A top-up loan is a way to access extra cash by borrowing more money. With Post Office loans powered by Lendable, you don’t borrow more on your existing loan. Instead, you apply for a second loan.
This second loan will have its own interest rate and separate repayments. Keeping both loans open is often a strategic choice for borrowers who want to preserve a low interest rate on their first loan while still accessing new cash. It also means you only pay a loan fee on the extra you’re borrowing, rather than your entire new balance.
You also have the option to close your existing loan and open a new one that covers both your old balance and the extra cash you need. This is sometimes called ‘contra-settling.’ It leaves you with just one monthly repayment and one interest rate. The new APR you get will apply to the overall amount, which can be good if you get a lower rate but that’s not guaranteed.