Money Management Glossary: Personal Loan Terms

Ability to Pay
The phrase "Ability to Pay" denotes the measure of a borrower's ability to meet current and anticipated future monetary obligations. See also: Default
Aggregate Loan Limit
The term "Aggregate Loan Limit" specifies the total amount of money a borrower (typically a student) is allowed to borrow over a certain duration of time.
Amortized Loan
The phrase "Amortized Loan" refers to a loan that has been completely paid off (including interest and principal) in the form of a series of periodic payments.
Amount Financed
The phrase "Amount Financed" denotes the loan amount minus the prepaid finance charges. See also: Down Payment
Approval
The term Approval referes to an assessment made by a lender of a borrower's ability to pay for a property, and a confirmation of the amount that a borrower may obtain.
Asset-Based Lending
The phrase "Asset-Based Lending" denotes a secured personal or business loan wherein the borrower is required to provide as collateral his/her personal and/or business assets.
Available Balance
The phrase "Available Balance" denotes the balance in an account remaining after deducting any amounts that are to be withheld, pledged, or otherwise subject to restraint. See also: Drawdowns
Basis Point
Basis Point -a unit of measure -equates to 1/100th of one percent. Often used to compare loan APRs -as in: the difference between a 4.0%% loan and a 4.6%% loan is 60 basis points.
Capital Lease
A "capital lease" usually involves a purchase by the lessee of a property for which the lease term exceeds 75%% of the assets' estimated economic life, the lessee has option to purchase the property below its fair market value, and the ownership of the asset gets transferred to the lessee at the end of the lease term.
Cash-Out Refinance
Cash-Out Refinance is a refinancing transaction in which the amount of money received from the new loan exceeds the total of the money needed to repay the existing first mortgage, and various cost (such as closing costs, points and the amount required to satisfy any outstanding subordinate mortgage liens) liabilities. See also: Refinancing
CLP
CLP stands for: Certified Lender Program. Certified lenders specialize in SBA loan-guaranty processing, and having met certain other criteria, they are given a three-day turnaround by the SBA on their applications.
Co-Signer
A Co-Signer, a Co-maker or an Endorser on a Note is a personal who agrees to be responsible for repayment of a debt obligation in addition to the principal borrower. See also: Contingent Liability, Dependent Student, DLP, FAFSA
COFI
COFI stands for: Cost Of Funds Index. Published monthly by the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, it provides weighted average of deposits and borrowings for savings institutions.
Collateral
The term Collateral denotes a property (usually a tangible asset) that the borrower provides as security against a secured loan.
Commitment Letter
Commitment Letter (or loan commitment) is a formal offer by a lender detailing the terms under which it agrees to lend money to a borrower/applicant.
Contingent Liability
Contingent Liability denotes a debt created by association with a dependent factor -such as from being the co-signer on a loan. See also: Co-Signer, Dependent Student, DLP, FAFSA
Curtailment
The term Curtailment denotes payment being applied to principal only in addition to (and without affecting) the regular monthly installment payments.
Default
The term "Default" -in the context of financial/loans related matters -denotes borrower's failure to make payments on a debt/liability in accordance with the payment schedule pursuant to the terms and conditions of the loan. See also: Ability to Pay
Dependent Student
The phrase "Dependent student" means a student who depends upon another for more than 50%% of his/her financial support. All students are deemed parental dependents unless they meet the requirements of being considered Independent Students. See also: Co-Signer, Contingent Liability, DLP, FAFSA
DLP
DLP stands for: Direct Lender Program. DLP is a lending program that allows students to apply for federal loans directly through their educational institute's financial aid office. See also: Co-Signer, Contingent Liability, Dependent Student
Down Payment
The phrase "Down Payment" denotes the portion of the purchase price a buyer pays (usually in cash or an equivalent thereof) at the time the loan is funded. See also: Amount Financed
Drawdowns
The term "Drawdowns" (a.k.a. Draws) denotes withdrawals that can be made on a (pre-approved) line of credit -up to a pre-authorized amount. Drawdowns can be made simply by writing a check or, using an ATM card. See also: Available Balance
FAFSA
FAFSA stands for: Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Parents must complete FAFSA to receive federal or state financial aid for their children's higher education expenses. Student Aid Report (SAR) summarizes the FAFSA and lists the expected family contribution for college education costs. See also: Co-Signer, Contingent Liability, Dependent Student
Finance Charge
Finance Charges include the interest computed over the life of a loan, and various service charges (such as mortgage insurance premiums, etc.) related to a loan.
Float Down
Float-down option allows a borrower to lock in the interest rate and points on a loan -while retaining the right to further lower the interest rate (so locked-in) prior to closing if the lender has lowered the interest rates for similar loans.
Refinancing
Refinancing involves the borrower (property owner) taking out a new loan to pay off an existing mortgage. Usually, it is done to obtain a lower interest rate mortgage loan or to borrow cash on the equity accumulated in a property. See also: Cash-Out Refinance