
Is your income inadequate to pay unforeseen financial needs? If you answered yes, you are desperate for a short-term cash loan. Quick cash loans can help with unexpected medical bills, moving expenses, or car repairs. Here is a guide to the world of fast cash loans for easy borrowing.
What is a cash loan?
A cash loan is a short-term financial product that can provide a borrower with urgent cash. Sometimes it can cover emergency expenses or pick up the slack for a large purchase.
A cash loan is when the borrower receives the funds in cash, and it distinguishes it from other loans, such as overdrafts, installment loans, and leases. Lenders can grant personal cash loans to a private individual, and business loans can be issued to a company. Nevertheless, borrowers should realize that cash loan is quite risky. Usually, until the borrower repays the loan, cash lenders possess personal property as security than requires a bank account or other financial collateral.
What are the major types of cash loans?
Personal loans usually can be of two types: secured or unsecured. An unsecured loan doesn't require you to offer any collateral to the lender, but a secured loan does.
Secured Loans
You may let the lender access your savings account or secure the loan with a valued item when you take a secured loan. Banks frequently need a savings account or CD (Certificate of Deposit), but pawnshops can provide this form of a loan with various valuable items.
Some lenders accept boats and RVs as collateral, and loans secured with autos are typical. If you stop paying your debt, the lender may sell your property.
Auto title loans
Auto loans often last for only 30 days. You give the lending company the title to your vehicle to obtain a car title loan. The lender gives you cash and keeps the title to your car. When it’s repayment time, you have to pay the loan amount you borrowed plus a fee. Car title personal loans may be pretty high-cost.
Here’s an example:
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You require a $1,500 loan for 30 days.
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The fee is 25%. That's $375 for a $1,500 loan.
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For instance, on the due date in 30 days, you pay them $1,875.
It's worth considering that types of quick loans are risky. If a borrower doesn't repay the title loan under the repayment terms, the car can be repossessed immediately by the auto loan title company.
Pros
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Interest rates may be lower since the security reduces the lender's risk.
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The lender can increase the loan amount depending on the collateral price.
Cons
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If you cannot afford the loan repayment, you may forfeit your collateral.
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Title loans are expensive.
Unsecured Loans
Rather than requiring collateral, lenders giving unsecured loans rely on your credit score to decide how much you can borrow and the interest you’ll pay.
You’ll have better loan options if you have a good credit history. Getting an unsecured personal loan with bad credit history is not prohibited, but you’ll have to pay higher interest to offset the lender's risk.
Payday loans
Payday personal loans are quick short-term loans with sometimes only two weeks to pay off. To obtain a payday loan, you give the lender a post-dated personal check for the desired loan amount, plus whatever fee the lender charges you. The lender funds a borrower the desired loan amount. On the following payday, they have to pay the lender the loan principal plus the fee in cash.
Here’s an example:
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You want to borrow $1000. The fee is $150. You write an $1150 check to the lender.
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The lender gives you $1000 in cash. They keep your post-dated check.
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On the due date, often in two weeks, you pay them $1150. Your check is returned to you by the lender.
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You paid $150 for a two-week loan of $1000.
Pros
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Your risk is negligible since you're not putting anything of value as collateral.
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Because your payments and interest are known and predictable, you know when you'll finish repaying the loan.
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You’ll be rewarded with more favorable terms if you have a good credit history.
Cons
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You may be limited in the loan amount.
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It can be challenging to get a reasonable rate if you have a poor credit score.
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Payday loans are expensive.
How to apply for a cash loan?
How does one apply for a quick cash loan? A borrower applies with a preferred financial institution, and applying for quick cash loans is similar to applying for other loans.
Initially, you must fill in a registration form. Many quick cash lenders are also introducing online applications. If you do not want to apply online, you can go to the store and fill out your paper form instead.
The lender will run credit checks on you, and you'll receive a response on your application. Online applications and approval decisions with online lenders are typically faster and require less paperwork.
You can apply with multiple lenders simultaneously on Finanso®. With our Finanso.Multilogin™ feature, you need to fill in your details once and get access to the most American lending companies in one click.
What are the primary requirements for getting a cash loan?
Secured loans
Major secured personal loan prerequisites include:
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Being at least 18 years old.
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Have US citizenship or permanent residence.
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Having a bank account with a good credit history.
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Having collateral.
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Having an income enough to repay monthly loan payments.
The lender will request your documents, such as your Social Security number(SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).
You may not need a bank account for certain types of loans, such as title loans, but it is still better to have any.
You can use real estate, land, vehicles, investments, bank accounts, jewelry, and other valuables as collateral for secured personal loans.
You'll also need to prove that you have a steady source of income and/or considerable assets.
For approval, lenders demand applicants to have a particular credit score. The most prominent lenders typically require a credit score of 585 to 700, although these standards are flexible.
If you're unemployed, you still need a stable source of income, such as a retirement benefit, disability benefit, or investments.
Unsecured loans
Most payday lenders ask customers to meet the following criteria to qualify for a loan, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB):
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You must be 18 years or older.
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Have US citizenship or permanent residence.
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Have a valid checking account.
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Show evidence of income and identification.
Additional verification may be necessary for some circumstances.
Ways to get a cash loan
A borrower can obtain a loan through a bank, lending company, or credit union. However, keep in mind that large banks do not provide quick cash. Furthermore, some banks may demand you have a good credit report to be approved for a loan. What can you do in this case?
Online loans
An online lender is a suitable alternative to banks. You can get an online loan with a couple of clicks.
Usually, an online lender can transfer money into your checking account as little as one business day to two.
In-store lenders
First of all, make a credit check. Afterward, choose your collateral in case you are taking a title loan.
When you're ready to apply, it's a good idea to gather all of the documents and information you'll need ahead of time. Personal information, such as your First and Last name, date of birth, Social Security number, and driver's license or other government-issued ID; proof of income and assets, pay stubs, recent tax refunds, and bank statements; list of liabilities, such as existing debt payments, monthly rent or mortgage payment, child support or alimony payments, and other monthly obligations. Then take the documents to the chosen In-store location to fill out your application, and pick up your cash, usually on the same day.
If you're unsure whether a lender is trustworthy, look up its reputation online. Compare rates and loan terms with traditional and online lenders and shop around for better deals.
How to repay a cash loan debt?
The lender will include details of how to repay your loan in your loan agreement, and the specific structure will depend on what kind of loan terms you have.
Mostly, you'll make a payment by the monthly due date. You can meet the electronic debits or submit a check to your lender each month. You are free to pay extra to the principal if your loan allows you to pay it off sooner.
Pros and cons of a cash loan
Pros
Cash advances provide certain advantages over some other types of loans. We discuss the benefits of choosing this form of finance over the alternatives below.
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Flexible payment options and convenience are the most significant benefits.
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Some loan types can only be used for a specified purpose. For example, if you get an auto loan, you can only use the money to buy a car.
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Fast cash loans can be used for different financial needs, including debt consolidation, medical bill repayment, covering car repairing, etc.
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Quick cash may be a good alternative if you have financial needs for a significant buying but prefer not to be restricted in how you use it. Check the proper usage with your lender before signing a loan application.
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Loan options for cash advances are frequently more appealing than credit card features.
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Cash personal loans with interest rates ranging from 6% to 8% are offered to consumers with an excellent credit report. You might be able to receive a loan that is bigger than the limit on your credit card, and a security deposit is not necessary.
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You may acquire quick unsecured cash without putting up any collateral, so you won't have to put up your vehicle, home, or other value to secure the loan.
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You may face serious credit difficulties if you cannot return the unsecured loan on the agreed-upon conditions with your lender. However, you don't need to worry about losing your house or car due to this.
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Some people take out a private loan to consolidate debt, such as many credit card accounts. A cash loan with a single fixed-rate monthly payment is easier to handle than many credit cards with different interest rates, due dates, and other factors.
Cons
Cash loans are a reasonable option for some people, but they're not suited for all situations. Consider the following disadvantages before taking out a cash loan.
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Cash loans don't always provide the lowest interest rates, particularly for borrowers with a bad credit score, who may face higher interest rates than those charged by credit cards.
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Cash loans may be subject to penalties and fees, boosting the overall cost of borrowing. Severe fines and penalties may be levied.
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The origination fees for some loans can range from 1% to 6% of the loan amount. Loan processing costs may be included in the loan or deducted from the total amount paid to the borrower.
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Sometimes you should discharge the prepayment penalty if you pay off your loan obligation early. Before applying for a personal loan, understand all the fees and penalties involved.
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If you consolidate credit card debt into a cash loan, you must adjust to the higher payments and the loan payoff schedule or risk failing.
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You can use a quick loan to pay down debt, such as credit cards or installment loan payments, but it can't be considered a long-term financial solution.
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Your available credit limit increases when you pay off your credit cards with a cash advance. This option allows overspenders to build up cash advance additional costs rather than pay off their debt.
Legal regulation of the cash loans market in the USA
A few rules control your rights when it comes to credit, and you should, at the absolute least, be informed of the laws and your rights. Knowing your rights and the obligations of creditors, lenders, and other credit sector firms can help you respond to any issues correctly.
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The Equal Credit Opportunity Act
It makes it unlawful for any creditor to discriminate in opposition to any applicant primarily based totally on religion, countrywide origin, race, color, sex, age, marital status, or earnings from public help programs.
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The Fair Credit Reporting Act
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal rule that protects the impartiality, accuracy, and privacy of purchaser credit bureaus' score rating data. The law governs how credit score rating reporting organizations access, acquire, use, and screen the records blanketed in your custom reports.
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The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act
The crucial federal statute that controls debt collection techniques is the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA). The FDCPA forbids debt lenders from undertaking abusive, unfair, or misleading activities to collect debts from you.
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The Truth in Lending Act
The Truth in Lending Act (TILA) protects you in opposition to unfair and deceptive credit score invoicing and credit score card practices. It compels creditors to provide you mortgage pricing statistics so you may also store round for sure styles of loans.
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The Credit Repair Organizations Act
The Credit Repair Organizations Act (CROA) is a piece of consumer protection legislation that governs the activity of credit repair organizations. Customers pay a fee to these firms for assisting them in increasing their credit scores.
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Military Lending Act (MLA)
The regulation protects you and your dependents withinside the army. The APR on diverse credit scores, including payday loans, auto loans, private loans, and credit cards, is restrained to 36% via regulation.
Lenders also must offer you facts about your rights and the loan's value. The army additionally gives economic assistance and cash control counseling.
The real cost of a cash loan
The overall cost of borrowing money usually includes several components. Because not all loan terms are clear, it's a good idea to ask the lender about any hidden fees or finance charges that come with the loan to know the actual cost. These finance charges include annual fees, application fees, late payment penalties, and prepayment fees.
Usually, the real cost of the loan is calculated using the formula
loan principal+interest+fees=real cost
Consider all elements when calculating the true cost of borrowing, or you might contact a credit counseling agency if you need additional help.
How to calculate interest?
Here, the annual percentage rate (APR) comes into play. The annual percentage rate (APR) is a known and expected cost of borrowing money. The APR is calculated by averaging the interest rate and fees throughout the loan term.
It indicates the real interest rate imposed on your loan since it includes any additional expenditures spent on borrowing the principle (if any).
For example, if you were offered a 6% APR on a $13,000 four-year vehicle loan with zero down payment and no extra costs, you would pay $1,654.66 in interest. A four-year loan may have larger monthly payments, but a five-year loan will cost you $2,079.59 in interest.
If you have an unpaid principal on your loan at the end of each month (i.e., you've missed payments), your loan cost will increase.
Before signing your loan agreement, don't hesitate to ask questions and better understand what you're paying.