Getting a personal loan without a bank account can be difficult. Most lenders require you to have an active bank account to assess your financial health. Thankfully, no bank verification payday loans in Canada exist.
If you don’t have a bank account, you’re not alone. According to a 2021 report by the Canadian Prepaid Payments Organization (CPPO), 10 to 20 million Canadians are either underbanked or unbanked. This means that these individuals do not have access to common banking services and products such as chequing or savings accounts. If you (or someone you know) currently do not have access to a bank account, you can still get a loan.
Can I Apply For A Loan Without A Bank Account?
Yes, Canadian consumers without bank accounts can still apply for certain types of loans, sometimes referred to as no bank verification loans. But, it’s important to understand that options will be limited and typically more expensive than loans from traditional financial institutions.
What Is A No Bank Verification Loan?
As the name suggests, a no bank verification loan is a type of loan that requires no banking information to be verified by the lender. Essentially, you can get a loan without having to provide any bank documentation regarding your finances, assets, debts or bank account.
However, you’ll generally need to provide your pay stub and undergo a credit check in some cases.
Don’t have a job? Find out how you can get a loan while on EI.
No Bank Account Or No Bank Verification Loan Options
Without a bank account, there are only a couple of loan options available to you. These options should only be considered in emergencies as they are expensive and can cause financial hardship if you are unable to pay them back.
No Bank Verification Payday Loans In Canada
Payday loans tend to be pretty popular for situations like these. Such short-term loans are typically made for no more than $1,000 to $1,500 and provide much-needed funds within a very short period. Borrowers can get their hands on the money within as little as 24 hours.
If you don’t have a bank account, you will need to look for a payday lender that will fund the loan via cash or prepaid card.
- Eligibility:
- Canadian resident
- Age of majority in your province
- Proof of income
- Loan Amount: Up to $1,500
- Rate: Depends on provincial rules (between $15 – $25 per $100 borrowed)
- Funding Time: One day or less
No Bank Verification Debit Card Loans In Canada
Certain lenders offer debit card loans. This is where funds are loaded onto a prepaid debit card and mailed to you or can be picked up in person. If you take out a debit card loan from a payday lender, you will have to repay the loan by your next payday with cash. If you take out a debit card loan from another type of lender, you may still need to have a bank account where they can withdraw your payments from.
- Eligibility:
- Canadian resident
- Age of majority in your province
- Proof of income
- Loan Amount: Varies greatly
- Rate: Varies greatly
- Funding Time: As little as 24 hours
Pawn Shop Loans With No Bank Verification
Certain pawn shops offer loans to consumers who provide a valuable item as collateral. The shop keeps the item until you can pay off the loan plus interest. Pawn shop loans are typically small, around $150, and expensive. Interest rates can be 100% or more. Furthermore, if you default on the loan, the shop has the right to sell your item and likely will do so.
- Eligibility:
- Age of majority in your province
- Own a valuable item to use as collateral
- Loan Amount: Depends on the value of the item (on average around $150)
- Rate: Varies
- Funding Time: Immediate (no more than one day)
Can You Get A No Bank Verification Payday Loan in Canada With Bad Credit?
What if you have bad credit or no credit, but don’t want your lender to pull your credit? In that case, you’ll have to provide your bank statements to your lender.
Lenders typically do not want to loan out money that they believe might not be paid back. They will still want some assurance that the loan will be repaid, especially when they are dealing with unsecured loans; that is, loans that do not come with any collateral for lenders to recoup should borrowers default on their loans.
To protect themselves, lenders will typically either want to see specific financial documentation verifying the ability of borrowers to repay the loans they take out or will pull a credit report. The information contained in a credit report will outline a borrower’s payment history and credit utilization. Such information is valuable for lenders to assess a borrower’s ability to repay a loan.
Pros & Cons Of No Bank Verification Payday Loans In Canada
A no bank verification loan may sound great, but like everything else in life, there are some drawbacks. Here we’ve listed both the pros and cons so that you may make an informed decision.
Pros Of No Bank Verification Payday Loans In Canada
- Easy Application: Due to the lack of documents you need to send, the application process is far simpler than applying for a regular loan.
- Faster Approvals: Lenders don’t need to verify you as thoroughly to approve you for a loan. As such the approval times are much quicker.
- No Income Requirement: Since you are not required to provide bank verification, the usual income level requirement does not apply.
Cons Of No Bank Verification Payday Loans In Canada
- High-Interest Rates: Lenders often charge higher interest for the no bank verification loan as it is harder for them to assess your risk. Since the lender is basing your eligibility solely on your credit score and income level, they can’t tell if the loan they give you will tip your debt-to-income ratio into the red zone.
- Small Amounts: If you’re looking for a large loan, a no bank account loan is not the option for you. These types of loans are typically less than $1,500.
Consider Opening A Bank Account: How To Open A Bank Account In Canada
Having a bank account will not only make it easier to apply for loans but will make all aspects of your financial life more convenient.
1. Choose The Right Bank
There are lots of options to choose from when it comes to banks in Canada. You can choose between the Big Five or go for a smaller online-only bank. Check out the types of accounts each offers and choose one that works best for your needs.
2. Apply (In-Person or Online)
If you want to speak to someone face-to-face about your account options, head to the local branch of the bank you chose. Otherwise, most banks have the option to open new accounts online.
3. Submit Documents
Most banks require you to submit proof of address and multiple forms of identification before signing on the dotted line.
4. Deposit Money & Manage Account
Now it’s time to deposit any money you want to hold in the account. Next, you can set up recurring payments, have your paycheque automatically deposited, and track your spending.
Final Thoughts
A no bank verification payday loan in Canada is certainly an option that is available for you whenever you need quick cash to cover a pressing expense. However, you should be aware that these loans are expensive and may cause more harm than good. Take the time to consider your options before taking on any type of financial commitment, whether small or large.
