How to calculate interest on your gold loan

The lender's prerogative is computing the interest rate and is based on factors like inflation and gold’s market rate. Take a look at how you can check interest rates applicable on gold loans and calculate gold loan interest accordingly.

Methods to calculate gold loan interest rates

Gold loan interest rates are determined by several factors, and understanding how they are calculated can help you plan your finances better. The most common method used by lenders to calculate gold loan interest is the simple interest formula. Let’s take a deeper look into how this works and the key factors that influence it.

Gold loan interest is calculated based on three key factors – the principal amount you borrow, the interest rate set by the lender, and the loan tenure. Understanding the gold loan interest calculation formula helps in estimating the total interest payable over the loan period.

Interest = (Principal Amount × Interest Rate × Time Period) / 100

Where:

• Principal Amount refers to the loan amount sanctioned based on the value of your pledged gold.
• Interest Rate is the annual rate charged by the lender.
• Time Period is the duration for which you will take the loan, usually in years.

For example, suppose you take a loan of Rs.1,00,000 for one year at an interest rate of 10%. The calculation would be:

Interest = (Rs.1,00,000 × 10 × 1) / 100 = Rs.10,000

Thus, the total interest you will pay at the end of one year is Rs.10,000, and your total repayment at the end of the loan term will be Rs.1,10,000.

Several factors influence the interest rates on gold loans. First, the principal amount plays a significant role, the higher the value of the pledged gold, the more you can borrow, which in turn increases the interest. Next, the interest rate varies depending on market conditions and your creditworthiness. Generally, a lower interest rate means you’ll pay less in interest over the loan tenure. Lastly, the loan tenure is an important consideration— the longer the tenure, the more interest you’ll pay. Shorter loan periods typically result in lower interest costs. Additionally, some lenders offer compound interest on gold loans, which means the interest is calculated not only on the principal amount but also on the accumulated interest, leading to a higher overall interest payable.

For precise calculations and planning, using a gold loan calculator can be helpful. This tool allows you to estimate the loan amount, interest, and EMIs based on your loan details, helping you make informed decisions about repayment.

How to check gold loan interest

Checking the gold loan interest applicable is simple and quick and requires you to follow only a few steps.

1. Visit the official website of Bajaj Finserv
2. Navigate to the gold loan page
3. Select ' Fees and Charges' from the different tabs available at the top
4. Give a detailed scan to the page to check the interest rate and other applicable fees and charges

Alternatively, visit the nearest branch of Bajaj Finserv to verify and confirm the applicable gold loan rate.

Below is a detailed guide on calculating gold loan interest with the help of a dedicated financial tool like a gold loan calculator. Note that the total interest payable can also be arrived at if you deduct the loan principal availed from the total loan liability payable. Follow the steps given below for a quick calculation of the interest payable.

Step 1: Go to the gold loan EMI calculator page of Bajaj Finserv.

Step 2: On the gold loan calculator page, enter either of the two values, ‘Gold to be pledged (in grams)’ or ‘Required loan amount.’ Entering one of the values will automatically represent the other based on the per gram eligibility for the day.

So, if you pledge 60 grams of gold and the value per gram for the day is Rs. 3,311, the total loan amount available can be up to Rs. 1,98,660.

Step 3: Next, choose a suitable frequency of interest repayment from the available options, which are ‘monthly,’ ‘bi-monthly,’ ‘quarterly,’ ‘half-yearly,’ and ‘annually.’ Select either of them as per your suitability.

Step 4: Enter the interest rate levied by your selected lender to arrive at the total amount of interest payable.

You can also check your gold loan eligibility per gram based on the gold to be pledged with the help of an eligibility calculator.

Key factors that influence gold loan interest rates

When availing a gold loan, it is important to understand what determines the interest rate. Knowing the key factors that influence gold loan interest rates can help you make informed decisions and manage your repayment better. Here are the major aspects to consider:

1. Loan amount and tenure: Larger loan amounts or longer repayment periods may lead to different interest rates. Lenders assess the risk and repayment capacity before offering a final rate.
2. Gold purity and value: The purity of the gold directly affects the loan amount and interest. Higher purity usually attracts better rates as it provides more security to the lender.
3. Loan-to-value (LTV) ratio: The LTV ratio defines how much loan you get against your gold’s value. A lower LTV might lead to lower interest rates.
4. Market trends and RBI guidelines: Lenders also follow Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and market conditions which can affect gold loan interest rates.
5. Repayment capacity and borrower profile: A borrower with a good credit history or strong repayment capacity may receive a more favourable rate.

Understanding these factors, along with the gold loan interest calculation formula, can help you choose the most suitable lender and plan repayments wisely.

Tips to choose the best interest rate for your gold loan

Choosing the right lender is important when taking a gold loan. Here are some simple tips to help you select the best gold loan interest rates and understand the gold loan interest calculation formula better:

• Check gold purity: Lenders offer better rates for high-purity gold, such as 18K or 22K, as it reduces their risk.
• Know the LTV ratio: A lower loan-to-value (LTV) ratio may get you a more affordable interest rate.
• Choose the right tenure: Shorter tenures often come with lower interest rates, so pick one that balances your repayment ability.
• Read terms clearly: Understand hidden charges, processing fees, and the gold loan interest calculation formula to avoid surprises later.

Making informed choices helps you save money and repay comfortably.

How does gold loan affect their CIBIL Score

A gold loan can impact your CIBIL score based on how you manage your repayments. Though it is a secured loan, lenders still report your loan activity to credit bureaus. If you pay your repayments or interest on time, it helps build or improve your CIBIL score gradually. This is especially useful for people with limited credit history or a low score. A well-managed gold loan reflects your financial discipline and can increase your chances of getting better loan offers in the future.

On the other hand, if repayments are delayed or missed, it may negatively affect your score. Even though the lender has your gold as security, defaulting can still lower your creditworthiness. Therefore, it is important to borrow only what you can repay comfortably.

Using a gold loan wisely is a simple and effective way to strengthen your CIBIL score over time.

Minimum interest rate on gold loan

With Bajaj Finserv, you can get a gold loan with interest rate starting from 9.5% p.a. onwards. Interest accumulates at a flat rate, and no hidden charges are applicable.

Maximum interest rate on gold loan

The maximum interest rate on gold loans varies from one period to another and is usually regulated by the running inflation and gold’s market price. A borrower’s associated eligibility for the advance determines the applicable interest rate between the minimum and maximum rates.