Some of the top-rated personal loans in March 2024

Data shows Australians are increasingly looking to personal loans to secure finance. However, before committing to a personal loan, it’s important to compare the available options and consider your needs to make sure you’re selecting a loan that offers the most value for your needs.

According to the Lending Indicators report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), new commitments for personal fixed term loans rose by 6% in January 2024 to $2.5 billion. This is a 13.6% rise year on year.

The rise follows back-to-back falls recorded at the end of 2023, falling 5.6% in November 2023 and by 3.7% in December 2023. The recent bounce-back has been partially attributed to a 5.7% rise in lending for the purchase of road vehicles, as well as a 5.3% rise in lending for personal investment.

Whatever the purpose for your personal loan, it’s important to compare your personal loan options before signing on any dotted lines. As well as looking at personal loans from the major banks, there are also smaller specialist lenders to consider, as well as fintechs. It’s also important to look beyond just the interest rate and consider the fees, features and benefits of different personal loans to make sure it offers value that will suit your needs.

Keep in mind that the interest rate you’ll be offered may be based on a range of factors, including your credit score. For example, while excellent credit borrowers may qualify for a low-rate personal loan, borrowers who have had money trouble in the past may find that their bad credit score means they may be offered a higher interest rate, or see their personal loan application declined altogether.

RateCity’s Real Time Ratings™ combine the cost and flexibility of personal loans to better indicate their overall value. RateCity’s Personal Loan Leaderboards rank loans in different categories by these ratings, further simplifying your personal loan search. And some of the top-rated personal loans in different categories may also become eligible for a RateCity Gold Award.

(Rankings are correct at the time of publishing. Please note lenders may trade places on the list as interest rates and fees change and RateCity’s tracker reflects these movements.)

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