Banks Are Giving COVID Personal Loans At Reduced Rates: Check If You Are Eligible Or Not
Tue May 26 2020 / By: RashmiThe Indian Government has released a number of relief packages in the wake of Coronavirus spread. But, only a little of that has reached the middle class. Thankfully, many banks have come forward to lend a helping hand in the form of COVID-19 personal loans. Not only is the process of loan application is easy, but the interest rates of these loans are also lower than other personal loans.
What are 'COVID-19' personal loans?
Many banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) have started to give a special type of loan. Named after the pandemic virus, these loans are called COVID-19 personal loans. The difference between a regular personal loan and a COVID-19 personal loan is that the latter's rules are somewhat relaxed.
The interest rates of regular personal loans start from 12% and go up to 20%. While the interest rates of COVID-19 personal starts from only 7% and goes up to 10%.
Right now, Bank of Maharashtra, Punjab National Bank (PNB), Indian Overseas Bank (IOB), Bank of Baroda (BoB), Indian Bank, Union Bank of India, UCO Bank, State Bank of India (SBI) and Bank of India are providing the facility of COVID-19 personal loans.
Eligibility Criteria
Different banks have different eligibility criteria. But, most of them have some commonalities. Like, you must have a salaried account or personal account with the bank. And, you must have an excellent CIBIL score.
In case you have already taken a loan with the bank, your repayment history must be good enough. Some of the banks are giving COVID-19 personal loans only to the customers who already have borrowed home loans.
Those who are self-employed can get a loan of limit up to 50% to 60% of their last filed profit, while the salaried persons can get loans of limit up to 10x of their monthly salary.
Should you take the loan?
The classic answer- Yes and No. If you are in dire need of it, you can opt for the COVID-19 personal loan. But, if you are taking the loan just because the interest rate seems lucrative- it's a big NO-NO.
The interest rates of these loans are indeed quite reasonable, but you still have to pay that in the future. You don't know when this crisis will end, and when will your business or job will get back on track. Do not pay interest rates to banks for a time period that is unknown to you.
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