You may think that a loan is just a loan, correct? Well, essentially, that is true, but did you know that many different loan types are available?

The basic elements of a loan agreement are that you agree to borrow a set amount of money, and that figure would then be repaid with interest, and this essentially forms the basis of all loan arrangements – money is borrowed and is subsequently repaid, at an agreed date, with interest added on top, and it is this which essentially forms the structure of all loans.

Whilst the basic structure of a loan is simple to understand, there is a multitude of different loan variants which can add confusion to the average person who may be looking to borrow a sum of money using a loan arrangement. We, therefore, thought it would be useful to explore two types of quick loans available within the United Kingdom, to help give people an understanding of what type of financial agreement they may potentially be entering into; indeed, by searching online, you will be presented with a multitude of different loan options. We believe it is important to understand what type of loan arrangement you are entering into and, perhaps more importantly, what potential impact will this will have on your ability to borrow money.

Short-term loans

Short-term loans are exactly what they ‘say on the tin’ – a small sum of money borrowed for a short period and paid back on an agreed date. Entwined within the short-term loan lending arena are different variables of loan arrangements; the minority of short-term loans will be secured; however, many short-term loans will be unsecured.

A secured loan is when the borrower puts forward an asset to be secured against the potential debt. If the loan cannot be repaid, then the asset could be at risk of being lost. It is therefore always worth considering carefully, before entering into any secure loan arrangement, what the asset is that you may be putting forward and whether you could afford to potentially lose that particular asset if you cannot repay the money that it is you initially borrowed.

When examining short-term loans, essentially, it is a loan that is borrowed for an agreed period, and the arrangement would typically be under 12 months. Some of the advantages of using short-term loans are that the money borrowed is repaid quicker in comparison to that of the longer-term, secured loan types. Some disadvantages of short-term loans are that the interest you will pay will often be high, and therefore this kind of borrowing should only be considered when all other avenues of loans have been fully explored. 

Although short-term loans are useful and have a significant advantage in that you can repay the outstanding debt quickly, the fact remains that any money borrowed through any loan will accrue interest; with short-term loans often come higher levels of repayments, and this should always be factored into the decision-making process when considering taking out a short term loan.

Quick loans

Quick loans are essentially another unsecured loan, wrapped up in the term ‘quick’. Quick loans are particularly useful for people who need to borrow money quickly. The term ‘quick loan’ relates to two essential components of an unsecured loan. Loan companies associate themselves with the term ‘quick loan’ because they often have various expedient elements integrated into their loan operations; loan processing is often fast, with many unsecured loan companies who can provide quick loans. If the essential application criteria have been met for the loan application when the application has been submitted, then the initial processing/administration of the loan can be incredibly quick and, in some cases, may take as little as 60 seconds to process.

The second stage of the loan process, entwined with the term ‘quick’, is the payment of the loan; the deposit of funds into the account is often fast, with many loan companies who offer unsecured lending. Whereas a secure loan application may take a protracted period to borrow, given that an asset is incorporated into the loan arrangement, a quick unsecured loan is essentially asset free. Any formal agreement on the loan being processed is based upon a loan applicant’s current financial status, and data such as previous credit history, residential status, employment status and the loan applicant’s income and outgoings are all factored into any credit-making decisions.

Loans Advice

Reflecting on your credit state before applying for a loan is essential. A simple consideration of any previous lending you have had, your employment status, and perhaps the most important factor to consider is whether you can afford to pay the money back that you have borrowed. If you are experiencing any current financial difficulties, the answer may not always be to turn to quick loan providers as a solution. There are many debt charities, such as step change and national debt line, which should be your first port of call in the event you are experiencing difficult financial circumstances.

Short-term and quick loans are just two examples of unsecured lending proliferating the loan market. As with any loan application, always ensure you read the terms and conditions before submitting your details to a loan application. The simple fact is that short-term and quick loans are essentially the same thing and should, therefore, not be considered in isolation. Both are unsecured loans that have essentially been packaged in different ways. Short-term and quick loans have positives and negatives, and careful consideration should always be given before applying. We have lots of financial information and frequently asked questions should you need any additional guidance on anything finance or loan related.