Personal loans, home loans and others starting to thaw

The money is not rolling in, but at least there are signs that capital is defrosting, at small banks and credit unions, anyway. If you're in need of a loan, here is a loan primer to help you get started:

Personal loan
Personal loans are those typically under $5,000 and are meant for, as the name implies, personal use, meaning the home, family, or an emergency. They typically have a short approval period and a flexible repayment system. Options for personal loans include bank loans, peer-to-peer, and payday cash loans, which can be a controversial option.