Types of Personal Loans
Most personal loans are unsecured with fixed payments. But there are other types of personal loans, including secured and variable-rate loans. The type of loan that works best for you depends on factors including your credit score and how much time you need to repay the loan.
1. Unsecured personal loans-This common type of personal loan isn't backed by collateral, such as your home or car, making them riskier for lenders, which may charge a slightly higher annual percentage rate or APR. The APR is your total cost of borrowing and includes the interest rate and any fees.
2. Secured personal loans-These loans are backed by collateral, which can be seized by the lender if you default on the loan. Examples of other secured loans include mortgages (secured by your house) and car loans (secured by your car title). Some banks, credit unions, and online lenders offer secured personal loans, where you can borrow against your car, personal savings, or another asset. Rates are typically lower than unsecured loans, as these loans are considered less risky for lenders.
3. Fixed-rate loans- Most personal loans carry fixed rates, which means your rate and monthly payments stay the same for the life of the loan. Fixed-rate loans make sense if you want consistent payments each month and if you’re concerned about rising rates on long-term loans. Having a fixed rate makes it easier to budget, as you don’t have to worry about your payments changing.
4. Debt consolidation loans- This type of personal loan rolls multiple debts into a single new loan. The loan should carry a lower APR than the rates on your existing debts to save on interest. Consolidating also simplifies your debt payments by combining all debts into one fixed, monthly payment.

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