Author: Journalist Benedict

Personal loans can be a great way to handle big and often unexpected expenses like weddings, funerals, medical emergencies, or even home repairs. And when you can apply and receive the funds entirely online, it becomes much more convenient and time-saving. But you shouldn’t just go with any lender you find on the internet. Some may charge high fees, offer bad terms, or even be scams. That’s why CNBC Select reviewed and compared dozens of lenders based on several important factors such as interest rates, fees, loan amounts, repayment terms, credit requirements, and more. Below are five of the best…

Before taking out any personal loan, especially when you’re already in financial trouble, it’s crucial to ask yourself one key question: Does this loan really help me in the long run? Sometimes, a personal loan can help you get out of credit card debt—but only if the loan’s interest rate is much lower than what you’re paying on your credit cards. If not, you might just be swapping one problem for another. The danger often arises when you’re overwhelmed by debt and desperate for quick relief. In that vulnerable moment, predatory lenders—who specialize in targeting people under financial stress—may tempt…

Crypto loans have quickly become one of the most popular forms of credit in the digital age. Much like traditional bank loans, crypto loans involve borrowing a specific amount of funds from a financial institution. However, instead of fiat currency, these loans are backed by cryptocurrencies and must be repaid with added interest. To access a crypto loan, you need to be a registered customer of a digital banking platform that supports cryptocurrencies. Each crypto-friendly bank may have different lending requirements based on your digital assets, income profile, and creditworthiness. Over the past few years, many online banks and financial…

Crypto loans have quickly become one of the most popular forms of credit in the digital age. Much like traditional bank loans, crypto loans involve borrowing a specific amount of funds from a financial institution. However, instead of fiat currency, these loans are backed by cryptocurrencies and must be repaid with added interest. To access a crypto loan, you need to be a registered customer of a digital banking platform that supports cryptocurrencies. Each crypto-friendly bank may have different lending requirements based on your digital assets, income profile, and creditworthiness. Over the past few years, many online banks and financial…

From the playful beeps of R2-D2 in Star Wars to the emotionally intelligent voice of Samantha in Her, science fiction has long shaped how we imagine the future of voice-enabled technology. These futuristic ideas began to feel real when Apple introduced Siri. Although Siri’s early abilities were basic—like playing music or checking the weather—it introduced millions of people to speech recognition as part of their daily digital lives. Since then, massive advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing (NLP) have allowed Siri to become smarter and made room for new voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Microsoft Cortana.…

Key Benefits of Equiloan Equiloan is a flexible and affordable loan product offered by Equity Bank, designed especially for salaried individuals whose employers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the bank under a check-off repayment agreement. Here’s what makes it an attractive option: For a full breakdown of the fees and charges related to Equiloan, please refer to the Tariff Guide. Steps to Apply for Equiloan If you’re ready to apply, follow these steps: What You Need to Apply To be eligible for Equiloan, ensure you have the following documents and conditions in place: Why Choose Equiloan? How…

Background Currently, over 65 million people are forcibly displaced worldwide, and more than 22 million are recognized as refugees. Conflicts are becoming more frequent and prolonged, which means many refugees remain in that status for over a decade. Most funding for refugee needs comes from high-income countries (HICs) and is typically released only after emergencies happen. For example, in 2016, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) allocated around 12% of its total budget to health-related sectors like nutrition, food security, water, and sanitation. As health demands increase and healthcare becomes more expensive—especially in middle-income countries—this reactive funding model…

What Does a Co-Signer Do?A co-signer is someone—often a parent, guardian, or close relative—who agrees to take joint responsibility for your private student loan. If you’re unable to repay the loan, the co-signer must step in and cover the debt. This helps borrowers, especially undergraduates with little or no credit history, to qualify for loans and get lower interest rates. However, if you already have good credit—typically a credit score in the mid to high 600s—or if the lender evaluates factors beyond your credit (like your earning potential or school performance), you may not need a co-signer to get a…

As more of our personal information moves online, identity theft has become one of the most serious and fast-growing risks—especially in the financial world. This form of fraud involves someone unlawfully using another person’s personal details to conduct financial activities, such as applying for loans. For the victims, the consequences can be long-lasting and deeply damaging, affecting their creditworthiness and financial reputation for years. In this article, we take a closer look at how identity theft affects loan applications and explore how both individuals and institutions can guard against it. What Is Identity Theft? Identity theft happens when someone gains…

Personal loans are one of the most commonly used financial tools, helping individuals manage a wide range of personal expenses—whether it’s debt consolidation, covering medical bills, planning a wedding, or meeting emergency needs. Among the many flexible options offered by lenders like IndusInd Bank, the choice to prepay a personal loan is one that often attracts attention. But is it the right move for you? This detailed guide explores the benefits and drawbacks of prepaying your personal loan, with a special focus on the features of IndusInd Bank’s personal loan offerings to help you make a smart financial decision. Understanding…