To make it even easier to compare and evaluate unsecured loans we came up with the Finder Score. Speed, features and flexibility across 60+ lenders are all weighted and scaled to produce a score out of 10. The higher the score the better the lender – simple.
Read the full methodologyPlease note: You should always refer to your loan agreement for exact repayment amounts as they may vary from our results.
Late repayments can cause you serious money problems. See our debt help guides.
Yes, you may be still eligible for a personal loan even with a poor or low credit score. However, you may find your options are more limited in terms of the lenders you can choose, as well as the size of your loan amount and the rate you receive.
Depending on your situation, it may be a better idea to try and improve your credit score before applying for a loan. If you need a loan in the near future, there are ways to improve your chances of getting a loan with bad credit.
Unfortunately, there is no universal secret to getting approved for a loan if you have bad credit. However, there are a few things you can do to improve your chances:
There are various credit options for people with a bad credit rating. Here are some of the main ones:
Don’t forget: talking to lenders is also a great idea – you may be surprised at how flexible they can be. Ultimately, lenders do want to lend money – they have to do so responsibly, but it’s in their interests to work with borrowers to find a sustainable credit solution.
Representative Example: Assumed credit limit: £1200. Representative 96.2% APR (variable). Annual interest rate 69.4% (variable).
Lenders are also wary of lending to people without much in the way of credit history. This might include 18-year olds or newly-arrived migrants. If you’re in this situation there are a few things you could do to help your case:
As long as you bear in mind that it’s unlikely to check the whole market, but instead a subsection of lenders with whom it has an arrangement, then a broker can take the strain out of finding a competitive personal loan deal. Brokers find the best rate available to you from their panel of lenders, taking into account your individual circumstances. Normally this service is free, because the broker will earn a referral fee from the lender.
Some brokers or “matching services” run soft searches with a range of lenders in seconds, meaning that without any impact on your credit score you’ll be able to get realistic rate quotes for loans you’re likely to be approved for. This can be a smart way to avoid disappointment, protect your credit score and focus on lenders likely to approve you.
This figure is designed to provide an annual summary of the cost of a loan and takes into account both interest and any mandatory charges to be paid (for example an arrangement fee) over the duration of a loan.
All lenders must calculate the APR of their products in the same way, and must tell you the APR before you sign an agreement, so for consumers it can be a handy tool for comparison.
If you’re looking at bad credit personal loans, expect higher APRs than those you’ll see comparing standard products. This means borrowing will be more expensive but also that it’s easier to be approved if you don’t have a great credit score.
Bear in mind, however, that lenders are only obliged to award this rate to 51% of those who take out the loan – the other 49% could pay more. That’s why it’s often referred to as the representative APR. Depending on your circumstances, you may be offered a better or a worse rate than the advertised APR.
Having a bad credit score may make it difficult or more expensive to get a personal loan. If you have poor credit, you could consider getting a guarantor loan but it’s important to keep in mind that the guarantor will be responsible for any missing repayments. If you’re looking to improve your credit score, you can read our guide for some helpful tips.
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