If you’re having trouble getting approved for a personal loan from a traditional lender, there are other options available. Alternative lenders offer bad credit loans in Alberta, making it possible to gain fast access to the funds you need. However, be prepared for high interest rates and fees.
This guide covers a variety of loans available to Albertans with bad credit, so you can compare your options to find the best one for your needs.
Jump to:
- Personal loans (harder to get)
- Cash advance apps (easier to get)
- Payday loans (easier to get)
Compare bad credit personal loans in Alberta
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How we picked theseFinder Score for personal loans
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 40+ personal loans are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
Compare cash advance apps for bad credit
Finder Score for cash advance apps
To make comparing even easier, we came up with the Finder Score. Interest rates, fees and features across 5+ cash advance apps are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the loan—simple.
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loans
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for long-term borrowing, with up to $14 charged per $100 borrowed. If you're experiencing financial hardship, consider calling Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.Compare payday loans for bad credit
Key takeaways
- If traditional banks decline your application due to poor credit, alternative lenders in Alberta offer bad credit loans, providing quicker access to funds. You can get a personal loan, cash advance or payday loan.
- Be cautious of steep interest rates and fees associated with bad credit loans. Lenders charge high rates to offset the increased risk of lending to individuals with poor credit histories. Make sure to apply to a licensed lender.
- You can apply online for a bad credit loan. Instant funding is available for cash advance apps and payday loans, while same-day or next-day funding is available for personal loans.
What are the interest rates of bad credit personal loans in Alberta?
As of January 1, 2025, personal loan lenders in Alberta and everywhere else in Canada can’t charge you more than 35% APR. This is a big reduction from the previous maximum of 47% APR.
Cash advance apps have 0% interest and no mandatory fees for three-day delivery. You’ll pay a monthly fee if you want instant funding.
Finally, payday loans cost $14 for every $100 borrowed, which typically works out to APRs over 100%. Due to their high cost, they’re only suitable as a last resort.
What do bad credit loans in Alberta have in common?
Bad credit loans in Alberta share these key features:
- Easy eligibility requirements. Rather than focusing on your credit score, lenders will examine your income and spending to determine whether you can repay their loan.
- Convenient. You can get a loan without ever leaving your home, and you can get your money as soon as the same day.
- Unsecured. While some bad credit loans require collateral, such as car title loans, many do not.
- Lower loan amounts. Generally, subprime lenders offer smaller loan amounts than prime lenders. Because borrowers with bad credit are more likely to default, lenders reduce their risk by limiting how much they lend.
How do they differ?
While personal loans, cash advance apps and payday loans share some similarities, they differ in several important ways. Personal loans generally let you borrow larger amounts than payday loans or cash advance apps, and they can be repaid over months or even years. Payday loans in Alberta, by contrast, must be repaid within 62 days in at least two installments. Cash advance apps usually have short repayment periods like payday loans, but they often allow extensions.
Costs also vary: cash advance apps don’t charge interest but may require a subscription fee for instant funding, while both personal loans and payday loans charge interest.
Do I qualify?
There’s a chance to get a bad credit loan if you’re at least 18 years old, have an active bank account in your name, and you’re not spending more than you’re earning every month. Having no active payday loan debt will also help you qualify.
If you’re looking for lenders with the highest chances of approval, check out cash advance apps like KOHO, Bree and Nyble. KOHO, for example, doesn’t do credit checks and has no job or income requirements.
What to watch out for with bad credit personal loans
There are a few risks and traps you should be aware of before you take out a bad credit loan in Alberta:
- Expensive. Lenders view borrowers with bad credit as being at a higher risk of defaulting on their loans. As a result, bad credit personal loans in Alberta come with higher interest rates than traditional personal loans and will cost more to repay.
- Fees and charges. Make sure you’re aware of any fees that apply to your loan. These may include origination or admin fees, broker fees, late payment penalties and fees for repaying the loan early. Remember to check any loan’s annual percentage rate (APR) to get a clear picture of how much it will cost.
- Predatory lenders. Unfortunately, you’ll need to be wary of personal loan scams when searching for a bad credit loan, so it’s important to research your lender carefully. Make sure the lender is registered in Alberta, and review all loan documents carefully before you sign on the dotted line.
How to get a loan with bad credit in Alberta
You can apply for bad credit loans in Alberta by completing the following steps:
- Compare lenders. Explore lenders that offer bad credit loans to Albertans. Check their loan features, eligibility criteria and reputation to make sure they meet your needs.
- Apply online. Fill out an application with your personal details, such as name, contact info and employment situation. You may need to connect your bank account so that the lender can verify your income and identity.
- Get a decision. You’ll usually hear back in a few minutes with most bad credit lenders, especially if you apply to a payday lender or cash advance app.
- Review the loan offer. When you get your official loan offer, read over it carefully. Check the interest rate, fees, loan amount, term and payment schedule before you sign.
- Get your funds. The money will be deposited into your account within a few minutes, a few hours or the next day, depending on the lender you go with.
What can I use a bad credit loan for in Alberta?
You can use an Alberta bad credit loan for just about anything, provided it’s nothing illegal. Most lenders don’t impose any restrictions on how you use the funds, so you might want to use your loan to do the following:
- Pay unexpected bills
- Cover essential day-to-day expenses until your next payday
- Pay for car repairs
- Make a major necessary purchase, such as a new fridge or washing machine
- Consolidate debt
Signs of a legitimate lender of bad credit loans in Alberta
How do you know whether a lender is legitimate? Look for the following signs:
- The lender is licensed. For example, all payday lenders in Alberta must have a payday loan licence. Check if a provider is licensed by searching online through Service Alberta.
- The lender abides by payday loan regulations. Payday loans are regulated in each Canadian province. In Alberta, loans must be $1,500 or less, have a term of 42 - 62 days, and have a maximum fee of $14 for every $100 borrowed.
- The lender is easy to find and contact. Look for a lender with a physical address for their head office and that is contactable via email and phone.
- The lender is transparent about loan costs. Make sure the lender you choose is upfront and honest about how much the loan will cost you. If the rates are unclear or there are hidden fees, walk away.
- The lender doesn’t offer guaranteed approval. Reputable lenders will assess your financial situation before approving a loan, so promising guaranteed approval is a major red flag.
- The lender has positive reviews. Look for a lender with positive reviews on reputable sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau.
Alberta debt at a glance
Between credit cards, lines of credit and other loans (excluding mortgages), Albertans have the highest rate of debt among all provinces in Canada.
According to Equifax Canada, the average non-mortgage debt for Alberta residents in the second quarter of 2025 was $24,659. The average for all of Canada was $22,147.
The delinquency rate increased by 14.77% compared to the second quarter of 2024.
If you need help with debt management, learn about credit counselling services available to you.
Bottom line
It’s still possible to get loans in Alberta even if you’re worried about your credit history. But these types of personal and payday loans are expensive, so make sure you understand the total cost of borrowing before you apply. It’s also important to compare a range of lenders and loans to find the right loan from a reputable lender.
Frequently asked questions
Sources
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