Smarter Loans Staff

The Smarter Loans Staff is made up of writers, researchers, journalists, business leaders and industry experts who carefully research, analyze and produce Canada's highest quality content when it comes to money matters, on behalf of Smarter Loans. While we cannot possibly name every person involved in the process, we collectively credit them as Smarter Loans Writing Staff. Our work has been featured in the Toronto Star, National Post and many other publications. Today, Smarter Loans is recognized in Canada as the go-to destination for financial education, and was named the "GPS of Fintech Lending" by the Toronto Star in 2019.

Articles by Smarter Loans Staff

Bad Credit Mortgage Loan Guide

A surprising number of people won’t ever try to buy a home because they think that they cannot get a mortgage with bad credit. But these days, it is not a shock to lenders that people fall on hard times or make financial mistakes. For people who are working toward turning their credit around and are determined to own a home, there are ways to make their dream come true. It is not impossible to get a mortgage loan with bad credit for those willing to put in the effort to do so.

Guide to Getting a Personal Loan from a Private Company

A personal loan is an ideal solution for people who need quick cash to cover expenses due to any number of issues. They can be used for anything from bills or educational costs to major ventures such as home improvement. A personal loan from a private vs public lender poses a unique set of circumstances.

What Is Debt Consolidation?

Debt consolidation involves merging any number of credit cards or other debt into a single loan. It is also called bill consolidation. The new loan is borrowed at a lower interest rate than the current debt. Consolidating debt is a finance strategy that saves money on interest and is more convenient for borrowers to pay one, rather than several, bills a month.

Financing Equipment vs Leasing Equipment

A broad spectrum of customers either finance or lease equipment for business or personal use. And the list of the variety of equipment available is seemingly endless. The determining factors of whether to lease or finance equipment include a) who is the customer b) what the equipment is needed for and c) how long or how often it will be used.

Comparing Personal Loans

As the name suggests, a personal loan is used for individual needs or wants of the borrower’s choosing. Unlike a mortgage or boat loan, it is not approved for a specific purpose. People take out personal loans to pay for vacations or weddings, for instance. Other reasons borrowers get them are to make home improvements, consolidate credit card debt, or if money is needed for a sudden emergency.

How to Get a Business Loan for a Restaurant or Bar

Anyone who aspires to open a restaurant or bar is in good company for sure. Worldwide, there are approximately 15 million thriving restaurants that rake in hundreds of billions of dollars annually. By some investment company accounts, bars and taverns in the U.S. alone grabbed $24 billion in 2015. This article points entrepreneurs in the right direction toward their own success.

Why Lenders Dont Approve Applications for Small Business Loans in Edmonton

Additional cash is needed to take the small business to the next level. The only problem is that the loan application was rejected. It wasn’t because the applicant failed to fill out the paperwork properly. Other issues led the lender to decide the risk associated with approving the application was too great. By knowing why…

Questions to Ask Before Applying for Small Business Loans in Toronto

While it’s possible to manage many expenses on a cash basis, there are times when a small business owner will seek some type of outside financing. Before submitting any applications, it makes sense to ask a few questions and use the answers for the good of the business. Doing so will make it easier to…

What Factors Do Bad Credit Lenders Consider Most Important?

Bad credit is typically considered any credit score lower than 600. People who have been through a difficult financial period that left them with lower credit ratings may believe obtaining financing for vehicle is out of the question. In truth, there are lenders who offer bad credit loans in Calgary, Alberta. Many of those lenders provide terms that are better than the consumer would expect.

Truck Loans: Comparing the Merits of Fixed Versus Variable Rates

Vehicle loans are the one of the most common forms of financing. Terms may be as short as a couple of years or last for as long as six years. One of the decisions the buyer must make has to do with the type of interest rate. While a fixed rate installment loan is more well-known, it’s possible to secure a truck loan with a variable interest rate.