Why Are Personal Loan Interest Rates Different for Every Bank?

Have you ever wondered why it's always advised not to take a loan from the first lender you meet? The golden rule is to compare at least 3-5 lenders before deciding. It is just like your mom shops around for the best deals!

Personal loans are unsecured, meaning you don’t need any collateral to avail of them. While this makes them convenient for borrowers, it also makes them risky for lenders. As a result, personal loans come with higher interest rates than secured loans. It ranges from 8% to 24%, depending on your credit score and lender policies.

Imagine you took a personal loan from XYZ Bank at 17% interest to fund your ₹20 lakh MBA program. Midway through your course, you meet Jay, who secured the same loan at just 8%.  

That’s a difference of ₹5,50,020 in interest alone!

It feels unfair, right? This is why it’s crucial to compare interest rates, tenure, and terms from different lenders before deciding. Plenty of fish are in the sea, so why settle for a salmon when you could get a cichlid?

Understanding the factors behind these interest rate variations can help borrowers make informed decisions and save money. In this blog, we’ll provide you with all the knowledge you need on this topic.

What Determines Personal Loan Interest Rates?

Credit Score of the Borrower

A credit score is like a report card that tells how well you manage your finances. A score above 750 is considered excellent. It will help you secure the lowest interest rates.

Loan Amount and Tenure

Remember, larger loan amounts, like ₹10 lakhs, or longer tenures, such as 5 years, often lead to higher interest rates. This is due to increased lender risk and extended repayment periods.

Employment Type

If you have a stable income, banks would love you. Salaried individuals typically receive interest rates 1-2% lower than self-employed borrowers. This is why lenders require proof of income for a specific tenure.

Debt-to-Income Ratio

The ratio compares your monthly debt payments to your gross income. If it is lower than 40%, you can get loan approval at lower interest rates. It indicates better financial stability and a higher ability to repay loans without an excessive financial burden.

Key Reasons Why Personal Loan Interest Rates Vary Across Banks

Bank Specific Factors

·       Cost of Funds 

Imagine your niece has a big piggy bank where she keeps all her pocket money. Now, let’s assume you want to borrow some money from her. She might not ask for much in return if she has a lot of savings. Otherwise, she might ask for extra candies before lending you the money.

Banks work similarly! They collect money from people’s savings accounts and sometimes borrow from the RBI. In return, they pay interest to depositors and the RBI, which is called the cost of funds. Simply put, the less interest banks pay, the cheaper they can lend money to others as loans.

Now, there’s something called the CASA ratio, which tells how much money a bank has from Current Accounts and Savings Accounts (CASA). Savings accounts offer some interest (around 2.5-4%), while current accounts offer none. A high CASA ratio helps banks save money, allowing them to offer cheaper loans.

For example, Priya borrows ₹10 lakh to start her bakery. Bank A offers a loan at 8% interest with a high CASA ratio, while Bank B, with a low CASA ratio, charges 12% interest. Due to CASA, Priya pays ₹1.18 lakh extra to Bank B.

·       Operational Efficiency

Remember the history lesson about Indian artisans losing their livelihood under British rule? Ever wondered why that happened?

The British flooded markets with cheap, machine-made goods. Local artisans, who made everything by hand, couldn’t match the low prices. Slowly, they lost their work and way of life.

The situation with banks today is similar. With computers and apps, they need fewer offices and workers. This cuts costs and lowers loan interest rates.

For example, Ankit applies for a ₹5 lakh personal loan through a bank’s mobile app. The entire process, from application to verification and disbursement, takes 2 hours. Since the bank saves on operational costs using digital services, he gets the loan at 10.49% p.a. interest.

His colleague, Deepak, applies for the same loan at a traditional bank. Without digital automation, the process takes 3 days for approval. Due to higher operational costs and slower processing, the bank charges him 12.5% p.a. interest. 

·       Risk Factor

Answer this: Would you ever lend your laptop to Shanaya if you knew she might not return it safely? If you’re shaking your head, then guess what? You’re thinking like a bank!

Banks are super careful. They only give loans to people with a good track record of paying them back. They don’t like taking risks, just like you!

If you’d still lend it out because your friendship means a lot to you, then you’re more like an NBFC. They’re willing to lend money to people who might not have the best repayment history. But, unlike you, they charge extra money (higher interest) to keep themselves safe. Smart move, right?

For example, Virender, a salesman with a 780 credit score, gets a ₹5 lakh loan from a bank at 10.5% p.a. with a ₹10,750 EMI over 5 years. Approval takes 24 hours and carries a ₹2,000 fee.

With a 620 credit score and irregular income, Kunal borrows from an NBFC at 14.5% p.a., paying ₹61,000 more in interest. Approval is faster (a few hours) but costs ₹5,000 fees. The NBFC takes higher risks, so it charges more to stay profitable.

Market Conditions and Competition

RBI Policies

You must have heard about the repo rate. It is the interest rate at which banks borrow money from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Now, imagine what will happen if it increases. It will lead to a hike in banks' borrowing costs. 

Banks pass on this cost to customers to maintain profitability by increasing loan interest rates. For example, if the repo rate rises from 6% to 6.5%, banks may increase home loan rates from 8% to 8.5%, making borrowing more expensive for individuals and businesses.

For example, Sumit, an SEO executive, plans to take a home loan of ₹50 lakh. Before the repo rate hike, Bank XYZ offered him a loan at 8%. After the hike, the same loan now costs 9.5%. His EMI increases by ₹7,500/month, making it harder to afford.

Economic Conditions

Banks set different loan interest rates depending on economic conditions, financial stability, and risk tolerance.

During tough times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, banks became more careful about lending. With higher reserves and strong financial backing, some kept personal loan rates at 10-12% to attract borrowers. Others, facing higher risks, raised rates aggressively to 14-16% to protect against potential loan defaults.

For example, Pushpa needed a ₹3 lakh loan for medical expenses during COVID. Pre-pandemic, the rate was 10%, but it rose to 14% during the pandemic. 

Their EMI increased by ₹1,000/month, adding to their financial stress.

Promotional Offers and Discounts

Festive or Seasonal Offers

We all know that festivities bring great joy and enthusiasm with them. ‘Extra kharcha ho jaata hai’. Whether on lights, decorations, gifts, travel, or home renovations, the celebrations often lead people to spend more.

Banks are no strangers to this festive spirit! Different banks offer discounted interest rates on loans to encourage people to borrow money for their festive needs. Whether it’s renovating your home or planning a family trip, celebrate without worrying about the costs.

• Example: During Diwali 2023, Bank A offered personal loans at 9.99%, while Bank  B charged 10.5%. If the loan amount was ₹5 lakh over a 5-year term, let’s see how interest varies in both cases.
  
  

Loyalty Discounts

Would you prefer a home loan at 8% or the same loan at 8.5%? The first option. It saves you money! But how can you get such benefits? 

Be a loyal customer. Banks find retaining existing customers easier and more cost-effective than acquiring new ones.

To encourage loyalty, they offer discounts on interest rates to long-term customers. This helps them maintain strong relationships while reducing marketing and costs.

For example, Pooja, a 5-year loyal customer, gets a personal loan at 8%. A new customer, Vikas, gets 10%, paying ₹4,460 more monthly. Over 20 years, he pays ₹10.70 lakh extra!

Conclusion

‘Samajh Gaye?’ Personal loan interest rates vary based on your profile, bank policies, and market conditions. Some banks offer better deals to loyal customers, while others charge more to cover risks.

To save your hard-earned ‘paisa’, always compare offers, read the fine print, and choose a loan that aligns with your financial goals. ‘Samajdari yahi hai!’

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About the Author

LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?