Payday Loan Requirements: Things to Know

Payday Loan Requirements: Things to Know

Payday loans are also called cash advance loans, deferred deposit loans, post-dated check loans, or check advance loans. They are short-term, high-interest loans. People who use these loans tend not to have access to other types of lending, and this is a last resort to get them through to the next paycheck.

Many states consider these loans predatory because of their high interest rates and financing fees. Some states place caps on the fees and interest rates or ban this type of lending completely.

Read on to find out what a payday loan is, how they work, and other options for those who need a short-term loan or cash advance.

What Is a Payday Loan?

Payday loans, also known as cash advances, are high-interest, short-term loans, typically for $500 or less. They are notorious for having very high interest rates and fees. There are few payday loan requirements, but borrowers typically need to be over 18, have a checking account in good standing, and show that they earn a secure income.

Consumers can find these types of loans through online lenders, apps, and local brick-and-mortar merchants. The loan amount is typically paid back by direct debit once the borrower receives their next paycheck. Alternatively, loans may be secured with a post-dated check.

How Does a Payday Loan Work?

Consumers fill out an application with a lender and show proof of identity, a recent pay stub, and a bank account number if required.

Borrowers have to secure the loan with a post-dated check or agree to have the funds debited from their account when they are paid, usually in two weeks. Loans are usually between $50 and $1,000, and funds are deposited within a day or two. Borrowers can also receive cash.

People with bad credit and access to better financing tend to use these loans to help them get by temporarily. However, payday loan problems are well-known: High interest rates and exorbitant fees can trap someone in spiraling debt if they cannot repay the loan on time.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau states, “More than four out of five payday loans are re-borrowed within a month, usually right when the loan is due or shortly thereafter.” Borrowers then face even higher financing fees and interest rates compounding their debt load.

Many states place caps on the interest rates and fees charged for payday loans; some states, such as New York, have outlawed them completely.

What Are the Requirements for a Payday Loan?

Most working adults qualify for a payday loan. Here are the most common standards.

Age

Borrowers must be at least 18 years of age.

Proof of Income

Applicants have to show proof of income, such as a pay stub.

Citizenship

Consumers may have to show proof of U.S. citizenship.

Bank Account

Borrowers need to have a bank account that is in good standing.

Payday Loan Interest Rates

Depending on the state, interest rates for payday loans can carry a 400% annual percentage rate (APR) or more.

In states that cap interest rates on payday loans, lenders may instead charge a fee that is a percentage of the amount loaned. Finance charges can be between $15 and $30 for each $100 borrowed.

Payday Loan Amounts

Payday loan amounts are usually $100 to $1,000. In some states, a borrower is allowed only one payday loan at a time. Other states, like Texas and Nevada, offer unlimited payday loans for customers.

Alternatives to a Payday Loan

Rather than take out a high-interest payday loan, there are better options for people in a precarious financial situation.

Credit Cards

If the borrower has a credit score, using a credit card is a safer bet than a payday loan. The average credit card interest rate is around 22%, while payday loan interest can be over 400%. However, if the borrower needs the cash to pay bills such as rent or utilities, that is often not possible with a credit card.

Cash Advance Loans

A cash advance loan puts cash immediately into your bank account. These loans are offered by online lenders, such as Earnin or PayActiv. These companies don’t charge loan financing fees but ask for “tips.” So, a borrower might tip between 5 and 15% of the advance. These apps are often marketed as payroll benefits, and they charge membership and service fees.

TSP Loans

A TSP account is a tax-deferred retirement savings and investment plan that offers Federal employees the same tax advantages as a 401(k) retirement plan. If you have a TSP retirement account, you can take out a loan from that plan without having to pay tax or penalties. However, you must pay the amount back to the account within five years with interest (which will be much lower than the interest on a payday loan).

Personal Loans

For consumers with a good credit score, banks and online lenders offer unsecured or secured personal loans. Unsecured loans are not backed by any collateral and will have a higher interest rate than a secured loan, but not as high as a payday loan.

Unexpected expenses can be paid for with a personal loan and at a lower interest rate. Many people take out personal loans to pay off credit card debt because the interest rate on a personal loan is less than the interest rate paid on their credit card debt. Getting approved for a personal loan isn’t hard if you have good credit.

Loan payback terms can be between two to seven years, with loan amounts typically between $1,000 and $50,000. If you manage the payments on a personal loan responsibly, you can build up a strong credit history. That is not the case with a payday loan, which is not reported to credit rating bureaus.

Recommended: What Is a Personal Loan?

The Takeaway

Payday loans are short-term loans that cash-strapped consumers use to get by until their next paycheck. The borrower is expected to repay the loan on their next payday, or they may submit a post-dated check. Interest rates are extremely high because of the risk to the lender that the borrower will default. Unfortunately, this is often the case, and borrowers can find themselves spiraling into debt as interest and fees accumulate. For this reason, many states have banned payday loans.

Payday loans are probably the worst option for quick cash. But a SoFi Personal Loan offers fixed, competitive interest rates on loans from $5K to $100K. And there are no fees ever.

SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2022 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.

FAQ

What are the requirements to get a payday loan?

Most working adults qualify for a payday loan. A borrower needs to be 18 or over, show proof of income (a paystub) and citizenship, and have a bank account.

Is proof of income a requirement for a payday loan?

A lender requires proof of income because they want to know you have the means to pay the loan back. A recent pay stub or similar documentation is typically enough.

Is taking out a payday loan a good idea?

Basically, no. A payday loan should only be used as a last resort, and if you are sure you can pay back the loan in two weeks. Even then, the interest you will pay will be much higher than a cash advance or a short-term loan from an online lender.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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Top Bathroom Trends of 2022

Top Bathroom Trends of 2022

Today’s burgeoning bathroom trends range from bold color palettes to high-tech functions. Whether you’re gut-renovating a primary bathroom or freshening up a powder room, you’re bound to find plenty of inspiration at all price points and levels of difficulty.

Keep reading to find bathroom remodel ideas for 2022, plus tips on how to budget for the home spa of your dreams.

8 Bathroom Ideas for 2022

The dominant bathroom trends for 2022 skew modern in nature with clean lines, organic materials, and a lot of warm, natural wood. At the same time, some homeowners are taking cues from their grandmothers, incorporating throwbacks to the 1960s with pink tile and patterned wallpaper. Whichever route you take, there’s little denying these bathroom ideas 2022 have a little something for everybody.

For a deeper dive into the topic, check out our guide to bathroom remodels.

1. Opt for an All-in-One Shower and Bath

Price: Moderate
Difficulty: High
Style: Contemporary

Functionality is at the forefront of many homeowners’ minds. And what’s more functional than a bathtub that doubles as a shower? It saves space and can be more economical than adding two separate bathing areas. Prepare to spend $1,100-$5,500 to remodel a shower alone, whereas a shower-tub combo costs around $1,400-$1,600, including fixtures and modifications.

Recommended: The Cost To Repair a Plumbing Leak

2. Choose Earthy, Organic Styles

Price: Low to Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Style: Contemporary

Gone are the days when subway tile was the only way to decorate a shower enclosure. In 2022 bathroom trends, tile is more tactile and natural. To mix things up, consider stacking tile vertically during layout, then enclosing it with a horizontal border.

Homeowners are opting for wooden tile for an organic look, often complementing it with white floor tile. Also on the rise: other natural materials in earthy tones that give the bathroom a sense of warmth.

3. Bring the Outdoors In

Price: Low
Difficulty: Easy
Style: Contemporary

In addition to earthy tones, homeowners are adding more plants to their bathroom spaces. Lush greenery is an economical way to mimic the feel of a resort spa. In addition to floor and counter planters, consider hanging plants from the ceiling in locations that enjoy natural light.

If you’ve got the budget to spare, merge indoors and out via a glass wall and outdoor rain shower.

4. Add Twin Showerheads

Price: Low
Difficulty: Moderate
Style: Contemporary

Adding side-by-side showerheads is one of many shower remodel ideas you may choose to add to your bath remodel. Not only does it add symmetry to your shower, but it allows more than one person to shower at a time. That can come in handy if you have children you’re trying to bathe simultaneously, or spouses who get ready for work at the same time.

5. Incorporate Creative Storage Solutions

Price: Moderate
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Style: Contemporary

If you live in an apartment or own a home with smaller bathrooms, finding new ways to add storage is at the top of many homeowners’ priority list. Perhaps you have an unused nook where you can add built-ins for toiletries and linens. Or you can replace a floating vanity with one that has under-sink storage. Built-ins and custom cabinetry can cause your bathroom budget to balloon, but they’re often worth the investment if space elsewhere in your home is at a premium.

6. Switch to a Bold Black Palette

Price: Varies
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Style: Contemporary

Black is back in bathroom trends 2022. Taking a page out of Scandinavian design (which is fond of mixing black with natural wood), interior designers are using black walls, floors, and stone to make a strong statement. Even bathroom fixtures are skewing dark with matte black tubs and faucets.

Love black but don’t want your entire bathroom to be a single color? Use black sparingly instead — on floor tile, a wooden wall covering, or a sink and toilet combo — and incorporating gold fixtures.

7. Go All Out with Color and Pattern

Price: Varies
Difficulty: Moderate
Style: Traditional

On the flip side of the sleek black trend is Grandma’s bubblegum-pink bathroom. Adding a splash of color to your bathroom is one way to up the wow factor. Dare to go all pink — from a clawfoot tub to dusty rose floor tile to a blush-dominant floral wallpaper. Or simply add a pink toilet as a statement piece. Want to test out this bathroom trend but wary of going too pink? Modern wallpaper patterns (think: flamingos and palm leaves) and geometric tile are two ways to walk the line between traditional and modern.

8. Go High-Tech

Price: Moderate
Difficulty: Moderate
Style: Contemporary

As home technology continues to advance, so do homeowners’ desires to operate everything via apps and devices. Many homeowners opt for wall-mounted digital interfaces that operate everything from the shower heads to stereo speakers. Adding heated flooring and high-tech bidets are also among the top bathroom ideas 2022.

Recommended: How To Pay for Emergency Home Repairs

How To Budget for Your Bathroom Reno

When researching materials, start with what you know you need: tile, faucet, paint, etc. For things like tile and paint, plan on purchasing 20% more than your square footage requires. Then consult DIY sites to make sure you include all the necessary incidentals to complete the project. For a DIY tiling project, for example, you’ll need grout, a grout float, thinset, sealant, drop cloths, etc. (Here’s some info on how to keep inflation from blowing your reno budget.)

The most expensive part of a bathroom reno is labor. If you’re hiring a contractor to do the work, expect 75% of your budget to go to the contractor(s). That’s because full bathroom updates require a number of specialists, such as plumbers, electricians, and tile installers. Even for smaller updates, a general contractor can cost $50-$75 an hour. (Learn more about how to find the right contractor.)

Finally, experts recommend adding a 20%-30% cushion to your overall budget to cover any unforeseen issues.

Keep Resale Value in Mind

The good news is that bathroom updates do increase your home’s value — but there are limits. Typical updates recoup about 70% of their cost, while upscale renos have a lower ROI of about 60%, according to the 2022 State of Remodeling in the U.S. survey.

The upshot: You’ll enjoy a better bang for your buck by keeping updates modest and avoiding anything too trendy or unique (ahem, black bathtub).

Consider Your Financing Options

Before you commit to any of these bathroom remodel ideas, you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to finance your home improvement project. A personal loan, credit card, savings, or HELOC are all ways you might finance your bathroom remodel. No matter how you pay for your bathroom upgrades, it’s wise to weigh your options and compare terms, conditions, and interest rates upfront.

The Takeaway

Some bathroom trends for 2022 are on the practical side, such as creative storage and side-by-side showerheads. Others are more daring, like switching to matte black fixtures. Whichever way your tastes lean, make sure you have the budget to do things right. It’s what’s behind the walls that really matters — to your family and potential homebuyers.

Don’t rely on credit cards to fund your reno. With a home improvement loan from SoFi, you can borrow up to $100,000 at a competitive fixed rate, and with no fees. So there’s no need to cut corners on your dream bathroom.

Check your rate in 60 seconds, and get your loan funded as soon as the same day you’re approved.*

Personal Loan Tips

Tip 1

If you don’t have the cash to renovate or remodel your home, one financing option is a personal or home improvement loan, which can be faster and easier to secure than a construction loan.

Tip 2

In a climate where interest rates are rising, you’re likely better off with a fixed interest rate than a variable rate, even though the variable rate is initially lower. On the flip side, if rates are falling, you may be better off with a variable interest rate.

Tip 3

Just as there are no free lunches, there are no guaranteed loans. So beware lenders who advertise them. If they are legitimate, they need to know your creditworthiness before offering you a loan.


Photo credit: iStock/LeoPatrizi

SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


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Daily Simple Interest: What Are Daily Simple Interest Loans?

Daily Simple Interest: What Are Daily Simple Interest Loans?

If you have a daily simple interest (DSI) loan, the word “daily” indicates that interest is calculated every day. Thus, the amount you owe on a DSI loan increases with each passing day.

However, because DSI loans use a simple interest calculation, interest does not compound. It’s important to learn how to calculate daily simple interest so you know how much you will owe on a DSI loan.

Daily Simple Interest (DSI) Explained

When you take out a loan, you likely expect to pay interest in addition to the original amount of the loan. However, the way interest is calculated is not the same for all loans.

With daily simple interest, only the remaining balance (principal) on the loan is used in the calculation. This is different from compound interest, where interest that accrues is added to the principal and thus included in subsequent interest calculations.

Because DSI loans calculate interest daily and only use the principal in the calculation, paying on time will help you pay off the loan more quickly than making late payments. Paying early will be even more beneficial, as will paying more than the minimum.

How to Calculate Daily Simple Interest

If you take out a loan with daily simple interest, it means interest will be calculated every day on the loan. In addition, interest is only calculated using the principal of the loan.

Simple interest is calculated as:

I = P * R * T

And:

P = Principal
R = Daily interest rate
T = Time between payments

The last part of the formula, T, is the time between payments. That refers to the amount of time that interest has been accruing. For example, if you pay interest every month, then 30 days may have passed since your last payment. Thus, we multiply the daily interest by 30 and then multiply that rate by the principal to determine how much interest you owe.

What Happens if I Don’t Pay the Daily Simple Interest on My Personal Loan?

If you pay the daily simple interest on your personal loan late, more of the payment will go toward interest, and less of it will go toward reducing the remaining balance. This is because more time has passed, and the loan has accrued more interest than it would have if you had paid on time.

For example, suppose you have a $3,000 loan with a 5% annual simple interest rate, calculated daily. On this loan, you would have $12.33 of interest after 30 days. If you pay $75 toward that loan, you pay the $12.33 interest and reduce the principal by $62.67. But suppose you wait 60 days to pay instead. Interest is still accruing on the original $3,000 principal, so you now owe $24.66 in interest. Now, your $75 payment only reduces the principal by $50.34.

Recommended: Is There a Grace Period for Personal Loans?

Comparing Daily Simple Interest vs Fixed Interest

Daily simple interest and fixed interest are not mutually exclusive. In fact, DSI loans are usually fixed-rate loans. In other words, the interest rate does not change for the life of the loan. This is common with auto loans and short-term personal loans.

One difference you might see is with mortgages. These loans are usually calculated monthly instead of daily. As a result, paying a few days early won’t reduce how much interest you owe. That said, paying more than the minimum on the mortgage can reduce how much you owe overall.

Comparing Daily Simple Interest vs Variable Interest

DSI loans are usually fixed-rate loans, so your payments won’t change for the life of the loan. Variable interest loans, however, have a rate that fluctuates according to market rates. Monthly payments fluctuate along with the rate, so it may be hard to predict how much you’ll have to pay every month.

Nevertheless, interest rates can be lower on variable-rate loans, especially at the beginning of the loan term. Variable-rate loans are common with mortgages, which again means interest is often calculated monthly instead of daily.

How Do Daily Simple Interest Loans Work?

With DSI loans, you generally make monthly payments. Some of each payment goes toward interest and the rest reduces the principal. The only thing that makes DSI loans somewhat complicated is the fact that their interest is calculated every day. However, this daily calculation also means early payments can help reduce the total amount you pay on a DSI loan.

For example, suppose you take out a $5,000 personal loan with a 36-month term and 12% annual simple interest, calculated daily. We will also assume your monthly payment is $120. If you make your first payment after 30 days, $49.32 goes toward interest, and $70.68 goes toward the principal. However, if you instead make your first payment after 15 days, only $24.66 goes toward interest, and $95.34 goes toward the principal.

Increasing how much you pay also helps you reduce the principal on a DSI loan more quickly. Using the above example, if you paid $240 instead of $120, the interest owed would be the same after both 30 days and 15 days. In other words, all of that extra $120 would go toward reducing the loan’s principal.

Pros and Cons of Daily Simple Interest Loans

Daily simple interest loans can be beneficial for some borrowers, but they aren’t without their downsides.

Pros of Daily Simple Interest Loans

•  Interest does not compound — only the principal is used to calculate interest

•  Early payments can save you money on interest

•  Payments are usually the same amount every month

Cons of Daily Simple Interest Loans

•  Interest rates may be lower on variable-rate loans

•  Late payments mean interest keeps accruing

Pros

Cons

No compound interest Late payments lead to more interest
Early payments can reduce interest paid Rates can be higher than variable-rate loans
Consistent monthly payments

Examples of Daily Simple Interest Loans

Two of the most common daily simple interest loans are auto loans and personal loans.

Auto Loans

When you finance a new vehicle, the interest on that loan is often calculated using daily simple interest. For example, suppose you have a $25,000 auto loan with 6% interest and a six-year term.

On this loan, your interest for the first 30 days would be $123.29. If you paid $500 after 30 days, $376.71 goes toward the principal, bringing it to $24,623.29. After 30 more days then, the interest charge is $121.43, leading to a slightly higher principal reduction of $378.57. With each monthly payment, you reduce the principal more.

Personal Loans

Personal loans can be used for a variety of needs; two personal loan examples are covering unex pected medical bills and paying for urgent home repairs.

While there are different types of personal loan, they often use daily simple interest. For example, if you take out a $5,000 personal loan with daily simple interest and don’t make a payment for 30 days, the loan will accrue interest for each of those 30 days. However, the principal after 30 days will still be $5,000.

On the other hand, if you made a $250 payment after 15 days, your principal would be reduced to $4,750. Then, interest would be calculated using $4,750 as the principal for the remaining 15 days that month. Hence, you would immediately reduce how much interest the loan accrues each day.

Recommended: Getting Approved for a Personal Loan

More Personal Loan Tips From SoFi:

With a daily simple interest (DSI) loan, interest accrues daily but doesn’t compound. Early payments lead to less interest owed, while late payments increase your interest. DSI personal loans can seem expensive, but they’re a better alternative to more expensive forms of borrowing, such as credit cards.

SoFi Personal Loans have a low fixed interest rate, and loans are available from $5K all the way up to $100K. You can use them for whatever you want: home projects, credit card consolidation, even unplanned events.

SoFi Personal Loans are “good debt,” available whenever and wherever the need arises.

FAQ

How do you calculate daily simple interest?

You calculate daily simple interest by multiplying the principal, the daily interest rate, and the number of days since your last payment. This formula is expressed as I = P*R*T.

Is simple interest charged daily?

Simple interest does not have to be charged daily; it can also be charged monthly or annually. However, daily simple interest is always charged daily.

How does a daily interest rate work?

Daily interest is simply a fraction of the annual interest rate. For example, on a non-leap year, the daily interest on a 15% daily simple interest loan would be 15%/365 = 0.041%. Thus, 0.041% is the amount of interest charged per day.


Photo credit: iStock/fizkes
SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


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Why your debt-to-income ratio matters

Why Your Debt to Income Ratio Matters

Imagine you’re a lender, and a wellness entrepreneur comes to you to borrow thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The loan seeker is the picture of health, drives a Tesla S, and lives in a solar-powered manse. But what if the would-be borrower is overextended, and not in a yoga-like way?

You’re going to want to compare their current income to their debts to help gauge how likely you are to be paid back.

Makes sense, right? A debt-to-income ratio helps to determine whether someone qualifies for a loan, credit card, or line of credit and at what interest rate.

A low DTI ratio demonstrates that there is probably sufficient income to pay debts and take on more. But what’s “low” or “good” in most lenders’ eyes?

First, a Debt to Income Ratio Refresher

In case you don’t know how to calculate the percentage or have forgotten, here’s how it works:

DTI = monthly debts / gross monthly income

Let’s say monthly debt payments are as follows:

•   Auto loan: $400

•   Student loans: $300

•   Credit cards: $300

•   Mortgage payment: $1,300

That’s $2,300 in monthly obligations. Now let’s say gross monthly income is $7,000.

$2,300 / $7,000 = 0.328

Multiply the result by 100 for a DTI ratio of nearly 33%, meaning 33% of this person’s gross monthly income goes toward debt repayment.

What Is Considered a Good DTI?

The federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau advises homeowners to consider maintaining a DTI ratio of 36% or less and for renters to consider keeping a DTI ratio of 15% to 20% or less (rent is not included in this ratio).

In general, mortgage lenders like to see a DTI ratio of no more than 36%, though that is not necessarily the maximum.

For instance, DTI limits can change based on whether or not you are considering a qualified or nonqualified mortgage. A qualified mortgage is a home loan with more stable features and without risky features like interest-only payments. Qualified mortgages limit how high your DTI ratio can be.

A nonqualified mortgage loan is not inherently high-risk or subprime. It is simply a loan that doesn’t fit into the complex rules associated with a qualified mortgage.

Nonqualified mortgages can be helpful for borrowers in unusual circumstances, such as having been self-employed for less than two years. A lender may make an exception if you have a high DTI ratio as long as, for example, you have a lot of cash reserves.

In general, borrowers looking for a qualified mortgage can expect lenders to require a DTI of 43% or less.

Under certain criteria, a maximum allowable DTI ratio can be as high as 50%. Fannie Mae’s maximum DTI ratio is 36% for manually underwritten loans, but the affordable-lending promoter will allow a 45% DTI ratio if a borrower meets credit score and reserve requirements, and up to 50% for loans issued through automated underwriting.

In the market for a personal loan? Some lenders may allow a high DTI ratio because a common use of personal loans is credit card debt consolidation. But most lenders will want to be sure that you are gainfully employed and have sufficient income to repay the loan.

Front End vs Back End

Some mortgage lenders like to break a number into front-end and back-end DTI (28/36, for instance). The top number represents the front-end ratio, and the bottom number is the back-end ratio.

A front-end ratio, also known as the housing ratio, takes into account housing costs or potential housing costs.

A back-end ratio is more comprehensive. It includes all current recurring debt payments and housing expenses.

Lenders typically look for a front-end ratio of 28% tops, and a back-end ratio no higher than 36%, though they may accept higher ratios if a credit score, savings, and down payment are robust.

How Can I Lower My Debt-to-Income Ratio?

So what do you do if the number you’ve calculated isn’t your ideal? There are two ways to lower your DTI ratio: Increase your income or decrease your debt.

Working overtime, starting a side hustle, getting a new job, or asking for a raise are all good options to boost income.

Strangely enough, if you choose to tackle your debt by only increasing your payments each month, it can have a negative effect on your DTI ratio. Instead, it can be a good idea to consider ways to reduce your outstanding debt altogether.

The best-known debt management plans are likely the snowball and avalanche methods, but there’s also the fireball method, which combines both strategies.

Instead of canceling a credit card, it might be better to cut it up or hide it. In the world of credit, established credit in good standing is looked upon more favorably than new.

The Takeaway

Your debt-to-income ratio matters because it affects your ability to borrow money and the interest rate for doing so. In general, lenders look at a lower DTI ratio as favorable, but sometimes there’s wiggle room.

If you’re struggling with student loan debt, refinancing might be a good option if you can lower your interest rate. And if you’re trying to pay off high-interest credit card debt, one method is to consolidate the debt with a fixed-rate personal loan. This can lower your monthly payment, thus changing your DTI ratio.

Check your rate on SoFi’s student loan refinancing and personal loans.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


SoFi Student Loan Refinance
If you are a federal student loan borrower, you should consider all of your repayment opportunities including the opportunity to refinance your student loan debt at a lower APR or to extend your term to achieve a lower monthly payment. Please note that once you refinance federal student loans you will no longer be eligible for current or future flexible payment options available to federal loan borrowers, including but not limited to income-based repayment plans or extended repayment plans.


Non affiliation: SoFi isn’t affiliated with any of the companies highlighted in this article.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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New England summer home

What Can Be Used as Collateral for a Personal Loan?

The only time you’d need collateral for a personal loan is if it’s a secured personal loan. Unsecured personal loans — which is what most personal loans are — are only secured by a borrower’s promise to repay the funds, rather than collateral.

But if you do opt for a secured personal loan, whether due to potential for larger loan amounts or more competitive terms, you’ll need an item to put up as collateral. Collateral can include a house, car, boat, and so forth — really, whatever a lender is willing to hold. You may also be able to use investment accounts, cash accounts, or certificates of deposit (CDs) as collateral to get the cash you need.

Secured Loans: Personal Loans With Collateral

Requiring collateral for a personal loan is uncommon, but not unheard of, depending on the type of personal loan you get. Generally, secured loans have more competitive interest rates, larger loan amounts, and more favorable terms.

But if a borrower fails to repay their secured loan, they’ll receive a notice letting them know they’re in default and giving them an opportunity to become current on payments. If the borrower doesn’t pay up, that can lead to loss of the collateral.

There’s a wide range of possibilities when it comes to types of collateral that can be used to secure a personal loan. Some common examples of loan collateral include:

•   Real estate: One option for personal loan collateral is your home or other real estate you own, like an investment property. Even if you don’t fully own your home, you may be able to use the equity you do have as collateral. Just make sure you understand the risk involved — you could lose your home if you’re unable to make payments.

•   Vehicle: You can use a vehicle as collateral when purchasing a car or truck, but some lenders allow you to use the equity in a vehicle to get funds. This may be a better choice than, say, a payday loan. However, you risk losing that vehicle if you can’t make the payments.

•   Bank or investment accounts: You might be able to use a CD or other investment account as collateral. Just know that using these accounts as collateral might prevent you from accessing the funds in the accounts, which is a downside to consider.

Beyond these more standard items, other things that could be used as collateral for a secured personal loan include paychecks, savings accounts, paper investments, fine art, jewelry, collectibles, and more.

Potential Advantages of Secured Loans

If you need to borrow a larger sum of cash, then you might find more success if you put up collateral. A borrower whose credit score isn’t as high as might be required for a riskier unsecured personal loan may find it easier to get approved for a personal loan that’s secured.

Plus, you might receive more favorable rates and/or terms, because the lender has the security of knowing they can possess the collateral if the loan is not paid back. As a personal loan calculator can demonstrate, a lower interest rate can add up to savings quickly.

Downsides of Secured Personal Loans

Perhaps the biggest downside of secured personal loans is that if you fail to make your payments, you could lose the asset that’s securing the loan. Given that houses, investment accounts, and vehicles are common examples of personal loan collateral, that could be a big blow.

Another downside of secured vs. unsecured personal loans is that the application process is generally longer and more involved. This is because the lender needs to assess the asset being put up as loan collateral to verify its value.

Unsecured Personal Loans

As mentioned, unsecured personal loans aren’t backed by collateral. Instead, lenders just need a borrower’s signature promising they’ll pay back funds (as well as a review of their credit history and other financial fitness indicators, of course). Because of this, you may hear unsecured personal loans referred to as signature loans, good faith loans, or character loans.

Student loans are a type of unsecured loan, though they have their own unique terms and repayment options. So are most credit cards, although they tend to have higher rates than what’s typical on an unsecured personal loan.

Potential Advantages of Unsecured Loans

You can typically obtain unsecured personal loans on short notice. If the borrower has sufficient income and a good credit score and history (among other factors), rates can be competitive compared to those of secured loans.

And, of course, with an unsecured personal loan, you wouldn’t be tying up any assets or putting them at risk if you struggle with repayment.

Downsides of Unsecured Loans

Because unsecured loans are riskier for the lender, rates are typically higher than those of secured loans. Additionally, amounts available to borrow are usually smaller.

While it’s true that there isn’t an asset a lender can repossess for nonpayment, lenders can still take action on unpaid unsecured personal loans. Lenders can report the account as in default to the credit bureaus, send the account to collections, and take a borrower to court for nonpayment. This can significantly affect a person’s credit for years to come.

Building or Repairing Credit to Avoid Loan Collateral

If your credit score or credit history is preventing you from getting an unsecured loan, it might make sense to take time to build or repair your credit. This won’t happen instantly, so it won’t be the magic solution if you need a loan now. But if you’d prefer not to put up an asset as collateral, it might be a worthwhile step prior to taking out a personal loan.

Some steps you can take to build or repair your credit include:

•   Pay all existing loans on time, and make sure not to miss any.

•   Get your monthly bills, such as your rent payments or utility bills, added to your credit report by a third-party service.

•   Keep your credit utilization (meaning the total percentage of your available credit you’re using) below 30%.

•   Get caught up on any outstanding balances or past-due debts.

•   Limit applications for new accounts.

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Making a Choice: Secured or Unsecured

Whether a secured or unsecured personal loan is right for you depends on your specific need, financial situation, and credit history, among other factors, though the common uses for personal loans apply to both.

If you’re looking for higher borrowing limits and potentially lower rates, or if you know you may not have as strong of an application, an unsecured personal loan could make more sense. Just think carefully about what asset you decide to put down as collateral, as you do need collateral for a loan of this type.

But if you have strong credit and don’t need to borrow as much money, an unsecured personal loan might make sense. That way, you won’t have to worry about loan collateral. Just remember that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook if you don’t repay the loan — lenders can report the defaulted loan, put it in collections, and even take you to court.

Unsecured Personal Loans at SoFi

If you think an unsecured personal loan is the right choice for you, consider a personal loan from SoFi. Because it is an unsecured loan, you won’t need to worry about loan collateral. Plus, SoFi personal loans have low rates. And, if you sign up for autopay, you could save even more.

Plus, at SoFi, unsecured personal loans are available in amounts up to $100,000. You could use funds for credit card consolidation, home improvements, relocation assistance, unexpected medical expenses, major personal purchases, and more.

Check out an unsecured personal loan from SoFi today.


Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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