Learn How You Reduce the Interest Rate on Your Next Personal Loan

  • Updated on: 21 Mar 2024
  • Published on: 10 Nov 2021
Learn How You Reduce the Interest Rate on Your Next Personal Loan

There are times when you need quick cash for family expenses, medical emergencies, etc. In situations like these, you may not want to redeem your savings. Hence, a personal loan proves to be an effective source of money, as lenders allow you to borrow the loan without any restrictions on the reasons for borrowing.

Amid high inflation, it is rather difficult to save money. Every day, the cost of necessities rises, forcing us to spend more money than we did yesterday. Groceries, transportation, education, and other basics are no longer available at the cost they were some time ago. Despite the day-to-day expenses, some significant investments must be made to secure one’s financial future or to bring some comfort into one’s life.

For example, a person may want to buy a house to generate money via rent, or they may want to buy a vehicle to make their commute more accessible and enjoyable. Therefore, it is advisable to take a personal loan rather than use one’s own money for such substantial expenditures.

A loan can be utilized to attain any objective in life or to address an emergency need. However, it would be prudent to remember that a loan is an additional expense because banks charge interest on the EMIs. A higher interest rate may make paying off your mortgage more expensive. When the interest rate rises, so does the amount of EMI.

There are several approaches or ideas that might help you save money on your personal loan interest rate. Some of the strategies for minimising the cost of your loan are mentioned below, ranging from bargaining with your lender to moving lenders.

Select a Greater Down Payment

A down payment is an amount paid in advance by the consumer when purchasing the applicable goods. The amount that the client needs to borrow as a loan is decreased since the customer bears a percentage of the total cost of the item. The principal amount borrowed by the consumer determines the interest rate on the loan. As a result, the greater the loan amount, the more interest you will pay and the higher your EMI displayed by the personal loan interest calculator. Consequently, putting down a large sum of money is a wise decision. This will not only help you reduce your loan’s EMI, but it will also help you save a significant amount of money in the long run.

Select a Loan with a Longer Repayment Period

The loan payback period is inversely related to the amount of EMI for a specific loan amount. If you opt for an extended loan term, the total debt will be spread over a more extended period. This, in turn, decreases the amount payable in monthly payments. However, choosing a longer term means you will be charged interest on the existing debt for a more extended period. While lengthening the loan duration will lower your personal loan interest rate, it can also result in a higher amount of interest over the life of the loan. As a result, before extending your loan term, you should exercise extreme caution and carefully examine all the positives and downsides.

Select a Step-Down EMI Plan

There are various banks and non-banking financial organizations that provide Step-Down EMI Plans to their consumers. When a borrower takes out a loan under this plan, they must pay a higher EMI at the start of the term. However, the EMI amount, calculated by the personal loan interest calculator, steadily reduces over time as the principal amount falls with each monthly payment. Therefore, this strategy can assist in lowering the interest expense in the latter stages of the loan’s term. As a result, because it is dependent on the customer’s cash flow needs, this type of Flexi-EMI program is best suited for persons nearing retirement.

Consider Borrowing from Your Current Bank

If you are currently a customer of a particular bank, it is good to examine the same bank while looking for a loan. This might work in your favour if you have a solid relationship with your bank, in which case they are more likely to offer you a cheaper personal loan interest rate on your chosen loan.

Negotiate

Considering the initial point, if the individual has a solid relationship with their bank, they may negotiate a reduced interest rate on a loan. Banks may be prepared to do so for existing clients to boost brand loyalty and attract new ones.

Do Your Homework Before Changing Lenders

If you have decided to take out a loan and your current bank does not provide the best deal, you can shop elsewhere. In the market, there is no scarcity of reputable and well-established loan providers. However, before you choose a firm, make sure you have studied the loan specifics such as the prepayment penalty (if applicable), loan processing fee, and other similar costs that might add to the entire cost of the loan, making it more expensive. Also, if you are switching, be aware of any fees that your current lender may demand for the loan transfer.

Prepayment Consideration

Loan prepayment can go a long way toward lowering the cost of your loan. If you have earned a raise or acquired some money, you are strongly recommended that you prepay your debt in part or whole. As we all know, a more considerable outstanding loan amount will result in a higher interest rate. As a result, although full prepayment helps you erase the loan burden, a partial prepayment may also be helpful. By decreasing the loan’s principal amount and the loan’s term, the payable interest is cut. You may use a personal loan interest calculator to determine your loan payback EMI.

Prioritize Loan Payments with the Highest Interest Rates

Some loans, such as credit card loans, have considerably high interest rates. As a result, if you have a credit card loan, a personal loan, and a house loan, it is best to pay off the credit card debt first for a better personal loan interest rate. You may pay the minimal amount on your other two loans while paying off the credit card debt. If you pay off the loan with the highest interest rate first, you can save a lot of money if the loan had been unpaid for so long.

Consider a Balance Transfer Loan

Because balance transfer loans have lower personal loan interest rates, they might help you reduce your loan EMI. However, additional variables such as processing costs and other expenses must also be considered to ensure that shifting your loan to another bank is worthwhile. If you’re considering opting for a loan, Fibe can help you select a loan tenure per your requirements.

 Share

Our top picks

Can Millennial Stress be Resolved by Financial Wellness?
Finance | 3 mins read
How Organisations Can Measure the Impact of Financial Wellness Programs
Finance | 3 mins read
How Can HR help Overcome Staffing Challenges in the Digital Age?
Corporate | 3 mins read
5 Signs of A Good HR Function
Corporate | 3 mins read