Have You Received A Loan Offer In The Mail From Credit 9?
If you have been thinking about it and you just received a “too good to be true” loan offer in the mail from Credit 9, Tripoint Lending, Simple Path Financial, or SPF Saves or – listen to your gut instinct. Do you really think you qualify for a 3% interest rate? Do you really think that reservation code is especially for you? Check Crixeo and find out the truth.
Is Credit 9 A Scam?
Credit9 is affiliated with Americor Funding, a debt resolution company.
It appears that Credit 9 is operating a typical bait and switch scheme. They lure you in by sending you direct mail with a “personalized reservation code” and a low 4%-5% interest rate to consolidate your high-interest credit card debt.
Credit9 doesn’t tell you that you need excellent credit to qualify for a loan with that low-interest rate (which you have been supposedly preapproved for).
While the Credit 9 Nine mailer offers incredibly low rates, the licensing information on their site discloses that “typical” rates for most states they include in their disclosure are 18-24% APR.
Interestingly, while having sample rates for the State of Pennsylvania, the Credit 9 website also discloses that “These products/services are not offered to Pennsylvania residents.”
When it comes to debt-consolidation loans, you’ll find varying interest rates that may be different from one lender to another.
Debt consolidation programs cover several types of loans, including home equity loans, personal loans, and balance transfer credit. The main reason for taking out a personal loan is the consolidation of existing debt. Interest rates may vary, but they are less expensive, convenient, and easier to manage than other types of debts – such as medical bills and credit cards.
The average interest rate depends on the type of personal loan you’re applying for, your credit score, and other factors. In most cases, the better your credit, a better credit will get you approved for a more affordable interest rate.
Factors That Influence Debt Consolidation Loan
Lending Tree also reported that the annual percentage rate (APR) for a personal loan was also heavily influenced by the credit score of the borrower.
For a credit score of 720 or higher, the APR was 7.63% at its lowest. And for a credit score of 560 or lower, the APR was a whopping 113.62% at its highest.
This means that personal loans favor buyers with strong credits, while borrowers with a bad credit face extremely high interest rates. It is worth shopping around, no matter how bad your credit score.
Doing research will give you an idea about the rates available to you from different lenders and your options. It is worth noting that each application could trigger a hard pull on your credit report, which will hurt your credit score for a few months. This is why it is better to submit multiple applications in quick succession so that your credit score only goes through a single hard inquiry throughout your shopping period.
What is the Average Loan Legnth for Debt Consolidation?
The average loan length varies, but most borrowers are able to secure a repayment term of between 2 to 5 years. While it is within the realm of possibility to negotiate a higher repayment term, it will come at the cost of a higher interest rate. Not to mention the fact that you’ll be paying the interest rate for longer. Lenders do this to offset the risk of default on their loans.
Factors That Affect the Average Debt-Consolidation Loan Rate
The actual loan rate depends on the type of solution you’re looking for. For instance, home equity loans have the lowest average interest rates This is because it’s a secured loan, meaning your home becomes collateral, and you can secure a lower rate that is more feasible for you. The average home equity loan for a 15 year term at fixed rates is well within the range of 3% to 9%.
By contrast, unsecured personal debt accrues some of the highest interest rates. They are unsecured, which means there’s no collateral for lenders to recoup their investments should the borrower default. These are known as personal loans and they often come with an average loan rate of about 11.91%.
Other than the type of product you’re looking for, there are few other factors to consider.
Credit Scores
As a general rule, a strong credit score can help you secure lower interest rates. But if your credit report shows a history of late or missed payments, you should try to improve your credit before applying for debt-consolidation loan.
The Lender
You’ll find debt-consolidation loans at credit unions, online lenders, and traditional banks – among others. Every lender will charge a different rate. You’ll get lower APRs at credit unions compared to traditional banks. Some online lenders offer loans to individuals with low credit scores. But their interest rates are often extremely bloated – often hovering within the ranges of 6% to over 30%.
Debt to Income Ratio
The Debt-to-Income ratio is the ratio of your debt owed each month to your earnings. Lenders often equate high DTIs as a high risk. A high DTI, usually above 40% will make it difficult to secure a lower interest rate.
Loan term
The loan term is the period over which you repay your loan. A shorter-term loan offers lower interest rates and reduces your overall cost. Longer loan terms come with high APRs and a higher cost, but they usually translate to lower monthly payments.
Fixed vs. Variable PR
A fixed interest rate might mean a higher interest rate, but it will likely remain the same during the length of your term. Variable interest rates often start lower but increase over time based on market changes.
The Bottom Line
Now that you know more about debt-consolidation loans, you can strategize the best financial outcome for your situation.
Finding a good interest rate requires two basic elements:
- The loan you receive should have a lower interest rate than your existing debt
- You should change your spending habits to get out of debt without paying.
Despite the glaring issues (for individuals with lower credit scores), consolidation loans can be extremely useful with the right tools. Provided you’re astute with your finances, you should be able to clear out your other debts with relative ease. It’s always prudent to do your research when it comes to any major financial decision, and this holds true for debt consolidation.
As always, make sure to read the terms and conditions to learn as many details about the loan as possible – otherwise it could end up being something like a natural disaster.