9 Things to Look Out For When Taking Out Personal Loans

With inflation skyrocketing, a hefty 9% GST hike, and petrol prices hitting a global high of $2.30 per litre, many Singaporeans are increasingly turning to personal loans as a viable short-term financial lifeline. 

Even middle-to-high income earners, those earning between S$48,000 and S$84,000 annually, are feeling the pinch of rising living costs. In 2024, the number of loan applicants in this income group, specifically for household expenditures and bills, has surged by a significant 35-60% compared to just two years ago.

While these loans offer great flexibility and immediate access to funds, it’s crucial to approach with caution and ask – Are personal loans the best solution for our current finances? 

 

But first, what is a personal loan? 

To know whether it’s the right answer or not, we must first understand what exactly is a personal loan in Singapore. Personal loans are money you borrow from a bank or lender, to be repaid over time with lower (albeit variable) interest rates.

Unlike specific loans such as car loans or home loans, they are generally not tied to a particular purchase or purpose – meaning you can spend however you like. This makes it perfect for times of financial relief, when you’re planning to make a large, non-home-purchase expense or wanting to consolidate your credit card debts. 

Furthermore, while credit card debt can spiral to a 15-28% annual interest, personal loans come with more manageable rates (of around 2.68-2.88%), which won’t leave you high and dry. 

Most banks enable you to loan out anywhere from 2-6 times your monthly income up to a maximum of $200,000. For example, DBS offers a personal loan of 10 times your monthly salary if your annual income is S$120,000 and above. Meanwhile, if your annual income is within the lower median salary of $20,000 to $30,000, any loan you apply for will be priced at a higher interest rate than Singaporeans and PRs who earn $30,000 and above. 

Remember, the specific loan amount you qualify for will be largely determined by your income level. Most importantly, your creditworthiness. 

Personal loans don’t require collateral. Instead, lenders and banks will assess your credit score to evaluate risk. The score should range from 1844-1910 (BB grade) to 1911-2000 (AA grade) as determined by the Credit Bureau of Singapore (CBS). 

They are considered the most optimal, demonstrating that you have a low risk of defaulting and a dependable credit history. Lower than these scores can result in higher interests and even an outright loan rejection.

Check out our in-depth guide on the best personal loans in Singapore. Lower-income earners can use our calculator to find your most suitable option.

 

How to decide when is the best time for taking a personal loan 

Before diving into a personal loan, it’s essential to have a clear financial plan. Consider your goals and choose a personal loan type that aligns best with your needs. 

Here are some ways to help you consider: 

What you need to consider before getting a personal loan
How much do you need to borrow?	Below $20,000	$20,000 to $60,000	$60,000 and above
Loan tenure	Less than 1 year	1-5 years	5 years or longer
Interest rate payable	Always look at the Effective Interest Rate (EIR)	Term	Revolving
Is it the best choice for your financial needs?	There are other alternatives available	I’m using the loan to purchase non-essentials	I’ve checked all avenues and this is the best option for my pressing needs right now

As you can see, there are 2 types of personal loans—term and revolving.  

Term personal loan

Should you need at least one year to finish repaying the personal loan in full, taking a term personal loan might be the smarter choice. The interest rate for a term personal loan is much lower, but if you want to make early full repayment, there will likely be a penalty.

Revolving personal loan

Should you be confident to repay the loan promptly, but need quick cash to bridge a short-term gap, a revolving personal loan might do the trick. The interest rates can be as high as 20% p.a., but you won’t be penalised for early full repayment. Hence, the total interest you pay could be much lower than that of the term personal loan.

The key differences between a term and revolving personal loan:

	Term	Revolving
Interest rate	Lower	Higher
Repayment period	Fixed	Minimum monthly repayments but usually no fixed period for repayment
Penalty for early full repayment	Yes	No

Next, consider how much you can afford/need to borrow and your loan tenure. There’s no point taking out the maximum loan (i.e. 4 times your salary) when you don’t need to. Don’t forget, you’ll need to pay the interest as well, and that value goes up correspondingly with the amount you borrow.

Calculate how much you actually need to borrow, and how long is realistically comfortable to complete the loan repayments. There’s really no point dragging out the loan tenure for 5 years (and acquiring more interest) when you can easily pay off the loan in 2 years or less.

Example: Mr. Tan earns $4,000 a month, and wants to borrow $20,000. If he takes a term personal loan at 8% p.a. EIR:

Loan tenure: 12 months (1 year)Monthly repayments: $1,739.77 Total interest payable: $877.22

Loan tenure: 60 months (5 years)Monthly repayments: $405.53 Total interest payable: $4,331.67

Finally, ask yourself: Is this loan truly necessary? Can you postpone this expense? If the loan is for a want rather than a need, here are things to look out for to not incur incessant debts and run the risk of damaging your creditworthiness. 

 

9 common mistakes when taking out a personal loan

1. Underestimating the significance of your credit score

As mentioned before, your credit score plays a crucial role in loan approvals and interest rates, acting as your financial report card. Before applying, always check your credit score by filling out an application with the Credit Bureau of Singapore (CBS) to get a clear overview of your current credit situation. Ask CBS for further assistance should you need to improve your credit score. 

Note: Obtaining a credit report incurs a cost of S$8 (excluding GST), plus potential extra fees for specific delivery options. However, if you’ve recently applied via a CBS member institution, you can access it at no charge.

 

2. Submitting multiple credit card or loan applications

Applying for several loans or even credit cards simultaneously can lower your credit score, and it will trigger multiple hard inquiries by lenders. 

Multiple hard inquiries in a short period can have a significant impact (usually more than 12 months) especially if they are for different types of credit (i.e. applying for several credit cards at once). Instead of applying to multiple banks or lenders at once, conduct thorough research and choose the lender that best meets your needs.

 

3. Selecting a shorter loan duration for large amounts

While a shorter loan term seems appealing for its quicker repayment, it typically results in higher monthly payments. When taking out a large loan, consider the loan duration to better manage your payments.

 

4. Borrowing more than what is needed 

When you borrow more, you incur higher interest over the life of the loan. This means you’ll end up paying back significantly more than the amount you actually needed.

Interests on a larger loan amount will then compound, leading to even higher liabilities over time. Moreover, a larger loan can increase your debt-to-income ratio, which negatively affects your credit score.

 

5. Rushing into a “great” offer

By quickly taking up the first personal loan offer from a bank, and not comparing multiple offers first may result in you ending up with a loan that has a higher interest rate than necessary.

Different lenders offer varying rates, and shopping around can help you find the best deal as some loans may offer initial low rates that increase over time, and comparing fixed versus variable rates from different lenders can prevent future financial surprises. 

You can even tap on tools such as MoneySmart’s personal loans comparison portal to speed up the process.

6. Charging most of your Payments to Instalment Payment Plans (IPPs)

Banks and MAS-authorised lenders assess your ability to repay loans by looking at your monthly financial commitments. High monthly payments towards IPPs can reduce your disposable income, making banks and lenders wary of your ability to handle additional loan payments. They may see this as a sign of financial overextension, making them hesitant to approve new personal loans which you may be keen on applying.

7. Missing your payments

Since the CBS maintains credit reports and scores, banks, and MAS-authorised lenders in Singapore will refer to these reports when assessing your loan applications. Thus, any missed payments by you such as late credit card bill payments, will be reported to CBS and be reflected in your credit report, ultimately negatively impacting your credit score.

8. Having no estimated repayment plan in mind

Applying for a personal loan without a concrete repayment plan has several consequences, such as increased risk of missing payments or defaulting on the loan thereby increasing your debt-to-income ratio, making it harder to obtain credit in the future. This may (again) severely damage your credit score and financial reputation in both the short or long term.

 

9. Getting a personal loan before a home loan

Banks will usually examine your financial history and existing debt to determine your Total Debt Servicing Ratio (TDSR), which must not exceed 55% of your income as per the latest data from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). 

As such, if you’re planning to get a new home soon, purchasing a car or obtaining a personal loan before applying for a home loan could push you over the 55% TDSR limit.

 

Closing thoughts—Is taking a personal loan the right decision for you? 

Personal loans can be a valuable financial tool when used responsibly. However, it’s crucial to weigh the pros and cons carefully. 

Before taking out a personal loan, consider the following:

• Do you truly need the loan? Is it for a necessary expense or a want?
• Can you afford the monthly payments? Assess your budget and ensure you can comfortably repay the loan.
• Have you compared different loan offers? Shop around to find the best interest rate and terms.
• Do you have a solid repayment plan? Set a clear budget and stick to it.
• Is your credit score healthy? A good credit score can help you secure better loan terms.

By carefully weighing on these factors, you can make informed decisions about whether a personal loan is the right choice for your financial situation.

 

If you’ve considered all the factors and are certain that a personal loan is the right choice, start by checking out the best personal loan bank interest rates.