At one point in an individual’s life, a loan; either a large sum or a small sum, is usually considered, either to fund a project, achieve a business growth or offset essential bills. Before any loan is considered or granted in Nigeria, an array of requirements and factors needs to be met and examined. Here are some things recommended to be done before opting for a loan in Nigeria:
Weigh your options
There are several financial institutions that offer loan facilities with a unique method of payment and repayment. Get your facts right by doing a research on the requirements of each lender and see if it suits your plan. This helps in getting your plans on track.
Have a Bank Statement
One of the major factors that determines your eligibility for a loan in Nigeria is an evaluation of your finances, however, lenders will request your bank statement as your statement will show your cash flow and give lenders an insight into how money transaction takes place in your account. In the same light, the bank statement is used to consider if you have a consistent source of income, usually, this determines your creditworthiness and that of your business. If everything is intact, it facilitates the promptness of getting your loan.
Evaluate your Collateral
When borrowing a large sum of money, some financial institutions require a collateral in the event that you find it difficult to repay the loan sum. So, before you get that large sum of loan, make sure to consider the worth of your asset collateral.
Get a Valid Means of Identification
Applying for a loan in Nigeria is subject to having a valid means of Identification. This is to ascertain that you are who you say you are. A driver’s license, National ID card, International Passport and voters’ card all pass as a valid means of Identification in Nigeria required by your lender to grant you a loan. So, get your means of Identification as soon as possible because you do not want the process of getting that loan stalling.
Get to know the Interest Rate
Every lender states clearly what its interest rate is before granting a loan. This transparency is crucial because it is important for you to consider the interest rate on the loan sum to be borrowed. Ascertaining if you will be able to pay the interest rate is an essential part of getting a loan in Nigeria. You must consider provision on additional interest rate on sums drawn, more than the loan sum before you decide on whether to take the loan or not. You do not want to get a loan and get stuck when it is time to pay back.
Understand the Repayment Provision
As a borrower, you need to ascertain whether the repayment schedule proposed by the lender is convenient for you. Some lenders give you the opportunity to pay for a long period of time which could be 24 months while some require you pay back short term in 6 months. This is one of the crucial aspects of getting a loan in Nigeria, it allows you consider how you intend paying back and if you want to go ahead with getting the loan.
Fix your Commencement Date
Once you have met all the requirements, you must fix a date to have the loan disbursed. It is important for you to fix this date in line with the purpose of obtaining the loan. The date should align with when you would be needing the money, if it is urgent, make sure you fix an earlier date. You also need to ensure you do not get the loan too early so that you do not use it for what it is not meant for.
Getting a loan in Nigeria has become hitch-free overtime. Although, some agreements provide that if the borrower is unable to pay its debt, a default action can be taken against them. Nevertheless, it is important for you to understand and evaluate a loan agreement before going for it and you can count on the above-mentioned steps to getting that loan so easily.