Loan Against Shares vs. traditional loans

Discover the difference between loan against shares and traditional loans to make an informed borrowing decision.
Loan Against Shares
3 minutes
01 April 2024

Have you ever needed funds urgently but hesitated to liquidate your investments? You’re not alone. Many investors face the same dilemma—especially when their equity portfolio is performing well. In such situations, a loan against shares (LAS) might be a smarter alternative than opting for traditional loans.

But how do you choose between the two?

Let’s break it down and help you decide which option fits your financial goals better.

What is a loan against shares?

A loan against shares is a type of loan against securities where you pledge your listed shares with a financial institution to get quick liquidity. Unlike selling your holdings, you retain ownership of the shares, allowing you to enjoy market gains while accessing funds.

You can get a loan by pledging shares from approved scrips, typically from your Demat account. The lender, in return, sanctions a loan amount based on a certain percentage of the share value—this is known as the Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio.

Did you know? You can avail of a loan against share market investments starting from as low as Rs. 25,000 up to several crores, depending on your portfolio value and eligibility. Apply for loan against shares now

What are traditional loans?

Traditional loans include personal loans, business loans, or secured loans like home loans or car loans. These loans often have longer processing times and require extensive documentation. In most cases, unsecured traditional loans come with higher interest rates because there’s no collateral involved.

Key differences between loan against shares and traditional loans

Let’s simplify this with a comparison table:

Feature

Loan against shares

Traditional loans

Collateral

Listed shares or other securities

Depends (secured or unsecured)

Processing time

Quick often within 24–48 hours

3–7 business days or more

Ownership of investment

You retain ownership of shares

N/A

Loan-to-value (LTV)

Typically, 50% of share value

Not applicable

Interest rates

Generally lower due to secured nature

Higher (especially for personal loans)

Prepayment flexibility

Flexible, low to no charges

May involve foreclosure penalties

Usage of funds

No end-use restriction

Varies based on loan type

Credit score dependency

No impact on credit score

Heavy impact; credit score crucial

 

Need quick funds without selling your shares? A loan against securities gives you flexibility at lower costs. Apply now

Advantages and disadvantages of loan against shares and traditional loans

Understanding the strengths and limitations of each option helps you make a more informed borrowing decision. Here's a breakdown:

Loan against shares

Advantages:

  • Lower interest rates as the loan is backed by collateral

  • Quick disbursal, often within 24–48 hours

  • You retain ownership of your share market investments

  • Flexible repayment with minimal prepayment charges

Disadvantages:

  • Loan amount depends on market value of shares (LTV usually capped at 50%)

  • Market volatility can reduce eligible loan value

  • Limited to approved list of securities

Traditional loans

Advantages:

  • Available even without any investment or collateral

  • Ideal for long-term needs like home purchase or business expansion

  • Predictable EMIs and fixed repayment tenure

Disadvantages:

  • Higher interest rates, especially for unsecured loans

  • Longer processing time with stricter documentation

  • Prepayment or foreclosure charges may apply

Why more investors are choosing loans against shares?

If you have a solid equity portfolio, it does not make sense to disturb your long-term wealth creation plan. Here’s why a loan on shares is fast becoming the preferred choice:

  1. Quick and hassle-free
    When urgency strikes say, a business opportunity or a family emergency you can’t afford to wait. A loan against share market investments can be disbursed within a day, often with minimal paperwork, especially if your shares are already in a Demat account.
  2. Retain your market position
    With LAS, your shares continue to stay invested. If the market performs well, you benefit from capital appreciation and dividends while still accessing liquidity.
  3. Interest only on the amount used
    Most LAS facilities are structured as overdrafts. This means you only pay interest on the amount withdrawn, not the entire sanction ideal for managing short-term working capital or recurring needs.

What are the risks and considerations?

While loan against securities has many upsides, there are a few things to watch for:

  • Market volatility: If share prices drop sharply, your LTV ratio can breach the permissible limit. In such cases, the lender may ask you to top-up collateral or repay part of the loan.

  • Pledged shares cannot be sold: You can’t trade pledged shares until the loan is repaid, or the lender allows re-pledging.

  • Scrip eligibility: Only approved shares from specific lists are eligible, so your entire portfolio may not qualify.

When should you consider a loan against shares?

A loan against shares is ideal if:

  • You need short-term funds but don’t want to break investments

  • You want lower interest than unsecured loans

  • You need a quick disbursal with less documentation

  • You have surplus shares lying idle in your Demat account

When is a traditional loan a better fit?

Traditional loans may be more appropriate if:

  • You don’t own significant shareholdings

  • You want a longer repayment tenure (5+ years)

  • You prefer EMI-based repayments over overdrafts

  • You don’t want to risk market-linked collateral

How is interest calculated on a loan against shares?

Interest on a loan against shares (LAS) is typically calculated on a daily reducing balance, which means you're charged interest only on the amount you've actually withdrawn—not on the entire sanctioned limit. This makes it significantly more cost-effective than traditional fixed-EMI loans, especially if you’re using the funds in stages or for short durations.

For instance, if you’re approved for Rs. 5 lakh but withdraw only Rs. 1.5 lakh, the interest will be calculated only on that Rs. 1.5 lakh until you withdraw more. This gives you the flexibility to manage cash flow more efficiently and avoid paying interest unnecessarily.

Bonus tip: Always keep track of your withdrawal dates and repayment timelines to optimise interest savings.

What securities can be pledged?

While shares are the most commonly pledged instruments due to their liquidity and easy valuation, lenders today accept a wider basket of market-linked assets and policies. This gives you flexibility in how you unlock capital from your portfolio.

Here are some of the securities typically accepted for pledging:

  • Equity shares (listed on approved exchanges)

  • Mutual funds (both debt and equity-oriented)

  • Bonds and debentures (listed and rated)

  • Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs)

  • Insurance policies (ULIPs, traditional endowment plans)

Among these, shares are still the fastest to process and most widely accepted due to their transparent pricing and higher liquidity.

With a wide range of accepted securities, you have the freedom to choose what works best for your financial needs. Apply for loan against securities now

What happens if share value falls?

Loans against shares are subject to Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratios, which define the maximum loan you can get against the market value of your pledged securities. But markets fluctuate—so what happens when your shares lose value?

This is where the margin maintenance clause comes into play. If your shares drop in value and the LTV breaches the allowable limit (say it exceeds 65%), the lender may issue a margin call. This means you will be required to either:

  • Pledge additional securities to restore the original LTV ratio

  • Partially repay the loan amount to bring it back in range

If neither is done, the lender has the right to sell off a portion of your pledged shares to recover the margin shortfall.

What makes a loan against shares ideal for business owners?

If you are a business owner or self-employed professional, you likely experience seasonal cash flow gaps. Instead of applying for a new business loan each time, a revolving credit line via LAS can serve as your on-demand liquidity pool.

Example: Ramesh, a Mumbai-based trader, pledged shares worth Rs. 30 lakhs to raise Rs. 18 lakhs during peak season. He repaid Rs. 10 lakh in two months and reused the limit again during Diwali orders all without reapplying.

Conclusion

Whether you are planning to expand your business, manage medical expenses, or grab an investment opportunity, a loan on shares offers unmatched speed, flexibility, and control over your wealth. Traditional loans still have their place but for savvy investors who want liquidity without sacrificing returns, loan against share market investments is the clear winner.

Ready to access the value of your portfolio? Apply for a loan against shares today

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