There are no exact criteria for when a loan is leveraged, and no regulatory agency has specifically defined what type of loan constitutes a leveraged loan. Individual lenders establish their own policy for when a loan is considered leveraged. Lenders typically consider the overall risk of each borrower, the cost of the loan, and the amount of debt the borrower has. For example, a leveraged loan could be made by a bank to a low-rated corporate borrower whose debt is five times its earnings. The leveraged loan may be used to finance the acquisition of another business.
How Leveraged Loans Work
Individual financial institutions define their own criteria for when a loan is considered a leveraged loan. Lenders look at the overall risk a borrower presents based on credit rating, existing debt, and other financial factors. Most leveraged loans have higher interest rates than other types of financing. This is due to the added risk lenders are taking on. Leveraged loans also often have a variable interest rate. That means the interest rate can change over time, in contrast to fixed-rate loans where the rate remains the same throughout the repayment period. Many leveraged loans have their interest rate tied to the overnight borrowing rates like the Federal Funds Rate, which is the interest rate that U.S. banks charge one another for very-short term (overnight) loans.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Leveraged Loans
Leveraged loans can be used by businesses to finance mergers and acquisitions. They enable borrowing even when the business has a low credit rating. Leveraged loans also allow lenders and investors to earn a higher rate of interest, which may be more profitable. However, borrowers face higher interest costs with leveraged loans. These interest costs could increase over time for borrowers due to the floating interest rate. Lenders also face a greater risk of borrower default since borrowers tend to have high amounts of debt and/or low credit ratings. That means the loan is at risk of not being repaid.
Should I Get a Leveraged Loan?
Leveraged loans are popular with businesses. If you’re an individual borrower looking to secure a loan for personal reasons, you may be better off with a different type of loan. Even if your credit score isn’t the best, you may be able to get a secured loan or a personal loan for bad credit. If you own your home, a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) may also be an option. Consider all of your lending options before applying.
