Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Secured and Unsecured Loans in the UK

By Rhonda Brown

One of the important characteristics of human beings is their survival instinct. We face many problems day in and day out, but we have the ability to see opportunities in these problems. Problems and opportunities are two sides of the same coin. When there is an imbalance between our earnings and expenses, one of the options available to us is to go in for loans.

There are others who go in for loans, maybe for expanding their living place, to consolidate their debts into a single loan, or to enjoy an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Secured and unsecured loans are the two types of loans available in UK. In secured loans, the lender insists that the borrower give as a collateral any of their assets, namely their home, their car, stocks, or any other asset of high value. If the borrower fails in repayment, the lender will recover the dues by selling the asset thus given as collateral.

Advantages of a secured loan are that the money lent is usually more than in the case of an unsecured loan. Also, the repayment period is longer. The lender also feels safe as the loan has the back-up of an asset. Therefore the interest rates are also comparatively cheaper. Even if the borrower has a weak credit history, a secured loan may be considered since it has the back-up of an asset.

In the case of an unsecured loan, the lender does not insist on any asset to back up the loan. He or she considers the track-record of the borrower and assess his credit-worthiness. Based on this assessment, the amount of the loan and the rates of interest are determined. But the lender will always have a recovery plan to recover the loan in case of default by the borrower. This recovery plan could be asking for a guarantor to sign the required documents to the effect that in case of defaults by the borrower, the guarantor is liable to repay the loan. In the case of an unsecured loan - the amount lent is also much less than in the case of a secured loan, and the repayment period will also be shorter.

In an unsecured loan, since no asset is given as collateral, the question of the borrower losing the asset does not arise. The borrower can just pay back the loan and heave a sigh of relief in view of the relatively short period of repayment.

Starting a business or business expansion may also be a reason for a person to borrow. But borrowers should keep in mind that raising a loan should only be for a temporary period. They should not become habitual borrowers because it become a vicious circle if they get entangled in borrowing.

Loans should be the last resort for people because usually lenders are very strict. Only in compelling circumstances, one should go in for loans. But if such a dire necessity arises, one should have perfect and unfailing plans to repay the loans.

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