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Personal loans have always been in great demand.However, over the past couple of years, the demand for personalcredit has increased further. Market report shows that the UKpersonal loans market was worth ?83 million (approx.) in 2006.Currently, it accounts for over a quarter of total consumer creditgross lending and is expected to grow by 19% by 2011.
Experts say that people are gradually realisingthat multiple overdrafts and payment card debts ? in the form ofcredit cards, cash cards and store cards ? prove to be more costly,as they have high interest rates. As a result, more and more peopleare availing not only for critical and routine needs,but for convenience and indulgence too.
Thecredit market offers a wide range of personal loan products and mostof them can be availed in both secured (credit assistance againstcollateral) and unsecured (credit assistance without collateral)form. The basic difference between the two sub-types is the presenceor absence of collateral, which has both advantages anddisadvantages.
Unsecuredpersonal loans are most suitable for small and short-termmonetary requirements, and for people who are unwilling to get intoproperty related legalities and risk their property for a smallamount (homeowners and property owners), and the only alternative forpeople who do not own any valuable asset to pledge (tenants andstudents).
Securedpersonal loans, on the other hand, are most suitable forbig and long-term monetary requirements, and for people who arecapable and willing to pledge collateral ? homeowners and propertyowners ? as they ensure maximum loan benefits.
Marketreport shows that the demand for both sub-types is increasing becausethey both prove to be advantageous in different situations.Basically, no financial product follows a one-size-fits-all approach,and they all are designed with specific criteria and customers inmind. Most of us try to make informed choices that enable us toimprove our lifestyles? A financial product should be no different.
Thedecision to take up a secured personal loan or an unsecured personalloan is ultimately about the consumer choice ? it is one optionthat will be suitable for some and not for others. Hence, loanseekers are advised to choose wisely on the basis of their monetaryrequirement, credit history, payback capacity, and future plans.