What are the key benefits of SBI Credit Cards?

SBI Credit Cards offer a wide range of benefits, including rewards, cashback, lounge access, discounts, and insurance coverage.

How can I apply for an SBI Credit Card?

You can apply for an SBI Credit Card online through the Paisabazaar platform, where you can compare card options and check for pre-approved offers.

What factors should I consider when choosing an SBI Credit Card?

Consider your spending habits, lifestyle, and financial goals to select a card that best suits your needs, such as travel, shopping, or rewards.

How can I manage my SBI Credit Card efficiently?

SBI Card offers a user-friendly mobile app and online banking services to help you manage your card, check statements, make payments, and access additional features.

What precautions should I take to avoid accumulating credit card debt?

Responsible credit card usage includes paying bills on time, managing credit limits wisely, and avoiding unnecessary spending to prevent debt accumulation.

Securing Loans with Poor Credit: Tips & Options

Paying your credit card bills and loan Equated Monthly Installments (EMIs) on time positively impacts your credit score. However, failing to make timely payments will result in defaults being mentioned in your credit report. If you default on your dues, your Credit Information Bureau India Limited (CIBIL) score will decrease and lenders may reject your loan or credit card application.

Debt defaults occur when you are unable to repay funds according to the initial agreement with the lender. This typically happens when you miss multiple payments for several weeks or months in a row.

So, what happens if you have defaulted on past repayments and now seek a new loan?

Here, we will explain how someone with a history of defaulting on their credit can secure an urgent loan and explore other available options.

First and foremost, it is important to understand that there is no technical term called "CIBIL Defaulter." This term is often misused to refer to individuals who have poor credit scores due to previous EMI or credit card bill defaults. Since credit score is one of the primary factors lenders use to evaluate personal loan applicants, individuals with low credit scores resulting from payment defaults have limited chances of obtaining personal loans.

However, if you find yourself in such a situation, do not worry! The tips mentioned below might be helpful if you are seeking an urgent personal loan with a poor credit score.

In today's world, some Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and digital fintech lenders offer personal loans to applicants with poor credit scores. However, these loans usually come with higher interest rates to compensate for the increased credit risk associated with such applicants.

Individuals with unreliable credit scores should expand their search for loan options, and a great way to do so is by visiting online financial markets like MyMoneyMantra. We offer personal loan options from a wide range of lenders, including digital lenders, based on the applicant's credit score, income, and other eligibility criteria.

A good employment record and a high-income profile can reduce the impact of a poor credit score when applying for a loan. In addition to the CIBIL score, lenders consider other factors such as the applicant's repayment capacity, job stability, and employer's profile while evaluating personal loan applications. Therefore, applicants working with government organizations, public sector undertakings (PSUs), multinational companies (MNCs), and top-rated private sector firms are usually preferred by lenders due to their income certainty and job stability.

There are other options for individuals with poor credit scores to obtain an instant loan, as mentioned below:

1. Apply with a co-applicant: Adding an earning spouse, parent, or sibling as a co-applicant reduces the credit risk for lenders as the co-applicant becomes equally liable for timely loan repayment. Therefore, adding a co-applicant with a good credit score and sufficient monthly income can increase your chances of getting a personal loan.

2. Add a guarantor: Similar to a co-applicant, having a loan guarantor reduces credit risk for loan providers. The guarantor also becomes responsible for repaying the loan in case of default by the primary applicant and co-applicants.

3. Good salary: If you currently have a good income, your repayment capacity may have improved. This can help you gain approval for a loan application regardless of your CIBIL score.

4. Loans by NBFCs: Some organizations provide credit to individuals with low CIBIL scores. However, these loans often come with higher interest rates.

5. Peer-to-peer borrowing: This practice is gradually being applied in India and can be a viable option. However, interest rates on such loans tend to be very high, and the loan amounts are usually smaller.

6. Opt for loans from digital lenders: Another option for CIBIL defaulters is to apply for a loan from online lenders such as Moneyview, MoneyTap, KreditBee, etc. These lenders are more lenient in loan disbursement compared to traditional lenders and have different credit models and interest rates.

7. Apply for a secured loan: If you are still unable to secure a personal loan due to a low credit score, you can consider secured loan options offered by various lenders. As these loans are secured against collateral, they pose lower credit risk for lenders since they can sell the pledged collateral in case of default. This security allows lenders to place less emphasis on the borrower's credit score when evaluating the loan application.

The secured loan options for low-score applicants include:

- Loan against property: If you own residential or commercial property, you can opt for a loan against it to meet your financial requirements. This loan option is especially useful for those in need of a larger loan amount and longer tenure.

- Gold loans: These are personal loans offered against the value of gold ornaments or coins. Lenders offering gold loans do not consider the credit score of the applicants. Therefore, individuals with poor credit scores can use their gold jewelry as collateral to avail of a gold loan.

- Loan against securities: If you invest in mutual funds, insurance policies, shares, debentures, fixed/recurring deposits, or ETFs, you can leverage these securities to obtain loans. The loan amount offered depends on Loan to Value (LTV) ratios set by the lenders.

Finally, it is crucial to work on improving your credit score by settling your past debts and making timely repayments. Taking steps to improve your credit score will benefit you in the long run.