Bank Loans, Credit Cards & Interest Rates
- Finnish Bank Loans
- Loan Comparisons
- Finnish Credit Cards
- Interest Rates on Credit Cards & Loans
- Financial Advice & Debt Management
- Related Links
- Home Loans - part of the Housing section
Finnish Bank Loans
Criteria for Obtaining a Loan
As in any developed country, the primary criterion for obtaining a loan is your capacity to repay the debt. Steady income is a major plus, but having a temporary job is not necessarily an obstacle to obtaining a loan if employment prospects in the industry are good. Criteria include:
- Income
- How much you want to borrow
- Your residence status
- Your credit rating and history
- Guarantor(s), if available
Applications
It's possible to get personal loans online, but for something like a home loan an interview will almost certainly be required. Contact the banks directly to arrange interviews. You can make a formal loan application at an interview if you wish.
Some Tips:
- Make enquiries to as many banks as you can to see what they offer - the differences in rates, margins and charges can be substantial
- The banks have specialists who will also explain tax issues - they will tell you which documents the tax authority requires
- Make sure you completely understand ALL documents. Have them translated into your native language if possible
Loan Comparisons
Online loan comparison services provide insight into consumer credit options available in the Finnish marketplace, helping you make an educated decision and allowing you to apply online. You can request multiple offers simultaneously from a range of banks and lenders, including details such as interest rates, terms and conditions, and information about individual financial institutions.
VertaaEnsin
Loan information from over 23 banks and financial institutions, from smaller lenders to big banks. An 'instant loan calculator' is available, or fill in the application form to receive personal, detailed loan offers to compare and select if you wish. The application is free, and obligation-free. Comparison of credit cards and other financial services is also available.
Site in Finnish but works great translated in Chrome browser (How?).
Translate in Chrome
Desktop: Right-click anywhere on a page and click Translate to [Language].
iPhone / iPad: At bottom of screen, tap Translate.
Android: At bottom of screen select Language, tap Translate.
Alternatively use Google Translate.
Finnish Credit Cards
As is the case in every country I'm aware of, a recent immigrant usually finds it difficult to get credit until they have established a significant bank account and a history of steady employment. Experiences with applications for a credit card appear to vary widely between banks, end even between branches of the same bank.
Essentially, if you have been in Finland long enough to establish a satisfactory credit rating and you have a regular income, you should have no trouble getting a credit card. But, how do you get a credit history when they won't give you a loan or credit card without one? The regular income aspect goes a long way to making you a viable risk, and long-term residency doesn't hurt either. However, having a large amount of money in the bank will NOT necessarily guarantee approval for credit. All you can do is ask.
If you are self-employed, chances are you don't have a regular income. When applying for a card you will be asked to provide your company's profit/loss statements for recent years - if these look promising you will once again be in good stead to be approved. However, it may be that you are self-employed and have only been resident in Finland for a relatively short time!
One option, if you absolutely require a credit card and have the requisite funding, is to pay a security deposit to the bank. The deposit will be three times the amount of the credit limit for which you are applying, and will be held by the bank for a period of three years. If you pay your bills on time for that period the bank apparently then considers you a safe bet, and will return your deposit.
Interest Rates on Loans & Credit Cards
The trend in interest rates on consumer credit in Finland has been a rise over recent years. The average rate was 4.71% in April 2020, compared to 4.07% in 2017 and 3.93% in September 2014.
The trend in interest rates on housing loans in Finland has been a decline over recent years. The average rate was 0.89% in April 2020, compared to 1.12% in September 2016 and 1.99% in September 2013.
The trend in interest rates on other loans in Finland has been a decline over recent years. The average rate was 1.59% in April 2020, compared to 1.72% in September 2016 and 2.43% in September 2013.
Source: Bank of Finland. Comprehensive statistics on loans, deposits,
housing loans, student loans and more are available at
www.suomenpankki.fi > Statistics
Financial Advice & Debt Management
Debt problems tend to 'snowball' and need to be addressed immediately in order to avoid accumulation. For example, if a debtor fails to communicate with a creditor, the creditor may employ the services of a collection agency, and those recovery costs could be added to the existing debt. Dealing with financial difficulties is routine work for financial institutions; communication and co-operation with debtors is essential and appreciated.
Solutions for financial problems are available, such as extending payment terms for loans, freezing the interest for late payments, or even putting a temporary 'hold' on payments until the financial situation improves. One of the worst things someone in financial difficulties can do is to simply ignore the situation.
The Finnish Consumer Authority Debt collection section provides extensive advice on debt / credit payment / collection issues.
Related Links
Links to other sites are direct to the relevant page, where possible
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