If you’re in need of funds, going to your bank or another financial institution may not be the quickest or easiest route. As a result, you may be considering an online loan for your short-term financial needs. The are plenty of advantages to online loans, but when applying for a loan there are some things you should consider. Here are a few of steps we recommend to make sure you’re on the right track.
Assess Your Situation
- Why do you need a loan?
- How much to do you need?
- What can you afford to pay back?
Payday loans, installment loans, and line of credits are expensive forms of credit. Make sure your reason for seeking short-term credit is worth the cost. It’s important not to borrow more than you require. If you do get the amount you’re looking for, consider whether the terms and rates match the amounts and timing of what you’re willing and able to pay back.
Do Your Research
If you’re not familiar with online loans, find out what types of products are out there and what is available in your state. If you’re looking for an installment loan, for example, make sure it’s legal in your state and that the lender is state-licensed and easy to contact.
When searching for a lender, you could end up in one of two places; on the direct lender’s site or on a loan matching site. Loan matching services will collect your information and send your request to a network of lenders; which means, multiple lenders may contact you.
Compare rates and terms of different lenders to get an idea of how much your loan or line of credit will cost and how payment will work. Check review communities to get a feel of how the business operates, and try to eliminate bias by reading both good and bad reviews.
Apply for Your Loan Online
If you think you’re ready to apply for a personal loan online, make sure you have the necessary information available for your application. This includes but is not limited to, your bank account and routing number, SSN, and driver’s license or State ID. After filling out and submitting your application you’ll quickly find out if you’re eligible for a loan. Additional verification steps may be required, so confirm with the lender if you need to do anything else to get approved. Once your loan is approved your funds may be made available to you by as soon as the next business day (depending on the lender and your bank’s policies).
At the end of the day...
Online loans can be a quick and easy way to get money in a time of need. Before applying online for a short-term loan, assess your situation and determine if this form of credit is right for your situation. Make sure you do some research on your own to get an understanding of how short-term loans and lenders work. When you’re confident and ready to apply, pay attention to the details and ask questions to ensure your application and funding process goes smoothly.
Posted in: Personal Loans
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial, legal or other professional advice. For full details, see MoneyKey's Terms of Use.
