A payday loan is the type of loan you should seek if you need fast cash in a hurry, since this type of loan has quick approvals and virtually no credit checks. The aspect of being fast is probably the biggest draw for this type of loan, where you can usually have the money in a matter of hours. And since no credit check is required, this is especially helpful for people with bad credit.
Looking at all the different types of loans you could get, a payday loan is probably the easiest to get. Hardly any companies that offer this type of loan require a credit check. To get this type of loan, sometimes also called a cash advance loan, you need a job, a steady paycheck and a paycheck stub, and a checking account with a local bank. With all of those things, a payday loan is just around the corner for you. But you need to be aware of the characteristics of a payday loan before you sign on the dotted line.
You will typically need to have a minimum amount of employment with your current employer for at least a month, sometimes three months, and with a few more stringent companies, even six months. Your checking account must be with a local bank and should not be in the negative when you apply. The company offering this loan may check with your bank about the number of overdrafts you've had in recent months, but that is virtually as far as any type of credit check will go.
Although this type of loan is quick, the downside is the much higher fees involved. The amount of the fees will usually depend on the amount being borrowed. You can usually borrow from $100 to $500 with companies offering this type of loan, and some may even go higher, and the fees will be a percentage of the amount borrowed. Make double sure you understand what those fees are and which fees will be applied to your loan.
For instance, if you do not pay the loan off on its due date, usually your next pay day, and need to extend the loan, you will have to pay additional interest charges. Many payday loan companies allow you to extend your due date up to three times, each time you will be charged interest fees. It is usually best to pay the loan off on or before its due date to avoid excess charges.
The great thing about a payday loan is that they can be helpful when you are in a bind. Many people, especially those with bad credit, take advantage of these loans if they do not qualify for a traditional loan. The biggest differences between a payday loan and a traditional loan are the amount of time you have to pay it back and the finance charges.
There are no rules for what a payday loan can be used for. You can use it for car repairs when that repair cannot wait until your next pay day. It can be used to cover a check you wrote that you don't want to bounce or to take an emergency trip out of town, or any other reason you may have. This type of loan most times will not even ask what you plan to use the money for, since it really does not matter.
If you find yourself in a tight financial spot, a payday loan can be very helpful, as long as you understand the process and the much higher interest and fees involved. The company providing the loan will usually expect payment on your next pay day, which is where the name of this type of loan comes from. There are many online companies that sometimes will charge significantly lower fees and interest for this type of loan.
