Leningen

Leningen refer to agreements in which a lender provides money or other assets to a borrower with the obligation to repay the principal plus interest over an agreed period. They can be secured (with collateral such as real estate or other assets) or unsecured, and are typically formalized in a written contract outlining terms, interest, repayment schedule, and remedies for nonpayment.

Common types include consumptieleningen (personal loans) used for purchases or debt consolidation; hypotheekleningen (mortgages) secured on real estate; studieleningen (student loans) provided by government programs in some countries; zakelijke leningen (business loans) for companies; and autoleningen or andere specific-purpose loans. Terms vary widely, from short-term loans of months to long-term financing spanning decades.

Costs and terms are defined by the interest rate and repayment arrangement. The overall borrowing cost is often expressed as an annual percentage rate, and in consumer credit advertising the term used in the Netherlands is het jaarlijks kostenpercentage (JKP). Interest can be fixed for the term or variable, and repayments are typically amortized in equal installments or according to a customized schedule.

Security and risk play important roles. Secured loans rely on collateral; unsecured loans depend on creditworthiness. Lenders may perform credit checks and use credit registries such as the Nederlandse kredietbureaus to assess risk. Nonpayment can lead to late fees, collection efforts, and negative effects on the borrower's credit history, potentially resulting in bankruptcy in extreme cases.

In the Netherlands, leningen are overseen by financial regulations that emphasize consumer protection, affordability assessments, and transparency. The supervision involves agencies and laws related to the financial sector, including rules on disclosure, interest, and advertising. See also mortgage, debt, credit risk, and consumer finance.