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About Loans
A loan is a type of [debt]. All material things can be lent but this article focuses exclusively on monetary loans. Like all debt instruments, a loan entails the redistribution of financial [asset]s over time, between the [wiktionary:lender] and the [wiktionary:borrower].
The borrower initially receives an amount of [money] from the lender, which they pay back, usually but not always in regular installments, to the lender. This service is generally provided at a cost, referred to as [interest] on the [debt]. A borrower may be subject to certain restrictions known as [loan covenant]s under the terms of the loan.
Acting as a provider of loans is one of the principal tasks for [financial institution]s. For other institutions, issuing of [debt] contracts such as [bond (finance)] is a typical source of funding. Bank loans and credit are one way to increase the [money supply].
Legally, a loan is a contractual promise of a debtor to repay a sum of money in exchange for the promise of a creditor to give another sum of money.
Types
Secured
A [mortgage loan] is a very common type of debt instrument, used by many individuals to purchase [housing]. In this arrangement, the money is used to purchase the property. The financial institution, however, is given security - a [lien] on the title to the house - until the mortgage is paid off in full. If the borrower [Default (finance)] on the loan, the bank would have the legal right to repossess the house and sell it, to recover sums owing to it.
In some instances, a loan taken out to purchase a new or used car may be secured by the car, in much the same way as a mortgage is secured by housing. The duration of the loan period is considerably shorter - often corresponding to the useful life of the car. There are two types of auto loans, direct and indirect. A direct auto loan is where a bank gives the loan directly to a consumer. An indirect auto loan is where a car dealership acts as an intermediary between the bank or financial institution and the consumer.
A type of loan especially used in [limited partnership] agreements is the [recourse note].
Unsecured
These may be available from financial institutions under many different guises or marketing packages:
- [credit card] debt,
- personal loans,
- [bank] [overdraft]s
- credit facilities or lines of credit
- [corporate bond]s
The [interest rate]s applicable to these different forms may vary depending on the lender, the borrower. These may or may not be regulated by law. In the United Kingdom, when applied to individuals, these may come under the [Consumer Credit Act 1974].
Abuses
[Predatory lending] is one form of abuse in the granting of loans. It usually involves granting a loan in order to put the borrower in a position that one can gain advantage over him or her. Where the moneylender is not authorised, it could be considered a [loan shark].
[Usury] is a different form of abuse, charging excessive interest. In different time periods and cultures the acceptable interest rate has varied, from no interest at all to unlimited interest rates. Credit card companies in some countries have been accused by consumer organisations of lending at usurious interest rates and making money out of frivolous "extra charges" Credit card holders pay Rs 6,000 cr 'extra' [May 03], [2007]
Abuses can also take place in the form of the customer abusing the lender by not repaying the loan or with an intent to defraud the lender.
See also
- [Finance], [Personal finance], [Settlement (finance)]
- [Debt], [Consumer debt], [Debt consolidation], [Government debt]
- [Bank], [Fractional-reserve banking], [Building society]
- [FAFSA]
- [George D. Sax] and the Exchange National Bank of Chicago - Innovation of instant loans
- [Annual percentage rate] (a.k.a. [Effective annual rate])
- [Interest-only loan]
- [Student loan]
- [Payday loan]
- [Refund Anticipation Loan]
- [Federal student loan consolidation]
- [Federal Perkins Loan]
- [Stafford loan]
- [Title loan]
- [Syndicated loan]
References
Information Reference: Wikipedia.org
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