What is a Personal Line of Credit?

If you wish to pay for renovations on your home, or have access to cash for an investment, or even if you just want to know you have the potential to draw out funds in the case of an emergency, a personal line of credit may be an option. So what is a personal line of credit, and how does it work?

What is a personal line of credit?

A line of credit is a type of open-ended loan that allows you to withdraw funds flexibly for a period of time, up to a set credit limit. As a borrower, you only pay interest on the funds you have withdrawn.

A personal line of credit loan is similar in some respects to an overdraft facility or credit card, in that it can be used to draw funds out when and as needed, and then repay them. Line of credit loans typically have higher interest rates than credit cards and other types of personal loans.

There are also lines of credit available for home loans where you use your property as security against the loan.

How is a line of credit different from a standard personal loan?

A key difference between a line of credit loan and a standard personal loan is that a line of credit is more flexible. A standard personal loan will have a fixed term, at which point the principal of the loan and any interest are to be repaid. A line of credit is different, in that the borrower will have access to funds up to a set limit, and can draw on them and repay them at their own discretion, often with a flexible repayment schedule.

What can a personal line of credit be used for?

A line of credit can be used for any purpose. Some people might use one to pay for renovations on a home, while some might use the funds to pay for life expenses such as medical bills or a car.

Some might even use it to pay for an expense such as a wedding or holiday, but before taking on debt for a purpose such as this, it is worth considering whether you are making a wise decision for your financial future by doing so.

→Related article: What is a Line of Credit Home Loan?

What credit score do you need for a line of credit?

Generally, there is no strict requirement to have a certain credit score in order to be approved for a line of credit loan, although typically, the higher your credit score, the more favourably lenders will consider your application. Your credit report generally shows details of all aspects of your credit history, from details of regular repayments you have made through to things such as loans and bankruptcies.

A higher credit score can potentially mean that a lender might charge you less interest, or give you access to a larger amount of credit on a line of credit loan.

→Related article: How to Check Your Credit Score and Why You Should

How hard is it to get approved for a line of credit?

Generally speaking, the lending criteria for a line of credit will be the same as applying for any other loan. You will need to supply your lender with proof of your identity, proof of a regular income (in the form of PAGY payslips), proof of savings (in the form of bank statements), and a list of your assets and liabilities. A lender will consider these things, and also take into account your credit score when deciding if and how much to approve you for.

What is the easiest line of credit to get?

Your chances of approval may also depend on whether the line of credit you are seeking is secured or unsecured. In general terms, a secured line of credit may be easier to get than an unsecured one, given the fact that lenders may consider an unsecured line of credit to be riskier.

Secured line of credit

A secured line of credit means that something will need to be used as collateral for the loan, potentially an asset you own, such as a house or a car. These types of loans typically have lower interest rates attached than unsecured loans; however, the lender will have the right to sell the asset in order to recoup the balance of the loan if you fall behind on your payments.

Unsecured line of credit

Unsecured lines of credit do not require an asset to be used as security, and for this reason, lenders typically consider them riskier. It may be the case that you require a high credit score in order to take out an unsecured line of credit. It is worth keeping in mind that the interest rate attached may also be higher, and the credit limit lower.

What are the pros of a personal line of credit?

There can be convenient aspects to a line of credit, including ease of access to funds, the flexibility of repayments and the possibility of a financial safety net:

Only one application required

When you take out a personal line of credit, you will be able to keep drawing funds up to your approved limit, as well as make repayments. This means you will have the convenience of not needing to apply for a loan each time you need to borrow money, but rather, you will have one loan that will allow you to draw and repay as required. You may still be charged a monthly fee, even if you have not drawn on your line of credit.

You’re only charged interest on what you use

While the interest rates on lines of credit are typically higher than other types of loans, you will only be charged interest on the amount that you have actually drawn. Given the flexibility of lines of credit loans, however, it can be difficult to predict the amount of interest you will be charged, and the interest rate attached will typically be higher than for a standard personal loan.

What are the cons of a personal line of credit?

There are a number of possible downsides to a line of credit, including the potential for high fees and charges and strict penalty clauses, as well as the temptation to overspend:

Higher fees and charges

The flexibility of a line of credit comes at a cost. Typically, there will be higher interest rates attached to a line of credit than there will be for a standard loan. In addition to this, a line of credit will typically have monthly fees – some lenders may charge monthly fees irrespective of whether or not the line of credit is used, and some may charge a monthly ‘maintenance’ fee if it is not.

Penalties

Lines of credit come with flexible repayment terms, but you may like to read the terms and conditions carefully to better understand exactly how much you will need to repay and the terms and conditions of the loan. Failure to abide by the loan terms could see you incurring penalties from your lender, and this could cost you significantly more than you planned for financially.

Temptation to spend

If you wish to take out a line of credit loan, it may be beneficial to first consider how well you manage money. The ease of access to funds, coupled with the flexibility of repayments, could lead to a temptation to overspend, and the accompanying high interest rates could mean that if you do not manage your money carefully, you could find yourself in quite a lot of debt.

If you are considering taking out a loan but are unsure if a line of credit is appropriate for your needs and situation, you can compare personal loans with Canstar to find a loan product with terms and features that may suit you. You may also like to consider seeking independent financial advice to support your personal decision making.

Compare personal loans with Canstar

About the reviewer of this page

This report was reviewed by Canstar Content Producer, Caitlin Bingham. Caitlin is an experienced writer whose passion for creativity led her to study communication and journalism. She began her career freelancing as a content writer, before joining the Canstar team.