Can I Apply For Another Personal Loan If I Already Have One?

Can I have more than one personal loan?

If you already have a personal loan, you can certainly apply for another one. However, it’s worth noting that individual lenders may have their own policies about the number of personal loans they offer to the same customer. So there may be some limitations there.

Do my loans need to be with the same lender?

No, your personal loans do not need to be with the same lender. You can have personal loans with different lenders simultaneously. In fact, many people have loans with different financial institutions for various reasons, such as seeking the best interest rates and terms, borrowing for different purposes, or simply due to their financial circumstances.

Things to consider when taking out multiple personal loans?

Having multiple personal loans can have several downsides and potential drawbacks, including:

Impact on credit score

Each new loan application can result in a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score. Additionally, having multiple open loans can affect your credit utilisation, which may also negatively impact your credit score.

Financial management stress

Taking on multiple personal loans means you have to manage multiple monthly payments, which can be overwhelming and increase your overall debt burden.

Managing multiple loans can also increase the risk of missing payments or defaulting on one or more of them, which can have serious consequences, including damage to your credit score and potential legal action.

Reduced borrowing capacity

When you have multiple personal loans, it can limit your ability to borrow more money in the future, because lenders consider your existing debt when evaluating your creditworthiness.

Higher interest rates

Each personal loan comes with its own interest rate, and if you have multiple loans, you may be paying more in interest over time, which can be costly.

To mitigate these downsides, it’s essential to carefully consider the necessity of each personal loan, create a budget, and have a clear plan for managing and repaying your debts.

Consolidating multiple loans into a single, lower-interest loan or seeking professional financial advice may also be beneficial in some cases.

→Related article: How to Write a Budget

Should I consolidate my debt instead?

You may find taking out multiple loans complicates repayments, making paying off your debt a nightmare. If this is the case, you may want to consider debt consolidation.

Debt consolidation is a financial strategy that involves combining multiple debts into a single, more manageable loan. The main purpose of debt consolidation is to simplify debt repayment. By taking out a new loan (or adding to an existing one), you only have to keep on top of one set of repayments.

Read more about debt consolidation here.

Remember to talk to a financial advisor before making any major decisions like taking out another personal loan or consolidating your debt.

How do I apply for a second personal loan?

To apply for a second personal loan, you can follow a similar process to when you applied for your first personal loan. Here are the steps to guide you through the application process:

1. Review your financial situation

Before applying for a second personal loan, assess your current financial situation. Consider your income, expenses, existing debts, and your reasons for needing the additional loan. Ensure that you can comfortably manage the payments for both loans.

2. Check your credit score

Check your credit score for accuracy and address any errors or discrepancies. Your credit score and history will play a significant role in your ability to qualify for a new loan and the terms you receive.

You can get a copy of your credit report from these three credit reporting companies:

• Centrix
• illion
• Equifax

→Related article: How to Fix a Bad Credit Score

3. Compare lenders

Research and compare personal loan lenders to find the one that offers the best terms and interest rates for your needs. You can consider traditional banks, credit unions, online lenders, and other financial institutions.

4. Gather documentation

Prepare the necessary documents that lenders typically require, including:

• Proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements)
• Proof of identity (driver license, passport, etc)
• Employment and contact information
• Information about your existing debts and financial obligations

5. Complete the application

Fill out the loan application provided by your chosen lender. You may be able to do this online, in-person at a branch, or over the phone, depending on the lender’s procedures. Be honest and accurate when providing information on the application.

Depending on the type of personal loan you are applying for and the lender’s requirements, you may need to provide collateral, such as a car title or a savings account, to secure the loan.

6. Wait for approval

After submitting your application, the lender will review your information, including your credit history and financial documents. Approval times can vary, but many lenders can provide a decision within a few days.

7. Review the loan terms

If approved, carefully review the terms and conditions of the loan offer, including the interest rate, loan amount, repayment schedule, and any fees associated with the loan.

If you are satisfied with the loan terms, you can accept the offer by signing the loan agreement. If not, you can decline the offer and explore other lending options.

Compare personal loan providers with Canstar!

About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.