Warning: Be cautious with very high interest loans (e.g. payday loans)
High-interest loans are unsustainable for extended periods and can be expensive for long-term borrowing. If you are currently facing financial challenges, reach out to Credit Counselling Canada for complimentary financial counseling at +1 866-398-5999.
Lender | Funding Amount | Term length | Number of Employees | ||
9.99% - 46.96% | $500 - $35,000 | 9 - 78 months | 390 | ||
19.90% - 45.90% | $1,000 - $5,000 | 6 - 36 months | N/A** | ||
19.99% - 46.80% | $1,500 - $20,000 | 12 - 60 months | 8 | ||
23% | $500 - $750 | 90 to 120 days | N/A** | ||
29.99% - 46.96% | $500 to $15,000 | 9 - 60 months | 288 | ||
From 46.93% | $50 - $10,000 | Depends on type of loan | 794 | ||
From 46.93% | $1,000 to $15,000 | Up to 60 months | 500+ | ||
29.99% - 46.96% | $500 - $20,000 | 9 - 84 months | 785 | ||
19.99% - 34.99% | $500 - $12,500 | 12 - 60 months | N/A** (Part of CanCap Group) | N/A** | |
19.99% - 46.93% | Up to $15,000 | N/A | N/A** |
*To qualify for the evergreen loan from Spring Financial, you must spend 12 months completing a foundational borrowing program.
**This information could not be found online or the source is uncertain.
A bad credit score can restrict you from getting loans. If your credit score is less than 660, you should expect your loans to have higher than average interest rates. If your credit score falls below 540, you will be severely limited in your loan access until you improve your credit score.
Although these bad credit loans may come with higher interest rates than traditional loans, they provide access to the money you need when other lenders don't approve your application.
You can find various loan amounts and repayment terms that fit your needs. You should expect typical repayment periods of nine to 36 months. Interest rates typically exceed 19% and approach 40% or higher for payday loans.
APR above 22% is considered high, exceeding the interest rates of most credit cards. Additionally, an APR above 40% is considered extremely high. You should avoid loans that have an APR higher than 40%. You can use the APR calculator to determine the APR of your loan.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Accessible with Bad Credit | Higher Interest Rates |
Fast Approval and Funding | Shorter Loan Terms |
Does Not Require Collateral (usually a borrower can offer collateral to lower interest rates) | High Upfront and Loaned Fees |
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
A few different types of loans are available for borrowers with bad credit. Borrowers typically use these loans to consolidate debt, buy a car, or finance home repairs. While there are five types of bad credit loans, they fit into two categories:
This section will discuss the five main types of bad credit loans and their implications.
Personal loans for bad credit can either be secured or unsecured. A bad credit personal loan is the most popular option due to relatively low interest rates and widespread accessibility. Secured personal loans usually have lower interest rates, higher principal amounts, and longer loan terms. There are also different types of personal loans:
Credit cards provide a convenient way to borrow money. Some of the best credit cards also have features that allow you to earn rewards or cash back. However, it is essential to note that some credit cards may also come with an annual fee and a relatively high interest rate.
Credit cards for bad credit are typically secured cards that require collateral or have a high annual fee, a high interest rate, and a low spending limit. This makes it challenging to receive funding if you're in a pinch, but a credit card is a great instrument to improve your credit score.
As you build up a good credit score, you can qualify for balance transfer cards, which provide promotional low interest rates on balance transfers. This option allows you to leverage a temporary lower interest rate to avoid unnecessary interest charges. Balance transfer rates can be as low as 0% for a few months, but they usually have a balance transfer fee of around 2%.
Payday loans are designed to provide emergency funding to cover expenses until your next payday. Payday loans have short-term lengths and quick funding speeds. Additionally, they are traditionally easier to qualify for, making them a popular bad credit loan.
Payday loans can have very high APRs. You should avoid payday loans due to predatory lending practices, often difficult to recognize without financial knowledge.
A payday loan must be treated as a last-resort financing option. Before taking a payday loan, you should consider other options, including getting a personal loan or borrowing from friends or family.
Car loans are secured loans that use your vehicle as collateral. This means missing payments can result in the seizure of your car. Depending on whether you already own a vehicle or are looking to finance a new one, there are two types of car loans.
Mortgages are secured loans used to purchase a house or property. They usually require a long-term commitment and a good credit score. Even though a conventional mortgage is inaccessible to people with bad credit, private lenders and B-lenders offer solutions for people with bad credit.
Lenders rely on your income and collateral to qualify for a loan with a bad credit score. A steady income source can help you negotiate a lower interest rate. In addition, they will also assess your debt service coverage ratios (DSCR) to determine whether you have enough funds to cover all of your debts. High DSCR is risky because it implies that a large chunk of your income must go toward debt payments. Lower ratios are less risky and may receive lower interest rates.
If your financial situation does not get you approved for a loan, you may get approved with a co-signer. This additional applicant will take responsibility if you cannot repay the loan. The co-signer must typically have a good credit score and a stable income. If you are meeting the income requirements and just need a little boost, you can talk to your immediate family members, such as parents or siblings, to be a guarantor for your mortgage.
Before getting a bad credit loan, it's essential to understand the loan characteristics in detail. This section discusses the characteristics of bad credit loans compared with the characteristics of regular loans.
Bad credit loans have higher interest rates than loans for people with good credit. This is because lenders view borrowers with bad credit as a higher risk and charge higher interest rates to compensate for the risk.
Interest rates for bad credit loans in Canada can range from around 10% to over 50%, with some lenders charging even higher rates. The average interest rate for bad credit loans is around 20%.
Bad credit loans in Canada generally have high origination and other fees, such as application charges, closing costs, and late penalties. The prices and amounts change with the lender and type of loan. Below are some of the most common fees and their typical costs.
These fees can significantly increase the cost of a loan. Additionally, they won't be included in the interest rate. Many bait-and-switch lenders will advertise low rates to lure in borrowers and include various fees that are difficult to understand.
As such, comparing loans using the annual percentage rate (APR) is essential. APR calculates the actual cost of borrowing, including the fees. The interest rate alone does not include high-cost fees.
The term for bad credit loans in Canada typically ranges from 6 months to 5 years. The term length will affect your monthly loan payment and total interest paid:
A longer-term length may help you qualify for a loan if you can't meet debt service ratio requirements. However, balancing monthly affordability and overall loan cost is essential when deciding on a term length for your bad credit loan.
Typically, the payments will remain the same throughout the loan duration, and you'll know exactly how much you owe each month. Make sure to make all your payments on time because late payments can lead to additional fees and negatively affect your credit score. Increasing your credit score will provide access to more favorable loans.
Some loans have various features, such as skip-a-payment options or grace periods that allow you to pay a bit later without penalty. Ask your lender if any if these options are available. Additionally, you'll want to understand if your loan is open or closed:
Bad credit lenders typically provide same-day loans. However, there are a few scenarios that can slow down the process. Initially, if the loan is secured, there will be additional steps to appraise the value of the collateral. Additionally, more significant loan amounts, such as $10,000, require a more rigorous application process. Generally, you should expect funding to occur within a few hours or days after submitting the application.
Borrowers with bad credit have few lending options. As they rebuild their credit score, more opportunities will appear. While borrowers should seek to improve their credit scores, alternative options are available.
You can withdraw money while avoiding loans altogether if you have sufficient funds in your RRSP account. Up to 30% of the withdrawal can be subject to withholding taxes. This will be immediately retained by your financial institution, meaning you'll only receive 70% to 95% of the total withdrawal amount.
Homeowners can secure their home equity by utilizing many mortgage products. Many private mortgage lenders and B-lenders specialize in loans for bad credit. These loans will have a lower interest rate than other options but typically require a maximum of 80% loan-to-value (LTV). However, they'll take longer to receive funding, and you can risk home foreclosure if you frequently miss payments. Some of the most popular home equity options include:
Borrowing from friends and family may be the best option for better credit. It's a great way to avoid loans with expensive interest rates and fees. Although it can seem awkward, having an honest conversation about your financial needs can go a long way in avoiding any misunderstandings down the line. You should also develop an agreement that outlines the repayment terms and interest rate, if any.
Disclaimer: