Focus Cash Loans review

What is Focus Cash Loans?

Focus Cash Loans is a payday lender that has been in business since 2008. It is based in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Is Focus Cash Loans legitimate?

It is. Focus Cash Loans is owned by Focus Financial Inc. Founded in 2008, Focus is a publicly registered organization in AB, BC and ON. It has customer service Monday to Saturday, and an active social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Most importantly, it prominently displays its payday licences in each of the provinces it operates in, including applicable fees, APRs and repayment terms. For full transparency, it also shows you the full cost of your payday loan as the first prompt during the application process.

• Alberta licence: 327008
• BC licence: 50034
• Ontario licence: 4716299

Licence numbers as of October 2023

What are the benefits of Focus Cash Loans?

• Easy online application. Focus is an online-only lender, so borrowers can apply wherever they have an Internet connection, sign their contract electronically and receive their funds via Interac e-Transfer. You don’t have to email or fax any documents unless you don’t get paid via direct deposit or your personal information doesn’t match your bank account profile.
• Fast. After submitting your application, you can get a decision within 30 minutes during business hours and get your funds within 30 minutes after approval.
• Bad credit is okay. Anyone can apply for a Focus Financial payday loan. There are no credit checks because the emphasis is on your monthly income and ability to repay the loan. You must not have gone bankrupt in the past year, though.
• No collateral. Payday loans are unsecured and do not require any collateral.
• Use the funds for any purpose. Once you’re approved for a loan, you have the freedom to use the money as you’d like.

What to watch out for

• Steep interest rates. Whether you live in AB, BC and ON, you’ll pay up to $15 for every $100 borrowed. Payday loans are some of the most expensive ways to borrow cash with APRs that are as high as 400%, driving up the true cost of your short-term financing.
• Short repayment terms. Payday loans are a quick-fix solution. You must repay your loan by your next payday, with terms capping out at 62 days. Make sure you can comfortably cover your payments with your next paycheque before you apply.
• Caps on how much you can borrow. You can only borrow up to $500 for your first Focus payday loan. After that, payday loans cap out at $1,500.
• Not available across Canada. Focus is only licensed as a payday lender in AB, BC and ON.
• References. You’ll need to provide Focus Financial with 2 references, including their name and phone number.

Am I eligible?

To qualify for a Focus Financial payday loan, you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Be 19 years of age or older.
• Have proof of a net income of $1,200 per month via bank statements that show steady direct deposits from the past 3 months.
• Have an active chequing account that can receive e-Transfers.
• Have an active telephone number that Focus can contact you at.

Alternatives to Focus Cash Loans

1 - 5 of 5

Product CAFSL	Loan Amount	Loan Term	APR	Speed	Serviced Provinces	Offer	Table description
GoDay Payday Loan	$100 - $1,500	Up to 62 days	Varies by province	As little as 2 minutes with Interac e-Transfer	AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI, SK		To apply, you'll need to be a Canadian resident over the age of 18 with a valid email address, phone number and an open bank account with a Canadian bank or credit union.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
iCash Payday Loan	$100 - $1,500	7 - 62 days	Varies by province	As little as 2 minutes with Interac e-Transfer	AB, BC, MB, NB, NS, ON, PEI	24/7 instant approval and e-Transfer funding.	Same day cash up to $1,500 for car payments, rent, mortgage, home & appliance repair, and more. Income of at least $800/month required.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Wagepay Wage Advance Loan	$100 - $1,500	Up to 62 days	Varies by province	As little as 2 minutes with Interac e-Transfer	BC, ON	Lower and transparent fees. No late or NSF fees.	Get early access to a portion of your pay. Sign up in less than 3 minutes and receive funds via e-Transfer 24/7.	Go to siteMore Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Money Mart Payday Loan	$120 - $1,500	1 - 62 days	Varies by province	As little as 1 hour after getting approved	AB, BC, MB, NS, NT, ON, SK, YT		To be eligible, you’ll need to be at least 18 years of age with a steady source of income and a chequing account. No credit check required.	More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Cash Money Payday Loan	$100 - $1,500	5 - 40 days	Varies by province	As little as 15 minutes with INTERAC e-Transfer	BC, MB, NL, NS, ON, SK		Instant decision and e-Transfer funding. Income of at least $1,000/month required.	More Info Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How do I apply for a Focus Cash Loan?

If you’d like to apply for a Focus payday loan, simply follow these instructions:

1. Head to focuscashloans.com and click on “Apply Now” on the homepage.
2. Follow the prompts on the application page. Start by selecting which province you live in. Focus will show you its payday licence and the payday loan regulations in your province. Click “Continue” to proceed.
3. Provide your full name, email address, home address, phone number, date of birth and how much you’d like to borrow (up to $1,500).
4. Indicate your income type (for example, employment, CPP, EI, WCB or private disability insurance).
5. Indicate whether you’re renting or own your home and how long you’ve lived at this residence.
6. Provide the name of your employer, employment type, job title, how long you’ve worked there, how often you get paid, and whether you get paid via direct deposit or paper cheques. You’ll need to indicate your specific pay dates – this is how Focus will determine your loan repayment due dates.
7. Electronically sign and date your application.
8. Fill out your banking details, including the name of your bank, branch number and account number.
9. Review your application and click “Submit” when you’re ready. Focus says that if you apply during business hours, you should hear back within 30 minutes.

What documents do I need to apply?

You don’t need to provide any documents unless you don’t receive your income through direct deposit or the name, address or employer you provided on your application does not match your banking profile.

What is the application like?

The application is user-friendly and easy to fill out online. You’ll need to answer around 25 questions about your personal and financial situation. Once you submit your application, you can get a decision in as little as 30 minutes. Once you receive approval, you’ll get your funds within 30 minutes via e-transfer.

Below is a preview of the first few steps of the application process.

Step 1

Select your province.

Step 2

Read the cost of borrowing.

Step 3

Provide your name, and choose how much you want to borrow.

Step 4

Select your income type.

Step 5

Provide your email address.

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I got the Focus Cash Loan. Now what?

Your loan must be repaid on the due dates as set out in your loan contract. If you live in Alberta, your payday loan must be repaid in installments and have a minimum loan term of 42 days. B.C. and Ontario do not have these rules, so you may have to repay the loan in full by your next payday.

Make sure you have a concrete plan for how you’ll repay what you’ve borrowed plus the fees you’ve incurred. Focus Financial will withdraw the amount owed directly from your bank account, so make sure the funds are there on your due date.