Moneyzine
Contents
/Personal Finance/Unsecured Loan

Unsecured Loan

Moneyzine Editor
Author: 
Moneyzine Editor
1 mins
September 25th, 2023
Advertiser Disclosure

Definition

The term unsecured loan is used to describe a loan that is not backed by property, or any other form of collateral. An unsecured loan is riskier to the lender because they do not have the ability to repossess, or foreclose on, a property.

Explanation

Also known as unsecured debt, the most common examples of unsecured loans are credit card debt and student loans. In this example, a loan may be composed of credit card charges or higher education expenses, which no longer have any tangible value. That is to say, they cannot be repossessed by the lending institution and sold to help repay the money owed.

An unsecured loan is one of the two overarching forms of consumer loans, the other being a secured loan, which is secured by collateral. The lack of collateral for an unsecured loan means the loan presents a higher risk of non-payment to the lender. This is one of the reasons the interest rate on an unsecured loan will be higher than a secured loan.

Related Terms

Related Content

  • What Can Help You Meet Your Budget While Shopping for Important Items?
    Budgeting while ensuring you don't compromise on quality can seem daunting. Whether filling your pantry, updating your wardrobe, or keeping up with the latest tech, smart shopping strategies are crucial for keeping your finances in check.
    April 2nd, 2024
  • How to Make a Million Dollars in 10 Years
    Truthfully, this title should actually be “How to Make a Million Dollars in 10 Years Without Going Into Debt", but that is just getting a little too winded for my liking. It’s true though!
    November 18th, 2024
  • How to Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy to Your Money This Year
    You might vaguely remember your psychology teacher talking about Maslow. He pointed at a picture of a triangle as you nodded off in the back of the school room.
    November 18th, 2024
  • How to Tackle Multiple Savings Goals
    When there’s only so much money to go around, there are often multiple savings goals competing for your money. Think of the young professional who’d like to get a more reliable car, buy a house, and save for retirement. Or consider the young family that’s saving for college, retirement, and a bigger house.
    March 22nd, 2024
  • The Countdown to Early Retirement: 10 Expenses to Eliminate
    Dreaming of waving goodbye to the daily grind five years ahead of schedule? The road to early retirement is paved with more than good intentions; it requires a meticulously crafted strategy with surprising twists. It's not solely about what you should be doing—like diligently saving a portion of your income or investing wisely—but also about what you need to stop doing.
    March 22nd, 2024

Contributors

Moneyzine Editor
The Moneyzine editorial team consists of writers and content specialists with diverse backgrounds.
Moneyzine 2024. All Rights Reserved.