What is the difference between secured vs unsecured loans? 

The difference between a secured and unsecured loan is whether or not assets are provided as security interests to guarantee the loan. These assets may allow the borrower access to secured loan products with a lower interest rate than comparable unsecured alternatives. For both loan types, you must match any eligibility criteria before applying.  

What is a secured loan?  

If you can put forward one or more assets as ‘collateral’: you may be eligible for a secured loan product from a lender, bank or capital union. Relevant assets may include: 

• Property 
• Business capital 
• Personal possessions, such as artworks or jewellery 
• Vehicles or other owned items of value  

Often, the purchase financed by these loans (such as a house or car) can collateralise the agreement. Underpinning and guaranteeing the loan, the assets provide the lender with a ‘security interest’. Should you fail to repay the loan according to its terms, these may have to be sold or received to compensate the lender.  

The assets you provide do not dictate how you use the funds procured, they just reduce the risk to the lender that you could default, as no one wants to see their assets seized. For example, using a vehicle you own outright as security does not automatically restrict the funds to auto purchases. That said, the actual loan product you apply for may restrict how you use the money. For example, applying for a mortgage allocates those funds to purchase a specific property and is not to be used elsewhere.  

In Australia, in certain instances, the lender can register this security interest over such items on the Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) to protect its legal right. We recommend that all security interests get registered on this official government noticeboard, where applicable. PPSR Logic, powered by CreditorWatch, streamlines and simplifies this registration and management process to allow creditors greater security.  

What are the main types of secured loans? 

For Businesses 

Secured Business Loans – Secured business loans, or ‘collateral loans’, typically use property owned by the applicant business as collateral. This property may include real estate owned, vehicles, machinery, or other items of value. Generally, a secured business loan gets transferred as a lump sum of cash to approved borrowers. The funds procured from such a business loan are not for personal use.  

Personal Loans 

Mortgages – a mortgage is secured by the real estate it allows the borrower to purchase. The house or apartment itself acts as security. If you default on mortgage repayments, that property may get sold or repossessed to compensate the lender. The interest rate applied can vary according to the value of the property and an assessment of the borrower.  

Secured Personal Loans – as a borrower, you may seek a lump sum to make home improvements, to use as funds for a holiday, or for another personal use.r. As long as the lender accepts what you’re offering as collateral, you can use the funds from secured finance for a variety of purposes.  

Home Equity Loans – while a mortgage purchases a property, a home equity loan allows you to access the equity in your property as a line of credit or a lump sum payment. This in turn uses an already-owned property to collateralise a cash loan. For example, you may access some of the equity in a holiday home you own as collateral to as some or all of a deposit for a new home loan. The benefit of accessing existing equity in a property is that this may result in a lower interest rate offered by the lender due to the reduced lender risk. Personal loans secured against property can allow borrowers access to significant debt depending on its value.  

Car Loans – a type of personal loan, a car loan sees the vehicle purchased serving as collateral for the loan. In many instances, until the loan gets fully repaid, the ownership title remains with the lender.  

What is an unsecured loan? 

By comparison, an unsecured loan creates more risk for the lender. Because the borrower isn’t offering up any assets or property for security, there is a lower chance of compensation in the event of default. Additionally, without the risk of losing an asset to motivate a borrower, they may be less inclined to ensure repayments are met. As such, the interest rates applied to unsecured bank loans and lender products are generally higher to account for this additional risk.  

Applying for unsecured debt may allow a borrower to protect their assets, as the lender will not immediately sell or claim an asset if nothing guarantees the loan. However, if a borrower defaults on a loan, they may eventually face bankruptcy, which could result in the sale of owned assets regardless.   

What are the main types of unsecured loans? 

Unsecured Business Loan – unsecured business loans are typically more popular for lower principal amounts. They allow businesses that may not have assets or holdings to retain access to debt without offering collateral. Many lenders will ask for additional information, such as cash flow and income statements, before deciding whether or not to approve applicants.  

Unsecured Personal Loans – as with above, unsecured personal loan products are typically more popular for lower sums, as lenders feel more comfortable with higher risk when the principal amount is lower. In general, lenders place more emphasis on your credit score when assessing an applicant for these products.