At some point in our lives, we will all experience some type of financial issue that we cannot handle by ourselves. Lucky are those who can turn to their friends and family for support during these times. Others may need the intervention of banks or other lenders to get through the obstacle. It is important to choose well when you are seeking financial assistance. Some may readily offer money but with a big catch. Others may be slower to move but they will provide reasonable terms if you can comply with their requirements. Below are a few things that you should think about:

Low Interest vs High Interest

By far, the biggest concern for borrowers should be the lender’s interest rate. This is essentially the fee that you will pay them for the privilege of borrowing their money. It is designed to cover the risk they are taking by giving you cash and make it a profitable endeavor that can be sustainable. If they see you as a low risk client, then you can avail of low-interest rates. If you are perceived as a high risk client, then you will likely have to endure high interest rates. Shop around and go as low as possible because compound interest at a high rate is difficult to pay up.

Good Credit Record

The best way to ensure that you will get low interest is to keep a good credit record. This is easier said than done. You have to be extremely disciplined in paying your debts every month. Any defaults will hurt you in the long run. If you can string together a few years of immaculate payments, then you are likely to get favorable reviews from banks. You can enjoy higher limits and lower fees since they are confident in your ability to pay back what you owe. If you have a bad record, then you have to be especially diligent in paying your dues to nurse your record back to health.

Securing with a Collateral

One way to avoid high-interest rates if you have a bad record is to offer collateral. This can be anything of value to cover the amount you are borrowing. For example, you may offer your car’s title or your home’s title. Sometimes it is also possible to offer jewelry, artworks, stocks, bonds, and so on. It all depends on the lender. You can get this back once you have paid the loan in full. If you default, then the collateral will be theirs to own. This setup gives them confidence as it reduces the risk that they will lose money. They will be more willing to provide low interest rate loans.