Quick Loans vs. Traditional Loans – Which Is Right for You?

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We’ve all been stuck in a jam where we need extra cash to cover an unexpected expense or get us through a temporary rough patch. But where should you turn to get that money as quickly and cheaply as possible?

These days, there are two main options when you need a loan: instant cash loans from dedicated lenders or more traditional personal loans from banks and credit unions. Both have pros and cons, so let’s compare them to help you decide which makes more sense for your situation.

The Appeal of Instant Loans

The ability to quickly get cash is a significant advantage over traditional personal loans from banks, which often take weeks to process before you see a dime. For emergencies like covering urgent medical bills, preventing eviction, or repairing a car to get to work, that accelerated loan funding speed can be a lifesaver.

Lenders in the instant loan industry also tend to have more flexible approval requirements than traditional banks or credit unions. They’re more willing to work with borrowers with bad credit scores, limited credit histories, and other potential red flags that would get them rejected for loans elsewhere.

Extremely High-Interest Rates

While instant loan services advertise their speed and easy access, their interest rates and fees can be unaffordable for people in the long run.

Let’s put that in perspective with an example: Say you need to borrow just £500 to cover an emergency car repair, medical bill, etc. With an instant loan at 350% APR paid back over six months, your total repayment cost would be a staggering £780! More than 50% of that went straight to interest and lender fees rather than the principal amount you borrowed.

Suppose you miss the suggested repayment schedule or payment due dates. In that case, many of these lenders will quickly hit you with even more costly fees and penalty interest charges that can quickly turn tiny loans into nightmarish debt traps.

Compared to the usually manageable 10-30% APRs on personal loans from banks, it’s easy to see how pursuing an instant loan for bad credit can rapidly create a situation where the cure is worse than the disease.

The Waiting Game for a Traditional Bank Loan

So, if instant cash loans are so expensive and risky for borrowers with bad credit, you probably think traditional bank loans must be the better choice, right? Well, not necessarily.

Most traditional lenders won’t even look at loan applicants whose credit scores fall below 670. And even for borrowers hovering around that “fair” 670-739 credit range, only those with solid employment/income documentation, low debt-to-income ratios, and plausible ability to repay get approved – let alone qualify for a bank’s juiciest low-interest rate tiers.

Compromise Loans for Riskier Borrowers

Sure, the interest rates from fintech lenders on loans for bad credit will still be higher than traditional bank offers. But they’re usually in the far more affordable territory of 20-35% APR rather than the quadruple digits of payday lending.

Beyond just loans tailored to the lousy credit crowd, Credit Broking companies like CashCompare aim to swiftly connect customers with a wide array of lenders offering more flexible loan options. Loan decisions and funding speeds still need to be more instant than lenders. But they’re dramatically accelerated compared to banks, often clearing in 2-3 business days if applicants supply the required documentation upfront to the Lenders upon Approval.

In addition, the fintech players offer a more comprehensive range of loan amounts suited to emergency needs – typically £50 to £10,000, where banks may have £500 minimums – and more personalised customer service to help borrowers choose the right loan amount and term to facilitate on-time repayment.

Finding the Right Loan for Your Circumstances

There’s no objectively perfect answer for everyone wondering if instant or traditional bank loans are the right way to secure extra cash when needed. The ideal choice for you depends on evaluating your unique financial situation and credit profile and then selecting whichever option aligns best with your situation:

If You Need Money ASAP But Have Bad Credit

For the most significant emergencies requiring cash in your checking account immediately, an instant loan might be your only recourse if banks have repeatedly rejected loan for lousy credit applications and you need somewhere else to turn. Just be aware of the interest costs and likely inability to afford timely repayment.

If You Can Wait 1-2 Weeks For Funding

If you have at least decent credit yet lack the pristine 720+ score banks prefer, consider one of the new breeds of alternative installment lenders explicitly tailored to the credit-challenged but employed population. They offer far more reasonable loans for alarming credit rates and terms than instant lending and faster decisions/funding than creaky old banks.

If You Have Good Credit and Can Wait a Month

For those with credit scores 670+, stable jobs, and reasonable ability to repay, conventional personal loans and lines of credit from banks and credit unions should be your first stop. You’ll get the lowest interest rates and the flexibility to borrow larger sums for more significant purchases or debt consolidation.

In Conclusion

No matter which path you may need to take to secure a loan, always carefully review the fine print on any loan agreement so you fully understand all the terms and potential costs in a loan’s annual percentage rate (APR), origination fees, and penalties. While the lure of quick cash is always alluring, sacrificing long-term affordability for short-term desperation is seldom worth the pain inevitably caused by predatory loans.

By being honest with yourself about your credit standing and managing expectations, you can secure the right loan option to solve your cash crunch without creating an even bigger financial headache.

“This guide does not constitute financial advice. We strongly recommend seeking independent advice and considering your financial situation and options before taking out a loan.”