Get a free, no obligation personal loan quote with rates as low as 9.90%
Get Started You can apply with no impact to your credit score

As of Monday, October 17, 2022, Refresh Financial, will no longer be offering its secured credit card. With its recent acquisition by Borrowell, the Refresh product offerings are being updated to better serve its audience. Refresh Financial will continue to offer its Credit Builder Loan. 

The Refresh Financial Credit Builder Loan

For Canadian consumers who are looking to stick with Refresh and want to continue to make credit improvement a goal for the upcoming year, their Credit Builder Loan is an alternate option. 

The Refresh Financial Credit Builder Loan can be considered a credit building program, as consumers won’t receive any upfront money. Instead, users will choose between four payment options and make bi-weekly payments to Refresh. These payments will be deposited into a secured account and reported to both credit bureaus to help build payment history.

After either 36 or 60 months, consumers can access the money saved in their secured account, minus fees and interest.

Consumers can choose from the following four payment options:

  • $21.37 bi-weekly for 36 months
  • $21.37 bi-weekly for 36 months
  • $60.97 bi-weekly for 60 months
  • $121.94 bi-weekly for 60 months

No credit history is required to get approved for the Refresh Financial Credit Builder Loan and borrowers can cancel at any time. 

Alternate Options Available For Canadian Consumers Looking To Build Better Credit

For consumers looking for more credit building solutions to meet their needs, there are a wide variety of options currently available. 

Neo Secured Credit

With Neo Secured Credit, consumers are guaranteed instant approval if they’re able to provide the minimum security funds. Once approved, they can use the secured credit card to earn 1% cashback on gas and groceries and 0.5% guaranteed monthly minimum cashback with partners and build their credit. 

When consumers use the Neo Secured Credit card and make on-time payments, Neo will report them to TransUnion, which will help them build a positive payment history. Moreover, Neo Secured Credit has no annual fees.  

KOHO Two Credit Building Programs

When consumers sign up for KOHO’s spendable account, they can choose between two credit building products.

KOHO’s Credit Building Program

This Credit Building Program comes with a monthly subscription fee of $10 (discounted prices available to those who update their KOHO account). Users can stay opted in for as many months as they want. KOHO recommends at least 3 for best results. When a consumer subscribes, KOHO will open a line of credit for them and use their monthly subscription fee as payment toward the line of credit. These payments are then reported to the credit bureau, which helps create a positive payment history. 

The more on-time payments a user makes, the more positively it may affect their credit scores. Note that users must first sign up for the free KOHO Account to access the Credit Building Program.

KOHO’s Flexible Credit Building

This option is a secured line of credit. Users can deposit between $30 and $500 into their KOHO accounts. Use the funds to make purchases and then repay what they owe at the end of the month. Payments are reported to a credit bureau, which can help build a positive credit history.

Or, account holders can choose to use both options and supercharge their credit building.

Spring Credit Building Product 

The Foundation by Spring Financial is a credit building program that also allows users to not only build credit but save money. The Foundation involves making bi-weekly payments of $55 for 12 months. Users can opt for lower payments by extending the term by 6 months. Each payment made by the user is reported to a credit bureau and a portion of the payment is set aside as savings for the user.

At the end of the 12-month period, the user will have built up their payment history which should help lead to better credit scores. Moreover, they’ll get back $750 in savings that they can put toward paying off debt or other savings goals.

Caitlin Wood, BA avatar on Loans Canada
Caitlin Wood, BA

Caitlin Wood is the Editor-in-Chief at Loans Canada and specializes in personal finance. She is a graduate of Dawson College and Concordia University and has been working in the personal finance industry for over eight years. Caitlin has covered various subjects such as debt, credit, and loans. Her work has been published on Zoocasa, GoDaddy, and deBanked. She believes that education and knowledge are the two most important factors in the creation of healthy financial habits. She also believes that openly discussing money and credit, and the responsibilities that come with them can lead to better decisions and a greater sense of financial security.

More From This Author

Special Offers

More From Our Experts

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Cottage-mortgage.png
How To Get A Mortgage On A Cottage In Canada: The Ultimate Guide

By Sean Cooper
Published on October 1, 2024

From larger down payments to passing the stress test and understanding the tax implications, there’s a lot to consider when buying a cottage.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Buying-House-Consumer-Proposal.png
Can You Get A Mortgage While In A Consumer Proposal?

By Jessica Martel

Are you currently in the middle of a consumer proposal but thinking about buying a home? This is everything you need to know.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/safe-investments-canada.png
Top Safe Investments In Canada: Best Low-Risk Ways To Invest In 2024

By Tony Dong, MSc, CETF

Looking to start investing your hard earned money to prepare for the future? Keep reading because we're talking all about risky vs. safe investments.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Renting-Out-Your-Basement-Suite-1.png
Renting Out Your Basement Suite

By Lisa Rennie

Check out how turning your basement into a suite and renting it out is one of the most effective ways to invest in real estate and grow wealth.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Shortsale.png
What Is A Short Sale In Canada?

By Lisa Rennie

What is a short sale, when does it occur and what are the financial repercussions?

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Consolidate-Tax-Debt.png
Can You Consolidate Tax Debt in Canada?

By Sandra MacGregor

There are many ways you can consolidate tax debt in Canada. Find out how you can consolidate your tax debt to avoid penalties from the CRA.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/car-repossession-loopholes.png
Can You Get Your Car Back After Repossession?

By Jun Ho

Are you afraid your car may be repossessed? Check out these car repossession loopholes you can use in Ontario to help avoid the repossession.

https://loanscanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/senior-care-heloc.png
Can You Use Your Home Equity To Pay For Long-Term Senior Care?

By Lisa Rennie

While some seniors have enough savings to cover long-term care, others do not. Find out how you can finance these costs, including using your home equ...

Recognized As One Of Canada's Top Growing Companies

Loans Canada, the country's original loan comparison platform, is proud to be recognized as one of Canada's fastest growing companies by The Globe and Mail!

Read More

Why choose Loans Canada?

Apply Once &
Get Multiple Offers
Save Time
And Money
Get Your Free
Credit Score
Free
Service
Expert Tips
And Advice
Exclusive
Offers

Build Credit For Just $10/Month

With KOHO's prepaid card you can build a better credit score for just $10/month.

Koho Prepaid Credit Card