固定金利と変動金利：個人ローンの適切な金利選び
固定金利ローンと変動金利ローンの違いは何でしょうか？どちらがより良い選択肢でしょうか？以下は、固定金利ローンと変動金利ローンの違いを理解し、どちらを選ぶべきかを判断するのに役立つリソースです。
固定金利と変動金利の違いを解説したビデオを見る
個人ローンを検討しているなら、固定金利ローンと変動金利ローンという言葉を耳にするかもしれません。どちらもローンの金利を指し、状況に応じてどちらを選ぶのも賢明な選択となるでしょう。
ここでは、固定金利の個人ローンと変動金利の個人ローンの違いと、どちらのオプションが自分に適しているかを判断する方法について詳しく説明します。
要点
• 固定金利ローンは、毎月の支払額と利息総額が一定ですが、開始時の金利が高く、柔軟性に欠ける場合があります。
• 変動金利ローンは市場金利に応じて変動するため、コストは低くなるもののリスクは高くなる可能性があります。
• 固定金利は長期ローンや支払いの予測可能性を求める方に最適です。
• 変動金利は、財務の柔軟性と短期ローン計画を持つ人に適しています。
• ローンの選択は個人の財務状況とリスク許容度によって異なります。
個人ローンの適切な金利とは？
個人ローンの年利率は8%から36%の範囲ですが、提示される金利はローン金額、返済期間、そして信用情報に大きく左右されます。一般的に、信用スコアが高いほど金利は低くなります。最も低い金利と最良の条件を見つけるには、複数の金融機関を比較検討しましょう。
固定金利と変動金利
固定金利の個人ローンを選択するか、変動金利の個人ローンを選択するかの決定は、通常、支払いの予測可能性とコスト削減の可能性という 2 つの要素に集約されます。
固定金利
Fixed-rate is a general term that can apply to different types of loans with a variety of uses, including student loans, mortgages, auto loans, and unsecured personal loans.
Fixed rate loans have an interest rate that does not change over the life of a loan, which means you pay the same amount each month. It also means you know with certainty the total interest that you’ll pay over the life of the loan.
However, there are potential drawbacks to consider. Fixed rates may be higher than variable rates at the start of your loan term, and these loans aren’t as flexible. You may be charged an application or origination fee, and you could get hit with fees or penalties if you pay off the loan early. Plus, if interest rates drop, you won’t be able to benefit because your rate is locked in.
Variable Interest Rate
Variable rate loans have an interest rate that will fluctuate over time in line with prevailing interest rates.
Variable rates are usually pegged to changes to a well-known index, such as the 1-month LIBOR. LIBOR (the London Interbank Offered Rate) is the interest rate that banks charge one another to borrow money; the 1-month means that the variable rate can change monthly. A rate change one month also changes the monthly payment due for that month, as well as the total expected interest owed over the life of the loan.
However, some variable rate loans come with a cap that sets a limit on the interest rate that you can be charged, regardless of how much the index interest rate changes.
On the plus side, you could potentially pay less interest over time than you would with a fixed-rate loan. And your lender may allow you to switch to a fixed-rate loan at any time during the loan term.
But if interest rates rise, you could end up paying more than you would have with a fixed-rate loan.
Which Type of Loan Rate Should I Choose?
If you like the consistency of knowing exactly what your monthly payments will be over time, you might prefer a fixed rate loan. Also, if you plan to pay your loan back over a longer period of time, say 10 or 20 years, you might prefer to eliminate the risk of interest rate changes over time by selecting a fixed rate loan.
In contrast, you might prefer a variable rate if you want to take advantage of the maximum possible savings but have the financial flexibility to make higher monthly payments and total interest should interest rates rise. You might also prefer variable rate loans because you plan to pay off your loan in a short time frame, such as 10 years or less.
What’s the best option for you? There’s no universal right or wrong answer. The decisions on loan amount, term, and fixed or variable rate all depend upon your personal situation and flexibility.
The Takeaway
With fixed-rate loans, you’re locked into an interest rate for the life of your loan, which means payments are predictable. Interest rates on variable-rate loans depend on prevailing market interest rates, so the total interest owed will depend upon changes in the broader environment.
Ultimately the decisions on the loan term, amount, and loan type depend on your personal situation.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. See your rate in minutes.
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