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Refinance Personal Loan
Refinance your personal loan to a more affordable and flexible offer by comparing your options here with Savvy.
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The personal loan features to consider with Savvy
Compare rates and save
You can cut down on the cost of your current personal loan by opting for one which offers a lower interest rate and potentially save hundreds.
Compare lower fees
Similarly, look out for lenders with cheaper added charges, with ongoing service fees, establishment fees and early payment fees all able to be waived.
Borrow up to $75,000
If you’re looking to add more money to your loan agreement, you can take out more on top of your initial loan from $2,000 up to a maximum of $75,000.
Repay over up to seven years
For borrowers looking to make their repayments more manageable, you’ll be able to choose terms up to seven years in length (or as short as one if you become able to contribute more).
Customisable repayment schedules
You’re also able to alter the frequency of your repayments, with our lenders offering instalments on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.
Free additional repayments
On top of these, you’ll be able to enjoy flexibility in your repayments to contribute over and above the minimum requirements to cut down on the term of your loan.
Fixed or variable interest
If you’re wanting to switch to a different interest rate on your personal loan, our lenders can offer both fixed and variable rates as part of their financing agreements.
Money sent in as few as 24 hours
Importantly, you can enjoy a quick turnaround time and move to a newer and better loan within one day of your initial application.
Types of personal loan
With an unsecured personal loan, you can potentially borrow as much as $75,000 without the need to attach any valuable assets, such as your car, as security. These loans are the most widely available and often the quickest, with same-day approval possible.
Secured personal loans, on the other hand, make use of collateral. This lowers your risk profile in the eyes of a lender, potentially lowering your interest rate and expanding your borrowing power beyond what you may be able to get through an unsecured loan.
Variable interest rates remain open to fluctuation during your term. This means you can benefit from decreasing rates and save on your loan if the market heads in that direction, although you’ll also pay more if rates start rising.
Fixed interest rates are locked at the beginning of your loan and remain constant throughout your repayments. This acts as a valuable protection against interest rate increases, as your loan will be unaffected, but you’ll miss out on potential drops as well.
If you’re paying off multiple debts at the moment, particularly those with high interest (such as credit card debts), consolidating them into one payment can not only make them more convenient to manage but also potentially save you money overall.
Looking to take off on a holiday with your family but want to pay it off at your own speed? Travelling can be expensive, so you can distribute the cost of your next trip over a period you’re more comfortable with by taking out a personal loan to pay for it.
There are so many costs that go into making your dream wedding a reality, from venue hire to catering to dresses and suits and so much more. By taking out a personal loan, you can start planning the big day you want, even if you can’t pay for it upfront.
Home improvements are desirable for a range of homeowners to help keep their living space fresh and interesting, not to mention increase its value. You can get past the financial hit of renovations with a personal loan paid in instalments.
Personal loans aren’t limited to PAYG employees, though. If you’re running your own business, you can still be approved for financing by submitting tax returns and other alternative documents instead of payslips and utilise your funds however you wish.
There’s a variety of expenses which come with being a student, ranging from the cost of your courses, textbooks and computer to your accommodation. Taking out a personal loan can make these costs more manageable by spacing them out.
Some lenders offer green personal loans, which are designed to be used for energy-efficient appliances and products such as solar panel and air conditioning installation in your home. You can qualify for lower interest rates and fees with this loan.
Why compare personal loans through Savvy?
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Paperless applications
You won't need to worry about sifting through documents and visiting the post office, as they can all be submitted online.
Reputable lending partners
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Why should I refinance my personal loan?
To access a lower rate
Because interest rates have such a significant bearing on the cost of your personal loan, many borrowers jump at the opportunity to take advantage of low rates. It’s easy to see why with the following example:
Lauren has taken out a $50,000 personal loan over six years at an interest rate of 9% p.a. With half of her loan repaid and three years remaining, she finds a personal loan offered by another lender at a 6% p.a. interest rate. She calculates that taking out a three-year, $25,000 personal loan at the new rate would save more than $1,200 over the remainder of the loan term.
Determining that this is worth other associated costs, Lauren decides to refinance her personal loan and save a significant sum she would’ve otherwise lost.
To consolidate existing debts
One of the most common reasons borrowers look to refinance their existing personal loan is as a means of incorporating their other debts under one singular payment. This example explains why this is adopted by so many borrowers.
Steven took out a $30,000 personal loan over seven years at 8% p.a. interest rate and after one year, he’s repaid $5,000 of the principal amount. He also has an existing car loan at 8.5% p.a. with $15,000 remaining over three years. In addition to this, Steven has outstanding debts on his two credit cards: a $2,500 debt at 18% p.a. and a $1,500 debt at 21% p.a.
By consolidating all of his debts into one singular $44,000 personal loan ($25,000 personal loan, $15,000 car loan and $2,500 and $1,500 credit cards) at an 8% interest rate over six years, Steven would save well over $200 per month on repayments and over $4,000 in total compared to paying each debt individually*.
*figures based on minimum required credit card repayments
To extend your borrowing term
You may simply want to refinance your personal loan to make your repayments more affordable from month to month. Refinancing allows you to keep your loan at the same amount outstanding whilst adding further years to your repayment period.
For example, if repayments for a three-year, $25,000 personal loan were too great, you could refinance to a five-year term to make them more manageable with your monthly budget. It’s important to note, though, that this method will increase the total cost of your loan by extending the period over which you’re paying interest and fees.
To take advantage of a higher credit score
Your credit score is likely to improve over the course of your personal loan repayments which could have a meaningful impact on your credit score, particularly if you entered the process with a less than perfect one. Lower interest rates are reserved for borrowers who have proven themselves to be highly trustworthy with repaying debts in the past, but they’re constantly in flux.
If your rating rises from okay to good, or even bad to okay, the interest rate you’re eligible to receive will fall, providing you with the opportunity to save further on your loan. Additionally, this can enable you to borrow a greater amount if your credit has increased.
Frequently asked questions about refinancing personal loans
No – you won’t be able to refinance for a better rate or to consolidate your debt if you’re already with the same lender. When it comes to personal loans, refinancing can only be completed when switching from a loan with one lender to a different loan with another.
The primary fees to consider when refinancing your personal loan are establishment or application fees and early repayment fees. The former is a one-off payment of up to $575 that is split up throughout your loan, while the latter can cost up to $600 to $900 depending on how much of your loan term was left to run. However, we compare lenders who are willing to waive either or both of these at the outset of your refinanced loan.
You can – but only if the change is a positive one. It’s often a good idea to look for a new loan to replace your current one if your employment has become more stable since the start of the agreement, or if you’ve received a promotion, as you’ll likely qualify for a better rate.
For example, if you had only just started your new job at the time of your loan or moved from a casual or part-time position to a full-time job, you’re likely to be eligible for lower rates and greater borrowing sums. Additionally, if you’re self-employed and have spent more time running your business successfully, you have a greater chance of being rewarded in the same way.
Both have advantages when it comes to personal loans. Fixed rates are the most common and enable you to maintain a degree of financial stability in knowing how much your repayments will be each month, in addition to protecting you from rate rises. Variable rates fluctuate over your loan term, placing you in an ideal position should interest rates fall during your term and opening you up to saving money.
No – in fact, it’s very likely to leave a positive impression on your report even before you start repaying on time. This is because it leads to fewer open credit lines, which are more likely to hurt your score if left in position.
In most cases, yes – your lender will transfer the funds to your account and you’ll be tasked with closing out your existing personal loan. In some circumstances, though, your lender may be able to arrange this for you by paying out your existing lender directly.
Helpful personal loan guides
Still looking for the right personal loan?
Personal loans come in all shapes and sizes, so read more about the ways you can use them, as well as how they might work for you.