Personal loan deals

3 easy steps to help you find the best personal loan for you

What type of personal loan will best suit my needs?

There are a range of personal loans you can apply for. If you're not sure what type of loan you need, we've highlighted the options. We've also included what you should keep in mind and watch out for.

Is the lowest interest rate an indication of the "best personal loan"?

The answer is yes and no.

Finding the lowest interest rate is a good indication of a competitive personal loan, but interest rates are not the only feature you should look into. You should also consider other features and fees involved.

Some loans advertise low interest rates but come with high fees. In this case, the loan may cost you more than the benefit you receive from a low rate. This is why you should take note of the comparison rate. It will give you an indication of the overall cost of the loan.

Additionally, if you want features like the ability to repay the loan early, you should consider break costs. Some loans allow you to repay the loan early without penalty. If that's a priority, you should account for this cost too.

What should I keep in mind when looking for the best personal loan?

When you're looking for a personal loan, there are some common misconceptions and mistakes you can make. You should avoid:

🔍 Applying for the first loan you find. The first loan you find may not be the best loan. By searching for other loans and comparing them, you can find what works best for you.

💵 Looking only at the interest rate. As we've mentioned above, you should also consider the comparison rate and loan features.

👀 Not reading loan terms and loan restrictions. You should always be aware of all the fees and restrictions associated with the loan. There could, for instance, be fees associated with extra repayments. Likewise, you may be restricted in terms of how you use the funds. For instance, a car loan can only be used to purchase a car.

💲 Applying for more than you can afford. Lenders are bound by responsible lending laws. According to these laws, they cannot lend you more than you can afford. If you apply for more than you can reasonably repay, your application will likely be rejected. You can work out how much you can afford using a personal loan calculator.

⚠️ Applying to multiple lenders. You may think you're increasing your chances of getting a loan, but this is a no go. This is because every loan application is entered into your credit file. Multiple loan applications in a short period act as a red flag, reducing your chances of getting a loan. Your credit score could also be impacted.

🤔 Not considering all your options before applying. A personal loan may not always be the best option for you, depending on your circumstances. For instance, if you're a low income earner, there are loans designed to address this. You should only apply if you're certain that what you want is a personal loan. It is also important to be sure that using a personal loan is the cheapest option for you.

How do I submit my personal loan application?

💻 After you've compared and found a loan from the table above, you can click "Go to Site".

✍This will take you directly to the lender's website, where you can start the application process.

❗Keep the documents you need on hand. These will include your driver's licence, financial and employment documents, and bank details. If you're applying for a secured loan, you will need details of the asset.

FAQs

• Which bank has the best personal loan interest rate?

  This depends on a number of factors. These include the type of loan you're looking for and what you need the loan for. For instance, a secured car loan will have a lower rate than an unsecured loan.

  What you define as the best interest rate for you will also have to take into account your credit history. A lender may advertise the best rate, but you may not be eligible for it unless you have excellent credit. You'll have to adjust your rate expectations based on your credit history.

• What is the best personal loan for bad credit?

  "Best" is relative to the borrower's circumstances. With a bad credit personal loan, you may have to readjust what you think is best (for example, low cost). Instead, you may have to look into other factors, like which loans you're eligible to apply for. Neobanks, nonbanks and P2P lenders, for instance, may be more amenable to bad credit borrowers. Once you've picked out the loans you can apply for, you can start filtering for cost and features, and select the best from the lot.

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Written by

Elizabeth Barry

Journalist

Elizabeth Barry is an experienced journalist with over 10 years of expertise in personal finance, contributing to outlets like the ABC, Sydney Morning Herald, and 7News. She holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney, and has earned multiple award nominations, including a Highly Commended recognition at the 2017 Lizzies. Elizabeth began her career at Finder in 2013, progressing through roles to become Lead Editor, where she oversaw a wide range of personal finance coverage until 2024. See full bio

Elizabeth's expertise

Elizabeth has written 210 Finder guides across topics including:

• Banking
• Personal finance
• Investing