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Applying For A Loan? Here's What You Need


An individual applying for a loan/mortgage

Lenders have different criteria for personal loans, but there are several factors that financial institutions consistently take into account when considering applications, such as credit score and income. Learn about the typical requirements you'll need to fulfill before you start looking for a loan. Your chances of being accepted may increase if you are aware of these details, which might speed up the application process.


The following are five typical criteria that financial firms use when examining loan applications.


Credit Score And History

An individual going over their credit score

One of the most crucial elements a lender takes into account when assessing a loan application is a borrower's credit score. Credit scores, which vary from 300 to 850, are determined by variables including payment history, the total amount of debt still due, and the duration of credit history. Most lenders have a minimum score requirement of 600, although others may make loans to those with no credit history at all.


Income


To guarantee that borrowers have the resources to repay a new loan, lenders place income requirements on them. Each lender has a different minimum income threshold. For example, SoFi has a minimum wage requirement of $45,000 per year; Avant's yearly income minimum demand is simply $20,000. Therefore, don't be shocked if your lender fails to reveal any minimum income criteria. Many do not.


Recent tax returns, monthly bank statements, pay stubs, and signed letters from employers are all acceptable forms of proof of income; self-employed candidates may also present tax returns or bank deposits.


Debt-to-income ratio (DTI)

A calculator and notebook placed on top of cash

The percentage of a borrower's gross monthly income that goes toward her monthly debt service is known as her debt-to-income ratio (DTI). DTI helps lenders determine whether a potential borrower will be able to make payments on both new and existing debt. The optimal DTI is therefore less than 36%, while some lenders would accept a highly qualified candidate with a ratio of up to 50%.


Collateral


Your lender will need valuable assets or collateral if you're requesting a secured personal loan. The collateral for loans for houses or cars is frequently connected to the loan's primary goal. Nevertheless, other valuable assets, such as cash accounts, investment accounts, real estate, and collectibles like coins or precious metals, may also be used as collateral for secured personal loans.


The lender has the right to take back the collateral in order to recover any unpaid loan balance if you are late on payments or fall back on your loan.


Origination Fee


Several lenders charge origination fees for personal loans to cover the expenses of processing applications, conducting credit checks, and closing even though they are not a requirement for approval. Depending on variables including the loan size and applicant's credit score, these costs often vary between 1% and 8% of the entire loan amount. Origination costs may be paid in cash by certain lenders at closing, financed by other lenders as a portion of the loan amount, or deducted from the overall loan amount paid at closing.


I did all these, but I still got rejected: Why?

The lender explaining for a loan did not get approved

Your personal loan application may be rejected by a lender for a variety of reasons. Your DTI may be too high or your credit score may be too low. It's also conceivable that you requested a larger loan than the bank believes you are capable of repaying in light of your income, employment stability, and other obligations that are still owing.


There are a few actions you may do to increase your chances of securing a loan in the future if a lender rejects your personal loan application:


Check your loan application for errors or inaccuracies

Enquire about the exact grounds for the rejection of your application.

Pay off your existing outstanding obligations to raise your credit score.

Verify the accuracy of your credit report.

Boost your earnings

Compare the lending criteria

Make a smaller loan application

Think about getting a co-signer.


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