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What is an unsecured loan?
Yahoo Finance· 2026-01-05 20:25
Core Insights - Unsecured loans are financial products that do not require collateral, making them accessible but often accompanied by higher interest rates and stricter credit requirements [4][7] - Most installment loans, including personal loans and student loans, are unsecured, and eligibility typically requires good to excellent credit and a steady income [3][7] - Unsecured loans can be used for various legal expenses and are available in forms such as personal loans, student loans, and credit cards [3][5] Group 1 - Unsecured loans are offered by banks, credit unions, and online lenders, and they may be harder to get approved for compared to secured loans [2] - The most creditworthy borrowers are likely to receive the best loan terms and lowest interest rates [3] - Unsecured loans can serve as effective debt consolidation tools, simplifying repayment and potentially lowering interest costs for borrowers who qualify [8] Group 2 - Borrowers who prefer not to pledge collateral can consider unsecured loans for large purchases, debt consolidation, or when they have reliable income [8] - Credit cards, a form of unsecured revolving debt, typically have higher average interest rates than loans, and missing payments incurs additional charges [6] - Lenders assess eligibility for unsecured loans based on credit history, income, and debt-to-income ratio [7]