New figures from financial comparison website Moneysupermarket.com have revealed that interest rates on personal loans are continuing to rise. The cheapest rates available on a personal loan of £7,000 currently average around 8.5 per cent – 8 per cent above the Bank of England base rate . That figure compares to an average interest rate of 6.9 per cent 12 months ago, despite the base rate being a lofty 5.25 per cent. Rates are expected to rise further before peaking at around 10 per cent by the summer. The rates apply to fixed rate loan deals, typically on 5 year agreements, though rates vary depending on the sum borrowed.
Head of savings at Moneysupermarket.com, Tim Moss, confirmed that interest rates are climbing on a daily basis. He cites the increased rates not only on the pressures of the credit crunch, but on the ban on selling payment protection insurance alongside loans – a previously lucrative source of income for banks – forcing lenders to return to their interest rates to secure a profit.
Mr Moss accepted that there are better deals being advertised by lenders, though these are reserved for borrowers with hefty deposits and excellent credit records.





Paying Too Much?