Smarter Loans Inc. is not a lender. Smarter.loans is an independent comparison website that provides information on lending and financial companies in Canada. We work hard to give you the information you need to make smarter decisions about a financial company or product that you might be considering. We may receive compensation from companies that we work with for placement of their products or services on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of products & companies listed on our website, it does not influence our evaluation of those products. Please do not interpret the order in which products appear on Smarter Loans as an endorsement or recommendation from us. Our website does not feature every loan provider or financial product available in Canada. We try our best to bring you up-to-date, educational information to help you decide the best solution for your individual situation. The information and tools that we provide are free to you and should merely be used as guidance. You should always review the terms, fees, and conditions for any loan or financial product that you are considering.
If your credit isn’t exactly perfect, you’ve probably had a pretty hard time trying to find financing in Calgary. Though it’s true that most of the larger financial institutions, such as the big banks, don’t tend to accept borrowers with bad credit, there are many loan providers in Calgary that are able to provide bad credit loans with reasonable interest rates. On Smarter Loans you will find many such providers who can help, regardless of your credit score.
Our list of lenders will help you find a reputable loan with good conditions. Many of our lenders are able to offer you financing even if your credit score is lower than average, and applying for and paying back a loan in a timely manner can actually seriously help your credit score. Our list of lenders offers you a variety of different firms with different payment periods, interest rates, and qualifications. Don’t let a low or average credit score stop you from moving forward. Take a look at the list of lenders below and start an application an application online.
When residents of Alberta’s largest city face financial hardships, they might consider obtaining a loan. For Calgary residents with a less-than-perfect, credit report or history, bad credit loans in Calgary offer a viable solution.
The best bad credit loans in Calgary, as the name suggests, are specifically tailored for individuals with a bad credit score or imperfect credit history. Unlike a traditional bank loan that heavily weigh your credit score, these are designed to provide financial relief to those who might not meet the stringent requirements of traditional lenders. A common type of bad credit loan is the payday loan. Often, these loans provide approval in an instant, catering to urgent expenses such as unexpected medical bills or car repair costs.
Characteristically, bad credit loans might have slightly higher interest rates compared to regular ones. This is mainly because lenders perceive a higher risk associated with borrowers who have a shaky payment history. Additionally, loans in Calgary often have shorter loan terms, meaning they are typically designed to be repaid by the borrower’s next paycheck or within a short time frame. Some bad credit loans in Calgary might require direct deposit into a Canadian bank account, ensuring that the money can be quickly accessed by the borrower.
When you compare loans, the primary difference between bad credit loans in Calgary and traditional bank loans is the weight placed by other lenders on the credit score during the loan application process. Traditional lenders, such as major banks, place significant emphasis on credit scores, a credit report, and a comprehensive credit history. They are typically hesitant to offer bad credit loans or serve those with a spotted financial situation. Conversely, lenders providing bad credit loans in Calgary are more accommodating, even if you’ve faced challenges like missed car payments.
Additionally, while a bad credit payday loan might offer quick, short-term solutions with instant approval, a traditional secured loan often have a more prolonged online application process and might not always provide the same urgency in access to funds. Moreover, when trying to find bad credit payday loans here, Calgary residents might discover that loan amounts vary, with some lenders accommodating larger amounts than others.
It’s also worth noting that while most lenders will conduct credit checks, those who specifically provide bad credit loans might not weigh the results as heavily, focusing instead on a borrower’s ability to repay, such as a stable income or government benefits.
To navigate the best loans for bad credit in Calgary for one’s individual needs in Calgary, it’s beneficial to compare the loan, understanding the loan offer details, loan terms, and any associated fees.
Whether you’re a Canadian citizen facing unexpected expenses or merely trying to bridge the gap till your paycheck arrives, understanding the intricacies of a loan in Calgary can empower you to make an informed decision.
Always research thoroughly, and if you opt for a bad credit payday loan through an online loan application, make certain that the platform is secure.
For the diverse community in Calgary, navigating financial needs becomes simpler with the availability of various loans for bad credit in Calgary. Here’s a closer look at the primary types of bad credit loans that residents can access:
Often seen as a quick fix for urgent expenses, payday loans are short-term loans that typically last until the borrower’s following paycheck. Given their convenience, it’s possible to apply online and get instant approval.
While they serve an immediate financial need, it’s essential to note that bad credit payday loans often come with higher interest rates. Most lenders in Calgary offering these loans will conduct credit checks, but they might weigh other factors more heavily, like current income.
Unlike other loans, secured loans necessitate an asset — like property or a vehicle — to be pledged as collateral. This offers lenders a sense of security, given they can seize the asset if the loan isn’t repaid.
Because of this, secured loans might have more favorable interest rates, even for those with bad credit in Calgary. It’s crucial, however, to be fully aware of the risks, as defaulting can mean losing the pledged asset.
Unlike their secured counterparts, unsecured personal loans don’t require collateral. Given the higher risk to lenders, they might have steeper interest rates. Even so, for those looking to borrow money without tying it to an asset, unsecured personal loans serve as a feasible option.
While credit check loans are standard among most lenders, many focus on abroader financial pictures rather than just a credit score or reports from credit bureaus.
For many with compromised credit scores, a guarantor loan can be a lifeline. Here, another individual — typically with a better credit score — co-signs the loan, effectively “guaranteeing” its repayment.
If the borrower defaults, the guarantor becomes responsible for repaying the loan. It’s a way for those with bad credit to leverage their bad credit personal loans against the good credit of someone they trust.
These are loans that are repaid over time with a set number of scheduled payments. While they can be secured or unsecured, the defining feature is the extended repayment schedule, which can be more manageable than a single lump-sum repayment.
Qualifying for a bad credit loan in Calgary starts with being age of majority, which is 18 years or older. You then need to be able to prove your residency, have ID, and an active bank account. These are the basic qualification criteria that all loan companies will adhere to; after this, there may be lender-specific requirements, such as proving your income or providing certain financial documents. Because we’re talking about bad credit loans here, the standard requirement of a minimum credit score will not apply.
Applying for a bad credit loan in Calgary is a very simple process, and just requires you to compile some documentation beforehand. This includes ID, proof of address, bank account details, and proof of income or financial statements if required by the lender. You will then need to complete the lender’s application form, attach your supporting documentation, and submit for approval. Many lenders have online application methods available, making the process fast and convenient.
Bad credit loans come in all shapes and sizes. The average interest rate for a bad credit loan in Calgary is around 20%, but the range can be anywhere from 5% to over 40%, depending on your circumstances and the loan you’re taking out. Loans can be short term – lasting just a few months – to long term, lasting up to five years. Shorter term find bad credit loans, generally have higher interest rates and are for smaller amounts.
If you’re hoping for a good interest rate on a bad credit loan, then you may have some options, but be aware: interest rates on bad credit loans are always a little higher than on standard personal loans. So while there are factors that can help you to qualify for a bad credit score at as low a rate as possible (including your income level, exact credit score, collateral, down payment, loan size and term, and so on), you are unlikely to find an interest rate below 5% with a bad credit loan.
Just because you have bad credit, doesn’t mean you can’t borrow a reasonable amount of money. As long as you can prove to a lender that you are able to make your debt payments, loans up to $50,000 are available to bad credit borrowers. But always be aware of the cost of borrowing, and never borrow more than you need.
As Canada’s third largest city, Calgary has plenty of options for its bad credit residents. This includes: dedicated bad credit financial service providers, who specifically work with bad credit borrowers; payday loan companies; auto loan companies, who work with bad credit borrowers buying a car; online lenders; and no credit check lenders. The type of provider that’s best for you will depend on how much you want to borrow, for how long, and how much you can afford to pay in interest and fees.
A bad credit or personal loan can be used for many varied purposes; most commonly they are used to help consolidate debt or patch short term cash flow issues. They’re also useful for covering unexpected bills and emergencies, paying for monthly bills, funding a needed purchase (such as a car or tuition fees), and helping to repair your credit. There are no restrictions on what you can use this type of personal loan for in Alberta.
Absolutely! There are plenty of online lenders (and lenders with online platforms) available for Calgary residents to choose from. These online lenders offer the convenience of applying for your loan from home, and often have fast turnaround times. It’s also helpful that you can usually look into their terms and conditions in some detail on their websites.
Taking out a loan has an immediate effect on your credit score, usually lowering it slightly to reflect your higher debt burden. As with any other type of loan, there will only be a long term negative effect on your credit score if you fail to pay back the loan as agreed.
A no credit check loan is exactly what it sounds like – a loan that does not require a credit check. This is a great option for anyone with a low credit score. The average credit score in Calgary is 650, but there are plenty of locals with scores less than this, and for anyone falling under the 600 threshold, a traditional personal loan is probably not an option. So if your credit score is lower than average, you can either go to a bad credit provider, or a no credit check provider. Both of these options will have other qualification criteria though, and will charge higher interest rates to offset their increased risk.
Payday loans are very popular in Calgary, and borrowers seeking quick cash often turn to this accessible option. However, Payday Loans have high interest rates, which quickly compound if the loan is not paid back within a few weeks. So for anyone seeking a loan of more than a few hundred dollars, or with money out for longer than a few weeks, there are more affordable options.
Amy Orr is a professional writer and editor with over 10 years of experience in the Canadian, U.S. and U.K. financial markets. She has written for numerous publications on topics as diverse as economic literacy, corporate finance, and technical analysis of numerical data. Prior to transitioning to full-time writing, she worked in the hedge fund sector. Her academic background is astrophysics, and she has a Masters in Finance from the University of Edinburgh Business School.
Jenna West is Smarter Loans' in-house financial writer and content director. She has been covering the Canadian FinTech and finance industry since 2017, including financial trends analysis, industry surveys, regulatory updates and changes in Canadian consumer behaviour when it comes to finance.
