Line of credit

Line of credit

You have a few alternatives for borrowing money, like loans and credit cards. An upfront payment is made when you take a loan. After that, you must pay back that sum over time, along with interest. A line of credit from a bank or credit union is another option. In comparison to loans, lines of credit are more like credit cards. An individual or organisation can borrow money via a line of credit and pay it back over time, frequently without qualifying for a new loan. 

What is a line of credit (LOC)? 

A line of credit (LOC) is a predetermined borrowing amount that may be accessed whenever necessary. Until the cap is reached, the borrower can withdraw money as needed. In the event of an open line of credit, money is borrowed once more after it is repaid.  

A LOC is an agreement that sets the maximum loan amount a customer can borrow with a financial institution, typically a bank. As long as the borrower doesn’t exceed the agreed-upon cap, they can borrow money from the LOC whenever they want. 

Understanding credit lines 

A line of credit is not the same as a conventional loan. In the latter, you apply for an amount of money and repay it throughout that predetermined period in instalments. You cannot keep borrowing additional funds against the same debt.  

 Nevertheless, when you apply for a line of credit, you request regular access to money when needed. It’s generally accepted that you may withdraw money on many occasions. When you don’t have the necessary funds, these loans frequently make it possible to finish tasks. Yet, they can also be problematic.  

 Any time you incur debt and put off paying it off, you assume you can fulfil your responsibility. No matter the form or nature of the objective, a line of credit permits fund seekers to have extended credit limits. Most of the time, it is a revolving credit option that enables money seekers to use the increased credit limit again once they have repaid the previously borrowed or used sum. 

Types of lines of credit 

The following are the types of lines of credit: 

• Personal line of credit 

A personal line of credit allows you to borrow money for any purpose. You can use it for high costs like unforeseen medical expenses or a new roof. Or it can be used to pay for a wedding or a protracted home improvement project. It is used for debt consolidation. Personal lines of credit are frequently unsecured, though they can also be secured. While each period typically lasts three to five years, the draw duration and payback time for a personal line of credit varies depending on the lender. 

• Business line of credit 

With a business line of credit, borrowers receive a fixed loan amount from a lender, typically up to US$250,000. They can frequently draw on this amount for various purposes, such as covering payroll during a liquidity crunch, purchasing equipment, expanding their office space, or any other need. The majority of corporate credit lines are unsecured. Therefore the borrower doesn’t have to pledge any assets as security. Like other unsecured lines of credit, this one has a higher interest rate than a secured line. 

• Home equity line of credit  

The home’s equity appraised worth less than the amount you owe on your mortgage, can be borrowed against using a home equity line of credit (HELOC), sometimes known as a second mortgage. HELOCs are frequently used for remodelling projects in homes. You never really know how much a project will cost until the very last bill is paid because charges for these projects sometimes arise over time. Lender-specific draw periods for HELOCs range from five to ten years, and the normal repayment time is twenty years. 

Limitations of lines of credit 

The following are the limitations of lines of credit: 

• Since the LOC often has a shorter duration, consumers view it as a short-term financing solution. 
• While the higher interest rates for unsecured LOC enable financial institutions to amass more capital for financing, they also pose a barrier to entry for potential LOC borrowers. 
• Finance seekers may be asked to pay some lenders or financial institutions a commission or charge to use an extended credit limit facility. 

• The LOC option is not available at every bank or financial institution. 
• People overspend when they can spend a large sum, which hurts their capacity to maintain a stable financial situation. 

Use of a LOC 

Businesses typically use credit lines to cover their short-term capital requirements, which is done to preserve good cash flows, buy supplies, or handle payrolls every month. Additionally, companies might use lines of credit to cover unforeseen obligations or seize new opportunities.  

For instance, a company can easily obtain funds if it requires more money due to an unforeseen incident, such as unexpectedly large demand volumes, a natural disaster, or legal fines and compensation, without seeking further loans and straining its finances. 

Frequently Asked Questions