The term “cash loan” might sound like a distinct product, but it is essentially just another name for what is widely known as a personal loan. Both terms describe the same financial product: an unsecured loan provided by a financial institution to individuals, where no collateral is required. Instead, approval is based on factors like your credit history, income, and ability to repay.

In everyday language, a “cash loan” suggests a quick infusion of money that the borrower can use for immediate needs, while “personal loan” sounds more formal, covering both immediate and planned expenses. However, in practical terms, they are the same thing: the borrower receives a lump sum and repays it over an agreed period with interest and no collateral is required. Whether you’re calling it a cash loan or a personal loan, the features, repayment structures, and approval processes are identical.

However, what is important is that you turn to a reputable financial institution to apply for a loan.

The Benefits of Secure Loans Personal Loans

NCL is a trusted financial institution in South Africa, offering personal loans with competitive benefits and flexible terms. Let’s look at the advantages of choosing an NCL personal loan (or “cash loan” if you prefer) to meet your financial needs.

1. Flexible Loan Amounts

NCL personal loans allow you to borrow up to R350,000, depending on your financial needs and eligibility. Whether you’re looking for a small amount to cover a minor expense or a larger sum for something more significant, NCL has you covered. This flexibility is one of the biggest attractions of an NCL loan.

2. Convenient Repayment Terms

NCL offers flexible repayment terms ranging from 12 to 60 months. This means you can choose a loan term that best suits your budget and lifestyle. The longer your loan term, the smaller your monthly repayment will be, but it’s essential to consider the overall cost, as interest accumulates over time.

3. Competitive Interest Rates

NCL offers competitive interest rates on personal loans, helping you keep your repayments manageable. Interest rates are personalised based on your credit profile, meaning responsible financial management could result in more favourable terms. These competitive rates make it easier to budget and plan your repayments without overstretching your finances.

4. Simple Application Process

Applying for an NCL personal loan is a straightforward and quick process. You can apply online, and if approved, the funds are usually transferred to your account within 24 hours. This makes it ideal for those who need fast access to funds, as you can handle everything from the comfort of your home.

5. No Collateral Required

Since personal loans are unsecured, there is no need to offer any assets, like property or a car, as collateral. This feature makes personal loans accessible to more individuals, even those who may not have substantial assets.

6. Responsible Lending Practices

NCL is committed to responsible lending, ensuring that loan amounts and repayment terms are tailored to what the borrower can reasonably afford. This helps borrowers avoid excessive debt and manage their repayments responsibly.

Choosing NCL for your personal loan needs ensures that you are dealing with a reputable, transparent lender. Whether you’re calling it a cash loan or a personal loan, the benefits of using NCL remain consistent. With a user-friendly online application process, fast approval, and flexible repayment options, NCL has positioned itself as a leader in personal finance solutions in South Africa.

Additionally, NCL’ commitment to responsible lending practices ensures that consumers are not overextended. Every loan offer is tailored based on an individual’s financial profile, ensuring that repayments are manageable and sustainable. In summary, there is no real difference between a personal loan and a cash loan. The terms are interchangeable, referring to the same product. What matters is the financial institution you choose to partner with.

In an article published by BusinessTech earlier this year, they released the current list of the top 20 in-demand jobs in South Africa. This is often a good starting point for people looking to study, as it indicates areas where the best gaps in the job market are. The list was based on jobs advertised over the course of 2023:

• Middle/Department Management
• Software Development
• Representative/Sales Consulting
• Financial/Project Accounting
• Systems/Network Administration
• Admin Clerk
• Bookkeeping
• Senior Management
• Team Leaders & Supervisors
• Data Analysis/Data Warehousing
• Business Analysis
• Building Project Management
• Accounts Payable/Receivable
• Business Development
• Purchasing & Procurement
• Human Resources
• Executive Management/Director
• Client/Customer Support
• Account Management
• Cost & Management Accounting

The list above indicates opportunities across various industries, and taking a strong business course could assist you in either breaking into one of the sectors, or aid you in being able to apply for a senior or managerial role.

For example, a Software Engineering Bootcamp through Stellenbosch University will set you back R44 900. Using the NCL personal loan calculator, you can work out that paying the loan for the course back over three years (36 months) will cost around R2,429.62 per month on a R50 000 loan.

If you’ve been climbing the corporate ladder and are looking for a boost to your business management skills, you could look for something like CPUT’s Business Management short course. This 10-week course is geared for owners and managers of small and medium businesses who need to improve their managerial skills, and costs R8000. Using the NCL loan calculator indicates that you can pay for this course with a R10 000 personal loan, and still have some change for any studying-related material you may need. Taking the loan over 12 months will set you back R 1,185.77.

Bookkeeping is a highly-desired skill at present, and heading to Damelin Online will allow you to take a 10-week short course to brush up your number crunching skills. This course costs R11 828.30 and consists of 10 modules. Using the NCL loan calculator, you can work out that a R12 000 loan taken over 24 months would mean that you will only pay around R839.62 per month!Using the Secure loans calculator will help you easily budget for your studies and a personal loan is an ideal product to deal with shorter courses or studies that can enhance your career trajectory while you continue working. Completing these studies, although at a cost, can fast-track your route to promotion and in turn, assist in improving your monthly earnings – offering a long-term impact on your financial situation.

Whether you want to apply for a loan online, or simply use the loan calculator for budgeting purposes, head to the NCL website now.

How Does Interest Rate Work?
People borrow money for various reasons, like buying a house, starting a business, or leasing a car. Lenders charge interest on these as the cost of borrowing.
People also save their money in banks, which pay interest for allowing them to use the depositor’s money.
Interest rates are calculated by taking into account the principal loan amount and any applicable fees or charges.
The interest rate determines how much money you will have to pay back during the life of your loan.
Higher interest rates are charged when the risk of default is greater.
For instance, if you have poor credit or are applying for a loan with no down payment, the lender may view you as a higher risk and charge a higher interest rate.
Interest rates also vary depending on the type of loan.
For example, mortgages typically have lower interest rates than credit cards since houses are considered reliable investments that will keep their value over time, while credit cards are seen as liabilities.
Similarly, you lend banks money in the form of your deposits.
They pay interest rates as compensation for their use of your money to fund loans, investments, and other activities. The Federal Reserve determines deposit interest rates.
Interest Rate Calculation
Interest rates can be simple or compounded. Simple interest is a fixed rate applied to the principal loan or deposit amount, while compound interest applies an additional rate on any accumulated interest from previous periods.
Compound interest is also known as “interest on interest.”
Simple Interest Rate
Simple interest is the principal amount multiplied by the interest rate charged multiplied by the term, such that:

For example, if you borrow $3,000 at a 4% interest rate for 3 years, the total amount of simple interest paid over the life of the loan using the formula above is $360 ($3,000 x 0.04 x 3).
Compound Interest Rate
Compound interest is calculated by multiplying the principal amount by one plus the annual interest rate raised to the number of years interest is applied, minus the principal, to wit:

For example, you borrow $3,000 with an interest of 4% compounded annually for 3 years. Using the above formula, the total amount of compound interest paid over the life of the loan is $374.59.

Notice from the examples that compound interest is greater than simple interest even with the same principal amount.
The reason is that compound interest is charged on the principal plus the accumulated interest from previous years of the loan.
Types of Interest Rates
Interest rates can be further classified depending on the effects of key economic factors like inflation. They can be nominal, real, or effective interest rates.
Knowing the difference between the three can help you make better decisions when borrowing or investing and better understand the total cost of a loan or return on a deposit.
Nominal Interest Rate
The nominal rate is the stated annual interest rate charged on a loan or returns on a deposit.
Also known as coupon rate, it does not consider any additional fees or costs associated with the product or the effects of inflation.
For example, a bank’s advertised interest rate is typically nominal, say a 4% annual yield for a six-year certificate of deposit (CD).
Focusing solely on the nominal interest rate can result in overlooking important details and creating false expectations on total charges or returns.
Real Interest Rate
The real interest rate considers inflation by subtracting expected future price increases from the nominal rate.
For example, if a loan or deposit has an 8% nominal interest rate, but 5% inflation is expected for the year, the real interest rate would actually be 3%.
Real rates are more useful for comparing various investment options over long-term periods, as they help you determine the true return on an investment after inflation.
Effective Interest Rate
The effective interest rate is the actual return on deposit or borrowing cost after considering the compounding of interest and all associated fees and charges.
This rate can be calculated from the nominal rate and frequency of compounding.
For example, a six-year $1,000 CD that offers 4% compounding interest annually will yield a total of $265.32 effective interest after the allotted period.
The effective interest rate gives a more accurate picture of the entire loan or deposit product.
Factors that Affect Interest Rates
While interest rates affect investment returns or loan repayment costs, it is also influenced by factors like the economy’s strength, inflation, supply and demand, government policy, credit risk, and loan period.
Economic Strength
A strong economy with low unemployment increases demand for goods and services, which can increase rates as businesses attempt to borrow more money to meet this demand.
On the other hand, a weak economy results in lower interest rates as lenders are less confident about lending their money due to the increased risk of default and decreased need for borrowing.
Inflation
When inflation rises, so too do interest rates. This is because lenders require a higher rate of return on their investment to make sure they do not lose out on purchasing power due to rising costs of goods and services over time.
In such a scenario, borrowers must pay back more than the principal amount due to the currency’s depreciation.
Government Policy
The government also plays an important role in determining interest rates, as they use these to influence economic policy.
For example, the Federal Reserve can raise or lower short-term interest rates to manage inflation and stimulate the economy.
These changes usually have a ripple effect that affects other interest rates, such as mortgage and credit card rates.
Supply and Demand
Interest rates are ultimately determined by supply and demand. When there is high demand for credit, lenders can increase their rates as they have more opportunities to lend out money at higher returns.
On the other hand, when there is a low demand for borrowing, lenders will lower their rates to make their services attractive to potential borrowers.
Credit Risk
Generally, the riskier a loan is deemed by a lender, the higher the interest rate a borrower must pay.
This makes sense as it incentivizes lenders to take on more risky investments and compensates them for the higher chance of default.
High-risk loans normally come with a base rate and a risk premium. The latter considers the borrower’s credit risk and accordingly affects how much interest they will have to pay.
Time Period of the Loan
The length of the loan can also significantly affect interest rates.
Generally, the longer the loan period is, the higher the rate will be to cover any additional risks incurred by lenders over time.
For example, short-term loans come with many benefits, such that a 3 or 6-month installment loan usually comes with lower rates compared to long-term ones such as mortgage or car finance loans.

Annual Percentage Rate (APR) vs Annual Percentage Yield (APY)
Annual percentage rate and annual percentage yield are commonly used terms when discussing interest rates. They are both expressed as percentages but have different implications.
The APR is the interest you will be charged when you borrow. The APY is the interest you get when you save.
A higher APR is often associated with a loan. It includes not only the interest rate on the principal amount of a loan but also any fees charged by the lender, such as points, origination fees, and other costs involved in obtaining credit.
A higher APR indicates a higher cost of borrowing.
On the other hand, APY calculates how much return you can expect on an investment over a 12-month period and considers both compounding interest and other fees associated with the investment.
When looking for an investment vehicle, it is best to look for one with a higher APY, which means more of your money will be returned to you through compound interest or other benefits.
You may also consult with a financial advisor to assist you with your savings or loan needs. https://www.youtube.com/embed/ovbIVJnF3_E
Final Thoughts
Interest rates indicate the cost of money. They are a key factor to consider when it comes to borrowing or investing.
Further, they give you an idea of how much you need to repay or what investment returns you can expect.
Interest rates can be calculated as either simple or compounded. Further, they can be classified depending on the effects of key economic factors. They can be nominal, real, or effective interest rates.
Factors that affect interest rates are economic strength, inflation, government policy, supply and demand, credit risk, and loan period.
There are two standard terms when discussing interest rates. The APR is the interest you will be charged when you borrow. The APY is the interest you get when you save.
Whether you are a lender, a borrower, or both, it is critical to evaluate how changing interest rates may affect your financial decisions.

Increasingly, personal loans are growing in popularity, with roughly 20.2 million borrowers in the U.S. according to the online lending marketplace .

It’s critical that you have a clear repayment plan, whether you’re looking to take out a personal loan to consolidate debt, finance a home improvement, fund your next big trip or pay for a cross-country move..

1. How much do I need?

The first step in choosing a personal loan is knowing how much you need. The smallest personal loan sizes begin at around R500, but most lenders offer a minimum of R1,000 to R2,000. If you need less than R500, it might be easier to save up extra cash in advance or borrow the money from a friend or family member if you’re in a pinch. 

2. Do I want to pay my creditors directly or have money sent to my bank account?

When you take out a personal loan, the cash is usually delivered directly to your checking account. But if you’re using a loan for debt consolidation, a few lenders offer the option to send the funds directly to your other creditors and skip your bank account altogether. 

If you prefer a hands-on approach or are using the money for something other than paying off existing debt, have the funds wired to your checking account.

A Happy Money personal loan may be a good choice if you’re looking for a personal loan to finance debt consolidation. Happy Money allows you to deposit the money you borrow into your linked bank account or directly to your creditors.

• Annual Percentage Rate (APR)7.99% to 29.99%
• Loan purpose Debt consolidation/refinancing
• Loan amountsR5,000 to R40,000
• Terms2 to 5 years
• Credit needed Fair/average, good
• Origination fee0% to 5% (based on credit score and application)
• Early payoff penalty None
• Late fee5% of monthly payment amount or R15, whichever is greater (with 15-day grace period)

Terms apply.

3. How long will I have to pay it back?

You’ll have to begin paying the loan company back in monthly installments within 30 days. Most lenders provide repayment terms between six months and seven years. Both your interest rate and monthly payment will be impacted by the length of the loan you choose.

4. How much will I pay in interest?

Your interest rate depends on a number of factors, including your credit score, loan amount and your term (length of time you’ll be paying the loan back). Interest rates can be as low as 5.99% and as high as 29.99% or more. Typically, you’ll get the lowest interest rate when you have a good or excellent credit score and you choose the shortest repayment term possible. 

According to the Fed’s most recent data, the average APR for 24-month personal loans is 11.23%. This is often well below the average credit card APR, which is why many consumers use loans to refinance credit card debt.

Personal loan APR is most often fixed, which means it stays the same for the life of the loan.

5. Can I afford the monthly payment?

When you apply for a personal loan, you have the opportunity to choose which repayment plan works best for your income level and cash flow. Lenders will sometimes provide an incentive for using auto pay, lowering your APR by 0.25% or 0.50%.

Some people prefer to make their monthly payments as low as possible, so they choose to pay back their loan over several months or years. Others prefer to pay their loan off as quickly as possible, so they choose the highest monthly payment.

Choosing a low monthly payment and a long repayment term often comes with the highest interest rates. It might not seem like it because your monthly payments are so much smaller, but you actually end up paying more for the loan over its lifetime. 

As a general rule, borrowers should aim to spend no more than 35% to 43% on debt, including mortgages, car loans and personal loan payments. So if your monthly take-home pay is R4,000, for instance, you should ideally keep all total debt obligations at, or under R1,720 each month.

Mortgage lenders in particular are known for denying loans to people with debt-to-income ratios higher than 43%, but personal loan lenders tend to be a bit more forgiving — especially if you have a good credit score and proof of income. If you think you can temporarily handle higher payments in order to save a lot on interest, you may be able to stretch this ratio a bit to take on a higher monthly payment.

It’s harder to be approved with a debt-to-income ratio above 40%, and stretching yourself too thin could lead to cash flow problems. You should only do this as a temporary measure and if you have some kind of safety net, such as a partner’s income or an emergency fund.

6. Does the personal loan have fees?

Personal loan lenders may charge a sign-up, or origination, fee, but most don’t charge any fees other than interest.

An origination fee is a one-time upfront charge that your lender subtracts from your loan to pay for administration and processing costs. It’s usually between 1% and 5%, but sometimes it’s charged as a flat-rate fee. For example, if you took out a loan for R10,000 and there was a 5% origination fee, you would only receive R9,500 and R500 would go back to your lender. It’s best to avoid origination fees if possible.

See our top picks for personal loans:

7. Do I have a good enough credit score?

Before you start applying for personal loans, it’s important to know your credit score to make sure you can qualify. Most personal loan lenders are looking for applicants to have a good credit score, particularly online banks. However, if you have an existing relationship with a bank, you may get approved for a favorable deal if you have a good history of paying bills on time and honoring the terms of your past loans and accounts. 

Sometimes, credit unions will offer lower interest rates on personal loans and work with borrowers who have fair or average credit scores. But you often need to become a member and sometimes you need to open a savings account before you can qualify for a loan.

For people who don’t have a great credit history, Upstart accepts applicants who have insufficient credit history or don’t have a credit score at all. You will likely pay higher fees and interest rates than if you had a good credit score, so be sure to clearly read the terms and conditions before you sign on for the loan.

Bottom line

Personal loans are a great alternative to 0% APR credit cards, but like any financial product, they are most beneficial when you have a plan. When you’ve gone through the above questions, do a soft inquiry on the lender’s website or on a third-party lending marketplace so that you can see your options without hurting your credit score. After you see what you pre-qualify for, only then should you follow through with a hard inquiry.