Last week Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, two of the largest mortgage supporters, dominated headlines when reports revealed they were under financial stress. It got me thinking about our loan system. Freddie and Fannie were created by the government to make it easier for banks to make loans, but what do we need loans for? I decided to see which types of loans AOL users are searching for.

A good education is a smart investment, so it is no surprise that college student loans are near the top of our list. Private Student Loans and Federal Student Loans, including the Stafford Student Loan, can be used for anything from books to tuition to housing.

Rising gas prices make it difficult to keep extra spending cash in your pocket. With the help of banks and loan agencies, you can apply for a personal loan to help you fill in the gaps of your budget. Or an auto loan can help you to afford a car that gets better gas mileage.

Sometimes you have to spend money to make money. If you have a great idea and need money to make it happen, business loans could be the answer you're looking for. Likewise, with home improvement loans and other unconventional home loans, updating your home could return a big profit in the long run.

Do you know of any loans that did not show up on our list? If so, please tell us about them. Find a loan that suits your needs on AOL Search.

Top Searched Loans on AOL Search:
1. Home Equity Loan
2. Private Student Loan
3. Federal Student Loan
4. Payday Loan
5. Home Improvement Loan
6. Personal Loan
7. Government Business Loan
8. 125% Loan
9. Auto Loan
10. Small Business Loan

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