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Personal loans are available from banks, credit unions, and online lenders, and can be used for almost any purpose.
There isn't just one type of personal loan, though. Personal loans can be broadly divided into two categories: secured loans and unsecured loans. As you learn the difference between secured vs. unsecured loans, you'll get a sense of which works best for you.
Although secured vs. unsecured loans have some common traits, there are big differences. Some of the key things to know about the differences between secured and unsecured personal loans include:
Let's look a little more closely at some of these key differences between secured vs. unsecured loans so you can better understand which is right for you.
Get the best rates and terms to fit your needs. Here are a few loans we'd like to highlight, including our award winners.
Lender | APR Range | Loan Amount | Min. Credit Score | Next Steps |
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Apply Now for Discover Personal Loan
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Rating image, 5.0 out of 5 stars.
5.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
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= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
7.99% - 24.99%
|
$2,500 - $40,000
|
660
|
Apply Now for Discover Personal Loan
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Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
7.80% - 35.99%
|
$1,000 - $50,000
|
None
|
|
Apply Now for Best Egg
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Rating image, 4.0 out of 5 stars.
4.0/5
Our ratings are based on a 5 star scale.
5 stars equals Best.
4 stars equals Excellent.
3 stars equals Good.
2 stars equals Fair.
1 star equals Poor.
We want your money to work harder for you. Which is why our ratings are biased toward offers that deliver versatility while cutting out-of-pocket costs.
= Best = Excellent = Good = Fair = Poor |
8.99% - 35.99%
|
$2,000 - $50,000
|
550
|
Apply Now for Best Egg
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When you apply for an unsecured personal loan, the lender has nothing but your promise to guarantee repayment. This is risky for lenders, because a lender who makes an unsecured loan may have difficulty collecting what you owe if you stop making payments.
Lenders want to control risk, so they will assess how qualified you are as a borrower before giving you an unsecured personal loan. Typically, lenders look at your credit score, your income, and your existing levels of debt before deciding to give you an unsecured loan.
If you don't have a solid credit history, you owe a lot of money, or your income is too low and the lender is concerned about your ability to make payments, you won't get approved for an unsecured loan.
This is where the subject of secured vs. unsecured loans takes a turn. With a secured loan, you put up collateral, which means you must have assets (like jewelry, a savings account, or something else of value) to give the lender in case you can't pay the loan. Since the lender has an ownership interest in this collateral, there are far fewer risks in lending to you. If you don't pay, the lender could keep the assets as reimbursement.
Because the risk to the lender is lower, it's much easier to get approved for a loan that's secured than to get approved for an unsecured loan. Even borrowers with a limited credit history or with poor credit often qualify.
With an unsecured loan, you do not need to have any collateral. This means you don't need to put any assets at risk to guarantee the loan. Your property can't directly be taken by the lender in the event you don't pay the loan.
With a secured loan, you do need collateral. In most cases, this means you put some money into a special savings account controlled by the personal loan lender, or you give a lender an ownership interest in a savings or investment account. However, other assets can also be used as collateral, such as a vehicle, your home, or certificates of deposit (CDs). If you don't have assets to use as collateral, you can't qualify for a secured loan.
The amount of collateral required varies depending on the lender's policies. In some cases, you need collateral valued at 100% of the loan amount or close to it. In other circumstances, especially if you have better credit, you can put up some collateral to guarantee the loan, but can borrow more than the collateral is worth.
Typically, when you use investment accounts or a savings account as collateral, letting the value of the account drop below a certain level violates the terms of the loan agreement. This could trigger an immediate obligation to repay your loan if you don't bring the account value up -- your loan terms specify exactly what occurs if this happens.
If you don't pay an unsecured personal loan, a lender can try to collect in a number of ways. The lender reports your delinquent payments to the credit reporting agencies, which hurts your credit score. The lender is also likely to contact you repeatedly to try to get paid.
Lenders may collect debts themselves or, after a certain amount of time has passed, may opt to sell the debt to a collection agency. The lender or collection agency could sue you, take you to court, and get a judgement against you. If you don't pay the judgement, the lender could get a court order to enforce it by garnishing your wages or putting a lien on your property. All of this takes time for the lender and requires court visits and legal fees -- it's not easy for a lender to take your money or property.
On the other hand, with a secured loan, the lender has an interest in the collateral because of the way the loan is structured. It's much easier to take property you pledged to guarantee the loan. Depending on loan terms and state laws, the lender may be able to take the money in your savings or investment account when you default, without any court action. Check your loan agreement to find the exact process for seizure of your collateral.
Because it's so easy for the lender to take the assets guaranteeing the loan, your property is at much greater risk if you don't pay a secured loan. When you fail to pay a secured loan, the lender can also report the default to the credit reporting agency and ruin your credit, just as lenders can with secured loans.
There are key differences between secured and unsecured personal loans. If you have bad credit or otherwise have a hard time qualifying for an unsecured personal loan, a secured loan could provide you with the funding you need. But be aware that a lender can more easily take your property on a secured loan than with an unsecured personal loan -- and you have to tie up some of your assets to qualify for a secured loan.
By understanding these key differences of secured vs. unsecured loans, you can decide which type to apply for, and maximize your chances of getting approved for a loan.
Looking for a personal loan but don’t know where to start? Our favorites offer quick approval and rock-bottom interest rates. Check out our list to find the best loan for you.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
We're firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers. The Ascent, a Motley Fool service, does not cover all offers on the market. The Ascent has a dedicated team of editors and analysts focused on personal finance, and they follow the same set of publishing standards and editorial integrity while maintaining professional separation from the analysts and editors on other Motley Fool brands.
*Upstart Loan Disclaimer
The full range of available rates varies by state. The average 3-year loan offered across all lenders using the Upstart platform will have an APR of 21.97% and 36 monthly payments of $35 per $1,000 borrowed. For example, the total cost of a $10,000 loan would be $12,646 including a $626 origination fee. APR is calculated based on 3-year rates offered in the last 1 month. There is no down payment and no prepayment penalty. Your APR will be determined based on your credit, income, and certain other information provided in your loan application.