Owing to the 'global credit crunch' which we are currently hearing so much about, the availability of cheap credit in the UK which we have enjoyed in the recent past is unlikely to be restored.
The head of the FSA is reported as saying that the knock-on effects of the credit crunch will establish a revised way of working which will lead to markets behaving differently in the future.
Lenders are rapidly backing away from unsecured personal loans, and rates on secured loans and mortgages have seen a sharp hike.
This means people should be even more wary of the long-term outlook when financing through credit, as it could be far easier to fall into the debt-trap. The current culture of buying now and paying later (via credit cards etc) could land many people in trouble if this attitude to finance continues - it may be time to consider the older, wiser tradition of saving up for things before buying them!
Of course, that's not always an option. If you can't avoid having to seek credit, then it is vital to make sure you're getting the best personal loan arrangement possible in the current climate, and the smartest way to do this is by getting some professional advice from a loans expert.