Mortgages, Auto loans, student loans, Personal loans are examples of installment loans. Often, Point-of-sale financing offers and “no credit check” emergency loans are set up as installment loans too. When money is borrowed and paid back through fixed monthly payments over time, it is termed as an investment loan where the interest is part of the payments. From few months to 30 years, the loan can be repaid completely according to the time determined.

One can choose to apply for the installment loan with the bank or credit union of their choice. There are online lenders like Lightstream, SoFi, Avant, too that issue loans to people.

There is also a possibility of taking an installment loan directly from the company from where a product is bought in case of auto asset buying. The auto dealership or furniture store or real estate builders issue loans to their customers.

The borrowers can borrow the sum for short-term emergency too and pay it by installment. But the payday lending stores are really expensive and are considered one of the most notorious places for borrowers to get emergency cash. Payday loans often charge interest rates of 400% or more.

Always consider the interest rate before applying for any loan and definitely check if the rate is fixed or variable. With variable rate loan it might start at lower initial rate but will go up over time. When one needs emergency cash one cannot look back. One can though definitely consider taking the from local credit union first using the Payday Alternative Loan (PAL) application as these PALs cap interest rates are 28% and never charge more than $20 in fees.

But it depends on how soon one repays the loan. If the repayment is going to be at the earliest then the variable-rate installment loan serves just right as it will save money but if the repayment is going to take some time then it is better to opt for a fixed-rate loan.