Unsecured Loans - Product Reviews

18 August 2009 - Ministers warn banks to increase the amount of loans to businesses

Ministers warn banks to increase the amount of loans to businesses Politicians are lining up to throw further criticism at the banks after it was announced by the Bank of England that lending to firms fell by a record amount in the second quarter. Lending to non financial firms dropped by ... More

17 August 2009 - Provident Financial announce 1st half rise in profits of 4%

Provident Financial announce 1st half rise in profits of 4% Provident Financial, best known for its doorstep lending activities, reported an increase in profits of 3.5% to £53.1m in the six months trading period to the end of June. Provident Financial has 2.1 million customers, or 4.3% of the ... More

13 August 2009 - Unsecured lending, the facts

Unsecured lending, the facts An unsecured loan is a contractual agreement where you agree to repay the capital and interest of the amount borrowed on set dates for a set period of time. The lender does not seek additional security ion the form of a charge over your home or any other assets that... More

13 August 2009 - Is it time to sell your antiques?

Is it time to sell your antiques? Recession brings opportunities in many varying forms. With interest rates low and the stock markets volatile behaviour putting many investors off, there may be an opportunity to cash in on peoples desire for tangible possessions that grow in value. The ... More

11 August 2009 - Unemployed duped by fake job vacancies

Unemployed duped by fake job vacancies Callous fraudsters have sunk to new lows by preying on the unemployed. Recent scams have been uncovered where a number of fake job advertisements for well paid roles have been placed in newspapers and on websites in the hope of attracting applicants and ... More

8 August 2009 - Credit crunch results in rise in bag snatches and muggings

Credit crunch results in rise in bag snatches and muggings A recent snap shot crime survey commissioned by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has shown that more than 90% of retailers have experienced a higher level of crime over the past 12 months, with 80% believing that the cause has been ... More

8 August 2009 - Unemployment rises to 2.38 million

Unemployment rises to 2.38 million The recession is biting hard in terms of unemployment. Recent statistics released by the government show that unemployment is rising at its fastest rate ever recorded. Many expect the total number of unemployed persons in the UK to reach 3 million before the ... More

5 August 2009 - Lending on the increase, is it the right time to apply for a loan or finance

Lending on the increase, is it the right time to apply for a loan or finance The worst ravages of the financial meltdown appear to be behind us. Or so it seems with the optimistic reviews of the recent UK and US banking results that have recently been announced. The worst appears to be over but... More

4 August 2009 - Unsecured loans, which is the right one for you

Unsecured loans, which is the right one for you When it comes to getting a loan you need to make sure that you understand all the options available before selecting which type to apply for. There are four basic types of loan; secured, unsecured, fixed rate and variable rate. Understanding ... More

4 August 2009 - What is bad credit

What is bad credit Have you been refused credit? If you have it may be because you are deemed to be a bad credit risk. But how do you get to be a bad credit risk? There are a number of factors that affect your credit score – and it is a credit score that determines whether you are a bad ... More

4 August 2009 - The myths over blacklisting

The myths over blacklisting Many people believe that there is a creditors blacklist and that consumers placed on this list will not be able to borrow. The reality is that there is no blacklist in existence and it is merely the credit history of borrowers that prevents them from obtaining new ... More

2 August 2009 - How to read your credit file

How to read your credit file Every one of us has a credit file. It contains a history of our borrowings, records relating to any services that we may have taken out or enquired after and details of where we live. As such, it is a complete snapshot with history of how we have moved around and ... More

16 July 2009 - Unsecured Lending Down By Half

Unsecured Lending Down By Half It has been a tough couple of years for lenders. Recent surveys have shown that the unsecured loans market bears little resemblance to the one that we all enjoyed when the economy was at full throttle and interest rates were low. Moneyfacts.co.uk has just ... More

14 July 2009 - Unemployment At Highest Level For 26 Years

Unemployment At Highest Level For 26 Years Unemployment is soaring to levels not experienced since the early 80s. Records of all kinds are being set during this recession – most of them not ones that you would hope to be beating in an industrialised, developed economy in the 21st century. But ... More

9 July 2009 - Are Personal Loan Rates Returning To Normal As The Fear Of The Credit Crunch Eases?

Are Personal Loan Rates Returning To Normal As The Fear Of The Credit Crunch Eases? What constitutes 'normality' in the current market conditions remains something of a debating point. It is clear that the financial markets have endured the greatest upheaval since the depression of the 1920s. ... More

8 July 2009 - Enormous Mountain Of Debt To Cimb In The UK

Enormous Mountain Of Debt To Cimb In The UK Oh dear. After all the ranting and raving against consumers who were living a life that they couldn't afford on borrowed money, the Government has done exactly the same. The root cause of the problem lies in where your political preferences lay. ... More

6 July 2009 - You can still get an unsecured personal loan even with bad credit

You can still get an unsecured personal loan even with bad credit Times have never been tougher. The financial turmoil in the global markets followed by a severe recession has taken a heavy toll on national and family budgets. During the years of boom in the latter part of the last century and ... More

6 July 2009 - Been refused a loan at your bank?

Been refused a loan at your bank? The first and most important thing to find out is why you have been refused a loan. Did you ask for too much? Is your credit history poor? Do you have something in your application that just doesn't stack up? A lender is not obliged to lend you money. It is ... More

19 June 2009 - Unsecured Personal Loans Are Still Available Despite The Credit Crunch

Unsecured Personal Loans Are Still Available Despite The Credit Crunch One of the great things about recession is that it really helps to sort out the cream from the milk in terms of providers and customers. A strange comment? Maybe, especially for the many people that have become used to ... More

22 May 2009 - Stocks And Shares - Buy Or Sell

Stocks And Shares - Buy Or Sell Over the past year the stock market has fallen by 25% from its peak and plumbed new lows before recovering a little and in recent weeks the prices have risen by almost 30% from its lows of early 2009. Is this the time to buy our sell shares? We all know stock ... More

22 May 2009 - Crunch Time For The UK

Crunch Time For The UK The banks might have been saved but as the UK economy heads ever deeper into recession and as unemployment rises and consumer and business confidence falls, many are now asking is the worst over or is it now crunch time for the UK economy and the UK consumer? The ... More

21 May 2009 - UK Job Losses Worst In Europe

UK Job Losses Worst In Europe The UK suffered the highest job losses in Europe during the first quarter of 2009 according to a European Restructuring Monitor published by Eurofound. Job cuts in the UK totalled 63,314 – by far the worst of any single country. Next worst was Poland with 38,975, ... More

18 March 2009 - What is Reasonable Lending?

What is Reasonable Lending? Reasonableness can, to a certain extent, be in the eye of the beholder. What may seem reasonable to one may be seen as either a bargain or extortionate to another. The acid test is to review the circumstances and try to determine what is commercially fair and morally... More

15 March 2009 - Unsecured Loans with Bad Credit

Unsecured Loans with Bad Credit Introduction An unsecured loan is a loan for which no security, or collateral, is required. The loan is backed only by the creditworthiness of a borrower, and his or her, promise to repay the loan amount. As such, it is seen by lenders as a high risk form of ... More

15 March 2009 - How To Find The Best Loans?

How To Find The Best Loans? Before you go hunting for the best loan, it helps if you have a clear idea of what you can afford to repay on a monthly basis and over what period you would like to repay it. This will give you some idea of the amount that you can afford to borrow and that, in turn, ... More

13 March 2009 - Bad Credit Loans, Are They Still Available?

Bad Credit Loans, Are They Still Available? Not a homeowner or have negative equity? Got a poor or broken credit history littered with CCJ's? Then getting an application for a new mortgage or loan considered could be difficult but is by no means impossible. Despite the current credit crunch ... More

13 March 2009 - Personal Loans, What APR Can I Expect?

Personal Loans, What APR Can I Expect? The Consumer Credit Act 1985 laid down the basic ground rules for how all forms of personal credit should be advertised, negotiated, documented, administered and settled. One of the key aspects of the legislation was that it introduced a standardised way ... More

24 February 2009 - Why Are Unsecured Loans Hard to Find?

Why Are Unsecured Loans Hard to Find? Introduction The lack of availability of affordable unsecured loans is due, in large part, to the global "credit crunch", as it has become known. A few years ago, you would have been hard pressed to find anyone – other than an economist, of course – who... More

5 February 2009 - What Is Toxic Debt ?

What Is Toxic Debt ? A new phrase has entered the financial and general vocabulary over the past year to describe a class of assets that once had value and are now worthless. 'Toxic Debt' is the in description and used in a variety of situations to describe a debt class of assets that now have ... More

30 January 2009 - Can unsecured loans become secured?

Can unsecured loans become secured? To those who haven't been reading the UK press recently the title question might seem ridiculous. 'Can unsecured loans become secured?' might be responded to with the words: 'Of course not, they're entirely different. One places your house at risk if you ... More

30 January 2009 - The Basics of Borrowing with Personal Loans Explained

The Basics of Borrowing with Personal Loans Explained Introduction If you are considering borrowing money from a bank, or building society, you need to think, specifically, about why you want to borrow the money in the first place, and how you want to pay the money back. If you are looking ... More

30 January 2009 - Are unsecured loans and personal loans the same?

Are unsecured loans and personal loans the same? A search for personal loans on any major search engine will yield results for a high number of unsecured loan deals. Which begs the question: 'are unsecured loans and personal loans the same thing?' However, the answer is actually no. It's easy ... More

30 January 2009 - Is a Bad Debt Loan right for me?

Bad Credit Loans – What are they? Bad Credit Loans (also known as poor credit loans) are essentially loans for those of us with a bad credit history. You can take out bad credit loans for a range of purchase needs. You might need one to make ends meet on a month when you have unexpected ... More

26 January 2009 - How Much Can I Borrow Unsecured?

How Much Can I Borrow Unsecured? Borrowing with an unsecured loan sounds risky but actually it is probably less so than you think. You are not required to provide security or collateral against the amount you are borrowing whereas a secured loan is usually taken out against the value of your ... More

26 January 2009 - Tenant Loans - Are They Just For Tenants?

Tenant Loans - Are They Just For Tenants? If you are planning a wedding, a trip of a lifetime, or need to trade in your wreck for a new model of car, occasionally a one-off cash sum is needed to fulfil these needs. Those who own their home will have access to a wide range of remortgage and both... More

22 January 2009 - Unsecured Loans and CCJ Explained

CCJ Explained A County Court Judgement (CCJ) is a ruling that has been issued by a County Court or higher court that relates to an individual's inability to pay their debts. If you are having difficulty paying a debt, you may receive a letter informing you that a County Court Claim has been... More

19 January 2009 - Can My Existing Unsecured Loans Be Consolidated?

Can My Existing Unsecured Loans Be Consolidated? Despite the rather negative sound of an unsecured loan, which is essentially the nature of most personal loans offered by today's banks, in reality they generally carry far less risk to the borrower than the secured loans. A secured loan ... More

19 January 2009 - Unsecured Personal Bad Credit Loan

Unsecured Personal Bad Credit Loan If you are in arrears with a credit card or loan, have been late or missed payments, or have a CCJ (county court judgement) you will have bad credit. An estimated 1 in 5 people in the UK have bad credit - it can happen to anyone, and if you find yourself with ... More

14 January 2009 - Personal Laons: Motor Insurance on Finance

Motor Insurance on Finance Introduction Legally, to drive a car or a motorcycle in the United Kingdom you must take out a motor insurance policy of some kind. Comprehensive motor insurance provides cover for all eventualities, including accidental damage to a vehicle, fire, and theft. Third ... More

13 January 2009 - V5 Loan - Log Book Car Loans - Are They A Good Idea?

V5 Loan - Log Book Car Loans - Are They A Good Idea? There are many reasons why people take on a secured loan – some because they have an unfavourable credit rating, others because they require a fast loan that will supply funds today and has a simple application process. V5 loans, or ... More

13 January 2009 - Borrowing Unsecured to Obtain Your New Car – Cash in Hand

Introduction For most people, buying a new car represents a sizeable investment. Even the smallest hatchback, nowadays, costs in excess of £5,000 on the road – less, of course, as part exchange value – and most people need to resort to credit of some kind to finance the purchase. If you are ... More

12 January 2009 - What is Hire Purchase?

What is Hire Purchase? Introduction Hire Purchase (HP) and Conditional Sale (CS) credit agreements are common methods of purchasing major items – most often, nowadays, cars, but also furniture, white goods, computers, etc. – but are fundamentally different from other forms of credit ... More

7 January 2009 - Will A Consolidation Loan Save Me Money?

Will A Consolidation Loan Save Me Money? Many of us do not plan our finances in any particular way, they just seem to happen. Over time, we may have taken out several loans, store and credit cards with which to fund our lifestyle and these just get paid each month without question. Sometimes, ... More

7 January 2009 - Unsecured Loans:-Bank Loans Low APR

Bank Loans Low APR By law, all lending to private individuals is governed by the Consumer Credit Act. There are many provisions within this legislation designed to protect the consumer and make clear both the terms of lending and the consistency of the language used. As well as defining how ... More

7 January 2009 - What Are The Main Differences Between Unsecured And Secured Loans?

What Are The Main Differences Between Unsecured And Secured Loans? Lenders are engaged in a risk business. When deciding whether to lend money they look at a number of factors to help decide whether they will get their money back over the period of the loan. These factors include: •the ... More

30 December 2008 - Unsecured Personal Loans:-Will Lenders – Finance Houses – Stop Lending in 2009?

The global financial crisis – known colloquially as the "credit crunch" – has had a dramatic effect on the availability of mortgage loans and loans for the purchase of high value items, such as cars or holidays, in the United Kingdom over the past 18 months. Some of the largest lenders in the ... More

16 December 2008 - Will the VAT Reduction Save Me Money?

As you are probably well aware by now, on 24th November 2008, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Alistair Darling, announced that the standard rate of VAT ("Value Added Tax") would be reduced by 2.5%, to 15%, from 1st December 2008 until the end of 2009. VAT was previously charged at three different... More

10 December 2008 - How Can I Save Money and Still Enjoy Christmas?

Introduction Christmas, and the financial hangover it leaves until the New Year and beyond, is a worry in any year. This year, with the aftermath of the credit crunch, restricted borrowing, rising unemployment, and deflation in the housing market, many consumers are facing the festive season ... More

10 December 2008 - How Can I Spread the Cost of Christmas in the New Year?

Introduction Christmas is inevitably a source of stress and anxiety for many consumers faced with the cost of Christmas gifts, entertaining, and even decorations, wrapping paper, and Christmas cards. All aimed at creating the "perfect" Christmas for their families and friends. The first thing ... More

1 December 2008 - How would you cope if you lost your job?

Most of us will still be in work in 12 months’ time but, with predictions that three million people will be unemployed by the end of 2009, it’s sensible to ask yourself what you’d do if you were one of the unlucky ones. Advance planning could mean you’ll cope better if the worst happens and ... More

1 December 2008 - Is your financial future in the stars?

Is your financial future in the stars? Astrologers believe the financial downturn was written in the stars – and they’re not alone. Research by the online credit monitoring service CreditExpert shows that nearly one in eight of us consult the stars before parting with our money. Meanwhile, a ... More

1 December 2008 - Your financial year planner for 2009

The New Year isn’t just about giving up chocolate, alcohol and smoking – it’s also the time for some positive changes. In the current economic climate, top of your list should be learning to look after your finances. Plan properly and it won’t be as hard as you think. Here are some dates for ... More

26 November 2008 - What is APR?

What is APR? Introduction Most consumers, nowadays, are familiar with borrowing money, whether on a mortgage loan, personal loan, credit card, or some other form of credit agreement, and repaying that money, with interest, over a period of time. There are, however, numerous other components ... More

26 November 2008 - How Much Can I Borrow Unsecured?

Unsecured loans are typically available to anyone who does not own a home either outright or through a mortgage loan, or anyone who does not wish to pledge the equity in their home as security for a loan. Applicants may therefore include council or private tenants, young adults still living with ... More

26 November 2008 - Credit Reference Agencies Facts & Myths

Before accepting or declining any application for credit – whether it be a mortgage loan, personal loan, credit card, etc. – a lender makes an assessment of the risk involved, and part of this process involves reference to your credit history. In the United Kingdom, this is usually done via one of... More

24 November 2008 - Budgeting at Christmas/spending

It was the 16th century English poet, Thomas Tusser, who coined the phrase "Christmas comes but once a year", but for many consumers struggling to survive the current economic downturn, once is certainly more than enough this year. Recent figures suggest that the average British household will ... More

21 November 2008 - Counting the Cost of Christmas

Christmas can be one of the best times of the year, but it is easy to be caught up in the hype and succumb to the constant bombardment of pressure and expectation that typically surrounds the festive season in financial terms. Christmas is for giving to your family and friends, but your search for... More

20 November 2008 - Tenant Loans: Are They Just For Tenants?

A tenant loan is essentially a loan designed for tenants living in accommodation rented privately or from a council, but this type of loan is typically not limited to tenants, per se. Housing association tenants, individuals living with their parents, lodging with family or friends, even if they ... More

19 November 2008 - Are Unsecured and Personal Loans the Same?

An "unsecured" loan is a loan that requires no collateral, that is assets, typically in the form of equity in a property (its value over and above any amount owed on it) but also jewellery, securities, etc. to be pledged by a borrower as security on the value of the loan. This type of loan is ... More

10 November 2008 - Consolidation Loans with Bad Credit

Consolidation Loans with Bad Credit Introduction Debt consolidation is the process of amalgamating multiple debts – credit cards, loans, hire purchase agreements etc. – into a single debt. This involves taking out a further "consolidation" loan for the total amount of existing borrowing. Or ... More

7 November 2008 - Christmas Loans with Bad Credit

Christmas is an expensive time in any ordinary year, but, this year, the effects of the credit crunch mean that an average British family will spend nearly £300 less than last year, according to a recent survey. The unwillingness of banks and other financial institutions to lend money to each ... More

6 November 2008 - Christmas Loans

Christmas is a time for giving, but that very fact can also turn Christmas into a time of tremendous financial pressure for many consumers, as they attempt to lavish expensive gifts, and entertaining, on their family – especially children – and friends. It can be argued that focussing on ... More

31 October 2008 - Unsecured Personal Bad Credit Loan

Unsecured Personal Bad Credit Loan Introduction Unsecured personal loans are typically available for amounts ranging from £1,000 to £25,000 over a variety of repayment terms. If you have a poor credit rating, however you may find that an unsecured loan – that is a loan that is not "secured" ... More

30 October 2008 - Unsecured Personal Loans

Unsecured Personal Loans A personal loan and an unsecured loan are actually identical; lenders just like to use different terminology to describe the same product. A personal loan is described as an unsecured personal loan as it allows you to borrow money without having to use your home or ... More

30 October 2008 - Bad Credit Loan, loans with bad credit

A bad credit loan – also known as a sub-prime, or non-conforming loan – is a loan made available to consumers who for one reason or another are unable to obtain a standard unsecured or secured loan. This is often due to arrears or defaults on previous borrowing – on mortgages, personal loans, ... More

23 October 2008 - bad credit loan areas

Looking for loan advice in Hampshire or Mortgage advice in Hampshire? Speak to a financial adviser today. JST Financial Solutions have advisers placed in every corner of the country. Alfriston bad credit loan advice | Amberley bad credit loan advice | Angmering bad credit loan advice | Ansty bad ... More

13 October 2008 - Find your Christmas loan today!

Visiting the town centers around the country, you can certainly feel the Christmas shopping frenzy escalating, hundreds of thousands of families in the UK, will take out a Christmas loan this year to help them through the festive season. The credit crunch has already trapped many Christmas loan ... More

1 October 2008 - Adverse Credit Unsecured Loans

Adverse Credit unsecured Loans are obtainable by a staggering 50% less lending organizations since the credit crunch. Adverse credit secured loans can only be obtained by securing against property. Adverse credit unsecured loans have a range of distinct benefits if you have smaller unsecured ... More

21 September 2008 - A to Z of loan Jargon Busting, check it out.

A to Z of loan Jargon Busting, check it out. Experienced underwriters can get puzzled by loan terms, so we understand that the normal Joe can be very confused. Let us try and explain in one or two short sentences. Adverse Credit Simply a poor credit record, such as CCJ's , repossession ... More

20 September 2008 - Paying Back Loans Early Can It Be Done?

Paying back your personal loan before the end of the personal loan agreement term, may seem like a good idea however there can be charges attached to the personal loan settlement for early settlement. Many personal loan companies can use different wording for the same meaning just a few are (early... More

20 September 2008 - Credit Check Information Or Is It Credit Score?

What is a credit check and how can affect you and your application when applying for the unsecured loan you require? Unsecured loan companies, credit cards, re-mortgage or even a store cards will carry out a credit search on you when you apply for their credit services. The credit search will ... More

20 September 2008 - Personal Loan Lender Types Whay Are They?

Who are the providers of personal loans? To allow you an insight of who operate and lend personal loans we have set out here to explain where the actual money or finance comes from. Personal loans are not regulated by the (FSA) Financial Service Authority however is regulated by the ... More

19 September 2008 - Unsecured Loan Process What Happens?

Unsecured loans can range from £750 to £25,000, these unsecured loans are regulated by the consumer credit act and you have protection within that act. Normally unsecured loans from £7500 are advertised at a very competitive interest rate, and lower unsecured loans amounts can cost a little more. ... More

19 September 2008 - (PPI) Payment Protection on Unsecured Loans?

Payment protection on unsecured loans is not compulsory, unsecured loan insurance also known as (PPI) can give you peace of mind that your re-payments on your unsecured loan will be covered if you encounter a problem such as redundancy. Insurance companies protecting unsecured loans usually ... More

19 September 2008 - Are There Benefits Of A Consolidation Loan?

Benefits of Debt Consolidation Loans A debt consolidation loan can be the perfect solution to your debt problem. You can consolidate all your existing loan agreements in to one manageable consolidation loan, often lowering the overall payment monthly liability. There may be drawbacks, as a ... More

18 September 2008 - Tenant Loans In The Credit Crunch?

Tenant loans are not secured on any property and are underwritten, taking into account age, income and past credit rating. It is a homeowner secured loan that is secured on property, not a tenant loan. The underwriters at the tenant loan lenders, as they do not have a property as security, often ... More

18 September 2008 - Bad Credit Consolidation Loans Will They Help?

Consolidating your debt and bad credit loans will/can be obtained by one larger consolidation bad credit loan to pay off the smaller bad credit loans. By consolidating your bad credit loans you can certainly reduce your monthly outgoing and in the times of increasing energy prices, this higher bad... More

18 September 2008 - Bad Credit Loans What Are They?

You may be struggling to obtain a loan due to bad credit loans or residential status, having a bad credit history, can really hinder your chances of a bad credit loan due to the credit crunch. In this credit crunch even people who think they have good credit, can be classed as having bad credit... More

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