Bond vs Loan

Bonds vs. Loans - Comparison at a Glance

Understanding the differences between the two popular debt instruments

Feature Bonds Loans
Source Bonds can be sold or bought from a bond market Loans can be availed from banks, NBFCs or other private lenders
Trade Bonds can be sold before the maximum period of 30 years Loans cannot be sold and will have to be repaid within the decided repayment term
Interest Rates Bonds usually come with fixed interest rates Interest rates on loans can be fixed or variable
Owners Bonds are usually availed by private individuals as an investment from the government or large companies looking to raise funds Loans are availed by private individuals generally for financial assistance from banks or NBFCs
Risk and Interest Rates The risk associated with bonds is quite low and can also be considered as an investment. Therefore the interest rate offered is quite low Loans that require collateral are considered to be low risk and therefore come with lower interest rates whereas unsecured loans have a higher interest rate
Examples 3 years Capital Gain Bonds Personal Loans
Difference between Bonds and Loans

Difference between Bonds and Loans

While bonds and loans may seem similar at first glance, there are quite a few differences between them as given below -

What are Bonds?

There are multiple investment options for individuals to choose from and one of them is a bond. Bonds are a debt instrument wherein the company issuing the bond ‘borrows’ money from the lender i.e., you as a bond holder. In return, the bond issuing company must pay interest on the principal amount. This interest is also referred to as a coupon.

Most of us have borrowed money in the form of loans whenever we needed monetary help. In a similar way companies or even the government may require funds for programs or infrastructure. In such cases rather than borrowing from a bank, bonds are issued to the public.

Investors who purchase these bonds help these entities that require monetary help. Therefore, it is similar to a regular loan where the investor is considered as a lender.

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Loan Tenure

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Benefits and Features of Bonds

Given below are some of the salient features and benefits of bonds:

  • Bonds are considered to be relatively safe investments and are fixed income securities. While the risk factor is low, the returns are relatively low as well when compared to other options like stocks
  • While stocks and bonds are similar, the main difference is that stockholders have an equity stake while a bondholder has a creditor stake in the said company
  • There are different types of bonds available today such as government bonds, corporate bonds, tax saving bonds, bank bonds, inflation linked bonds, perpetual bonds, etc.
  • The amount that is being borrowed is referred to as face value while maturity date refers to the day the amount will be repaid on
  • The interest on these bonds are paid at a fixed rate generally and on a predetermined schedule
  • Bonds are considered to be a long-term stable investment tools where assured returns are accrued and are also considered to be low risk investments

What are Loans?

A loan is a form of debt that is availed by individuals or companies. A sum of money is borrowed from a lending institution for various purposes and is then repaid to the lender in installments at a specific rate of interest and over a pre-decided repayment period. There are many types of loans available in the market today such as education loans, personal loans, home loans, etc.

Benefits and Features of Loans

Given below are some of the salient features and benefits of loans -

  • Most loans are secured loans i.e., they require collateral. However certain loans such as personal loans do not necessitate collateral and are provided at a slightly higher rate of interest
  • The repayment term and interest rate may or may not be flexible and depend on various factors such as the reason for availing the loan, borrower’s credit score and income, principal amount, etc.
  • Interest rate is the cost of availing the loan and can vary from institution to institution. Lower the interest rate, lower is the amount to be repaid. Interest rates vary based on multiple factors including changing market conditions
  • In an ideal world, everyone will have adequate financial resources but since this is not a reality, loans are a boon
  • Loans can be classified based on repayment terms such as short-term or long-term loans or even by their purpose such as home loans, education loans, personal loans, etc.

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Conclusion

Bonds and loans have a number of similar features and benefits but are not the same. From the perspective of a private individual, a bond is a debt instrument that can be purchased as a form of low-risk investment and one can receive an interest payment on the same. On the other hand loans are availed by private individuals when they require financial assistance and then repay the same to the lender along with an interest rate. Both are beneficial in their way and serve unique purposes. Choosing a debt instrument based on your requirements and financial goals is important.

If you are looking for a personal loan of up to Rs. 5 lakh that comes with low interest rates, instant disbursement, and a hassle-free application process, apply for a Moneyview personal loan today.

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Personal Loan Related FAQs

Principal amount is the amount that you borrow from any financial institution. For example, if you want a loan of INR 50,000, then that amount is known as the principal amount.
You can use an EMI calculator to calculate your monthly installments. Check out the Money View personal loan EMI calculator to check your EMI and plan your finances easily.

Here are some of the use cases for personal loans -

  • Emergency Expenses

  • Debt Consolidation

  • To Repay Credit Card Dues

  • Business Ventures

  • Home Remodeling

  • Dream Vacations

  • Fund Education

  • Buy a Gadget

  • Down Payment for other Loans

  • Servicing or Modifying your vehicle

Preclosure means resolving your debt amount before the loan repayment term is over. You may be charged an additional amount of 1 to 2% for pre-closing your loan.
Interest rate is the amount that the lending institutions levy on your loan amount. So, apart from the borrowing amount, you must also pay the interest charged by the lender. This rate is charged as a part of the services offered by the lending institution. The interest is calculated each month with your EMI. The interest rate depends on factors such as your loan amount, credit score, and your loan term.

The starting interest rate depends on factors such as credit history, financial obligations, specific lender's criteria and Terms and conditions. Moneyview is a digital lending platform; all loans are evaluated and disbursed by our lending partners, who are registered as Non-Banking Financial Companies or Banks with the Reserve Bank of India.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always consult with your financial advisor for specific guidance.

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