Skip to main content

Loans On Credit Cards – Say NO

Recently, a number of credit card customers received a pre-approved loan mail, from a leading private sector bank. The customer was entitled to a loan over and above his existing credit limit, at 15 per cent on a reducing balance.

Sounds too good to be true, especially in a market where interest rates are on the rise. Also, for those already burdened with expensive debt (such as credit card debt, which charges over 40 per cent annually), this could be a good way to reduce the burden.

However, if planning to use this debt for other purposes, like buying the latest iPad or mobile, things could go very wrong. The equated monthly instalments (EMIs) are added on the card, escalating the bill. And, the loan is over and above the credit limit. One will over leverage himself/herself. That is, the loan will be treated separately but come as a part of the monthly credit card bill payment.

Bankers said they typically target rotators – ones who pay the minimum or slightly more every month – with such schemes, as it helps such customers reduce their dues at one go. But, if misused, this would worsen your credit score, limiting future chances of securing any credit.

There are similar products in the market which offer a personal loan at a lower rate within the credit card limit. Under one such scheme, if your credit limit is `30,000, you can avail a loan of `15,000 at 17 per cent for one year, 16 per cent for two years and 15 per cent for 36 and 38 months.

Though such schemes can be used to reduce the interest burden and retiring high cost debt, financial planners are not enthused. There are other ways of raising cash. A loan against fixed deposits, which cost two per cent above the deposit rate, can work out cheaper. He even advises using the gold loan route if one does get the right rate. At present, gold loans come at 12-24 per cent.

In the worst case scenario, it is better to retire investments and use the proceeds. Once the debt is paid, you can restart your investments. Ideally, your total instalment-to-income ratio should not be more than 4050 per cent. Many exceed this limit; as a result, they keep on borrowing to retire earlier loans, a classic debt trap.

Once caught in a debt trap, clearing the clutter isn't easy, as you will have little or no cash in hand. You would have spoilt your track record as well.

Loan on credit card is a pre-approved personal loan

Interest charged is 15 per cent and more

Processing fee is minimum sum or a portion of the loan amount

Many banks give prepayment facility but at a cost

The EMIs will be billed to the credit card every month
 

Popular posts from this blog

Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund

Best SIP Funds to Invest Online   Mirae Asset Global Investments (India) has launched Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund. The NFO of the fund will be open from June 11, 2018 to June 25, 2018. Mirae Asset Healthcare Fund is an open-ended equity scheme investing in healthcare and allied sectors. The scheme will invest in Indian equities and equity related securities of companies that are likely to benefit either directly or indirectly from healthcare and allied sectors. The investment strategy of this scheme aims to maintain a concentrated portfolio of 30-40 stocks. Healthcare is a broad secular theme that includes pharma, hospitals, diagnostics, insurance and other allied sectors. The fund will have the flexibility to invest across markets capitalization and style in selecting investment opportunities within this theme. Neelesh Surana and Vrijesh Kasera will manage this fund. In a press release, Swarup Mohanty, CEO, Mirae Asset Global Inves...
Read more

How to Decide your asset allocation with Mutual Funds?

Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Buy Gold Mutual Funds Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India) How to Decide your asset allocation ? The funds that base their equity allocation on market valuation have given stable returns in the past. Pick these if you are a buy-and-forget investor. Small investors are often victims of greed and fear. When markets are rising, greed makes the small investor increase his exposure to stocks. And when stocks crash to low levels, fear makes him redeem his investments. But there are a few funds that avoid this risk by continuously changing the asset mix of their portfolios. Their allocation to equity is not based on the fund manager's outlook for the market, but on its valuations. Our top pick is the Franklin Templeton Dynamic PE Ratio Fund, a fund of funds that divides its corpus between two schemes from the same fund house-the...
Read more

GOLD ETFs

Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Invest In Tax Saving Mutual Funds Online Buy Gold Mutual Funds Leave a missed Call on 94 8300 8300   GOLD ETFs       Gold funds and ETFs have also lost the tax advantage they enjoyed over physical gold after the Budget changed the rules for long-term capital gains from non-equity funds.   Last year, gold exchange traded funds ( ETFs ) had gained a great deal from the depreciation in the rupee and the UPA government's move to impose additional levy on gold imports, making it an attractive option for investors. The landed price of the yellow metal had surged, pushing up the net asset value ( NAV ) of gold ETFs. However, the recent budget proposal by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has thrown a spanner in the works for gold fund investors. The revised tax structure for all non-equity funds, includi...
Read more

IIFL NCDs

Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Mutual Funds Online Download Tax Saving Mutual Fund Application Forms Call 0 94 8300 8300 (India) IIFL NCDs IIF's six-year unsecured NCD 2012 Risk-wary investors should stay away from this issue, and even, risk-taking ones should think twice It is a public issue of unsecured redeemable non-convertible debentures ( NCDs ) by India Infoline Finance ( IIF ), an unlisted company, which is a 98.9 per cent subsidiary of India Infoline, a listed company. The issue seeks to raise Rs 250 crore with an option to retain over-subscription up to Rs 250 crore taking the total potential issue amount to Rs 500 crore. It will be open for public subscription from September 5 to September 18 with a minimum application size of Rs 5,000 in the form of five NCDs of face value Rs 1,000, TENURE & RATES: IIF will redeem the NCDs at the end of six years, and investors wanting out before six years will be able to sell the...
Read more

Tax saving tools to maximise returns

  An Individual can claim a deduction up to Rs 1 lakh U/S 80C of the Income-Tax Act, 1961 ('Act') by incurring a certain expenditure or making specified investments. Few of the popular schemes which are generally availed of by the individuals, inter-alia, include the following: Expenditure-Related Deductions Broadly, the expenditure-related deductions include tuition fees and home loan payments.    Tuition fees for full-time education in any Indian university, college, school, and educational institution, for any two children is eligible for deduction. However, development fees or donations are not considered.    The principal amount re-paid against a home loan to banks or certain category of employers is also eligible for deduction. Stamp duty, registration fees and other expenses incurred for the purpose of acquisition of such a house property are also eligible for deduction.    It should, however, be noted that the cost of renovation/house repairs after the completio...
Read more
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...
Invest in Tax Saving Mutual Funds Download Any Applications
Transact Mutual Funds Online Invest Online
Buy Gold Mutual Funds Invest Now