Personal loans in Nova Scotia

If you need access to money in a hurry, a personal loan can provide you with anywhere from $500 to $50,000. They can be used for any legitimate purpose, from paying for car repairs to covering unpaid bills. But before applying, you’ll need to compare your personal loan options to find the best deal for your needs.

Are personal loans legal in Nova Scotia?

Personal loans are legal in Nova Scotia, and lenders can legally charge up to 60% in interest. Payday loans, on the other hand, are limited to a maximum charge of $17 in fees per $100 borrowed.

Here’s the basic facts about personal loans in Nova Scotia:

• Typical Term: 6 – 60 months
• Amount borrowed: $500 – $50,000
• Interest rate range: 6% to 47%
• Maximum interest: 60%
• Types of loans: Secured or unsecured; fixed rate or variable rate

Types of personal loans

• Secured. Secured personal loans involve using an asset you own, such as your house or investments, as collateral. They tend to have lower interest rates because you reduce the lender’s risk by offering collateral.
• Unsecured. As the name suggests, an unsecured personal loan does not involve collateral. They tend to have high interest rates than secured personal loans.
• Fixed rate. With this loan, you get a fixed interest rate, which means your payments stay consistent throughout the loan term.
• Variable rate. This loan’s interest rate fluctuates with the markets, which impacts your repayments.

Where do I find personal loans in Nova Scotia?

• Banks. Banks are a solid option for borrowers with good to excellent credit. They usually offer the best interest rates but tend to have a more involved application process. It takes 1 to 4 weeks to get a personal loan from a bank.
• Credit unions. Like banks, credit unions offer competitive interest rates. However, you might need to become a member in order to apply for a loan. It takes 1 to 4 weeks to get a credit union loan.
• Online lenders. Online lenders are faster to fund loans than banks and credit unions. You can get an online personal loan within 1 to 3 business days. This group tends to be your best bet if you have bad credit – or no credit at all – as they have more flexible lending criteria. Compare online lenders now.
• Peer-to-peer lending platform. With a peer-to-peer lending platform like goPeer, your loan is funded by everyday Canadian investors, and you may be able to get a lower interest rate than what you get from banks if your finances are strong. A peer-to-peer personal loan takes around 1 to 2 weeks.

How to compare personal loans

Keep these factors in mind when you’re searching for a personal loan:

• Amount. Loan amount varies from lender to lender. Some max out at $10,000, while others max out at $50,000. Banks and credit unions can fund larger loan amounts than online lenders or peer-to-peer lenders.
• Loan term. Loan term usually ranges from 6 months to 5 years, sometimes longer. The longer the loan term, the more interest you pay overall.
• Interest rates. Compare interest rates before agreeing to a personal loan. People with bad credit will end up paying higher interest rates. Your aim is to get the lowest interest rate possible and the shortest loan term while still being able to manage your monthly payments.
• Other fees. Don’t fixate solely on the interest rate. Check whether the lender charges extra fees, such as an origination fee (admin fee to process your loan), penalty charges for late payments or prepayment penalties for paying off your loan early.

Personal loan costs in Nova Scotia

Lenders in Nova Scotia can charge a maximum of 60% interest on personal loans according to federal law. While this is the maximum, most lenders charge between 6% to 47%, and you can typically save money by borrowing from your bank or a credit union. Online lenders tend to be more expensive, but you may be able to find one charging rates on par with your financial institution.

Comparing providers

Interest rates depend on your credit history as well as what type of loan you’re taking out (secured or unsecured) and the type of lender you borrow from. The example below illustrates the overall cost of a $5,000 loan over a 36-month term with four different providers.

Lender	Interest rate	Monthly amount	Total cost
Credit union	7.84%	$156.31	$5,627.27
Bank	11.99%	$166.05	$5,977.72
Online lender	19.99%	$185.79	$6,688.53
Peer-to-peer lender	9.5%	$160.16	$5,765.93

In this example, a credit union is the least expensive option. This is why it pays to compare a number of different options before settling on a provider.

How can I apply for a personal loan?

You can typically apply for a personal loan either in person or online. If you decide to borrow online, you can submit an application in as little as five minutes, and may be approved almost instantly. Applying at a physical location may take a little longer. Before applying, be sure you meet the eligibility requirements and gather the necessary documents.

• Eligibility requirements

  • Be at least 18 years of age, or the age of majority in your province or territory.
  • Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident with a permanent address.
  • Have a regular income.
  • Have a working bank account.

• Required documents

  You may be asked to produce the following basic details as evidence:

  • Personal details, including your name, date of birth, Social Insurance Number and a valid form of ID
  • Contact details, such as your residential address, email address and phone number
  • Details about your employment and income

Can you get no credit check loans in Nova Scotia?

It’s possible to get a no credit check loan. Instead of examining your credit, lenders will focus on your income – how much you get regularly and how stable it is. But no credit check loans often come with very steep interest rates; since lenders don’t know your credit score, they will err on the side of caution and assume it’s bad.

If you’re concerned that your credit score is too low to allow you to qualify for a loan, your best bet would be to look into a lender that specializes in bad credit loans. This type of lender can approve borrowers even with bad credit. Compare personal loans for bad credit.

How can a personal loan in Nova Scotia benefit me?

People often use personal loans to cover unforeseen, large expenses or to consolidate high-interest debts at a lower rate. In addition, personal loans are frequently used to help borrowers build their credit scores, particularly if the lender reports on-time payments to the credit bureaus.

If you want to take out a personal loan, only borrow as much as you’ll be able to repay in full by the deadline. You should always try to make your payments on time to avoid additional charges and fees and make sure to communicate with your lender if you’re having difficulty making your payments. If you default, your loan will be sent to collections and you may receive a negative mark on your credit score which can stay there for up to seven years.

How can I tell if a lender in Nova Scotia is legit?

The best way to make sure a lender is legit is to check their credentials with Service Nova Scotia. Look for the following signs to make sure you’re working with a reputable business.

• The lender displays a Nova Scotia licence number. A licence is required to be displayed in-shop by the lender, and you can also contact Service Nova Scotia to check if a lender is licensed.
• It provides contracts in the language you use to speak with your lender. Your lender can’t provide a contract in a language you don’t speak or aren’t comfortable conversing in. If you communicate in French, the contract will need to be in French.
• It follows rate and fee regulations. Stay away from lenders who charge more than 60% interest on personal loans.

• Sample Loan Agreement

  The following information should be included in any loan agreement. Read over the agreement thoroughly to be sure you’re working with a reputable lender.

  The rates and fees are used as an example only.

  Principal Amount	$10,000
  Annual Interest Rate	10.75%. Fixed rate per year. This interest is compounded twice per year but charged monthly.
  Annual Percentage Rate	10.75%. The interest rate for a whole year (annualized) including applicable fees such as service charge, loan origination fees or administrative fees when applicable.
  Term	5 years. The term of the loan is closed for the whole five years, which means that you cannot pay down more than your prepayment privilege without paying a penalty.
  Date of Advance	July 15, 2021. This is the date your funds will be advanced. Interest will be calculated and charged from this date on.
  Payments	$216.18 on the 1st of every month. Your payment is payable monthly and includes payment toward both principal and interest.
  Amortization Period	5 years. Based on the current terms and conditions, your loan will take five years to pay in full.
  Prepayment Privilege	N/A
  Prepayment Charges	N/A
  Default Insurance	N/A
  Other Fees	Returned or refused payment due to insufficient funds: $40.00

  How to file a complaint against a lender

  You can contact Service Nova Scotia to discuss your options for filing a complaint. They will typically conduct an investigation if they believe that a personal loans company has breached Nova Scotia’s consumer protection laws.

  Personal loan alternatives in Nova Scotia

  If you’re struggling to make ends meet every month, then a personal loan might not be the right option for you. Check out some of these low-cost alternatives before you head to your nearest lender.

  Nova Scotia assistance programs

  Nova Scotia has a number of programs that can provide some much-needed relief for residents and newcomers who are struggling to make ends meet.

  • Income assistance program helps people in financial need with basic needs such as food, rent, utilities like heat and electricity, and clothing.
  • Affordable Housing program provides subsidized rental housing to low-income families, seniors and individuals who cannot afford other housing options.
  • Employment Support Services (ESS) offers career counselling advice and assistance to people who are struggling to find or maintain employment.
  • Disability Support Program (DSP) gives support to individuals with intellectual/physical disabilities or long term mental illness.

  Credit counselling

  If you have an overwhelming amount of debt and aren’t sure how to reign in your finances, you might like to register for Service Nova Scotia’s Debt Assistance Program or another credit counselling program. These not-for-profit programs are designed to help low-income residents stay afloat, while managing and consolidating their debts.

  Bottom line

  If you’re looking for a fast and convenient solution to a short-term financial problem, then a personal loan might be the right fit for you. Make sure to shop around to find the best deal and consider other options if you don’t think you can meet your repayment terms. Compare personal loans.

  Have more questions about personal loans?

  • Can I get a personal loan in Nova Scotia if I'm unemployed?

    You could, although it’ll depend on the lender – and you’ll need some form of income. You might be able to get approved for a loan if you receive a pension, disability, social security or other government benefits because many lenders consider these to be a type of regular income. You will have more trouble securing a loan if you don’t have any money coming in at all.

  • How long does it take to get approved for a personal loan?

    Depending on the lender, you may be able to receive your loan as soon as the next business day if you apply online. Some lenders may even be able to get you your money the same day, while banks and credit unions may take a few days to approve and disburse your loan funds.

  • Can a lender have me arrested if I don't repay the loan?

    Not exactly. Lenders can sue for damages if you don’t repay your loan, but this won’t result in your arrest.

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  Claire Horwood

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  Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, and an Associate’s Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire’s coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. In her spare time, Claire enjoys rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.

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