What is a Gold Loan?
A gold loan is a secured loan where you pledge your gold jewellery or ornaments as collateral to borrow money. Because the loan is secured, lenders typically offer lower interest rates compared to personal loans, and approval is fast โ often within a few hours.
How Gold Loan EMI is Calculated
Gold loan EMI uses the same standard formula as other term loans:
Where:
P = Principal loan amount
r = Monthly interest rate (annual rate รท 12 รท 100)
n = Number of monthly installments
Types of Gold Loan Repayment
- EMI-based: Fixed monthly payments covering both principal and interest
- Bullet repayment: Pay the entire principal + interest at the end of tenure
- Overdraft facility: Flexible withdrawals against pledged gold with interest only on the amount used
Key Factors That Affect Your Gold Loan
- Gold purity: 22-carat gold is typically valued; 18-carat or below may get lower value
- Market price: Loan amount is based on the current market price of gold
- LTV ratio: RBI mandates a maximum of 75% LTV for gold loans
- Lender type: Banks generally offer lower rates than NBFCs
- Tenure: Gold loans are usually short-term (3โ36 months)
Tips Before Taking a Gold Loan
- Compare lenders: Check rates from banks and NBFCs before deciding
- Check gold valuation: Understand how the lender values your gold
- Read the fine print: Know the foreclosure charges and auction clauses
- Choose EMI wisely: EMI-based repayment helps build financial discipline
- Prepay when possible: Reduces interest burden significantly on short-tenure loans