Salary Transfer Account vs Non-Salary Transfer Account
In the UAE, banks and financial institutions provide a range of credit options to individuals including personal loans. These loans are considerably versatile and can be utilised for various purposes such as home refurbishment, education expenses, wedding expenses, business expansion, and more. Numerous loan providers offer personal loans with different terms and conditions to cater to diverse needs.
One important factor that distinguishes personal loans is whether they require a salary transfer account or not. If you find yourself confused between these two types, you can go through this article to grasp the key differences between a personal loan with a salary transfer account and a personal loan with a non-salary transfer account. By understanding these distinctions, you can make an informed decision about which option suits your financial needs and circumstances.
What is a Personal Loan with a Salary Account?
A personal loan with a salary account is an unsecured loan option, where an individual's regular income, credited to their salary account, is used as assurance for loan repayment. Banks, under the regulation of the UAE Central Bank, approve such loans considering various factors such as the borrower's salary, credit Score, employment stability, and (sometimes) the employer's reputation.
Borrowers must be UAE residents, have a monthly salary that fulfils the minimum salary requirements set by the provider, and have a steady job where their salary is regularly deposited into their bank account. Although the loan amount granted is often calculated as a multiple of the borrower's salary, a maximum limit is applicable, which can vary from bank to bank.
What is a Personal Loan with a Non-Salary Account?
A personal loan with a non-salary account is also a type of unsecured loan that is not tied to a salary account. Simply put, instead of having your regular salary deposited to a bank account with the lending bank, you can keep your existing salary account and repay the instalment each month. In such cases, other forms of income or assets might be considered.
Individuals can obtain this type of loan from banks operating under the regulations of the UAE Central Bank, based on their income, credit score, and other relevant financial criteria. Note that these loans may have different interest rates, repayment terms, and eligibility requirements compared to personal loans with a salary account. The banks may also ask for additional documents or a higher credit score, considering the relatively higher risk associated with these types of loans.
Difference Between a Personal Loan with Salary Account and a Personal Loan with Non-Salary Account
Let’s take a look at the prominent distinctions between personal loan with salary account and personal loan with non-salary account based on the features, eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and more.
Features and Benefits
Here's a table comparing the features and benefits of a personal loan with a salary account and a personal loan with a non-salary account -
Features
Personal Loan with Salary Account
Personal Loan with Non-Salary Account
Loan Amount
Up to 20X your salary Generally high salary multiples
Up to AED 150,000 or 4X your salary
Loan Tenure
Up to 48 months
Up to 48 months
Instant Approval
Simple, quick approval process
Instant approval and disbursal in minutes
Online Application
Instant online approval, digital personal loan
100% digital application with a few taps
Repayment Method
Auto-debit from salary account
Needs to be arranged separately
Payment Deferment
Deferment facility
-
Insurance Coverage
Free insurance fee, comprehensive coverage
Life insurance coverage (covering both death and permanent disability)
Over Limit Fees
No over-limit fees or additional charges
-
Product Structure
Murabaha structure followed (Shariah-based) by some lenders
Murabaha structure followed (Shariah-based) by some lenders
Processing Fee
One-time processing fee
-
First Payment Deferment
Up to 45 days
-
Important: The table above highlights some general differences between the two types of personal loans. Specific terms and conditions may vary between different banks and financial institutions offering these loans. It's advisable to check with individual lenders for precise details and eligibility criteria.
Eligibility Criteria
Here's an elaboration of the eligibility criteria for a personal loan with a salary account and a personal loan with a non-salary account -
Eligibility Criteria
Personal Loan with Salary Account
Personal Loan with Non-Salary Account
Minimum Age
Expats: 21 years
UAE Nationals: 25 years
Expats: 21 years
UAE Nationals: 25 years
Maximum Age
Up to 60 years
Up to 60 years
Salary Transfer Requirement
Salary transfer to the same bank is required
Salary transfer is not required
Applicable to Expats
Yes
Yes
Applicable to UAE Nationals
Yes
Yes
Listed and Non-Listed Companies
Both listed and non-listed companies qualify
-
Minimum Salary Requirement
AED 5,000 - may vary as per the lender
AED 7,000 - may vary as per the lender
Availability for New Customers
-
Available to both new and existing customers
Note: While this table provides a general overview, specific eligibility criteria may vary between different banks and financial institutions.
Documents Required
Refer to the given section to know the required documents while applying for a personal loan with salary transfer account and a personal loan with non-salary transfer account –
Aspects
Personal Loan with Salary Transfer Account
Personal Loan with Non-Salary Transfer Account
Required Documents Stack
A valid copy of passport
A valid Emirates ID
Latest salary certificate or salary transfer letter
Bank statements
Updated security cheque
Additional documents, if required
You require your Emirates ID for the loan approval process (in some cases)
The bank may ask for additional documents if required
Personal Loan with Salary Transfer Account vs Personal Loan with Non-Salary Transfer Account – Which is Better?
Choosing between a personal loan with salary transfer and a personal loan without salary transfer depends on several factors. Here are some points to consider for the same -
Interest Rates: Banks often offer lower interest rates for loans with salary transfers as the risk is lower for the bank. If a lower interest rate is a priority for you, you might prefer a loan with salary transfer.
Loan Amount: If you require a higher loan amount, loans with salary transfer often offer higher borrowing limits based on multiples of your salary.
Convenience of Repayment: With a salary transfer loan, repayments are typically automatically deducted from your account, making it more convenient and reducing the risk of missed payments.
Processing Speed: Loans with salary transfers may be processed faster, as the bank already has many of the necessary details.
However, there are also reasons you might choose a loan without salary transfer-
Flexibility: If you prefer flexibility in banking and would like to keep your options open to switch banks, a non-salary transfer loan would be more suitable.
Employment Concerns: If there's any uncertainty regarding your employment, you might prefer a non-salary transfer loan to avoid complications that could arise from changing jobs and, thus, changing salary accounts.
Bank Offerings: Some banks may offer additional benefits with their personal loans (like credit cards, insurance, and more). You may prefer a non-salary transfer loan if another bank has a more attractive offering.
Privacy: If you prefer to keep your salary account separate from your loan account, a non-salary transfer loan may be more appealing.
Before making a decision, it's crucial to compare the terms, conditions, and rates from different banks. Speak with bank representatives, do your research online, and use loan calculators to understand the total cost over the lifetime of the loan.
Additionally, consider your personal financial situation, job security, need for flexibility, and comfort with the repayment schedule. Remember, a loan is a significant commitment and should be handled responsibly. Take out some time to make sure that you're making the best decision as per your current circumstances and future plans.
Mentioned below are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) that provide an overview of personal loans with salary accounts and personal loans with non-salary accounts.
Q1. What is the difference between a personal loan with a salary transfer account and a personal loan with a non-salary transfer account?
Ans: A personal loan with a salary transfer account requires the borrower to transfer their salary to the lending bank. On the other hand, a personal loan with a non-salary transfer account does not require salary transfer.
Q2. What are the main features and benefits of a personal loan with a salary account?
Ans: The features and benefits of such personal loans may include attractive interest rates, high loan amounts (up to 20X your salary), flexible loan tenure (up to 48 months), easy documentation, free insurance fee, debt consolidation options, and quick approval processes.
Q3. What are the main features and benefits of a personal loan with a non-salary account?
Ans: The key Features and benefits of a personal loan with non-salary account may include affordable interest rates, instant loan approval and disbursal in minutes, minimal documentation (only your Emirates ID is usually required), flexible loan payment tenure (up to 48 months), and the ability to apply online with a few taps.
Q4. What are the eligibility criteria for a personal loan with a salary account?
Ans: Eligibility criteria for a personal loan with salary account generally include a minimum age requirement (21 years for expats and 25 years for UAE nationals), salary transfer to the same bank, availability to both expats and UAE nationals, and consideration for both listed and non-listed companies.
Q5. What are the eligibility criteria for a personal loan with a non-salary account?
Ans: Eligibility criteria typically include a minimum age requirement (21 years for expats and 25 years for UAE nationals), a minimum monthly salary requirement (e.g., AED 7,000), no salary transfer requirement, and availability for both new and existing customers.
Q6. How should I choose between a personal loan with a salary transfer account and a personal loan with a non-salary transfer account?
Ans: You should consider factors such as interest rates, loan amount requirements, the convenience of repayment, processing speed, flexibility, employment concerns, bank offerings, and privacy. Compare terms, conditions, and rates from different banks to ensure that you are making an informed decision based on your financial situation and requirements.