Where to find a loan

Finding the cheapest loan is simple

In the past, the only place you would have gone for a loan would have been your bank. You would have had to make an appointment to see an advisor, and attend a loan interview in order to convince your bank manager that you would be able to meet your repayments and could be relied upon to repay the loan in full. Sounds tiring, doesn’t it? Luckily, things are a bit easier these days.

Shop around
This is not to say that you shouldn’t see what products your bank can offer; the important thing to remember is that you must shop around in order to find the best products available. The loans market is highly competitive, and with hundreds of lenders competing for your business, it makes sense to compare the entire market before applying for a product.

Go online
By far the easiest and most effective way to begin your loan search is by going online. There are lots of free, independent comparison sites in the UK which will allow you to search the entire UK market.  These sites are a great way to understand what is available, and to get a feel for the most competitive rates being offered in the current market. However, you should be aware that it is not possible to get a reliable quote online from a comparison table. There are so many factors that will determine the interest rate you will be offered, and the products shown on comparison tables are usually only available for applicants with impeccable credit records. To find the cheapest loan products available for your specific circumstances you need to speak to an independent broker.

Speak to a loan broker

Speaking to a loan broker is the best way to find the best loan available for your circumstances.  A whole-of-market broker has access to the entire market, and will be able to offer advice based on your specific credit profile, to find you the cheapest loan that you are likely to be accepted for.  This will cut out the damage you may do to your credit rating by making multiple applications for loans that show up on online comparison tables that you have little chance of being accepted for. Also, brokers often have access to exclusive deals that aren’t available elsewhere.

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