Take the hassle and stress out of finding a personal loan by using a broker.
How do personal loan brokers work?
Personal loan brokers, also called lender matching services, work in a similar way to mortgage brokers: they help you find a good deal on your loan.
Personal loan brokers can help you with the full range of personal loans offered by lenders. Whether you’re renovating your home or refinancing student loans, a personal loan broker can assist you with finding a suitable loan.
Personal loan brokers search for a loan within their lending network, which is simply the group of lenders that they deal with. Once they’ve found a lender willing to approve your application, the broker will present you the offer. You may have to finalize the offer with the lender directly, though some brokers are able to facilitate that portion of the process as well.
Most personal loan brokers operate solely online, so you can fill out your application and get a loan offer from the comfort of your home.
Compare personal loan brokers
These lender matching services can offer you convenience. Instead of filling out multiple applications on a bunch of different lenders’ websites, you fill out one application and receive offers through the broker, saving you time.
They can find you the best loan option for your unique circumstances. They may be particularly useful if you have trouble meeting the standard eligibility criteria at larger financial institutions. This is because brokers tend to have a better understanding of different lending requirements of various lenders, so they won’t recommend products that you are likely to be rejected for.
Personal loan brokers get commissions when you’re approved for a loan, so it’s in their best interest to match you with lenders who are likely to approve you.
How to find a good personal loan broker
- Loans offered. Make sure the broker you are considering offers the type of loan that you require.
- Type of interest. Most brokers offer fixed interest loans only. If you’re interested in variable interest loans, be sure to look for that information on the broker’s website before applying.
- Loan conditions. Can you pay the loan off early or make additional repayments? Make sure you can access these benefits without having to pay a fee.
- Lender network. This is the group of lenders from which your broker will choose a loan. The bigger the network, the greater the chance of you getting the best deal available.
- How they work. Some brokers operate almost entirely online, whereas others use the more traditional phone, fax and mail. Make sure you’re comfortable with whichever system your broker uses.
- Funding time. Brokers have different speeds at which they are able to approve and fund your loan. If you are in a hurry, an online-based broker should be able to approve your loan faster than a paper-based one.
- Customer service. You may be dealing with the broker for the term of your loan, so make sure you are happy with the level of service they provide. Call them to see how long it takes to get an answer and find out what kind of support they offer.
What to avoid with personal loan brokers
- A small lender network. The more lenders your broker has access to, the better your chance of getting the best loan available. Make sure your broker compares a large range of options, otherwise you might as well just do it yourself.
- Commissions. There isn’t anything wrong with a broker being paid a commission, just be sure of what the commissions are and how they affect the broker’s recommendations. Less honest brokers might push lenders that pay them higher, rather than the ones that offer the best option for you.
- Fees and charges. Understand the fees and charges you’ll have to pay. Ensure they are all clearly explained to you before you commit to your broker and the loan.
- Scams. Reputable personal loan brokers don’t charge a fee for you to apply. Be wary of other warning signs like an unsecure website that doesn’t have “https” in the URL or a company without a physical address.
Frequently asked questions about personal loan brokers
Does it cost more to use a personal loan broker?
No. Brokers make money through commissions, which are paid to them by the lenders they recommend. This is not directly added to the cost of your loan or interest rate. You’ll be responsible for any origination, monthly or other applicable fees normally charged by the lender.
Can I take out a loan from my current bank via a broker?
Brokers offer products from lenders within their network, that is, lenders that they have a relationship with. If your current bank is within the broker’s lender network and it offers a competitive product, then yes, you might end up getting an offer from your current bank. However, your broker should be looking for the best value option for you.
Can I stop using the broker’s services, or switch to another broker, once I have my loan?
This will depend on the terms and conditions of your contract. Make sure you read and understand all of them before you sign and complete your offer. You may need to cancel the loan and take out a new one if you wish to change brokers.
A phone call came to me that they will provide me mortage loan on my insurance policy first make a policy is it ok or not
Hi Mukul,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
We won’t be able to tell which would be the best option for you since it would depend on your personal situation and circumstance. However, a broker can help you find the option that is best suited to your situation and requirements, and you’ll also have the benefit of filling out a single initial form rather than visiting multiple websites and repeating the process. You may review and compare the offers available on the table above. Once you have selected one, you may proceed by clicking the green “Go to Site” button.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle