the middle of voting for Assembly polls in West Bengal and Assam.

“The rate of interest on various small savings schemes for the second quarter of the financial year 2021-22 starting from July 1, 2021 and ending on September 30, 2021 shall remain unchanged from the current rates applicable for the first quarter (April 1 to June 30,2021) for FY 2021-22,” a finance ministry office memorandum issued late on Wednesday night said.

With the status quo, savers would continue to get 4 per cent interest on small savings during the July-September quarter as well. The 1-year time deposit rates will also remain at 5.5 per cent and so will the 5-year recurring deposit at 5.8 per cent.

Public Provident Fund (PPF) will also continue to get 7.1 per cent rate while Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), National Savings Certificate will get interest rate of 7.6 and 6.8 per cent, respectively.

The interest rate on Kisan Vikas Patra was decreased to 6.9 per cent and the instrument will mature in 124 months.

Categories
Finance

What is a Business Credit Score & Why is it Important? Here are Three Benefits of Having a Higher Credit Score

For firms to survive only on equity and owners’ fund is not possible. As a business grows, expands and diversify, more and more funds are required. Owing to the limited funds with the owner, businesses look for external sources and borrowed funds. Availing a loan is a tiresome and lengthy process; firms do not get the debt easily from the market. Lenders will be keen on allocating their money to the business, only when they are sure of uninterrupted growth and return. Here is when a firm’s credit score comes into the picture. Home Business Ideas: 4 Brilliant Work From Home Ideas That You Should Consider Taking Up.

In simple words, a business credit score is a number that indicates whether a company is a good candidate to receive a loan or become a business customer. This score is based on various parameters such as company’s credit obligations and repayment histories with lenders and suppliers; any legal filings such as tax liens, judgments, or bankruptcies; how long the company has operated; business type and size; and repayment performance relative to that of similar companies. Startups in India Bagged $9.3Bn Investments in 2020 Despite COVID-19 Challenges: Report.

Following the separate entity principle of accounting, the process of calculating the score only takes into consideration the financial position and performance of the business. However, in the case of a small business, the lender might check both the businesses’ and owners’ credit scores, since the personal and business finances of such firms are highly influenced by each other.

A good credit score helps businesses in more than one way. Here are three benefits of having a positive credit score –

 Quicker Approval of Loans

A good credit score is an evidence of the credit worthiness of an enterprise. If a firm has a positive credit score then it becomes easier for it to get loans, from small to large, without going through a time consuming and lengthy process. Higher credit score creates a credible identity for the business in the eyes of the lender and therefore gives your application a boost, giving quick approvals to loans.

Lower Interest Rate

Apart from the re-payment of the principal amount, a borrower needs to make regular interest payments as well. However, a good credit score allows the borrower to negotiate a lower interest rate. Businesses’ with higher credit scores are generally able to secure the lowest interest rates available at a given time, thereby reducing the repayment burden on the firm.

Easier Terms of Loans

One of the biggest benefits of having a good and high credit score is that it provides the businesses more bargaining power over terms of the loans, including the repayment period, repayment method, collateral requirements among others. Since a good credit score ensures that the business is capable of timely and full repayment, the lenders are comparatively lenient of the borrowers.

Hence a business should maintain a good and higher credit score to meet its funds requirement and avail quick loans at flexible terms of repayment. It highlights the creditworthiness of the business and attract private and institutional lenders.