A bad credit score usually sits under 560 and unfortunately can affect your ability to get approved for a loan. While your options may be more limited, you still have options. Below is a list of some of the best bad credit loans in Nova Scotia so you can get fast approval and funding.
A "Best for" pick is a partner that scored high in a category based on Finder Canada's data-focused personal loans ratings and review methodology. Our experts vetted 112 lenders and analyzed over 4,600 data points to find the best lenders across a variety of categories. A "Promoted for" pick is a partner suited for a category, but it is not a recommendation or indication it is the best. Promoted products are based on a commercial advertising arrangement. Keep in mind that our picks may not always be the best for you – it's important to compare for yourself to find a product that works for you.
How we found the best bad credit loans in Nova Scotia
To find the best bad credit loans in Nova Scotia, Finder experts collected more than 70 points of data for more than 60 lenders operating in Canada. Finder used this data to create a proprietary weighting formula that scores each lender based on rates, fees, terms, loan amounts, application process, funding speed, customer support, and reputation, among other features. Keep in mind, that the products listed are based on providers available through Finder and online in the Canadian loans marketplace. These loans are not representative of the entire market. Read more about the Finder personal loan ratings and review methodology.
Loans Canada is an online broker partnered with over 60 lenders. Fill out one application and get your matches for free. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Search a large lender network. Loans Canada works with over 60 verified lenders.
Get approved. Only see lenders that match your profile.
Work with an established company. Loans Canada has been in business since 2012. It has BBB accreditation with an A+ rating.
Easy online application
Quick deposits
High loan amounts
No collateral required to secure your bad credit loan
High rates for bad credit
No online quotes provided
Limited to its network
Loan amount
$300 – $50,000
APR
6.99% – 46.96%
Term
3 - 60 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
No application, origination or brokerage fees
Turnaround time
Receive funds within as little as 24 hours.
Serviced provinces
All of Canada
Finalist — Best Personal Loan Search Platform category
Loans Canada earned the Finalist award in the Best Personal Loan Search Platform category in the Finder: Personal Loans Customer Satisfaction Awards 2023. Loans Canada scored 75.15% in the overall customer satisfaction score and secured a spot in Canada's Top 15 Best-Rated personal loan providers in 2023.
Spring Financial offers fast approval and funding. If you don't qualify for a bad credit personal loan, however, it'll offer you its credit builder loan The Foundation. With this loan, you won't access the loan funds until after you've made all your payments on time. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Get a loan from an established lender. Spring Financial has been providing bad credit loans in Canada since 2015 and has over 200 employees with headquarters in Vancouver, BC.
Improve your credit score. Spring Financial reports payments to the credit bureaus so you can increase your credit score.
Get quick funding. If you provide the required documents on time, you can get your bad credit loan the same day you apply.
100% online
Fast funding via e-Transfer
No prepayment penalties
High rates for bad credit
C- BBB rating, received complaints about the credit builder loan
Loan amount
$500 – $35,000
APR
10.8% – 46.99%
Term
6 - 60 months
Min. credit score
500
Fees
No fees except $30 NSF fee
Turnaround time
Within 24 hours
Serviced provinces
All of Canada
Most Recommended + Best-Rated
Spring Financial made it to both the Top 15 Most Recommended and the Top 15 Best-Rated personal loan providers in the Finder: Personal Loans Customer Satisfaction Awards 2023.
Get Loan Approved offers personal loans with your car as collateral, also known as a car title loan. You can continue to use your car as you pay off your loan. To qualify, your car must be less than 10 years old, in good condition and fully paid off. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Lenient. Get Loan Approved specializes in personal loans for people with damaged credit. It doesn't do any credit checks, and you don't need to be employed.
Apply easily. Apply online and then either drive to a Get Loan Approved agent near you or have an agent come to you for a car appraisal. The whole process can be completed within 24 to 48 hours.
Increase your chances of approval. Since you'll be reducing the risk for the lender with collateral, you'll have a higher chance of getting approved.
FlexMoney is an online-only lender offering fast bad credit personal loans in Canada. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Get an instant decision. FlexMoney's automated system enables it to give you a no-obligation quote within minutes.
Get your funds fast. Funds should reach your account on the same day or the next day.
Rebuild your credit. FlexMoney will report regular, on-time payments to the credit bureau.
Make payments weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly
Easily make extra payments via e-transfer
High interest rates
Minimum income required ($2,000 per month)
Only employment & pension income accepted
Loan amount
$500 – $15,000
APR
18.9% – 46.9%
Term
6 - 60 months
Min. credit score
500
Fees
No application, origination or prepayment fees
Turnaround time
Receive funds within as little as 24 hours
Serviced provinces
Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI, Saskatchewan and Yukon
Most Recommended + Best-Rated
FlexMoney made it to both the Top 15 Most Recommended and the Top 15 Best-Rated personal loan providers in the Finder: Personal Loans Customer Satisfaction Awards 2023.
easyfinancial helps Canadians access financing when banks aren't an option. It offers bad credit loans across Canada online and in hundreds of locations. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Get a quick quote. Apply in minutes with no commitment and it won't affect your credit score.
Work with a well-known lender. easyfinancial is one of the biggest lenders of bad credit personal loans in Canada.
Improve your credit score. According to easyfinancial, one in three customers graduate to prime rates after making regular, on-time repayments.
Secured and unsecured bad credit loans
High approval rate
BBB-accredited with an A+ rating
Steep rates for bad credit
Many negative customer reviews
Loan amount
$500 – $100,000
APR
9.99% – 46.96%
Term
9 - 120 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
you may come across non-sufficient funds fees, late payment fees, missed payment fees or admin fees
Turnaround time
Approval within 30 minutes
Serviced provinces
all provinces
Winner: Best-in-Class
easyfinancial was awarded the Winner award in the Best Personal Loan Alternative Lender category in the Finder: Personal Loans Best-in-Class Awards 2024.
Money Mart offers installment loans and payday loans to people with bad credit. It's been in business for over 40 years and is one of the largest alternative lenders in Canada. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Get your loan fast. Same-day funding is available, depending on the transfer method.
Apply online or in-store. Get your loan online or at one of Money Mart's 500+ store locations.
Get some leniency. Money Mart is less strict with its requirements than banks, credit unions and some alternative lenders. You can qualify with a chequing account and a regular source of income.
Established lender
Convenient mobile app
Accepts non-employment income such as government benefits and private pension
High interest rates
In-store and online availability varies across provinces
Magical Credit specializes in online personal loans for people with bad credit and/or low income. It's been in business since 2014 with offices in Concord and North York, Ontario. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Get a fast loan. Apply online and validate your information with instant bank verification to get a fast loan decision (with funds sent within 24 hours).
Rebuild your credit. Magical Credit reports on-time payments to the credit bureaus to increase your credit score.
Use non-employment income to qualify. Magical Credit accepts many types of income, such as most government benefits, private pensions and maternity benefits.
Receive funds within as little as 24 hours
Accepts child tax credit, EI, CPP, OAS, private pensions and more
Refer-a-friend program
High interest rates
May charge an administration fee
You must show income history for six months (if you receive employment income)
Loan amount
$1,500 – $20,000
APR
19.99% – 46.8%
Term
12 - 60 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
A single administration fee of $194
Turnaround time
Receive funds within as little as 24 hours
Serviced provinces
Canada-wide (excluding Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec)
Most Recommended
Magical Credit made it to the Top 15 Most Recommended personal loan providers in the Finder: Personal Loans Customer Satisfaction Awards 2023.
24Cash connects applicants to a short term installment loan with no credit check. It is an alternative to payday loans. Expect a $225 broker fee to be added to your payments (the exact amount is set at the broker's discretion). Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Get approval in one hour. Apply with instant bank verification and get approved quickly.
Apply easily online. Fill out one quick form and provide your bank details to get approved. Get cash on the same day if approved before 2:30 PM EST.
Established online broker. The company is active online and has solid customer reviews on Google and Trustpilot.
No credit check
Lower APRs than payday loans
No paperwork required via instant bank verification
Manual review available
Three months to repay
Government assistance not accepted as a form of income
Very expensive
Small maximum amount
May not improve your credit score
Loan amount
$500 – $850
APR
Starting at 22%
Term
90 - 120 days
Fees
Broker fee applies
Turnaround time
Within 24 hours
Serviced provinces
Canada-wide except Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan
LoansLoans.ca is a broker that helps people with bad credit find a short-term loan. It doesn't do any credit checks and accepts many types of income as long as it's over $1,200. You may be required to pay a broker fee. Full Review
Why it's one of the best
Avoid payday loans. LoansLoans.ca's installment loans have longer loan terms than payday loans, which means you can break up your repayments.
Qualify. LoansLoans is open to many types of income as long as they're recurring. And since it doesn't do credit checks, you can qualify with bad credit.
Work with an established broker. NCR Financial Services, the company that owns and operates LoansLoans.ca, has been around for over 15 years.
No credit check
Apply online in minutes
Funding on the same day or next day
High rates and fees
Not very transparent about broker fees
Loan amount
$500 – $1,000
APR
28% – 32%
Term
3 months
Min. credit score
300
Fees
Late payment fee (2.66% per month), $45 NSF fee, broker fee
Turnaround time
Receive funds in less than 24 hours
Serviced provinces
All of Canada (except Manitoba)
Finder: Personal Loan Consumer Satisfaction Awards
In 2023, we completed the Finder: Personal Loan Consumer Satisfaction Awards — an annual ranking of personal loan providers in Canada, based on customer satisfaction feedback. Read more about these awards and the methodology used to find the best personal loan providers based on customer service scores.
Can I get bad credit personal loans in Nova Scotia?
Yes, there are alternative lenders in Nova Scotia that are willing to work with you, because credit score is just one of several factors they look at. Other factors can include your income, employment history and existing debts.
Having an asset you can put up as collateral or a cosigner to guarantee your payments will also increase your chances of approval.
How do bad credit loans work in Nova Scotia?
Bad credit loans work just like traditional personal loans except they come with higher interest rates. These can help pay for unexpected or emergency expenses, but you can also use them to consolidate debt, finance large purchases and cover bill payments.
Lenders in Nova Scotia will typically look at your credit score and your debt-to-income ratio before they approve you for a bad credit loan. You’re more likely to qualify if you’re permanently employed or have a credit score closer to 560 (which is considered the fair credit mark). If you qualify, you’ll pay your loan back in regular installments over a period of time. Be sure to make all payments by the required due date to avoid defaulting on your loan.
Types of bad credit personal loans in Nova Scotia
You can apply for several different types of bad credit personal loans in Nova Scotia.
Secured loans.Secured personal loans require you to secure your loan against an asset (like your home or vehicle), and you risk losing it if you can’t make your repayments on time.
Unsecured loans.Unsecured personal loans will let you borrow money without securing your payments against some form of collateral.
If you’re applying for a bad credit loan in Nova Scotia, you’ll need to follow the steps below:
Fill out an application. You’ll need to apply online, in-person or over the phone and provide personal information such as your address and contact info.
Verify your identity. Lenders will ask you to verify your identity by providing a government-issued piece of ID like your driver’s licence number or passport.
Show proof of income. You may be asked for proof of income in the form of pay stubs, tax returns or bank statements.
What should I keep in mind before applying for bad credit loans?
Before you apply for a bad credit loan in Nova Scotia, consider the following to make sure you get the best deal possible:
Aim for a shorter term. Since your interest rates will be higher, it makes sense to negotiate a shorter term if your budget allows for it.
Budget for repayments. Look for a loan with flexible terms and find out what will happen if you default on your loan, especially if it’s secured with collateral.
Make sure you qualify. Every credit check on your account will bring your credit score down even further so only apply to loans you know you’ll qualify for.
Read the fine print. Some lenders will bury hidden fees and charges in your contract. Make sure to read the fine print thoroughly.
Make payments on time. Your payment history accounts for roughly 35% of your credit score so it’s important to be consistent.
Limit your spending. Avoid spending money on your credit cards that you can’t pay back by the due date.
Mix up your credit types. Make on-time payments on a variety of debts, including credit cards, mortgages, loans and leases.
Negotiate new terms for your debt. Ask your lender about extending your contract or adjusting repayment amounts if you’re having trouble meeting your current terms.
Consolidate your debts. This can make it easier to make payments on time, since you’ll only need to manage one payment on a larger debt. Learn more about debt consolidation loans.
Other options available for people struggling with bad credit
Government subsidies. You may be able to qualify for provincial funding through income assistance, affordable housing or disability support programs.
Credit counselling services. Services like Service Nova Scotia’s Debt Assistance Program may be able to help you consolidate your debts and figure out a budget.
Debt relief services. If you’re finding yourself in a vicious cycle of debt, a debt relief company is an option.
Borrowing from friends or family. If you’re struggling with bad credit, you might like to ask friends or family for a more flexible, interest-free loan.
Getting a cosigner. You can usually qualify for lower interest rates if someone with good credit guarantees your loan.
Bottom line
If you have bad credit you may still be able to qualify for a loan with higher interest rates. Find out if this type of loan is the right fit for you, learn what to watch out for and compare lenders in Nova Scotia to find the right loan for you.
Frequently asked questions
The amount will likely vary based on your income, credit score and the maximum amount available from your lender. Most bad credit loans will be for smaller amounts because the risk is higher.
The two credit bureaus in Canada are Equifax and TransUnion. You can apply for your credit score via their websites our check out our guide on how to get your credit score here.
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.
Browse your top options for bad credit loans in Ontario.
Feedback
How likely would you be to recommend finder to a friend or colleague?
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very UnlikelyExtremely Likely
Required
Thank you for your feedback.
Our goal is to create the best possible product, and your thoughts, ideas and suggestions play a major role in helping us identify opportunities to improve.
Advertiser Disclosure
finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
We update our data regularly, but information can change between updates. Confirm details with the provider you're interested in before making a decision.
