Borrowing money quickly may cost more than you think

Overdrafts and bank loans are easy ways of borrowing money quickly. But they may cost more than you think. Make sure you understand the interest rates, the fees and the terms involved before you borrow money.

By: Hitesh Khan/

Borrowing money quickly from banks

Before you borrow money, always consider whether:

• you really need a loan
• you can afford to repay it

Overdrafts

An overdraft allows you to spend more money than you have in your bank account – up to a limit agreed with your bank. You only pay interest on the overdraft money you use.

Should if you go over the limit, or overdraw without arranging a limit bank first, you may have to pay a penalty charge and a high rate of interest. Your bank may also charge for sending a reminder letter, and for any direct debits or cheques you put through the account.

The bank may freeze your account until the overdraft is paid off. That would mean you could  not get access to any money in the account, like your salary.

Banks also charge a monthly fee and a setting up fee the overdraft, so it can be an expensive way if you are borrowing money quickly.

Bank loans

A loan is a formal arrangement, usually for a fixed period of time (which you agree at the start).

If you’re thinking about taking out a loan, you’ll need to agree with your lender:

• how much money you can borrow
• how long you can borrow it for
• how much interest you’ll pay

You’ll need to check the monthly repayments carefully to make sure you’ll be able to afford them. Shop around for the best deal before you make a decision of borrowing money quickly. Avoid securing such debt against your home.

What to do if you have difficulty with repayments

Money you owe to your bank is a non-priority debt, which means that you might not lose your home for not paying the debts, but you can still be taken to court and ordered to pay what you owe – often with extra costs on top.

If you owe your bank money and cannot pay:

• get advice
• make a list of all your debts
• decide which ones you need to pay off first
• work out your personal budget
• calculate how much you can offer to pay each month
• talk to your bank about the situation

Managing repayments after borrowing money quickly

If you regularly miss repayments or can’t manage your repayments, contact your lender as soon as possible. The lender has to look at your position sympathetically and positively. They may offer options such as changing the rate of repayment, letting you stop paying for a while or paying off the loan over a longer period.

If you do not contact your lender about your circumstances, your bank may take you to court for non-payment and get a judgement against you. This will count against you if you apply for credit in the future.

It is also advisable for you to quickly attend a free Info Talk by Credit Counselling Singapore on debt management.

Credit Counselling Singapore (CCS) is a non-government-link organisation and a registered charity. Unlike other debt advisors they are not driven by profit. They have been helping people with an unsecured consumer debt problem in Singapore through education and debt repayment plan since 2004.

CCS has compiled a list of organisations and their contact details that may be useful information when managing a debt-related issue:

• Information on Bankruptcy
• Free legal counselling
• Credit Report
• Licensed and unlicensed money lenders
• Counselling for emotional crisis
• Counselling for gambling and other forms of addiction(s)
• Disputes with financial institution(s)
• Financial assistance
• Consumer banks in Singapore

Negotiating with your bank

It’s always worth trying to get your bank to offer a better deal on rates and conditions. Whenever you’re negotiating a loan or overdraft, it’s a good idea to show that you’ve thought carefully about it.

As well as talking to the bank, you could write a letter explaining:

• your reasons for needing the money
• how long you think you’ll need it for
• how you’re going to repay it

It’s important to be honest about your financial position. If you’re worried about money, it’s advisable to get in touch with your bank as soon as possible.

Settling disputes with your bank

If you disagree with a decision, you can complain to your bank. Disputes might be about:

• interest added to a loan
• extra fees which weren’t expected
• the withdrawal of a loan facility

How to Secure Personal Loans Quickly

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If you are looking for a new home loan or to refinance, our Mortgage brokers can help you get everything right from calculating mortgage repayment, comparing interest rates all through to securing the best home loans in Singapore. And the good thing is that all our services are free of charge. So it’s all worth it to secure a loan through us for your business expansion needs.

Contact us for advice on a new home loan.

Contact us for home loan or refinancing advice.