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Loan Terminologies

It can be wise to get a loan to finance an expense, whether for a car purchase or a home renovation project. However, you can be disadvantaged when analyzing a loan or comparing loans from several lenders if you need to familiarize yourself with crucial lending terms.

The typical loan words listed here will help you broaden your knowledge of loans so you may decide on borrowing money more intelligently.

Rate of Annual Percentage (APR)

The total annual cost of taking out a loan is represented by the annual percentage rate (APR). This rate includes all finance charges, including the interest rate. For instance, loan origination costs may be incurred when you take out a personal loan. Because the loan origination charge is excluded, the interest rate would be lower if you considered the interest rate.

The Truth in Lending Act requires lenders to disclose the APR, so you are fully aware of the cost of taking out a loan.

Borrower

You are the borrower when you apply for a loan and get money. You, as the borrower, are responsible for repaying the loan by the set terms.

Debtor Default

When a borrower fails to make the agreed-upon loan repayments, a default on loan occurs. The lender could be prepared to negotiate with you if your payment is a few days overdue. But they might submit your bill to a debt collector if they contact you for months and you don’t react. Your credit may be harmed if the debt collector reports you to the credit bureaus.

Depending on the lender and type of debt, different periods are deemed default. For instance, it takes nine months after the due date for federal student loans before they are considered in default. Contact your lender or review the loan terms to learn when your loan would be deemed in default.

Collateral

An asset known as collateral can be used to support or secure a loan by being pledged to a lender. Real estate, automobiles, cash, and investments are typical examples of collateral. For instance, when you take out a mortgage or auto loan, the house or car serves as the collateral for the loan. The lender may take back your automobile or foreclose on your home if you default on your loan. For secured loans, collateral is necessary; for unsecured loans, it is not.

Co-borrower

Someone is considered a co-borrower when they agree to share repayment responsibility for a loan with you. For instance, you and your partner would be co-borrowers if you both met the requirements for a mortgage loan. The lenders use the credit and income of the co-borrowers and you, the primary borrower, to evaluate the applicants. If accepted, the loan documents would have both of your names, and you would have joint ownership of the item.

Co-signer

A co-signer is a person who consents to sign a loan to increase the likelihood that someone with bad credit or no credit history will be approved for a loan. If you co-sign for a loan and the principal borrower defaults or skips a payment, you will be accountable for paying back the amount. This can harm not just the primary borrower’s credit but also yours.