If you're considering taking out a personal loan then you're probably also wondering how you find the loan that's right for you.
The good news is that in Australia, you've got a lot of choice when it comes to selecting the bank you want to go with for your personal loan. Don't get fooled into thinking that the bank you have your regular everyday transaction account with is your only choice when it comes to securing a loan. If you've got a good credit history you should definitely shop around and find a bank offering competitive loan interest rates and fees.
Big bank or mutual bank loans?
In addition to the four major banks - ANZ, CommBank, NAB and Westpac -challenger banks like Citibank, HSBC, ME and Bankwest will loan money for personal use, often at competitive rates.
Another option to borrow money is choosing a mutual bank. Mutual banks are mostly former credit unions and may offer low rates for their members. Providers like Bank Australia and Heritage bank are lenders that fall into this category. You don't need to live near a branch and most mutual banks have open membership so you won't need to work in a particular industry to get access to their great rates and service.
The best loan option for you will depend on a range of things from the amount of money you want to borrow to the length of time that you'll need to repay back your loan.
Most banks these days let you apply for a personal loan online, so whereas in the past you needed to have a branch locally, you don't really need to be concerned with this anymore. You can bank anywhere, anytime and do everything you need with your computer or smartphone.
What you should really focus on when taking out any loan is the interest rate, fees and the flexibility the bank offers.
Read on to find all the need-to-knows about taking out a bank personal loan.
Finding the best bank personal loan
If you’re on the hunt for a great personal loan from one of Australia’s banks, there are a few things you should know before your start your search. From secured or unsecured loans, to fixed or variable interest rates, the choice is yours, and finding a great bank loan starts with figuring out what kind of loan you need.
Your next step is comparing personal loans from different banks based on their interest rate, as well as their features. Look out for a personal loan with a low comparison rate, low fees, flexible repayment options, an extra repayment facility and the ability to redraw if need be.
Applying for bank personal loans online
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, you no longer need to visit a bank branch in order to take out a bank loan, you can now apply and get approved online.
Remember to have on hand personal documents and statements like a form of ID, proof of income and financial statements before you apply. Even though you’ll be applying online, you’re likely to still have customer support like chat bots or phone support to help you if you run in to questions during the application process.
What size personal loans can you get from a bank?
Whether you’re after a small personal loan or a big one, banks offer personal loans of many different sizes. Banks can typically lend more than P2P lenders, with personal loans ranging from a few hundred dollars to upwards of $100,000 with approval. Of course, how much you’ll be able to borrow will depend on your financial circumstances so try our loan repayments calculator to get an indication of how much you’ll be able to afford.
How to compare bank personal loans
It’s a good idea to compare personal loans using the comparison rate, as this rate takes into account the fees as well as the interest rate to give you an indication of the true cost of a loan. Once you’ve reviewed the repayment estimates from different banks, next is to compare the features such as extra repayments or repayment frequency options so that you can find the best option for you. Read our guide for more info about demystifying personal loan fees and features.