Personal Loan describes any loan where money that is borrowed is to be used for personal use. If you are taking out a loan to fund something to be of personal use, or to help you out with personal issues, then that is a personal loan. Personal loans can be used for any number of things: debt consolidation, home improvement, paying off high-interest rate credit cards, car purchases, vacations, etc. Most personal loans are unsecured, meaning they do not require security or collateral.