The best unsecured personal loans are offered to those with excellent credit records only. So anyone with a tarnished history must consider making ‘tactical applications’. I mentioned this idea once before, in an article with seven tips in it. Unaccountably, I called it Personal loans. As I’m a personal finance writer who appears to be unable to count, I guess it’s lucky that this idea is quite simple.

It’s been just four months since I first suggested this, yet in that short time it has become even more relevant. It’s got significantly harder to take out a loan. Being realistic, most borrowers won’t get the best interest rates, which are currently around 6.5% APR to 7% APR. So people who have missed payments, had a CCJ, or have borrowed too much or too little*, will have to set their sights a bit lower to increase their chances of a successful application.

What you shouldn’t do in this situation is simply try your luck on the cheapest loan first. The odds of you getting it are very low to non-existent, and it’ll cause problems. Firstly, you’ll feel disheartened. Secondly, you’ll be miffed. Thirdly, you’ll have delayed getting a loan. Fourthly, and most importantly, it’ll add a mark to your credit record; the more applications you make for loans and credit cards, the worse your record looks.