Best direct private lenders of personal loans in Canada

Looking for a personal loan but struggling to get approved by banks? Private lenders in Canada offer flexible borrowing options, often with faster approvals and fewer restrictions. The downside is higher rates.

Below, we compare the best private lenders, their pros and cons, plus alternatives to help you find the right fit.

Alternatives to private personal loans in Canada

What are direct private lenders for personal loans in Canada?

Direct private lenders for personal loans approve and fund loans themselves. They mostly operate online and aren’t affiliated with a major financial institution, such as a bank or credit union.

Applying online to a direct private lender is a good option if any of the following applies to you:

• Banks or credit unions cannot approve you.
• You need rapid approval and funding.
• You’d prefer not applying through a broker to avoid sharing your details with multiple third-party lenders.

The differences between bank loans and private loans in Canada

	Bank loans	Private loans
Pros	Competitive interest rates Regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) Well-known, well-established lenders	Fast approval and funding Easier eligibility requirements Completely online
Cons	May require a visit to a branch for an interview Overall slower approval and funding Stricter requirements	Generally higher rates Some disreputable lenders operate in this space

How much do private lenders charge for personal loans?

The annual percentage rates (APRs) for private lender loans typically fall between 6.99% and 35%. The rate you’ll get depends on factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio.

Low interest loans will be offered to applicants with good to excellent credit (660+) and a DTI under 40%.

Other costs that may come with private personal loans in Canada include origination fees (administrative payment for setting up the loan), late payment fees and NSF fees. Direct private lenders differ in what fees they charge, so check the terms of any loan before applying so you know what to expect.

Pros and cons of private lenders of personal loans

Example: Monthly payments for a $5,000 loan

Below is an example of how much a $5,000 loan from a direct private lender may cost in monthly payments.

APR	Loan term	Monthly payment	Total loan cost
9.90%	1 year	$439.35	$5,272.16 ($272.16 total interest)
9.90%	3 years	$161.10	$5,799.65 ($799.65 total interest)
16.99%	1 year	$456.00	$5,472.00 ($472.00 total interest)
16.99%	3 years	$178.24	$6,416.60 ($1,416.60 total interest)

Eligibility requirements of private loans

Exact requirements will vary between direct private lenders, but generally, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Be at least the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19 years old)
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• Have a valid Canadian address
• Have a steady income
• Meet credit score and income requirements

Documents

To apply for private lender loans, you’ll usually need to provide the following documents:

• Valid government-issued ID. A driver’s licence, passport or permanent resident card.
• Proof of income. Pay stubs, bank statements or your most recent Notice of Assessment.
• Proof of residency. Utility bill, bank statement or credit card statement with your name and address.

Keep in mind, if the direct lender offers instant bank verification, you’ll send little to no documents.

How to compare private lenders in Canada

With many options online, how do you narrow down your choices? Consider the following features:

Loan amounts

Check the lender’s minimum and maximum lending amounts. Some private lenders in Canada offer loans as high as $50,000 or as low as $500, while others don’t go over $15,000 or under $1,000.

Loan terms

These vary among lenders. Minimum repayment terms can fall anywhere from around 6 months to 2 years. Maximum repayment terms can go as high as 5 years or more. A longer term may mean lower payments, but you’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan.

Interest rates

Keep an eye on the annual percentage rate (APR), which reflects the annual cost of the loan. Most private lenders offer fixed APRs that stay the same throughout the loan term. Learn more about personal loan rates.

Eligibility requirements

Like banks, private loan providers have minimum credit score and income requirements, while others are more flexible, evaluating applicants on a case-by-case basis. Keep in mind that lenient eligibility requirements tend to come with high interest rates.

Repayments

You may be able to choose between weekly, biweekly or monthly repayments, although some lenders don’t offer a choice. You may also be able to change the payment schedule, while others may be more restrictive.

Fees

NSF fees are common among direct private lenders, while origination fees (administrative fee to process your loan) and early repayment fees are less common. Before signing, make sure you understand the total cost of your loan, not just the interest rate.

Reputation and customer service

Check out real customer reviews before choosing a private lender. Steer clear of private lenders who pressure you into signing, avoid clearly explaining the terms of your loan or push you to get loan insurance. Loan insurance adds to the cost of your loan and should be optional.

Speed

Some direct private lenders of personal loans give approval and funding on the same day or the next morning at the latest, while others may take longer. If your need is urgent, learn more about emergency loans in Canada.

Can I get a private personal loan with bad credit?

There are private bad credit personal loans in Canada, but be prepared to pay a high interest rate. Bad credit borrowers are charged high rates to offset the risk that they’ll default on the loan. The following tips may help you get approved if you have poor credit:

• Get a secured personal loan. A secured personal loan requires collateral like your car or home to reduce the lender’s risk. Make sure you can afford repayments. If not, the lender can seize your asset.
• Get pre-approved. Some direct private lenders like Mogo and Fairstone offer loan preapproval and a quote within minutes—without impacting your credit score. A full credit pull is typically required afterwards to complete your application.
• Rebuild your credit before applying. Pay your bills on time and try to reduce your debt before applying for a loan. Doing this will boost your credit score and show lenders that you’re a responsible borrower.

Must read: Best bad credit loans in Canada

Summary: Who should get private personal loans in Canada?

Consider getting a private lender loan if:

• You’re struggling to get approved. Private lenders often have more lenient eligibility criteria than banks and credit unions, so you might get approved more easily.
• You need fast, flexible funds. Private loans in Canada are typically disbursed in 24-48 hours and often come with a variety of repayment terms.
• You have a low credit score. Some private lenders offer loans for people with less-than-perfect credit, although you may get a high interest rate.
• You can manage the repayments. If you can’t afford your repayments, steer clear of private loans even if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Bottom line

Private loans in Canada are a good alternative to bank loans, especially if you have a hard time getting approval, need funds fast or want flexible repayment terms. However, private loans often come with high interest rates, so it’s important to compare lenders and fully understand the costs before committing.

Frequently asked questions about private lender loans

• What can I use a private lender loan for?

  Private lender loans can usually be used for anything. You can use it to consolidate debt, buy a car, fund an educational program, pay for a major expense and more.

• Are private loans in Canada safe?

  Private loans in Canada are safe as long as you apply to a legitimate direct lender. To determine if a private lender of personal loans is legitimate, look for a business registration number, office address, email address and phone number, and check for the company's presence on sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.

• Are private lender loans better than bank loans?

  Not necessarily. Private lender loans are generally faster and easier to get than bank loans, but in exchange, you may be offered high interest rates.

• If my lender goes out of business, do I still repay my loan?

  Yes, you're still responsible for making loan repayments if your lender goes out of business.