Personal Loans Archives (2024)

FAQs

Do you have to disclose what you use a personal loan for? ›

Taking out a personal loan is exactly that — personal. But does your lender need to know how you plan to use funds? In short, yes. While most reasons won't stop you from obtaining a personal loan, you'll need to explain why you need the money you're borrowing.

You will need a credit score of 580 or higher to get a $30,000 personal loan in most cases, along with enough income to afford the monthly bill payments. Other common loan requirements include being at least 18 years old, being a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, and having a valid bank account.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), making false statements on loan applications is a white-collar crime and is punishable by up to 30 years of imprisonment. While going to prison for lying on an application is rare, it can happen – and has happened.

The reasons for loan denial can vary based on your unique situation. Common factors that prevent you from getting a personal loan can include a low credit score, insufficient credit history, a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio or requesting too much money.

There are no set limits to the number of personal loans you can have at one time, but that doesn't mean a lender will approve you for a second or third loan. And in many cases, it's not a good idea to stack one on top of the other, and this can prove costly.

Interest rates can be higher than alternatives

This is especially true for borrowers with poor credit, who might pay higher interest rates than credit cards or a secured loan requiring collateral. Why this matters: The lower your credit, the more likely a lender will charge you a high interest rate.

A hardship loan provides funds that can help you get by during a difficult financial time. This loan can help bridge an income gap or cover an emergency. Borrowers are typically approved within a day or two and receive funds in less than a week.

Why do I keep getting declined for a personal loan? ›

Income and the amount of debt you already have can also be reasons a lender may reject your loan application. You can improve your chances of getting approved by increasing your credit score, getting a co-signer, or providing collateral.

Personal loan denials vary, but the most common reasons relate to your credit score, credit history and income.

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Personal loans are generally free of spending restrictions, so you can potentially use the funds to invest. However, some lenders disallow the use of loan proceeds to make certain investments. If you decide to take out a loan to invest, it could be worthwhile if it enhances your career or financial standing.

Personal loans can be made by a bank, an employer, or through peer-to-peer lending networks, and because they must be repaid, they are not taxable income. If a personal loan is forgiven, however, it becomes taxable as cancellation of debt (COD) income, and a borrower will receive a 1099-C tax form for filing.

Banks can call your employer to verify employment for personal loans. But most banks will simply verify your income through a tax document or bank statement when evaluating your application for a personal loan.

Lenders have to provide borrowers a Truth in Lending disclosure statement. It has handy information like the loan amount, the annual percentage rate (APR), finance charges, late fees, prepayment penalties, payment schedule and the total amount you'll pay.