How to repay your personal loan online: Digital methods explained

Getting a personal loan has become easier than ever, thanks to convenient options like FIRSTmoney Smart personal loan by IDFC FIRST Bank. The simple eligibility criteria and no documentation process allow you to get swift access to funds. It’s all smooth on the application front, but what about after withdrawing the loan amount?

When everything is settled with your expenses, the reality of loan repayment hits. You want to proactively prepare for this stage for a stress-free borrowing experience. Thankfully, there are convenient means to repay that make it easier to clear dues on time. Let’s explore them.

Digital payment options for loan repayment
 

You can settle FIRSTmoney Smart personal loan repayments conveniently through various handy digital methods. They make payments quicker and more systematic to lower the burden that comes with the process. 

Here are some of the common digital payment modes for loan payments:

• Auto-debit mandate for smart management
  

If you like to keep EMI payments automated and eliminate the hassle of having to remember the due dates, this type of payment option is for you. 

When you set up an auto-debit mandate, you set up an instruction to auto-deduct the EMI payment from your bank account on the scheduled date.

• Quick pay link for the last-minute rush
  

Even with planning, there may be certain months when the EMI date slips your mind or the auto mandate fails. In such cases, the quick pay link helps you catch up without stress. 

With this digital payment system, you can make your EMI payment instantly. No complex logins or verifications. You click the link and verify the payment through OTP after choosing the mode to pay.

• Net banking/UPI payments for flexibility
  

If you want more control over your loan payments and want to ensure you take care of it manually, you can do so without compromising on convenience. 

With net banking and UPI, you can initiate payments from anywhere using platforms you already rely on for daily transactions.

Repayment dos and don’ts you should know 
 

Once you’ve chosen a digital payment method that works for you, make sure to follow through to avoid overdue or missed EMI penalties.

Here are some of the common dos and don’ts to consider:

• Do maintain sufficient balance

Whether you choose to auto-debit or make manual payments, make sure to have enough funds to enable smooth payment processing. This way, you can avoid EMI bounce charges and disrupt your EMI schedule.

• Do review your repayment schedule
  

Checking your upcoming EMI due dates and the amount payment from time to time is a good practice. This keeps you aware of where you stand and lets you course correct on your monthly expenses, if needed. It is much needed when your income or monthly commitments change. The repayment schedule can be viewed anytime from the app under the Documents section.

• Do align EMIs with your monthly budget
  

Ensure your loan payment coincides with your income credits. If not, you can maintain a buffer specifically for EMI repayment so that portion of your income remains untouched. This prevents you from scrambling for funds at the last minute.

• Don’t ignore alerts and reminders
  

You get SMS and email alerts reminding you of the EMI due date each month. Pay heed to such reminders in case you’re caught up with other responsibilities. Don’t wait to reach the due date; you can also make a loan repayment slightly ahead.

• Don’t ignore failed debit alerts
  

If you’ve set up an auto-debit mandate, you will get an alert on the debited amount. However, insufficient balance or technical issues can cause failure at times. In such cases, check for alerts of such payment failures to quickly take action.

Solutions for failed loan payments 
 

Even with your best efforts, something can go wrong with the loan repayments without you realising. When this happens, here are some ways to reduce charges and clean up your repayment record:

• Retry the loan payment promptly
  

If you notice that the EMI mandate failed, don’t wait to cover up on the next cycle. Make the loan payment manually at the earliest. It can reduce the brunt of additional penalties to some extent.

• Contact your lender
  

If you’re unsure of why the payment failed, even though everything looks clear on your end, reach out to the lender for help. They can guide you on the next steps and prevent future disruptions.

• Pay via the quick pay link
  

Whenever possible, pay via the quick pay links, as it is the fastest way to settle dues. It gives you the conscious assurance of closing gaps caused by last-minute or missed payments.Here’s the quick pay link for FIRSTmoney personal loan.

• Check the applicable penalty
  

Based on the delay, missed, or bounced EMI, you may incur a specific fee charged on the outstanding amount. Check for the exact charge and cover it along with the uncleared EMI. You can view all the fees and charges associated with FIRSTmoney personal loan here.

• Extend the loan tenure
  

If you notice a pattern of EMIs becoming difficult to manage, you can try to extend the tenure to ease the load. Check with the lender about their policies for extension.

Final words 

A personal loan is meant to bridge a financial gap, while also being manageable after you’ve used up the borrowed funds. This is only possible when you emphasise strategic management of loan repayments. Digital payment methods make this easier. You have various options to go about it based on your convenience. Also, you can switch between the methods as and when desired. There is no hard and fast rule. It’s all about flexibility and efficiency.