What documents do I need to apply for a personal loan?

Whether you are a Singapore citizen, permanent resident, or foreign worker residing in Singapore, securing a personal loan in Singapore has never been easier. As long as you qualify for the type of loan you are applying for, the process is pretty simple, quick, and straightforward. If you’ve reached a tough spot financially and are in need of emergency cash with the lowest personal loan rates, here are some tips you should follow when considering applying for a legal loan in Singapore.

1. Check your credit score

A credit score is used by banks, financial institutions, or licensed money lenders to gauge the likelihood of you paying off your loans on time. If you want to get the lowest personal loan rates, you have to have a substantial credit profile that shows a higher credit score or rating.

The higher your credit score, the more likely you are to get approved for a personal loan in Singapore as it shows creditworthiness. As these credit reports are sourced from a credit bureau, you will also be able to source your own credit report by requesting a copy online or from Credit Bureau Singapore for $6.42.

2. Don’t apply for too many loans at once

For a smooth sailing loan application process, you have to ensure you do not have too many loans running at once. When you apply for too many loans at one go, lenders will raise an inquiry with the credit bureau to evaluate your creditworthiness. These can be considered hard inquiries where a lender is initiating a credit inquiry on behalf of the borrower.

Bear in mind that with each direct inquiry from a legal moneylender, there is a possibility that the loan evaluation process will be further scrutinised. Rather than having multiple credit inquiries, it is much more ideal to figure out the various types of legal loan options available and identify the right fit before applying for a loan.

3. Plan your budget before applying

As with all financial plans, it is best to budget well at the very beginning, before you even apply for a loan. This step is crucial to ensure that you can repay the loan on time to avoid late fees and extra charges. If you have a gauge on the range of monthly instalment payments that you are financially able to commit to, it will be much easier to choose the type of loan in Singapore.

Doing it this way would mean that you would already know the maximum interest fee you can commit to. Budgeting wisely also requires you to look at timelines to help you work out a comfortable repayment agreement or loan tenure.

4. Prepare substantial proof of income

You must have the right documents so that you can have a smooth sailing loan application process. These include your NRIC; proof of income and employment documents such as your last 3-6 months of payslip or income tax notice of assessment (NOA); current credit report; past CPF statements; proof of residence or tenancy agreement; employment letter; employment pass and bank statements (for foreigners).

It is usually not difficult to secure proof of income for employees having a monthly salary arrangement. However, other employment arrangements like commission-based work or self-employment may prove more complex for verifying future income. Regardless of the reason, it is usually a must for borrowers to find a way to prove that they will honour their debt.

If you are applying for a personal loan without formal proof of income, you can consider showing past bank statements that indicate regular payment from an employer or credit card statements to show that you have paid your bills on time. The credit history reflects your past credit management so it can be used as an indicator of creditworthiness. Documentation of annual tax returns from IRAS can also help your cause. You should also protect your credit score to get a higher rating. Lastly, you can also consider providing a larger amount of downpayment to secure a reasonable loan tenure.

Ultimately, applying for a personal loan in Singapore is not difficult. As long as you follow the tips above and ensure you have the necessary documents on hand, you will experience a quick and seamless application and approval process.

Interested in securing a personal loan in Singapore? Find out more about your legal loan options with us.

Your personal loan in Singapore was approved by a licensed moneylender – congratulations! Now comes the challenging part – sticking to the repayment schedule. There are two reasons why it is important to repay your loan as scheduled.

Firstly, there are monetary penalties every time you are late on a payment. This includes:

• A one-off late payment penalty every time you fail to pay the monthly instalment by the set date. This fee is capped at $60 per month.
• Interest on the amount due. This is calculated at up to 4% of the amount due for that month (not the outstanding loan balance).

Secondly, the cumulative debt that you incur as a result of these penalties makes it more likely that you will default on future payments. Remember, a failure to meet your financial obligations today can have catastrophic effects on your credit rating for years to come.

But not to worry, we have got your back! Here are 4 simple and proven ways you can use to adhere to your personal loan repayment plan.

1. Adjust the instalment due date

If you are employed full-time and have a constant monthly stream of income, it is important to keep your payday in mind when it comes to repaying your personal loan. Also consider last-minute purchases and emergency expenses, which will affect your repayment schedule.

Once you have a clear idea of when you receive your salary every month, approach your licensed moneylender and ask for a revised due date for your monthly instalments. As there may be administrative expenses involved with the amendment, it is best to be absolutely sure before informing your lender.

2. Know your finances

This method is all about how well you know your finances. Before you can even determine a feasible repayment plan for your personal loan in Singapore, you need to first assess your current income and expenses.

While there are many free apps today that can help ease the burden of recording your daily personal finances, you still need the discipline to keep this habit consistent. Just think of how invaluable this information will be in helping you see where your money is going and how you can cut back on unnecessary expenses in time for your next repayment.

3. Prioritise your debts

Now that you know where to cut back on expenses, the next step is to determine where your income will go. All debts are not created equal and you have to determine the order of which gets paid first and that depends on two factors:

• Size of each debt
• The interest rate on each debt

Together, they dictate the amount by which your debt increases if you do not pay them in full. The idea is to gradually climb out of the debt by ensuring that you either maintain or reduce the amount owed.

You can use either the debt snowball or debt avalanche strategy to accelerate debt repayment.

Debt snowball – List all your debts – from smallest to largest – and make the minimum payment every month to prevent further increase in debt. Pay off the smallest debt first as best you can, and make minimum payments to the remaining debts with any money left. Over time, you will pay off that debt, and you can apply the same strategy to the next smallest debt.

Debt avalanche – List all your debts and make the minimum payment on all debts every month. Pay off the debt with the highest interest using any money that remains. Over time, you will pay off that debt, and you can apply the same strategy to the next high-interest debt. In this way, you are essentially decreasing the amount of interest you are paying.

4. Be mindful of your spending

Last but not least, budget carefully. Before taking out a personal loan in Singapore, be sure to assess your current spending and ensure that it doesn’t clash with your repayment plan. This comes with some financial planning and discipline.

If you realise you’re someone who tends to overspend, then it is time for some serious introspection on your finances and addresses the true cause of perpetually being in debt. How you spend is in your control and it is one of the best long-term solutions to having a solid financial future.

Good thing is, we’re here to help you.

Galaxy Credit is a licensed money lender that specialises in helping you secure a personal loan in Singapore. Talk to us today about our loan solutions.

 

Besides banks, a moneylending company is a specific financial service provider that will lend you money based on your income and credit history. If you are looking for a loan, then moneylending companies are good options to consider.

However, it is important to note that a moneylending company will have relatively high interest rates, but it will be able to provide you with the necessary funds based on your monthly income.

As with all other personal loan applications, a licensed moneylender needs to go through a processing and approval time frame but the good news is you can apply for a loan online and it’s a relatively easy process. Besides personal loans, a moneylending company in Singapore also provides business loans. But do your due diligence and ensure you are signing up only with licensed moneylending companies.

Loan amount

The loan amount you can obtain from a moneylending company will depend on the amount of your monthly income and credit history, although the latter isn’t as important as if you are applying for a bank loan. There are various loans with different purposes to consider and they come with their respective loan amounts.

The typical loan limit can amount to six times your monthly salary. Therefore, when you apply for a loan, make sure that the loan you choose is based on your financial situation and needs.

If you would like to check your credit report, you can get a copy from the Credit Bureau Singapore. You can also read this post for more information on obtaining your credit report.

Repayment period

The repayment period will depend on the type of loan that you have applied for. Short-term loans may have repayment periods of up to three months, while long-term loans may have repayment periods of up to twelve months

It is important to note that if you want a low-interest rate, then you should look for a loan with a longer repayment period that is typically at a lower amount as well.

Interest Rate

The interest rate charged by a moneylending company in Singapore will depend on the type of loan that you choose. It is important to note that there are personal loans and business loans, and both types of loans will have different interest rates. Also, interest rates for short-term loans will be higher than for long-term loans. Therefore, if you would like to save as much money as possible per month, then you should consider applying for a long-term loan. For example, the interest rate of a long-term loan can be as low as 1% per month while for a short-term loan is usually between 3-4% per month.

Finally, remember that if you would like a low-interest rate on the loan, then you must ensure that you have a good credit history and high income.

Do also ensure that you know the amount of interest rate and repayment period for each type of loan. This will help you to decide on the best loan for your needs, as well as the most suitable moneylending company to get a loan from.

With these three things in mind, you can now decide on a moneylending company in Singapore. Galaxy Credit offers one of the best personal loans with relatively low-interest rates and specialises in payday loans, business loans for SMEs, and debt consolidation services. Speak to our loan officers today and receive a free consultation on how to better manage your finances.