You know, getting a bad credit loan is not hard and pretty painless. Plus, it seems like getting a bad credit loan doesn’t mean going to one of Canada’s big 6 Banks anymore. You can apply online to get a bad credit loan from a reliable company and – poof! – you get approved and funded in under 24 hours.
In fact, if you are looking for a loan for bad credit in Canada, just keep reading. We have a list of some reliable lenders that can help you get the money you need.
To Be Clear – Can You Get A Loan With Bad Credit?
The answer is: of course you can! Having bad credit doesn’t mean you have no options when it comes to applying for and getting approved for a loan.
Best Bad Credit Loans In Canada
| Amount | APR | Term (months) | Type of Loan | ||
 | Up to $35,000 | 26.99% - 39.99% | 6 - 60 | Secured & unsecured | More Info |
 | Up to $15,000 | 29.99% - 46.96% | 9 - 60 | Personal loan | More Info |
 | $5,000 - $35,000 | 5.9% - 45.9% | 12 - 60 | Personal loan | More Info |
 | $1,000 -$35,000 | 5.99% - 29.19% | 36 - 60 | Persona loan | More Info |
 | Up to $5,000 | 19.9% - 45.9% | 3 - 36 | Personal loan | More Info |
 | Up to $10,000 | 43% | 36 - 60 | Guarantor loan | More Info |
 | Up to $3,000 | 22% - 35% | 3 - 4 | Installment loan | More Info |
 | $1,600 - $25,000 | 9.47% - 20.07% | 36 - 60 | Secured Savings Loan | More Info |
 | Up to $20,000 | 19.44% - 31.90% | 36 - 84 | Consumer Proposal Exit Loan | More Info |
How Can You Qualify For A Bad Credit Loan in Canada?
First, you have to research the lender. However, there are a few things you can do to get approved for the best bad credit loan in 2023, such as:
- Have a full-time job for at least a few months
- Increase your income and save up as much as possible
- Consolidate your current debts to lower your debt-to-income ratio
- Offer an asset (vehicle, real estate, etc.) as collateral for a secured loan
- Find a borrower to cosign your application
The truth is that if you show that you can pay your debts on time, lenders will reward you with a better interest rate and repayment plan. Plus, they might approve you for a bigger bad credit loan amount. The less risky your lender considers you, the better the result.
Types Of Bad Credit Loans In Canada
| Loan Amount | Loan Term | Interest Rate | ||
| Bad Credit Personal Loan | $500 - $10,000 | 12 - 60 months | 19% - 46.96% | Learn More |
| Payday Loan | $100 - $1000 | 2 weeks | $15 to $25 for every $100 borrowed | Learn More |
| Vehicle Title Loan | $500 - $50,000 | 12 - 60 months | 9.9% - 46.96% | Learn More |
| Credit Builder Loan | $1,250 - $10,000 | 6 -12 months | 2% - 19.99% | Learn More |
How Can You Apply For Bad Credit Loans Online?
1. Review Your Finances And Your Credit Score
Before applying for any type of loan, whether you have bad credit or not, you should review your financial situation and even check your credit score. This will help you better understand what type of offer you expect to receive.
2. Compare Lenders
Depending on the loan you want and your financial situation, it’s likely that certain lenders will be a better fit for you. This is why it’s so important to compare lenders. Compare interest rates, loan amounts, fees, and the total cost of the loan once you’ve paid it back, and check out consumer reviews.
3. Gather Documents
While application requirements can vary from lender to lender, make sure you have the following documents and information ready to help facilitate the application process.
- Government-issued I.D.
- 3 months’ worth of bank statements
- Proof of address
- Proof of income/ employment
4. Apply For Bad Credit Loans Online!
Once you’ve decided on which lender you want to apply with, it’s time to submit an application. The majority of bad credit lenders will have an online application system which means you won’t have to leave your house to apply.
5. Wait For Your Bad Credit Loan Approval
Most alternative lenders can now get back to you within 24 hours. Others will get back to applications within a few days. Make sure you check your email or answer your phone in case the lender requires more information or has questions for you.
6. Get Funded
Once approved, you can expect to receive your loan within 24 hours. Most lenders can send funds via Interac e-Transfer or direct deposit.
Find Providers in Your Area
How Much Do Bad Credit Loans Cost?
Before you apply for a bad credit loan, it’s extremely important to think about your budget and the associated costs of the loan.
- Interest – What your lender charges to borrow from them. The lower your interest rate is, the cheaper your loan will be. However, bad credit lenders often charge higher rates because they are taking on riskier clients.
- Fees – All too often, borrowers don’t think about the fees their lender could charge, whether they are for each payment or a one-time cost. These fees can include loan origination, preparation of documents, and other administrative services.
- Penalties – If you pay your loan installments on time, then you shouldn’t have to worry about penalties. Unfortunately, every late, incomplete, or missed payment will lead to a penalty fee.
- Term – The length of your loan term, as well as the size and frequency of your payments, are also important. While a longer term means more affordable payments, a shorter term and larger payments mean the total cost of your loan will be lower.
| APR | Monthly Payment | Total Interest | Total Cost |
| 10% | $87.92 | $54.99 | $1,054.99 |
| 20% | $92.63 | $111.61 | $1,111.61 |
| 30% | $97.49 | $169.85 | $1,169.85 |
| 40% | $102.47 | $229.66 | $1,229.66 |
What Is Bad Credit?
Bad credit can be difficult to understand, especially if you’ve just started using credit products. Here’s an example of how credit works:
- When you use your first credit card, your provider will begin reporting your payment activity to Equifax and/or TransUnion, Canada’s credit bureaus.
- Each bureau will create a slightly different credit report in your name. This document contains all your credit-related actions over the past few years.
- You will also have a 3-digit credit score ranging from 300 to 900, which summarizes how healthy your credit is. Keep in mind that credit users have more than one credit score.
- If you apply for another credit product, such as a loan, many lenders will check your credit to know how risky you would be as a potential client.
What Happens When You Have Good Credit?
If your score is in the “good” range of 660 – 900, it’s generally because you’re a responsible borrower. As such, lenders will assume you’re more likely to pay your debts on time, so it will be easier for you to get approved for a large amount of credit, a lower interest rate, and an appealing payment plan.
What Happens When You Have Bad Credit?
If you haven’t been paying your previous debts responsibly, your credit score can quickly fall into the “bad” range of 300 – 659. By checking your credit history, lenders can also see every payment you’ve missed over the past few years. As a result, they will consider you more of a liability, so you may only qualify for a small amount of credit, a high-interest rate, and a restrictive payment plan.
Unfortunately, while late or missed payments are the fastest ways to decrease your credit score, there are a few other events that can lead to bad credit, such as:
- Uncorrected errors on your credit report (wrong name, address, etc.)
- Having your identity, credit card, or banking information stolen
- Moving without informing your lender(s) of your new address
- Having too much revolving debt on your credit card or line of credit
- Applying for credit too often (every time a lender checks your credit, a hard inquiry will appear on your report and decrease your score slightly)
Should You Add Get A Secured Bad Credit Loan?
When you offer an asset as collateral, your lender will temporarily own it until your loan is fully paid. So, if you default on too many payments and don’t negotiate the situation, they will have the right to seize your asset and sell it to cover your debt. The added security of the collateral can not only help you secure a bad credit loan but may help you qualify for lower interest rates.
Should You Add A Co-Signer To Your Bad Credit Loan?
While having someone cosign your application can lead to better rates and loan conditions, there are certain risks that come with it:
- By co-signing your application, your guarantor is agreeing to cover your payment(s) if you can’t afford to.
- If they end up responsible for your payments but also cannot afford them, they could be subject to the same penalties and credit damage as you would if they were still your responsibility.
Pros And Cons Of Bad Credit Loans
Bad credit loans can be beneficial when you’re in need, but there are also many drawbacks associated with them that you must consider. Check out these pros and cons of bad credit loans before you give away any information:
Pros Of Bad Credit Loans
- Easier Approval Requirements – Many loan companies that accept bad credit have lower requirements for approval. Most simply require you have the financial capability to repay the loan.
- Fast And Convenient – Many bad credit loans are offered by online loan companies, meaning you can complete your entire application online. Moreover, applications are usually short and simple and you can expect to receive your funds within a couple of hours or days.
- No Credit Check – Certain bad credit loan companies don’t require credit checks.
- Can Build Credit – If your bad credit loan company reports payments to the credit bureau, it can help you build a positive payment history which may help you gradually improve your credit.
Cons Of Bad Credit Loans
- Higher Loan Cost – Generally, loan companies that accept bad credit charge higher interest rates, fees, and penalties.
- Qualify For Less – Loan companies for bad credit usually offer smaller loan amounts and more restrictive payment terms.
- More Chance Of Scamming – Private lending companies are harder to regulate, leading to a higher possibility of scamming, fraud, and illegal rates.
Additional Reading
What Can You Use A Bad Credit Loan For?
Essentially, a bad credit loan is a lump sum of money that you can borrow from various lenders in Canada. That sum is normally deposited directly into your bank account and you would repay it through divided installments. Unlike some traditional credit products, a bad credit loan can help you:
- Get approved for credit with few requirements, even with weaker finances
- Cover your expenses during unemployment or other financial emergencies
- Gradually build good credit when you make full payments on time
Despite all these benefits, you should always research and compare a few lenders in your area before applying for a bad credit loan. That’s because every lender offers different loan amounts, interest rates, payment plans, and approval requirements.
How To Improve Bad Credit?
If your borrowing needs are not urgent, consider improving your credit prior to applying for a loan in order to increase your chances of approval and qualifying for a lower interest rate.
- Check your credit report for errors and have them corrected.
- Pay all your utility, cell phone, and internet bills on time
- Use a secured credit card to make responsible payments
- Avoid applying for too many credit products within the same year
- Increase your credit limit and don’t carry too much revolving debt
- Avoid minimum or partial payments (this helps reduce interest)
Borrow Up To $50,000
Bad Credit Loan FAQs
Can I get a bad credit loan from a bank?
Can I still get a bad credit loan if I have a consumer proposal on my credit report?
Should I get a secured or unsecured bad credit loan?
Do bad credit loans get reported to the credit bureaus?
Bottom Line About Bad Credit Loans
While bad credit can make it difficult to get approved for a regular loan from a bank, you can still get a loan with bad credit. There are many online bad credit lenders who base their approval on your overall financial health.
If you want an easy way to get matched with a bad credit lender, submit a request with Loans Canada today. We can find you a lender that accepts bad credit and meets your needs.
