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Secured personal loans

Learn how to lock in a lower rate by guaranteeing your loan with an asset.

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Elizabeth Barry
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If you are looking for a personal loan to help you take the next step towards a holiday, a new car or another large purchase, you might want to consider applying for a secured loan. Find out how to compare secured loans and what you can use as an asset to get a lower interest rate.

Compare secured personal loans

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Name Product Interest Rate (p.a.) Min. Loan Amount Max. Loan Amount Loan Term Monthly Service Fee Establishment Fee
Lending Crowd Personal Loan
Lending Crowd Personal Loan
6.45% -19.30%
$2,000
$200,000
2, 3 or 5 years
$0
$350 - $650 depending on the amount borrowed
Eligibility: Be an NZ resident/citizen and have a good credit score.
Secured and unsecured personal loans from $2,000 to $200,000. 100% online with no paperwork or early repayment fees.
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Overall Representative Example

If you borrowed $42,000 over a 5-year term at 6.99% p.a., you would make 60 monthly payments of $834.42 and pay $50,065.20 overall, which includes interest of $8,065 and a lender fee of $150. The overall cost for comparison is 8.75% APRC representative.

What is a secured personal loan?

A secured personal loan is a type of loan that is guaranteed against an asset you own or one you buy with the funds. Depending on the lender and the loan purpose, you can apply for an amount up to $100,000 for up to 7 years. The security you use could be a car, equity in your home, high-priced items such as jewellery, or a term deposit.

Is a secured loan right for you?

It is important to determine whether any type of financial product is right for you before you apply. When it comes to secured personal loans, here are some points to keep in mind:

  • You can manage your repayments. If you find yourself unable to repay your secured loan the lender is able to repossess the asset you offered as collateral to cover its losses.
  • You have an asset to guarantee or are looking to buy one. Lenders will require you to either be looking to buy an asset with your loan (such as a car or home renovations) or you already have an asset that meets its criteria.
  • You meet the requirements set by the lender. Lenders will have requirements for the guaranteed asset, such as its age or value. For example, if you are using a vehicle as security, it will need to be under a certain age; or if you are using a term deposit you will need to have a certain amount in the account.

What assets can you use for a secured personal loan?

Depending on the type of loan that you want to take out, you can use one the following assets to secure your loan:

  • New car. If you are buying a new car or you have a car that is less than two years old, you can use it as a guarantee for a secured loan.
  • Used car. Lenders may let you purchase a used car with a secured loan. Other vehicles such as motorbikes or caravans may also be allowed. The vehicle will generally need to be less than than 20 years old and in good condition, but some lenders may have tighter restrictions.
  • Equity in your home. If you own a mortgaged property, you can draw against any equity you have in the property to finance a purchase. Common uses for home equity loans are home renovations.
  • High-cost assets. Some lenders are more flexible with the assets they let you use. If you own expensive jewellery, fine art, precious metals, prestige cars or even certain antiques, you may be able to secure these against your loan.
  • Term deposits. This type of loan is available from some banks and credit unions. How much you have available in your term deposit is how much you are able to borrow with that same institution. The amount of your term deposit works as the security in case you default on the loan.

How does a personal loan work when you secure it with equity?

A loan secured against your home works in the same way as other guaranteed personal loans. When you apply, you need to provide details of your mortgage, financial position and the reason you wish to take out the credit. The loan provider will assess your application, and if you obtain approval, you receive the loan. This is dependent on how much equity you hold and how much the lender thinks you can afford to repay.

Working out your equity

Home equity is essentially the difference between your property’s value and the debt you hold against it. Typically, you can borrow up to 80% of your home’s value, minus the debt you hold against it. For example, if your home is worth $500,000 and you’ve paid off $300,000, you have $200,000 left on your mortgage.

Here’s how much you can borrow on a personal loan in this scenario:

  • 80% of a $500,000 home = $400,000
  • The amount of debt on the property = $200,000
  • Value – debt = $200,000

Do you need to apply with the same lender as your mortgage?

No, you don’t. However, your lender may have secured personal loan options to consider that allow you to use your home equity as a guarantee. If you decide to apply with a different lender, you need to provide details of your mortgage, including your total loan and how much equity you hold.

How to compare secured personal loans

Consider the following features when comparing secured loans:

  • Loan amounts. Find out what loan amounts the lender is offering and if it matches your loan purpose.
  • Loan terms. Generally, loans are available for terms of between six months and seven years. Loan terms may only extend up to five years for peer-to-peer loans and with some providers, so make sure you find a loan with terms that meet your needs.
  • Assets you can secure to the loan. Lenders have different requirements when it comes to secured loans. You may not be able to secure the asset you have in mind, so check this before you apply.
  • Fees. Establishment fees, annual or monthly fees add to your costs for the loan. Find out what fees may be applicable to your loan.
  • Interest rate. How competitive is the interest rate? Compare the rate to other lenders but don’t forget that rates are sometimes advertised as a range. If you have a good to excellent credit rating, you may receive a better rate.
  • Repayment flexibility. Are you able to repay the loan early without penalty? Can you make additional repayments without being charged? Check this before you apply.

Pros and cons of a secured personal loan

As with any type of personal loan, there are benefits and drawbacks to consider.

  • Lower rate. These loans are less of a risk for the lender and so come with lower interest rates.
  • Flexible. Unlike car loans, where you have to purchase the vehicle you are securing to the loan, you can generally purchase whatever you need to with a secured personal loan as long as the amount doesn’t exceed your secured asset’s value.
  • Higher chance of approval. Offering an asset to secure a personal loan can help you be approved for loans you may previously have been refused. This is because the loan is deemed less risky for a lender to take on when there is an asset attached to it.
  • Risk to your asset. When you take out a secured loan you are “guaranteeing” your loan with it. While this gives you a lower rate, it also means you can lose the asset if you default on the loan.
  • Loan amount is tied to your asset’s value. When you attach your asset to a secured loan it needs to be valued. This value will then be used to determine the loan amount you are offered by the amount.

Before applying for any type of secured loan, it is important to establish whether you can afford the repayments. If you default on the loan, the asset you have used as the guarantee can be taken by the lender and sold to cover the loss.

Compare lenders to find the most competitive options in terms of terms, rates and fees, as this will help find the right option for your budget and needs. Make sure you have done a proper search before submitting your application.

Is a secured personal loan the best option for you?

Before you apply for any financial product, you need to know if it is right for you. Secured personal loans come with a lot of benefits, but they are not for everyone. A secured personal loan’s suitability depends on your personal circumstances and needs. To decide if it is the right type of loan, you need to ask yourself the following:

  • What kind of a loan do you want?

Secured personal loans are generally cheaper than unsecured personal loans. Providing the lender an asset as security reduces the lender’s risk and the cost of the loan. If your priority is a loan with a competitive rate, a secured personal loan will always cost less.

  • Are you a bad credit borrower?

If you don’t have a perfect credit score, getting an unsecured personal loan may be difficult. Your other options, like payday loans, are also very expensive. But you may be able to get a secured personal loan if you have an asset to offer as collateral. With an asset as security, the lender faces less risk. As a result, they may have fewer restrictions and could be open to lending to bad credit borrowers. Making your repayments on time can also help improve your credit score.

  • Are you a part-time or casual employee? Are you self-employed?

If you’re a part-time or casual employee, or if you are self-employed, getting a personal unsecured loan may be more difficult. This is because lenders take into account whether you have a steady income. For lenders, this is a sign of your ability to repay the loan. If you have an asset to offer as security, you could take out a secured personal loan instead. Your asset reduces the lender’s risk and increases your chance of getting a loan.

  • Do you need or have an asset?

Are you looking to buy an asset with the loan funds? Do you already have an asset of value? If you don’t want to buy an asset or if you don’t own one, a secured loan may not work for you. If you are looking to buy an asset, you should make sure your lender accepts it as collateral.

  • Am you able to take the risk?

Do your circumstances allow you to take the risk of a secured personal loan? Are you certain you can make your repayments? In case your financial situation changes, are you willing to give up your asset? Asking yourself these questions can help you determine if this is the right loan for you.

  • Does you asset meet the lender’s requirements?

Lenders will have requirements for the guaranteed asset. This can include its age and value. Cars, for instance, need to be under a certain age, usually from two to seven years. To use your term deposit as collateral, you may need to have a set amount in the account.

Frequently asked questions about secured personal loans

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