JavaScript is disabled

If possible, please enable JavaScript for an enhanced experience on the CHOICE website.

Personal loans

Stay afloat financially and avoid swimming with the loan sharks.

There are more ways than ever to borrow money, from peer-to-peer lending (potentially a good option) to payday loans (never a good option). Then you have the never-ending personal loan offers from the banks, which can leave you with that empty feeling if you're not careful. When you're in the market for some money, we'll help make sure you don't get taken for a ride.

Meet the personal loans expert

Articles

The trouble with using 'buy now, pay later' services like Afterpay and ZipPay They may help if you're cash-strapped, but can pave the way to financial distress.

The risks of using Afterpay and ZipPay to fund Christmas Financial Rights Legal Centre warns against 'buy now, pay later' loans.

How to protect your credit record You can damage your credit record without knowing it, even if you pay your bills on time and don't have a lot of debt.

Radio Rentals to pay $20m for bad consumer leases More than 250,000 leases will be refunded.

Your personal credit score: what you need to know Is your personal credit score accurate?

Fintech loans and payments New financial technologies are gaining ground in Australia, but are they a better option than traditional banking?

Good Money shopfronts to combat bad debt Nonprofit microfinance company sets up shop on high streets to lure customers away from dodgy debt dealers.

Best & Less stores promoting loans from payday lender 16 January 2017 | Family retailer receives a referral fee for every application.

BMW Finance to compensate customers Poor lending practices have backfired on the firm after an ASIC ruling.

Best car loans There are some great interest rates on offer for car loans at the moment, especially from credit unions.

Google blacklists payday lenders Search giant bans ads from short-term lenders.

Payday lender Nimble forced to refund customers $1.5 million 29 March 2016 | ASIC investigation finds Nimble breached responsible lending laws with more than 700 customers.

Consumers favouring personal loans and credit cards over mortgages Data reflects stronger retail market, softer mortgage market over holiday season.

Peer-to-peer lending We weigh up the benefits and risks of this new style of lending.

Payday lender The Cash Store slapped with record penalty Over 80 stores and millions in loans prior to liquidation.

Payday lenders still cashing in with sky-high fees Are the government's new payday loan restrictions enough to keep short-term borrowers out of trouble?

Radio Rentals slapped with class action lawsuit Potentially affects 200,000 consumers across Australia

Damaging cost of consumer leases like Radio Rentals Why consumer advocacy groups are banding together against consumer leases and payday loans.

Show 14 more articles

Personal loans expert

Our personal loan expert can tell you the ins and outs of borrowing money, to help you stay afloat financially and avoid swimming with the loan sharks.

Andy Kollmorgen Investigations Editor

Banking, Budget, Insurance, Financial planning and investing, Credit cards and loans, Money, Property, Healthy ageing, Phones

Personal loans

Related

Home loans

Credit cards

Credit cards and loans