Banks and credit unions tend to be the more obvious choices when it comes to getting a personal loan or any other type of loan product, but these entities typically have very strict lending standards. Those with poor credit or finances can find it very difficult to qualify through banks and traditional lenders. In cases like these, applying with direct private lenders for personal loans in Canada is a great alternative.
What Are Direct Private Lenders For Personal Loans In Canada?
These private lenders are individuals or groups of people who loan out their own capital to others who need large quantities of money to make a large purchase or cover a costly expense with no middlemen involved.
Private lenders are in the business to make money from the funds they loan out, which they can earn through interest or a cut from any profits made. The money is then repaid through regular installment payments or through a lump sum payment made by a certain date.
Pros And Cons Of Direct Private Lenders For Personal Loans In Canada
There are several reasons why you may want to fund your purchase using financing products from private lenders. But there are a few drawbacks that are also worth mentioning. Let’s break down the pros and cons of working with a direct private lender.
Pros Of Direct Private Lenders For Personal Loans In Canada
- Any Credit Is Accepted – With direct private lenders, you don’t need a good credit score to qualify (which is typically the case with traditional lenders). They typically accept borrowers with a wide range of credit histories including bad ones.
- Funding Time – These private lenders for personal loans often have an automated underwriting process that speeds up approval and funding times. Some lenders will provide the loan within a day after submitting the loan application.
- All Online – When you apply for a loan through direct private lenders, the entire process can usually be completed online. From the application to the funding, it can all be done online.
- Flexible Terms – Whether you’re looking for a short-term loan or a long-term loan, you can find terms between 3 months to 5 years with most private lenders.
Cons Of Direct Private Lenders For Personal Loans In Canada
- Interest Rates Can Be High – Interest rates tend to be higher than traditional loans. However, by law, no lender can charge you an APR over 35%.
- Fees – Additionally, when working with direct private lenders, there are certain fees to beware including administrative and loan origination fees.
Can You Get A Personal Loan With A Direct Private Lender If You Have Bad Credit?
As mentioned above, you may not need a high credit score to secure a loan with a private lender. These types of alternative lenders do not care so much about a borrower’s credit score as a bank would. Instead, they place more weight on other factors, including;
- Your income level – Income is one of the main attributes when qualifying for a bad credit loan. So long as you have a big enough income to support your loan payments, your lender will consider you for a loan.
- Your employment stability – Direct private lenders usually want you to be employed for at least 3 months to ensure the stability of your job. The more stable you are, the less risky you’ll seem.
- Your debt-to-income ratio – Lenders will asses your debt-to-income ratio to see if you can afford another loan.
- The security you provide – For instance, private lenders may care more about the value of the collateral you may be using to secure the loan. That way, if you default, they have something valuable that they can recoup and sell to make up for any potential losses.
- Your overall financial health – Also, private lenders may also be more interested in your latest financial activity. Your credit score could be low as a result of past irresponsible behaviour, but you may have been making a valiant effort over the recent past to make your bill payments on time.
What Documents Do I Need When Applying For A Personal Loan With A Direct Private Lender?
When you apply for a loan, there are certain pieces of information that the lender will want to look at before you get approved. With traditional lending channels, the paperwork you’d need to submit is typically extensive. Traditional lenders will want to make sure that you are a reliable borrower who will be diligent at making payments to pay off your loan.
Lenders prefer to deal with borrowers who pose little risk, and the best way to make sure they avoid risky applicants is by conducting extensive research, which is done by reviewing all the documentation that they request from you.
With a direct private lender, however, the paperwork required to be submitted is much less extensive. Applying for a personal loan from a lender in this sphere is simpler and much more streamlined.
Generally speaking, you can expect to provide the following documentation:
- Proof of age: You’ll need to be the age of majority to get a loan
- Proof of address: This will verify that you are a permanent resident of Canada
- Existing loan documentation: The lender may want to see how much of your income is already going toward other debt obligations
- Proof of employment and income: The lender will want to verify if you are working and if your income will adequately cover the loan payments
Cost Of Borrowing A Personal Loan From A Private Lender
As with any other type of loan, a personal loan from a private lender comes with certain costs. These can include interest and fees that the lender will charge to cover the costs of administering the loan and profit from the transaction.
While it’s understandable that fees may be involved, it’s important that these costs are transparent and advertised clearly. There are some predatory private lenders who have hidden fees attached to their loan products that borrowers do not find out about until after they’ve signed on the dotted line.
It’s important that you make sure that all fees are communicated upfront and are easily found in the details of the contract before you commit. If the fees aren’t properly communicated to you, here’s how it can affect the cost of your loan.
For example, if you take out a $5,000 loan with an interest rate of 7.5%, the total cost of the loan would be $5,400, but due to the added fees, it jumps up to $6,100. With the added costs of the fees, your interest jumps to an APR of 22.9%.
| Loan Amount | $5,000 |
| Interest | 7.5% |
| Upfront Fees | $700 |
| Loan Term | 24 |
| Monthly Payment | $225 |
| Total Paid | $6,100 |
| Total Interest Paid | $400 |
| Loan APR | 22.9% |
Are Direct Private Lenders For Personal Loans In Canada Safe?
There are many private lenders out there who are safe to work with. But unfortunately, as mentioned earlier, there are some who may practice predatory activities and are only out there to scam borrowers and make a quick buck. Before you apply for a loan with a private lender, make sure that you look out for certain things, such as:
- The lender’s experience in the lending industry
- The lender’s rates and terms
- Reviews and complaints on the Better Business Bureau (BBB)
- Other online reviews
- “Guarantee” of approval (which no one can or should really make)
- Required insurance payments upfront (which is illegal in Canada)
These are all red flags that you may be dealing with a scammer who is only in it to get you into a deal you will have trouble getting out of. Stay away from these lenders and look elsewhere.
Final Thoughts
Private lenders offer borrowers a different path when it comes to obtaining a personal loan. While banks and credit unions are an option, private lenders may provide those with subpar credit a better chance of loan approval. Be sure to work with the right lender who can provide you with the loan you need without putting you in a position where you are unable to make good on your loan payments.
FAQ's About Working With Direct Private Lenders
Can I get a personal loan with a direct private lender if I have bad credit?
Who can apply for a personal loan with a direct private lender?
- Over the age of 18 years
- Canadian resident
- Has a bank account
- Is employed with a certain level of income
- Has a strong debt-to-income ratio (which shows how much of your monthly income is dedicated to paying off existing monthly debt)
