Why loans are not a bad thing
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Managing Director Jijenge Credit Limited Peter Macharia Kamau during the interview at Nation Centre on Thursday, March 14, 2019. PHOTO DENNIS ONSONGO.
Jijenge Credit Limited, under thewise leadership of the Founder and Chief Executive Officer Peter Macharia Kamau is the leading Microfinance lender in the Country.
Today the CEO takes a brief moment to tell us about the advantages of loans. Here is what he has to say.
Loans are a common financial tool used by individuals and businesses to cover expenses, make investments, or otherwise achieve financial goals. While taking on debt is not always the best decision, there are several advantages to using loans in the right circumstances. In this essay, we will explore the advantages of loans in detail.
- Access to funds: Perhaps the most obvious advantage of loans is that they provide borrowers with access to a lump sum of money that they can use for any purpose they choose. This can be particularly useful in situations where the borrower needs cash quickly, such as to cover an unexpected expense or take advantage of a time-limited investment opportunity.
- Flexibility: Loans can be used for a wide variety of purposes, from starting a business to buying a home to paying for medical expenses. Borrowers can choose the loan type that best fits their needs, such as a personal loan, mortgage, or business loan, and can often customise the loan terms to fit their budget and repayment timeline.
- Building credit: Taking out a loan and making regular, on-time payments is one way to build credit, which can be important for securing future loans, credit cards, and other financial products. Responsible use of loans can demonstrate to lenders that the borrower is trustworthy and capable of managing debt effectively.
- Consolidating debt: Loans can be used to consolidate multiple debts into a single payment, which can simplify the repayment process and potentially reduce the borrower’s overall interest payments. Debt consolidation loans are particularly useful for individuals with high-interest credit card debt, as the interest rates on personal loans are often lower.
- Lower interest rates: Depending on the borrower’s credit history and the type of loan they are taking out, loans can often have lower interest rates than other forms of credit, such as credit cards or payday loans. This can result in significant savings over the life of the loan, particularly for larger amounts of debt.
- Fixed interest rates: Many loans come with fixed interest rates, which means that the borrower’s interest rate will not change over the life of the loan. This provides predictability and stability, as borrowers can budget for their loan payments with confidence, knowing that their interest rate will not suddenly increase.
- Tax benefits: Some types of loans, such as mortgages and student loans, offer tax benefits that can reduce the borrower’s overall tax burden. For example, mortgage interest payments are tax-deductible, which can help offset the cost of borrowing a home.
- Longer repayment terms: Loans can be structured with longer repayment terms than other forms of credit, which can help borrowers manage their cash flow more effectively. For example, a mortgage may have a repayment term of 30 years, which can make the monthly payments more affordable than if the loan had to be repaid in a shorter period.
- Access to investments: Loans can be used to fund investments, such as stocks, bonds, or real estate, which can generate returns that are greater than the cost of borrowing. This can be a powerful way to leverage borrowed money to achieve financial goals and build wealth over time.
- Lower down payments: Some loans, such as mortgages and car loans, allow borrowers to make lower down payments than they would need to if they were paying cash. This can help borrowers get into a home or car more quickly, even if they don’t have a large amount of savings on hand.
- Easy to obtain: Loans are often easy to obtain, particularly for individuals with good credit histories. Many lenders offer online applications that can be completed quickly and easily, and funds can often be deposited directly into the borrower’s bank account within a matter of days.
- Financial freedom: Loans can provide borrowers with the financial freedom to pursue their goals and dreams.