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What's an unsecured loan?

What's an unsecured loan?

Unsecured personal loans are typically used for one-off purchases, like your next holiday, rather than day-to-day spending.

An unsecured loan is one you can apply for that doesn't require details of an asset to be provided as security for the loan (such as a property or a car).

Unsecured personal loans can typically be used for a range of purposes like travelling or consolidating debt.

The interest rate on an unsecured loan can be higher than the interest rate on some other loans (such as home loans) because there’s no security held against the loan.

What types of unsecured products are there?

Typically unsecured products include:

  • Unsecured personal loans
  • Personal overdrafts
  • Credit cards

What can you use an unsecured loan for?

There are requirements around what unsecured loans can be used for. Typically they’re used for one-off purchases rather than day-to-day spending. Some common purposes include:

  • Paying for a wedding
  • Taking a holiday
  • Consolidating debt
  • Buying a car (a secured car loan may be an option in some cases and may offer a lower interest rate)
  • Home renovations (a home loan may be an option in some cases and may offer a lower interest rate)

What are the benefits of an unsecured loan?

Unsecured loans may offer more flexibility than secured loans. The application process may be simpler as you don’t need to provide details of an asset you're using to secure the loan. There may also be more flexibility when it comes to making additional repayments.

See more about the differences between unsecured and secured personal loans.

Discover CommBank's unsecured personal loan options

This article is intended to provide general information of an educational nature only. It does not have regard to the financial situation or needs of any reader and must not be relied upon as financial product advice. You should consider seeking financial advice before making any decision based on this information.