The interest rate you receive on your personal loan varies depending on a number of factors. If you have a good credit score you will most likely have access to lower interest rates. This is largely due to the fact you’re considered less risky to the lender. Interest rates are also largely based on the amount you apply for. Small, medium and large personal loans all have different terms and rates of interest.

Personal loans will often have fees attached to them. Some lenders will charge the following fees on their personal loans:

1. Establishment/application fee: A fee charged to your account when you take out a personal loan. It is taken out at the beginning of your loan.
2. Ongoing fees: Your lender may charge ongoing fees such as a monthly service fee
3. Late/missed repayment fees: These are fees charged to your loan if you’re on a regular repayment or you miss a repayment altogether.
4. Early repayment/exit fees: This is a fee charged for paying off your loan before the loan term ends.

Before committing to a personal loan, you should check if you can comfortably fit the regular loan repayments in your budget. Making higher repayments means you’ll pay off your loan quicker and you’ll likely be charged less interest. Most lenders will give you the option of choosing between weekly, fortnightly and monthly repayments.

A secured loan requires you to attach an asset to your loan as collateral (such as a car, boat or house). This is to reduce the level of risk that lenders take on when providing you with a loan. Secured loans also often come with lower interest rates due to this reduced risk. Unsecured loans on the other hand don’t require you to provide any collateral. These loans are usually for smaller amounts of money to to the increase in risk that the lenders take on.