What’s the Best Way to Borrow a Small Amount of Money?

There are times you need extra money due to a financial emergency that wasn’t in your budget. It could be an unexpected trip to the hospital for you or your child, a home repair project like a broken washing machine, or a needed new set of car tires. Luckily, there is a short-term fix in the form of personal or small loans. For a quick fix under £1000, we recommend small loans, but here is some additional information to make sure you get the right loan that provides you with financial relief.

What’s the Best Way to Borrow a Small Amount of Money?

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What is a personal loan?

If you are shopping around for a loan, you will see information for personal and small loans. A personal loan, also known as an unsecured loan, is a borrowed sum of money from a lender, which could be a bank, credit union, finance company or online lender. Lenders rely on your credit history to determine the amount you can borrow and set an interest rate based on your credit score. The personal loan and interest will be paid back in fixed monthly payments over a set time period.

The amount borrowed depends on your lender and can range from a minimum of £1,000 and upwards of £25,000 with a repayment period of 2 - 5 years. To apply, you’ll provide your identification, bank account information, proof of income and credit history. Borrowers with poor credit scores may not be eligible for personal loans. If you have a poor credit score and are approved, most likely you’ll receive a high interest rate since the lender believes there is a higher risk the loan will not be repaid in full. If your financial emergency is a lower amount and you need the money quickly, we recommend borrowing a small loan, from a dependable lender like Sunny Loans (more info on this later in the article).

What are small loans?

A small loan is usually a loan up to £1000 that can be paid back within a year. For some lenders, they will provide you an increased loan amount if you are a repeat customer. They are similar to personal loans because there is a structured repayment schedule. And like a personal loan, your small loan means you receive all the cash at once while spreading the payment over a period of time. Small loans can differ from personal loans because you do not always have to provide credit history to receive a loan. Since it’s a smaller loan and most people need the money quickly, most lenders have an online application that only takes a few minutes to fill-out. The response is immediate as well. Seriously, they can respond in under 5 minutes. Small loans also have a price cap on the interest, which means the interest won’t be an astronomical amount and you have a better chance of paying back your loan.

How do small loans work and how do I apply?

The process begins by submitting a loan application online or at a store. If you apply for a small loan at a store, the process is similar, except the lenders might want to see evidence of your income. So if you’re planning to go into the store, take at least 3 months of payslips, a photo ID and a recent utility bill. Even though it’s more time-consuming to go to a store, they might be more willing to lend you money since you’re providing an income history. Most people, however,  prefer to fill out an online application since it’s quick and convenient. Sunny Loans is a recommended company that has a short and easy online application. The application usually takes about 5 minutes and will ask questions regarding your spending habits. After submitting your online application, you should receive a response within 5 minutes on whether or not your loan has been approved. Again, all lenders differ, and while some lenders will process small loan requests immediately and get the money to your account within three days, check the terms and conditions of your agreement. 

In order to receive a small loan, you will have to meet the following criteria:

- Must be 18 years old or older to receive a loan (some require you to be under 76 years old as well)

- Must be a United Kingdom citizen

- Proof of employment status whether its part or full-time

- Your income must be at least £750 per month

- Working mobile phone and email address for communication

- Working debit account with a debit card to easily receive payments

After you submit your application, a lender, or a panel of lenders, will review your application and assess the risk associated with a loan.

How much will a short term loan cost?

The cost of a short term loan depends on your credit provider and the repayment schedule outlined in your loan agreement. Review the amount you’ll pay each month and for the duration of the loan. As with most loans, you can make early or additional payments and repay your loan early, but check the terms and conditions of your loan agreement to understand their specific policies.

It’s also important to check the interest rate since some are very high. There are high-cost short-term credit providers with an annual interest rate of more than 1000%. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) put price caps on small loans, keeping them at 0.8% interest per day or less, making it a more affordable option.

How do small loans affect your credit score?

Any borrowing, especially a small loan, is noted on your credit file, but your credit score should not be affected if you pay back your small loan in full and in the time frame outlined in your loan agreement. In some cases, it could raise your credit standing. Lenders and credit bureaus will see that you can manage your money and be willing to loan to you again in the future. If you take out a small loan and do not pay back the full amount, or within the parameters of the loan agreement, however, then you could receive a negative action on your credit score which makes it difficult to get another loan in the future.

Which lender should I choose?

When looking for a lender, you should use one that follows responsible lending guidelines and is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We recommend Sunny Loans. They provide loans from £100 to £1,000 and give you 3 months to 1 year to repay the loan. An added bonus is that Sunny Loans does not charge a late fee like some other lending companies. For example, if you ask for a £480 loan, it can be repayable over 9 months. With interest, your monthly payments are £106.56. For more information or to fill out their application online, visit their website.

SUNNY LOANS - FAST FLEXIBLE LOANS

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