APR or annual percentage rate is the sum of the monthly interest rates listed in the terms of your loan agreement. For example, if the interest rate is 3%, the annual percentage rate would be 3*12=36%. Therefore, the lower the APR, the lower the monthly interest rate will be.

Loan security is a mechanism for guaranteeing the repayment of a loan, which protects the rights of the creditor. A borrower can leave some tangible assets (such as a car or real estate) as security for a loan, which then becomes a secured debt to the creditor who issues the loan. Thus, the loan is secured, and if the borrower defaults, the creditor takes possession of the asset used as its security.

Contrary to popular belief, getting a loan to a person with a bad credit history is quite possible. There is even such a term as a 'bad credit loan'. Not a single financial institution directly advertises such a service, but in fact many of them work with problem borrowers. The only significant nuance: because of a bad credit history, creditors have to hedge themselves by increasing the interest rate and tightening the conditions.

A loan estimate is an approximate form of credit calculation that allows a potential borrower to consider the basic conditions and payments for a particular loan proposal. A loan estimate is sent to a client by a lending institution within three days after the application is submitted, but before its actual approval.

An FHA loan is a Federal Housing Administration guaranteed low down payment mortgage loan that allows you to purchase your first home. FHA loans help families become homeowners by lowering the cost of financing and reducing the size of the down payment that makes it difficult to purchase a house. According to the Mortgage Reports website, approximately 20 percent of eligible buyers apply for and receive an FHA loan due to moderate credit history and income requirements.

Although the range of interest rates offered by U.S. lending institutions in 2021 varies from 3% to 36%, the average interest rate for personal loans has remained about the same for the past 2-3 years, namely 11-12%. Of course, this figure is purely theoretical, because in practice everything depends on a variety of factors and criteria.

A loan recast is the payment of a fixed amount during the term of the loan agreement aimed to cover the principal of the loan so as to reduce subsequent monthly payments for the remainder of the term of the agreement. Generally, a loan recast is used in mortgage lending by people who suddenly received a large sum of money (e.g., an inheritance).

A consolidated loan is a form of debt refinancing that involves taking one loan to pay off many others. It usually refers to individuals facing consumer debt problems. The consolidation process can provide a lower overall interest rate for the entire debt load and provide the convenience of servicing only one loan or debt.

The main difference is that with a conventional loan the borrower is required to pay mortgage insurance only if the down payment is less than 20%, and with FHA (Federal Housing Administration) mortgage insurance is paid regardless of the size of the down payment. There is also a difference in the maximum loan amount.

A payday loan is a small short-term unsecured loan, usually issued by microfinance institutions. The issuance of such loans depends on the consumer's previous wages and employment history. Legislation on payday loans varies widely from state to state. To prevent usury (unreasonable and excessive interest rates), some jurisdictions limit the annual interest rate a lender can charge. Additionally, payday loans assume a higher rate of default on the loan.

Most companies try to maintain a positive reputation in the market and conduct a transparent lending policy. However, there are some that are interested only in increasing profits. Often under the guise of favorable programs they use hidden fees, additional commissions and unreasonable fines, which lead customers to a debt pit. There are many parameters that may underline such companies. Among the main ones are the following: solvency and sufficient liquidity reserve, size and structure of equity capital, quality of the loan portfolio, information on the management, reputation and information transparency. You should also check for information on the company at Better Business Bureau and similar resources.