If you urgently need money, but alsomoneyIf you want to borrow money from family and friends, the best option may be a personal loan.
With a personal loan, you borrow cash from a bank or financial institution and repay it in fixed installments over an agreed period. But you usually have to meet a minimum income requirement and the bank will check your credit history.
Even so, it is usually cheaper and safer to get a personal loan from a bank than to hire a loan shark. These are the lowest interest personal loans in Singapore right now.
1. Review: Best Personal Loans in Singapore (May 2023)
Below are the current introductory rates offered by the most popular personal loan providers in Singapore. We will use the example of a Singaporean who earns $2,500 a month and wants to borrow $10,000 and pay it back within two years.
personal loan | Interest and effective interest (EKS) | Handling fee | monthly pay |
UOB Personal loan | 3.77% (EX 6.89%) | 0 % | 311 dollars |
Standard Chartered CashOne | 3.48% (EX: 6.95%) | 0 % | 307 dollars |
Citibank Quick Cash (new clients) | 3.45% (EX: 6.5%) | 0 % | 307 dollars |
DBS/POSB Personal Loan | 3.88% (EX 7.9%) | 100 dollars | 310 dollars |
HSBC personal loan | 4,0 % (EIR: 7,5 %) | 0 % | 311 dollars |
Not mentioned in this table is OCBC's ExtraCash Personal Loan, which gives you a whopping 5.43% interest (EKS 11.47%) with monthly repayments of $323 and a processing fee of $100.
2. What do interest, EKS and processing fee mean?
There's a lot of jargon here, so let's tackle some of the potential problems.
Interest rate: Notice that the interest rate is listed as "of X percent" instead of just "X percent"? This is because personal loans are very dynamic as they all depend on (a) your credit history, (b) how much you want to borrow and (c) for how long. Banks will usually adjust your rate when you apply, so you'll usually only see your final rate once your application has been approved.
EKS: EKS stands for effective interest rate. It reflects the cost of borrowing more accurately than the advertised interest rate, taking into account other fees (such as processing fees; see next point) and loan repayment plans.
Fees: This is the main hidden cost of personal loans and deserves a lot of attention. The closing fee is deducted from the principal - meaning that for a $10,000 loan and a closing fee of $100 (or 1%), you only get $9,900 in cash. As a borrower, you may not "feel" it, but it eats up your money and increases the cost of borrowing.
Now let's take a look at five prominent personal loan packages.
3. UOB personal loan
UOB Personal Loans are only open to existing UOB Credit Card or CashPlus customers who are permanent residents of Singapore between the ages of 21 and 65. You must also earn at least $30,000 a year. Not an existing UOB client? You can still apply for this UOB personal loan, but you must also have a UOB credit card or CashPlus.
The interest rate is 3.77% per year. The loan repayment term is 12 months, and the annual interest rate is 6.89%. EKS For other loan terms of 24, 36, 48 or 60 months, the interest rate is fixed and amounts to 3.99% per year. EKS is between 7.40% and 7.49% per year.
UOB used to waive processing fees only for loan periods of 24 months and above, but now it waives processing fees for all loan periods.
If you are an existing UOB customer, you can get instant approval when you apply for a personal loan online.
Thinking of applying for a UOB personal loan? Apply now and get loan approval through May 31, 2023 to receive $350 cash or an ErgoTune Supreme V3 Ergonomic Chair, a $599 value.
4. Standard Chartered CashOne
The Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan is open to Singapore citizens, permanent residents and Singapore work pass holders aged 21-65. The minimum annual income requirement is US$20,000 (lower than other banks!) for Singaporeans and PRs and US$60,000 for foreigners.
You can apply for this personal loan online with a SingPass login and receive your loan disbursement within 15 minutes. You do not need to be an existing Standard Chartered customer to get this personal loan.
So it's fast, but is it cheap? For any loan term from one to five years, Standard Chartered charges an initial annual fee of $199 (minus your loan approval). From the second year onward, you pay no more processing fees—unless you miss some installments, in which case you pay $50 for the current year.
Because of the $199 fee, CashOne is worth more if you're taking out a large loan. A $10,000 loan means you pay 1.99% of the principal.
Rates are advertised as starting at 3.48%, which equates to EKS of 6.95% and above. In reality, the interest rate is individualized, so yours may differ from this example.
From now until 16 May 2023, sign up through MoneySmart to receive up to $4,915 worth of free gifts and up to $3,100 Standard Chartered cashback.
5. Citibank Quick Cash (new clients)
3.45% (EKS: 6.5%) Citibank Quick Cash is available only to clients who have just started using Citibank loans. If you already have a Citibank loan, you will receive a higher interest rate.
Just log into the Citi mobile app, enter the amount of cash you need, and you can withdraw money instantly.
The loan is available to Singapore citizens and permanent residents aged 21 to 65 with a minimum annual income of US$30,000 and foreigners with an annual income of at least US$42,000. However, if you are an existing customer, you don't need to worry about these requirements as Citibank has already vetted you before.
With the Citibank Quick Cash Personal Loan, you can choose a term of 12, 24, 36, 48 or 60 months – all with no processing fees. Citibank can give you 3.56 percent on a shorter one-year personal loan or 3.48 percent if you plan to extend the repayment to five years. While interest rates vary depending on the term, you get 6.5% EKS.
That said, don't take our word for it. Prices have been adjusted so what you get may not be exactly like the examples above.
6. Private loan DBS/POSB
DBS personal loans are only open to existing DBS customers. If you already have a DBS Cashline or DBS Credit Card, or your salary is currently deposited into a DBS or POSB deposit account, you can receive instant cash payments.
The loan is available to Singaporeans and permanent residents, as well as foreigners with DBS Cashline or credit card accounts. You must be between 21 and 75 years old with an annual income of at least DKK 20,000 - a DBS private loan can cover slightly older people and lower income groups than other banks.
Personal loan rates from DBS Bank as low as 3.88%. There is a processing fee of one percent, bringing the minimum EKS to 7.56%. Loan periods from six months to five years are available.
As always, these are the lowest possible prices and the actual price depends on what DBS is willing to offer you. The highest possible EKS is 20.01%.
7. HSBC personal loan
HSBC personal loan Open to Singaporeans and Singapore residents aged 21-65 with an annual income of S$30,000 and above.
The best part about HSBC personal loans is the extremely long loan term of up to seven years - currently the longest loan term in Singapore. So, if you need to borrow a large amount of money but can't afford high monthly repayments, HSBC personal loans are definitely something you should consider.
On the other hand, HSBC does not have the lowest rates. Advertised rates start at 4%, with EKS ranging from 7.5% to 15%. But keep in mind that the actual interest rates vary from person to person.
Another factor to consider is that HSBC personal loans can take a while to be approved and disbursed. While small loans can be approved quickly, applications for larger loans (such as $100,000 and up) can take some time - perhaps more than a week - to be processed.
8. Which private loan to choose?
If you are just looking for the cheapest personal loan, UOB Private Loan and Standard Chartered CashOne Personal Loan are the best options for you. Quick Cash Citibank is also a good option if you're new to Citi.
However, keep in mind that the actual rate the bank offers you depends on factors such as your credit history, the amount you want to borrow and for how long. So if your bank doesn't offer you the lowest advertised rate, you might want to compare it with what other banks are willing to offer you.
If you need cash as soon as possible, the fastest options are DBS Personal Loan (for existing DBS customers), UOB Personal Loan (for existing UOB customers) and Standard Chartered CashOne.
On the other hand, if you don't need quick cash but need a long-term term to pay off a large loan, HSBC personal loans currently offer the longest seven-year term in Singapore.
Regardless of which personal loan option you choose, choose the smallest loan amount and the shortest term that you can easily manage. This will keep your interest costs to a minimum.
9. Term loans vs. credit lines - which one to choose?
While researching personal loans, you've probably come across many different types of loans, some of which don't seem to fit what we've described above.
MoneySmart only lists term personal loans, which is when you borrow a fixed amount with a fixed repayment plan that you agree to before you see the cash.
We generally recommend these loans because of their much lower interest rates. You can make slow but steady repayments at a pace that suits your financial situation.
Many banks also offer personal lines of credit - sometimes called lines of credit, revolving loans or even "flexible repayment loans".
This is a pre-approved amount that you can withdraw in whole or in part, but you must pay it back quickly or face sky-high interest rates. Don't fall for this scam unless you are absolutely certain that your refund will be processed immediately.
Today, most banks offer personal loans based on your personal credit limit or credit card limit. Therefore, you must use a credit card or line of credit to get a loan. However, if it comes with a structured repayment plan, it is still considered a term loan.
But before you apply, you should know that your credit card with this bank will not work because you have actually "used up" the cash credit limit.
10. Being in debt is not fun...
But it can be prevented. If you have to take out a loan, put all your energy into paying it on time to avoid late fees. In the meantime, review your income and budget and write down everything you spend so you don't have to take out a loan again.
Ideally, you should create a budget that gives you enough room to set aside some money for the future without starving yourself.
You should also create oneemergency fundPrice for several months. If you encounter unforeseen circumstances, you can withdraw funds from the fund without taking out a loan.
It's also a good idea to know what type of insurance you need. We recommend that you buy at least hospital insurance, and if you have relatives, life insurance. Fully insured ensures you won't be hit with big bills if something unexpected happens.
Also read:Do you have to choose between an HDB loan and a bank loan? Here's a quick reference
this herearticlefirst published onSmart money.
FAQs
Top 5 Personal Loans With Lowest Rates In Singapore (May 2023) Money News? ›
Convert the available limit on your credit line or credit card into fixed instalments. Repay with fixed instalments over 12 to 60 months. Interest rates from as low as 3.80% per annum (EIR from 7.49% per annum)
What is personal loan interest rate in Singapore? ›Convert the available limit on your credit line or credit card into fixed instalments. Repay with fixed instalments over 12 to 60 months. Interest rates from as low as 3.80% per annum (EIR from 7.49% per annum)
Which bank has lowest loan interest rate? ›Lenders | Interest Rate (p.a.) | Processing Fee (% of loan amount) |
---|---|---|
Kotak Mahindra Bank | 10.99% onwards | Up to 3% |
Central Bank of India | 10.95% – 12.55% | Up to 1% |
IndusInd Bank | 10.49% onwards | Up to 3% |
IDBI Bank | 11.00% – 15.50% | 1% (Minimum Rs 2,500) |
- Switzerland. The Swiss National Bank reported an unchanged benchmark of a three-month LIBOR of -0.75%. ...
- Denmark. The primary interest rate in Denmark is the certificate of deposit rate set by the Central Bank of Denmark. ...
- Japan. The Bank of Japan reported an unchanged interest rate of -0.1%. ...
- Sweden. ...
- Spain.
You can check on a site like Credible which lists down different online lenders that offer large amounts of personal loans. LightStream, for instance, can provide up to $100,000 while Upgrade and Upstart can offer $50,000 each.
What is the best interest rate in Singapore? ›Savings account | Interest rates | Best for |
---|---|---|
CIMB FastSaver | 1.50% to 3.50% | Young adults starting their careers |
DBS Multiplier | 0.05% to 4.10% | Salaried workers |
UOB One | 0.65% to 7.80% | Freelancers & self-employed |
OCBC 360 | 0.05% to 7.65% | Growing your savings |
Foreigners planning to apply for a foreigner loan in Singapore can only borrow up to six times their monthly salary. Therefore, if you are committing yourself to any foreigner loan or personal loan in Singapore, make sure you can handle any late interest rate and late fee once you fail to pay your repayments.
Which loan has 0 interest rate? ›Zero-interest loans, where only the principal balance must be repaid, often lure buyers into impulsively buying cars, appliances, and other luxury goods. These loans saddle borrowers with rigid monthly payment schedules and lock them into hard deadlines by which the entire balance must be repaid.
What is the best way to get a low interest rate on a loan? ›Generally, the best way to secure some of the lowest interest rates on a personal loan is to make sure you're applying with an excellent credit score. The better your credit score, the more favorable your personal loan terms will be.
Which bank gives best interest rate for loan? ›Name | Interest Range | Loan Amount |
---|---|---|
IDBI Bank | 12% onwards | 25,000-5 lakhs |
IDFC First | 10.75% onwards | 1 lakh-40 lakhs |
Indiabulls | 13.99% onwards | Rs. 1000 to Rs. 15 lakh |
Indian Bank | 9.20% onwards | As per applicant's profile |
Which country is easiest to get a loan? ›
- Netherlands. Easiest Access to Capital: 10. ...
- Finland. Easiest Access to Capital: 9. ...
- Sweden. Easiest Access to Capital: 8. ...
- Australia. Easiest Access to Capital: 7. ...
- Germany. Easiest Access to Capital: 6. ...
- Luxembourg. ...
- United Kingdom. ...
- Canada.
In January 2023, among the surveyed countries, interest rate was the highest in Russia, at 11.8 percent. The lowest interest rate was seen in China, at 2.1 percent, where it is forecast to remain around 2 percent until 2027.
Which international bank gives highest interest rate? ›Bank Name | Interest Rates for Tenure 1-2 years | Interest Rates for Tenure 3-5 years |
---|---|---|
Standard Chartered Bank | 7.25%% - 7.35% | 6.75% |
HSBC Bank | 4.00% - 4.25% | 4.25% - 7.50% |
Deutsche Bank | 7.00% - 7.50% | 7.75% - 7.00% |
DBS Bank | 6.25% - 7.25% | 6.50% |
As of 1 Jun 2019, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has capped the maximum unsecured loan an individual can borrow to 12 times their monthly income. This includes all unsecured loans such as personal loans, education loans, renovation loans, and credit card lines and debts.
How to get easy loan in Singapore? ›- Maintain a good credit score. ...
- Avoid applying to multiple banks. ...
- Tap on your credit card limit. ...
- Use SingPass MyInfo for instant loan approval. ...
- Check cash disbursement lead time.
To maximise their profit, loan sharks in Singapore charge incredibly high interest rates of about 22%, which is more than four times higher than those charged by licensed money lenders. The processing and late fees charged will also be much higher.
What is the interest rate on US dollar in Singapore? ›Amt(USD) | 1 day | 12 mths |
---|---|---|
< 50'000 | 0.0000 | 3.9700 |
< 100'000 | 0.0000 | 3.9700 |
< 250'000 | 0.0000 | 4.2700 |
<= 500'000 | 0.0000 | 4.2700 |
In line with the continuing rise in global interest rates, the three-month compounded Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) increased to 3.6% in March 2023 from 2.5% in October 2022. The three-month S$ Singapore Interbank Offered Rate (SIBOR) rose to 4.2% from 3.9% during this period.
Where can I get 7% interest on my money? ›7% interest isn't something banks offer in the US, but one credit union, Landmark CU, pays 7.50% interest, though there are major requirements and stipulations.
What is Singapore loan age limit? ›Up to 35 years or 75 years of age, whichever is earlier. For example, if you are 25 years old now and buying a freehold property, the maximum loan period is 35 years. The loan duration plus the age of the applicant must be less than or equal to 75 years.
Can foreigners get Singapore bank account? ›
Yes, you can. If you have an employment pass or residency, then opening a bank account as a foreigner is a straightforward process.
Can a foreigner keep a bank account in Singapore? ›There's no legal reason why you can't open a bank account in Singapore as a visitor, student or holding a Dependent pass.
Do banks give 0% interest loans? ›You may be able to get an interest-free loan. Requirements vary based on the loan type — and some borrowers may not be eligible. In some cases, no-interest loans have introductory offers that provide 0% APR for a set period.
Can you give an interest-free loan? ›The IRS also prefers that lenders charge interest on loans made to family members. While interest-free loans are possible, the tax reporting rules are much more complex. It is the interest payments that may be subject to income tax, not the loan itself.
Which credit score would receive the lowest interest rate? ›Generally speaking, borrowers with credit scores of 760 or higher get charged the lowest interest rates.
Can I ask my bank to lower my interest rate on loan? ›Yes, you can negotiate your home loan interest rate. Just like when it comes to negotiating your salary, if you don't ask for something better, you likely won't get it. Most lenders aren't going to just spontaneously offer you a better rate – you're going to have to ask for it.
Is 10.20% interest rate possible for personal loans? ›A rate of 10.20% is completely possible to get in India. Loan providers like Bank of Baroda offer a similar interest rate.
What banks are easier to get loans from? ›The easiest banks to get a personal loan from are USAA and Wells Fargo. USAA does not disclose a minimum credit score requirement, but their website indicates that they consider people with scores below the fair credit range (below 640). So even people with bad credit may be able to qualify.
Can I get a personal loan from another country? ›Yes, American expats abroad can take out a personal loan. However, some limitations or restrictions can make the process difficult.
Who gives 0% interest loans to poor countries? ›The IMF provides financial assistance and works with governments to ensure responsible spending. The IMF offers various types of loans that are tailored to countries' different needs and specific circumstances. Loans to low-income countries carry a zero interest rate.
What is the hardest type of loan to get? ›
Unsecured loans are harder to obtain and interest rates can be higher, as lenders rely heavily on your credit and other financial information to determine your loan eligibility.
What is USA interest rate 2023? ›Fed meeting housing rates
But mortgage rates have been volatile and are down from their 2023 peak of 6.73% in early March. As of last week, the average rate was 6.43%. The Fed can impact mortgage rates but doesn't directly set them, so even with a rate increase, home loan costs may not rise.
Sweden, which was the first country to try negative interest rates, also currently has an interest rate of 0%.
Will loan interest rates go down in 2023? ›The Mortgage Bankers Association predicts rates will fall to 5.5 percent by the end of 2023 as the economy weakens. The group revised its forecast upward a bit — it previously expected rates to fall to 5.3 percent. Meanwhile, Fannie Mae's Duncan expects rates to be in the “high 5s” by the end of 2023.
What is the highest interest rate in the US? ›Interest Rate in the United States averaged 5.42 percent from 1971 until 2023, reaching an all time high of 20.00 percent in March of 1980 and a record low of 0.25 percent in December of 2008.
What bank in the US has the highest interest rate? ›- CIT Bank - 4.85% APY.
- UFB Direct - 4.81% APY.
- Bask Bank - 4.75% APY.
- Popular Direct - 4.75% APY.
- Bread Savings - 4.65% APY.
- Salem Five Direct - 4.61% APY.
- Citizens Access - 4.50% APY.
- TAB Bank - 4.40% APY.
- 86 400 Spend Account.
- Citi Global Currency Account.
- Great Southern Bank Everyday Edge Account.
- HSBC Everyday Global Account.
- ING Orange Everyday.
- Macquarie Transaction Account.
- Suncorp Bank Everyday Options Account.
- UBank USpend.
Banks are allowed to offer lenders an LTV of up to 75%. This means you can borrow up to 75% of the value of the property. The remaining balance of 25% is divided into two portions. A 5% portion that you must pay in cash and a 20% portion that you can pay using your CPF OA.
How much can I loan from bank Singapore? ›The maximum LTV ratio for bank loans in Singapore is 75% of your home's value, of which 5% of the selling price must be paid in cash. The borrower – you – can pay the remaining 25% using cash and CPF funds. The maximum LTV ratio for HDB loans in Singapore is 85%.
How much can I borrow from money lender Singapore? ›Annual income | Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents | Foreigners residing in Singapore |
---|---|---|
Less than $10,000 | $3,000 | $500 |
$10,000 – $20,000 | $3,000 | $3,000 |
$20,000 and above | Six times of monthly income | Six times of monthly income |
What are the non bank lenders in Singapore? ›
2. Non-bank financial institutions. Hong Leong Finance, Sing Investments & Finance Limited (SIF), Singapura Finance and IFS Capital Limited have one thing in common: They are non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) serving the SME market.
How to deal with loan shark in Singapore? ›How Do I Stop Loan Shark Harassment In Singapore? You can file a police report by dialling 999 or calling the X-Ah Long at 1800 924 5664. You may contact these numbers if you suspect anyone is involved with illegal money lenders or loan shark activities.
What is the new loan to value in Singapore? ›The LTV limit for bank loans is set at 75%, while HDB loans have an LTV of 85%. Previously, the LTV for HDB loans was set at 90%, but it was revised downwards in December 2021. On 30 September 2022, the government further slashed the LTV limit for HDB loans from 85% to 80%. The LTV limit for bank loans remains at 75%.
How to find a loan shark in Singapore? ›- Offer Very Limited Details Of Their Identities Through Ads (SMS, Email, And Flyers)
- Offer Any Loan Amount.
- Don't Let You Sign A Loan Contract.
- Charge Sky-High Interest Rates.
- Ask For Hidden Fees.
In Singapore, a floating rate home loan is usually pegged to the Singapore Overnight Rate Average (SORA) or a Fixed Deposit Based Rate (FDR). The 3-month compounded SORA has risen from 0.1949% at the beginning of 2022 to 3.0074% as of January 11, 2023.
Is it legal to charge interest on a personal loan in Singapore? ›Charging Interest
It is legal to charge interest in a loan to friends and family, as long as you are not carrying on the business of moneylending. Some Singaporeans mistakenly believe that you must be a licensed moneylender before you can charge interest on a loan.
According to a Bankrate study, the average personal loan interest rate is 10.96 percent as of May 17, 2023. However, the rate you receive could be higher or lower, depending on your unique financial circumstances. Personal loan rates vary based on creditworthiness, the lender and the borrower's financial stability.
What is a decent interest rate on a personal loan? ›A good interest rate on a personal loan is 5.99% to 9%. The average APR for a two-year personal loan from a bank is 9.87, according to the Federal Reserve, and the best personal loans have APRs as low as 5.99% for the most creditworthy borrowers.
Is interest tax free in Singapore? ›Generally, interest income derived from Singapore-approved banks or licensed finance companies is not taxable. All foreign-sourced income received by individuals is exempt from tax unless received by a resident individual through a partnership in Singapore.
How to get a loan with low interest? ›- Maintain a good credit score.
- Maintain a good repayment track record.
- Compare interest rates offered by different lenders.
- Look out for Special offers.
- Good existing relationship with the bank.
- Check the method of interest calculation.
Is 12% a good personal loan rate? ›
Yes, 12.00% is a good personal loan rate for people with good credit. Applicants with a credit score of 660+ could qualify for a personal loan with a 12.00% APR if they choose the right lender and have enough income to afford the loan.
What interest rate for a personal loan with 700 credit score? ›Credit Score Range | Average Personal Loan Interest Rate |
---|---|
Excellent (750 – 850) | 12.14% |
Good (700 – 749) | 16.14% |
Fair (640 – 699) | 22.02% |
Bad (300 – 639) | 27.70% |
In general, the higher your credit score, the lower the rate will be. Individuals with excellent credit, which is defined as any FICO credit score between 720 and 850, should expect to find personal loan interest rates at about 9% to 13%, and many of these individuals may even qualify for lower rates.
What credit score do you need to get the lowest interest rate for personal loan? ›Generally, borrowers need a credit score of at least 610 to 640 to even qualify for a personal loan. To qualify for a lender's lowest interest rate, borrowers typically need a score of at least 690.
Which country has highest rate of interest? ›- Federal Republic of Nigeria. Interest rate as of November 2022: 16.5% ...
- Republic of Kazakhstan. Interest rate as of November 2022: 16.75% ...
- Republic of Sierra Leone. ...
- Republic of Haiti. ...
- Republic of Mozambique. ...
- Republic of Malawi. ...
- Islamic Republic of Iran. ...
- Republic of Angola.