What is a bank loan?

A bank loan is the most common form of loan capital for a business.

A bank loan provides medium or long-term finance.  The bank sets the fixed period over which the loan is provided (e.g. 3, 5 or 10 years), the rate of interest and the timing and amount of repayments. 

The bank will usually require that the business provides some security (“collateral) for the loan, although in the case of a start-up this security often comes in the form of personal guarantees provided by the entrepreneur.

Bank loans are good for financing investment in fixed assets (such as plant & machinery, land and buildings).  They are generally charged at a lower rate of interest that a bank overdraft.  The interest rate can be either fixed (e.g. 8% per year on the amount outstanding) or variable (where the interest rate varies depending on the Bank of England base rate).

However, a bank loan provides less flexibility than a bank overdraft. The business commits to meeting the bank loan repayments and interest – which it needs to do whether or not the cash flow position is good. A failure to meet the terms of the bank loan may lead to the bank putting the business into insolvency.

Bank loans tend not to be offered to start-ups or businesses with a track record of poor profitability and cash flow.  Such businesses are perceived as being high-risk by banks that, as a result of the credit crunch, are more cautious about the kind of lending they offer.

Jim Riley

Haunted by Student Debt Past Age 50

The experience of being crushed by student debt is no longer limited to the young. New federal data shows millions of Americans who are retired or nearing retirement face this burden, as well as the possibility of having their Social Security benefits garnished to make payments.

Americans age 60 and older are the fastest-growing age group of student loan debtors. Older debtors, many of whom live hand-to-mouth on fixed incomes, are more likely to default. When that occurs with federal loans, as happens with nearly 40 percent of such borrowers who are 65 and over, the government can seize a portion of their Social Security payments — even if it pushes them into poverty. About 20,000 Americans over the age of 50 in 2015 had their Social Security checks cut below the poverty line because of student loans, with poverty-level benefits falling even further for 50,000 others, according to a recent report by the Government Accountability Office.

A report issued last month by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau shows that the number of Americans aged 60 and older with student loan debt has grown fourfold over the last decade, to 2.8 million in 2015 from about 700,000 in 2005. The average amount owed by these borrowers has nearly doubled, to $23,500.

Some older borrowers are carrying their own education loans, but most fell into debt helping their children or grandchildren, either by borrowing directly or co-signing loans. As these borrowers age, they have increasing difficulty keeping up loan payments while also paying for food, housing, medication, and dental and medical care.

Adding to Poverty’s Ranks

By 2015, a total of nearly 70,000 people age 50 and older had their Social Security benefits fall below the poverty line ­— or their benefits were already below and cut further — because of defaults on student debt.

67,277

POVERTY DEEPENED

People whose benefits were already below the poverty line; garnished Social Security income made them even lower.

60,000

40,000

20,000

NEWLY IMPOVERISHED

People whose benefits were cut to below the poverty line by garnished income.

2005

2010

2015

Source: Government Accountability Office

By The New York Times

The federal government needs to give priority to people who are struggling to survive over the companies that collect their loan payments. That means ending the practice of seizing the Social Security benefits of poor or disabled student loan debtors.

Most federal student loan borrowers are eligible for income-based repayment plans under which distressed borrowers can pay as little as nothing per month. Many of those who enroll qualify to have the federal government pay part of their interest charges. And many are eligible to have loans forgiven after specified periods of time.

But loan servicing companies, which sometimes cheat borrowers outright, do a terrible job of enrolling people in this program. This deprives older borrowers of information about payment plans that would allow them to meet their loan obligations without skimping on medical or dental care.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which recently sued the nation’s largest loan servicing company, is rightly pushing the industry to do a better job of informing borrowers of their rights and enrolling them in the affordable payment program.

Still, the government should do more for older borrowers. For starters, it should automatically enroll them in income-based repayment when their accounts become delinquent — but before they default. Those who have reached default should be enrolled in the rehabilitation plan, which offers affordable payments.

Meanwhile, Congress should exempt Social Security income from garnishment.

The New York Times Opinion 

Make Your Life Easy With An Easy Loan

If you don’t want to have hassles while seeking a loan then you are at the right place. It is natural that all of us look for an easy loan. An easy loan could be sought by some specific lenders. All you need to do is to look for a right lender in a bid to seek an easy loan.
You can opt for an easy loan to improve your home, or buy a new property. You can go for a long cherished holiday or consolidate all your debts. You can buy your dream car or a computer, a machine etc. For fulfilling of these dreams and many more you can seek an easy loan.
You can easily seek an easy loan for seeking a personal loan, secured personal loan, bad credit personal loan, unsecured personal loan, personal car loans, personal loan for tenants, personal debt consolidation loan etc. You have a variety of options to choose from the different loan categories.
When you would like to seek a secured loan you can borrow a larger amount. On the other hand you will also repay the installments for a longer term. But you will have to put collateral in seeking a loan. On the other hand to seek an unsecured personal loan you don’t need to put your property at risk. But the interest rate would be higher in this case and the repayment term would be shorter.
It is up to you to look for a right lender, who can provide you with an easy loan.

By Jake Nathan

Home Equity Loans

A home equity loan is a secured loan that uses your equity in your home as collateral. Home equity loans can be obtained at competitive interest rates and with flexible repayment terms. Many lenders are even willing to extend home equity loans to those with damaged credit; due to the fact these types of loans are less risky for the lender.
While your local bank may offer home equity loans, in many cases it is wise to look elsewhere for a home equity loan. Seek out companies that are dedicated solely to providing loans. By doing so, you increase your chances of getting better rates and better terms.Shop around, not only for different types of lenders, but also for different types of loans. Take a look at loans with both fixed and variable interest rates. In most cases, a fixed rate loan is best, saving you from being at the mercy of fluctuating interest rates. However, there is no harm in looking at variable interest rate loans as well, just in case you find a variable interest rate loan that fits your particular needs better than a comparable fixed-rate loan.
Don't bite off more than you can chew. There may be a temptation to take out a loan in a larger than necessary amount. Though you may be able to think of many things you could do with the extra money, you have to keep in mind that you are required to repay the money you borrow. Borrowing a huge amount may make it difficult for you to repay your loan and may lead to you losing your home and severely damaging your credit. Instead, go for a loan in an amount you can repay without a struggle.