What is an unsecured loan?

Yusra3

VIP Contributor
An unsecured loan is a type of loan that requires no collateral from the borrower. Unlike secured loans where you must put up an asset like a home or car as collateral, unsecured loans are approved based solely on your credit profile and ability to repay.

The most common forms of unsecured loans are credit cards, student loans, and personal loans. When you take out an unsecured personal loan, you are borrowing money and agreeing to repay it through fixed monthly installments over a set term, usually ranging from 1-7 years.

Since there is no collateral minimizing the lender's risk, unsecured loans tend to have higher interest rates than secured options like mortgages or auto loans. Lenders also have stricter credit score and income requirements for approval on unsecured loans.

However, unsecured loans provide flexible access to money for things like debt consolidation, home renovations, or major expenses without putting any assets on the line as collateral. As long as you make on-time payments, they are a sensible way to access financing.

The bottom line is that unsecured loans are a type of credit product where your promise to repay is backed by your overall financial profile rather than physical collateral.
 
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