Loans
Updated June 10th 2008:
The lowest rate for personal loans in Ireland is currently available from Tesco Personal Finance - who offer 6.7% APR . (No early repayment penalties either)
On a 5 year loan of 5000 Euro - the cost of credit from Tesco would be €892.60.
The same loan from First Active would cost a total of €1244.80 in interest.
Tesco loans are provided by Ulster Bank - but if you go direct to Ulster Bank you would pay a lot more. A loan of 5000 euro over 5 years from Ulster Bank would end up costing you 1690 in interest - (APR of 12.8%)
Avoid Friends First - they would cost you about 2250 euro more in interest and charges than Tesco for a loan of 22k over 5 years.