Personal loans for a credit score under 600

If your credit score falls below 600, you may think securing a personal loan is out of reach. This isn’t the case, though. While the range of lenders willing to offer you a loan may be limited, and you may find yourself paying higher interest rates, there are still lenders who can provide you with a fair credit or bad credit loan.

Here’s where you can apply and what you need to know about your personal loan options if your credit score is under 600.

Compare personal loans for a credit score under 600

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Name	Product	Interest Rate	Loan Amount	Loan Term	Requirements	Link
Loans Canada Personal Loan Loans Canada Personal Loan		Secured from 2.00%, Unsecured from 8.00% to 46.96%	$300 - $50,000	3 - 60 months	Requirements: min. credit score 300	Go to site More Info	A broker with the largest lender network in Canada. Fill out one application and get matched for free with lenders.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
FlexMoney Personal Loan FlexMoney Personal Loan		18.90% - 46.93%	$500 - $15,000	6 - 60 months	Requirements: min. income $2,000/month, 3+ months employed, min. credit score 500	Go to site More Info	Apply in less than 10 minutes for an unsecured loan and if approved, receive financing in as little as 24 hours. Pay off your loan any time without penalty.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Spring Financial Personal Loan Spring Financial Personal Loan		17.99% - 46.96%	$500 - $15,000	9 - 48 months	Requirements: min. income $1,800/month, 3+ months employed, min. credit score 500	Go to site More Info	If you're not eligible for an unsecured loan, you may be offered a credit builder loan to help improve your credit score.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
LoanConnect Personal Loan LoanConnect Personal Loan		Secured from 1.90%, Unsecured 6.99%-46.96%	$500 - $50,000	3 - 120 months	Requirements: min. credit score 300	Go to site More Info	Fill out one application with this broker and get pre-approved by different lenders in 5 minutes.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
SkyCap Financial Personal Loan SkyCap Financial Personal Loan		12.99% - 39.99%	$500 - $10,000	9 - 60 months	Requirements: min. income $1,600/month, stable employment, min. credit score 550, no bankruptcy	Go to site More Info	Apply in less than 5 minutes for an unsecured loan and if approved, receive financing in as little as 24 hours.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
OFFER Mogo Personal Loan Mogo Personal Loan	OFFER	9.90% - 46.96%	$200 - $35,000	6 - 60 months	Requirements: min. income $13,000/year, min. credit score 500	Go to site More Info	Get a free quote without affecting your credit score and get an unsecured loan the same day. 100-day money-back guarantee: If you're not happy with your loan, pay back the principal and get the 100 days of paid interest and fees back.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Cash Money Installment Loan Cash Money Installment Loan		46.93%	$500 - $10,000	6 - 60 months	Requirements: stable source of income, min. credit score 560	Go to site More Info	Online installment loans are available in Alberta only. Residents of Manitoba and New Brunswick must apply in-store.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
SECURED Fairstone Secured Personal Loan Fairstone Secured Personal Loan	SECURED	19.99% - 23.99%	$5,000 - $50,000	36 - 120 months	Requirements: must be a homeowner, min. credit score 560	Go to site More Info	Use your home equity to get a secured loan with flexible repayment options. Get a free quote without impacting your credit score.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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What does it mean to have a credit score under 600?

If your credit score falls somewhere between 560 and 659, you fall into the “fair credit” category, according to credit reporting bureau Equifax. Here’s how it breaks down credit score rankings:

• 760 and up: Excellent
• 725 to 759: Very good
• 660 to 724: Good
• 659 to 560: Fair
• Below 560: Poor

Lenders typically see borrowers with credit scores of 660 and up as low-risk borrowers. Falling into the fair credit category means you’ll be less likely to qualify for low interest rates. Major banks will be less inclined to offer you a personal loan, too – they usually provide loans to borrowers with good to excellent credit. And once your credit score dips below 560, you’re wading into bad credit territory. In this instance, narrow your focus to lenders that offer bad credit loans in Canada.

Can I get approved for a loan if my credit score under 600?

Yes. If you’re searching for loans with a credit score under 600, your job is to research lenders that have a minimum credit score requirement that you can meet. Some bad credit lenders have a minimum credit score requirement that’s as low as 300, for example. With your credit score, you can get a secured or unsecured personal loan.

Features of personal loans for a credit score under 600

If you’re looking for a personal loan with a fair or poor credit score, expect these key features:

• Unsecured and secured options. With secured loans, you’re putting collateral on the line, such as your home equity or your car. With unsecured loans, you don’t have to put up any collateral, but you’ll pay higher interest rates compared to secured loans. Getting unsecured loans is also faster since lenders don’t have to estimate the value of your collateral.
• Loan amounts between $500 and $15,000. Personal loans offer flexibility in terms of how much you can apply for, depending on your needs. You can apply for as little as a couple of hundred dollars to thousands. You can even apply for upwards of $15,000 if you choose a secured loan with your house as collateral (also known as a “home equity loan“).
• Higher APRs. Because you’re applying with a credit score under 600, be prepared for interest rates between 15% and 47% for unsecured loans and between 10% and 30% for home equity loans. Your lender is taking a chance on you and will offset the risk with these higher interest rates.
• Loan terms of 6 to 60 months. Take as little or as much time as you need to repay your loan, with terms extending to as long as 5 years. If you’re borrowing a large chunk of money via a secured loan, you can expect terms extending beyond 60 months, too.

How to get a loan with a credit score under 600

If you’re applying for a personal loan with fair or poor credit, follow these steps to help you find the best loan options you can qualify for:

1. Check your credit (and make improvements if you have the time).

Before you get started with an application, check both your credit report and credit score so you have a good read on how you’ll appear to lenders. If you notice any inaccuracies, contact your creditor and the credit bureau to report the error and make sure it’s removed before you apply. If you have the time to spare before applying, take steps to rebuild your credit first. This will help you score a better interest rate and terms.

2. Compare lenders and check their eligibility requirements.

With a credit score under 600, zero in on lenders with a minimum credit score requirement that’s lower than your score. Also check the lenders’ minimum income requirement and serviced provinces.

3. Apply to your top choices and wait for pre-approval.

Once you’ve shortlisted your options, fill out the applications to get pre-approved. Pre-approval for a bad credit personal loan gives you an estimate of the interest rate, loan amounts and terms you’re eligible for.

4. Pick a lender and complete the rest of your application.

If you’re happy with a loan offer, proceed with the rest of the application process. You may need to provide documents such as a copy of your government-issued ID and bank statements.

5. Review and sign your final offer.

Once your lender verifies your identity and your income, you’ll receive your final loan offer. Carefully review your loan agreement. Once you sign your contract, you should receive your loan funds in your bank account within 1 business day.

How do I evaluate my offer?

You’ve submitted your loan application and received a loan offer, but how do you decide if it’s good or not? Here’s what to focus on:

The interest rate

Are you happy with the interest rate the lender is qualifying you for? Shopping around for the lowest interest rate will save you money over the lifetime of your loan. Focus on the annual percentage rate (APR), which is the annual interest rate plus other fees you’ll pay to get the loan.

Terms and repayment options

Are you comfortable with the repayment conditions, such as the amount of time you have, the payment frequency and the payment amount? You may want a lender that allows you to make payments weekly, fortnightly or monthly and gives you the flexibility to make early repayments without penalties.

Principal versus interest

Examine the payment schedule and know how much of your payments is going towards paying the interest versus reducing the principal.

Fees and charges

Fees can add unnecessary costs to your loan, driving up the cost of your loan. Charges you should watch out for are origination fees (fee to process your loan), NSF fees, late payment fees, prepayment penalties and loan insurance.

Customer reviews

Read customer feedback to give you an idea of the quality of service you can expect with your top contenders. You may wish to avoid a lender with a noticeable pattern of complaints.

What are the signs of a legitimate lender?

Ensuring you’re working with a legitimate lender is a crucial step before proceeding. When you’re examining a lender, make sure of the following:

• It’s registered as a business in your province or territory.
• It has a physical address for a head office, a phone number and an email address for customer service. If a lender is missing these key details, this may be a red flag.
• It doesn’t offer “guaranteed approval.” Steer away from any lenders promising approval. No trustworthy and reliable lenders can guarantee you’ll get approved for a personal loan, especially if you have bad credit. Legitimate lenders evaluate a borrower’s financial situation before approving.
• It is well-reviewed, has an active social media presence and has accreditations. Online clout helps to prove a lender’s legitimacy. Does the lender have a lengthy history of reviews from customers? Is it active on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or LinkedIn with frequent posts or responses to customer inquiries? Is it accredited by the Better Business Bureau? You’ll want to find a lender with a decent social imprint.
• It doesn’t pressure you to sign. Avoid lenders that rush you into signing and don’t take the time to explain the terms of the loan to you.
• It’s transparent. Only apply to lenders that are upfront about the interest rate and fees they’re charging you.

Frequently asked questions

• Can you get approved for a loan with a credit score of 600?

  Yes, you can. If your credit score is 600, you fall into the “fair credit” category, according to credit reporting bureau Equifax. While you won’t gain access to the lowest available rates and the widest range of lenders, fair credit loans will still be available to you.

• What kinds of loans can I get with a credit score under 600?

  With a credit score of under 600, you can qualify for a range of loan options including the following:

  • Unsecured personal loans
  • Payday loans
  • Car title loans
  • Home equity loans
  • Credit builder loans

• How big of a loan can I get with a 600 credit score?

  Count on qualifying for a personal loan between $500 and $15,000 if your loan is unsecured. You may be able to borrow more than $15,000 if you’re putting collateral on the line.