Best bad credit loans in Calgary
Find out where you can get approved for bad credit loans in Calgary, Alberta.
If you’ve got a bad credit score, it can be very difficult to qualify for a loan from a traditional lender. But it’s not all bad news.
There are plenty of other lenders out there that specialize in bad credit loans, provided you’re willing to accept higher interest rates. Keep reading for details on where to find bad credit loans in Calgary and how to choose the right loan for your needs.
- Accepts bad credit borrowers
- Easy online application
- Quotes from multiple lenders
- Access cash within 1-3 business days
- Accepts bad credit borrowers
- Quotes from multiple lenders
- Pre-approval in 5 minutes
- Funds in as little as 24 hours
Best bad credit personal loans in Calgary
How we found the best loans
Finder experts collected 17 points of data for more than 40 lenders operating in Canada. Finder used this data to create a proprietary weighting formula that scores each lender based on rates, fees, terms, loan amounts, application process, funding speed, customer support, and reputation, among other features. The providers shown on the best list are those who scored highest based on this data-driven methodology. They are providers that are available and not available through Finder, with partners listed first. These loans are not representative of the entire market. Read more about the Finder personal loan ratings and review methodology.
1. LoanConnect
$500 – $60,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
8.99% – 35%
APR
APR
3 - 120 months
Term
Term
LoanConnect maintains a large database of lenders and matches you with several offers based on your unique profile.
Why it's one of the best
- Save time. Your application will be cast wide and you'll get your results right after you apply.
- Easily compare offers. Compare offers from multiple lenders and log in regularly to see if new offers are available.
- Choose between secured and unsecured loans. Find a secured bad credit loan if you have an eligible asset or get a loan with no collateral.
- Pre-approval in five minutes
- Many bad credit loan options
- BBB-accredited with an A+ rating
- Fast funding
- Not a direct lender
- High rates for bad credit
- Miss out on offers from lenders not partnered with LoanConnect
| Loan amount | $500 – $60,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 8.99% – 35% |
| Term | 3 - 120 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | No application, origination or brokerage fees |
| Turnaround time | Receive funds in as little as 24 hours. |
| Serviced provinces | All provinces |
2. Loans Canada
$250 – $50,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
9.99% – 35%
APR
APR
3 - 60 months
Term
Term
Loans Canada is an online broker partnered with over 60 lenders. Fill out one application and get your matches for free.
Why it's one of the best
- Search a large lender network. Loans Canada works with over 60 verified lenders.
- Get approved. Only see lenders that match your profile.
- Work with an established company. Loans Canada has been in business since 2012. It has BBB accreditation with an A+ rating.
- Easy online application
- Quick deposits
- High loan amounts
- No collateral required to secure your bad credit loan
- High rates for bad credit
- No online quotes provided
- Limited to its network
| Loan amount | $250 – $50,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 9.99% – 35% |
| Term | 3 - 60 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | No application, origination or brokerage fees |
| Turnaround time | Receive funds in as little as 24 hours. |
| Serviced provinces | All of Canada |
3. LoansLoans.ca
$500 – $1,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
28% – 32%
APR
APR
3 - 12 months
Term
Term
LoansLoans.ca is a broker that helps people with bad credit find a short-term loan. It doesn't do any credit checks and accepts many types of income as long as it's over $1,200. You may be required to pay a broker fee.
Why it's one of the best
- Avoid payday loans. LoansLoans.ca's installment loans have longer loan terms than payday loans, which means you can break up your repayments.
- Qualify. LoansLoans is open to many types of income as long as they're recurring. And since it doesn't do credit checks, you can qualify with bad credit.
- Work with an established broker. NCR Financial Services, the company that owns and operates LoansLoans.ca, has been around for over 15 years.
- No credit check
- Apply online in minutes
- Funding on the same day or next day
- High rates and fees
- Not very transparent about broker fees
| Loan amount | $500 – $1,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 28% – 32% |
| Term | 3 - 12 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | Late payment fee (2.66% per month), $45 NSF fee, broker fee |
| Turnaround time | Receive funds in less than 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | All of Canada (except Manitoba) |
4. Spring Financial
$300 – $35,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
9.99% – 34.95%
APR
APR
9 - 90 months
Term
Term
Spring Financial offers fast approval and funding. If you don't qualify for a bad credit personal loan, however, it'll offer you its credit builder loan The Foundation. With this loan, you won't access the loan funds until after you've made all your payments on time.
Why it's one of the best
- Get a loan from an established lender. Spring Financial has been providing bad credit loans in Canada since 2015 and has over 200 employees with headquarters in Vancouver, BC.
- Improve your credit score. Spring Financial reports payments to the credit bureaus so you can increase your credit score.
- Get quick funding. If you provide the required documents on time, you can get your bad credit loan the same day you apply.
- 100% online
- Fast funding via e-Transfer
- No prepayment penalties
- High rates for bad credit
- C- BBB rating, received complaints about the credit builder loan
| Loan amount | $300 – $35,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 9.99% – 34.95% |
| Term | 9 - 90 months |
| Min. credit score | 550 |
| Fees | No fees except $30 NSF fee |
| Turnaround time | Within 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | All of Canada |
5. easyfinancial
$500 – $100,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
9.99% – 35%
APR
APR
9 - 240 months
Term
Term
easyfinancial helps Canadians access financing when banks aren't an option. It offers bad credit loans across Canada online and in hundreds of locations.
Why it's one of the best
- Get a quick quote. Apply in minutes with no commitment and it won't affect your credit score.
- Work with a well-known lender. easyfinancial is one of the biggest lenders of bad credit personal loans in Canada.
- Improve your credit score. According to easyfinancial, one in three customers graduate to prime rates after making regular, on-time repayments.
- Secured and unsecured bad credit loans
- High approval rate
- BBB-accredited with an A+ rating
- Steep rates for bad credit
- Many negative customer reviews
| Loan amount | $500 – $100,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 9.99% – 35% |
| Term | 9 - 240 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | you may come across non-sufficient funds fees, late payment fees, missed payment fees or admin fees |
| Turnaround time | Approval within 30 minutes |
| Serviced provinces | all provinces |
6. Mogo
$300 – $5,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
Up to 34.36%
APR
APR
Open
Term
Term
Mogo is a Canadian fintech company that offers various financial products, including lines of credit for bad credit.
Why it's one of the best
- Get an instant decision. Get your free quote in three minutes without lowering your credit score.
- Apply easily online. Set up an account within minutes and get approval and funding within one to two days.
- Work with an established company. Mogo was founded in 2003 and is traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
- Convenient mobile app
- No prepayment penalties
- Bank-level security
- High rates for bad credit
- Some negative Mogo reviews online
| Loan amount | $300 – $5,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | Up to 34.36% |
| Term | Open |
| Min. credit score | 600 |
| Fees | None |
| Serviced provinces | BC, AB, SK, MB, ON, NB, NS, NF, PEI, NU, NT |
7. Loanz
$1,000 – $15,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
29.9% – 35%
APR
APR
12 - 60 months
Term
Term
Loanz is an online-only lender of bad credit personal loans. But if you don't qualify for a loan from them, they may direct you to another lender.
Why it's one of the best
- Get funded fast. Apply to get instant approval and receive funds in as little as 15 minutes.
- Improve your credit. Loanz will report every payment to the credit agencies to help boost your credit score.
- Skip the documents. You won't need to send any paperwork if you choose instant bank verification.
- Simple online application
- Positive customer reviews
- No prepayment penalties
- High rates
- High minimum loan amount
| Loan amount | $1,000 – $15,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 29.9% – 35% |
| Term | 12 - 60 months |
| Min. credit score | 570 |
| Fees | N/A |
| Turnaround time | 24 hours or less |
| Serviced provinces | All of Canada (excluding Quebec) |
8. Fairstone
$500 – $60,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
19.99% – 34.99%
APR
APR
6 - 120 months
Term
Term
Fairstone offers personal loans for bad credit. Apply online or visit one of over 230 locations across Canada.
Why it's one of the best
- Get a quote with no impact to credit score. Fairstone will only do a soft credit check to pre-approve you for a loan.
- Choose between secured and unsecured loans. Use your home equity as collateral to increase your odds of approval, or get an unsecured loan.
- Work with an established lender. Fairstone has been providing loans to Canadians for almost 100 years.
- Quick and easy application
- Multiple bad credit loan types (unsecured, secured, mortgages)
- Company has an established online presence
- No prepayment penalties for unsecured loans
- High rates for bad credit
- Potential for extra fees
- Prepayment penalties for secured loans
- Several negative customer reviews
| Loan amount | $500 – $60,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 19.99% – 34.99% |
| Term | 6 - 120 months |
| Min. credit score | 525 |
9. FlexMoney
$500 – $15,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
18.9% – 35%
APR
APR
6 - 60 months
Term
Term
FlexMoney is an online-only lender offering fast bad credit personal loans in Canada.
Why it's one of the best
- Get an instant decision. FlexMoney's automated system enables it to give you a no-obligation quote within minutes.
- Get your funds fast. Funds should reach your account on the same day or the next day.
- Rebuild your credit. FlexMoney will report regular, on-time payments to the credit bureau.
- Make payments weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly
- Easily make extra payments via e-transfer
- High interest rates
- Minimum income required ($2,000 per month)
- Only employment & pension income accepted
| Loan amount | $500 – $15,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 18.9% – 35% |
| Term | 6 - 60 months |
| Min. credit score | 500 |
| Fees | No application, origination or prepayment fees |
| Turnaround time | Receive funds within as little as 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | Alberta, British Columbia, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, PEI, Saskatchewan and Yukon |
10. Magical Credit
$1,500 – $20,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
19.99% – 35%
APR
APR
12 - 60 months
Term
Term
Magical Credit specializes in online personal loans for people with bad credit and/or low income. It's been in business since 2014 with offices in Concord and North York, Ontario.
Why it's one of the best
- Get a fast loan. Apply online and validate your information with instant bank verification to get a fast loan decision (with funds sent within 24 hours).
- Rebuild your credit. Magical Credit reports on-time payments to the credit bureaus to increase your credit score.
- Use non-employment income to qualify. Magical Credit accepts many types of income, such as most government benefits, private pensions and maternity benefits.
- Receive funds within as little as 24 hours
- Accepts child tax credit, EI, CPP, OAS, private pensions and more
- Refer-a-friend program
- High interest rates
- May charge an administration fee
- You must show income history for six months (if you receive employment income)
| Loan amount | $1,500 – $20,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 19.99% – 35% |
| Term | 12 - 60 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | A single administration fee of $194 |
| Turnaround time | Receive funds within as little as 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | Canada-wide (excluding Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec) |
11. Blue Copper Capital
$1,000 – $100,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
16% – 35%
APR
APR
6 - 84 months
Term
Term
Blue Copper Capital offers personal loans and payday loans to people with bad credit and is upfront about its rates and fees.
Why it's one of the best
- Improve your credit score. Blue Copper Capital reports your personal loan payments to the credit bureau.
- Good customer service. The company has solid customer reviews and is professional and helpful when contacted.
- Easily apply. Fill out an application online, call to apply or apply in person.
- Loan approval in as little as 20 minutes
- Join the customer club to get better rates and terms
- High interest rates
- Administration fee may apply
- Company only works in BC and Alberta
| Loan amount | $1,000 – $100,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 16% – 35% |
| Term | 6 - 84 months |
| Fees | Unknown |
| Turnaround time | Varies |
| Serviced provinces | BC and Alberta |
12. Money Mart
$500 – $18,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
29.9% – 34.28%
APR
APR
6 - 60 months
Term
Term
Money Mart offers installment loans and payday loans to people with bad credit. It's been in business for over 40 years and is one of the largest alternative lenders in Canada.
Why it's one of the best
- Get your loan fast. Same-day funding is available, depending on the transfer method.
- Apply online or in-store. Get your loan online or at one of Money Mart's 500+ store locations.
- Get some leniency. Money Mart is less strict with its requirements than banks, credit unions and some alternative lenders. You can qualify with a chequing account and a regular source of income.
- Established lender
- Convenient mobile app
- Accepts non-employment income such as government benefits and private pension
- High interest rates
- In-store and online availability varies across provinces
| Loan amount | $500 – $18,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 29.9% – 34.28% |
| Term | 6 - 60 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | None |
| Turnaround time | Less than 1 day |
| Serviced provinces | AB, BC, MB, NS, NT, ON, PEI, SK, YT |
13. Lend for All
$100 – $50,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
Up to 35%
APR
APR
3 - 120 months
Term
Term
Lend for All is a loan-matching company that uses an automated process to match people with various lenders and financial institutions. It is based in Toronto, Ontario, and has an A+ BBB rating.
Why it's one of the best
- Save time. It works with a network of lenders that offer quick approval for customers with bad credit.
- Get fast pre-approvals. Lend for All provides quick pre-approvals within minutes by doing a soft check on your credit report.
- Find a loan for various purposes. Lend for All will match you with offers based on your needs.
- A+ BBB rating
- AI technology gives you viable loan matches
- Potential for multiple offers
- Many loan types
- Online broker (not a direct lender)
- Small network of lenders compared to other brokers
- High rates for bad credit
| Loan amount | $100 – $50,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | Up to 35% |
| Term | 3 - 120 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | Varies by lender |
| Turnaround time | Varies |
| Serviced provinces | All provinces |
14. 24Cash
$500 – $850
Loan amount
Loan amount
Starting at 22%
APR
APR
90 - 120 days
Term
Term
24Cash connects applicants to a short term installment loan with no credit check. It is an alternative to payday loans. Expect a $225 broker fee to be added to your payments (the exact amount is set at the broker's discretion).
Why it's one of the best
- Get approval in one hour. Apply with instant bank verification and get approved quickly.
- Apply easily online. Fill out one quick form and provide your bank details to get approved. Get cash on the same day if approved before 2:30 PM EST.
- Established online broker. The company is active online and has solid customer reviews on Google and Trustpilot.
- No credit check
- Lower APRs than payday loans
- No paperwork required via instant bank verification
- Manual review available
- Three months to repay
- Government assistance not accepted as a form of income
- Very expensive
- Small maximum amount
- May not improve your credit score
| Loan amount | $500 – $850 |
|---|---|
| APR | Starting at 22% |
| Term | 90 - 120 days |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | broker fee of up to $225 |
| Turnaround time | Within 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | Canada-wide except Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan |
15. AAR Financial
$1,000 – $50,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
14.9% – 35%
APR
APR
24 - 120 months
Term
Term
AAR Financial offers personal loans with large loan amounts and long loan terms. The company serves customers in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia.
Why it's one of the best
- Increase your odds of approval. AAR Financial claims to approve 99% of applications.
- Get a secured or unsecured bad credit loan. Use your home to secure your loan and get a more competitive rate, or get an unsecured personal loan.
- Work with an established lender. AAR Financial has been in business for over 15 years with headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- Flexible loan amounts
- No prepayment penalties for unsecured loans
- High rates
- Fees not clearly disclosed online
| Loan amount | $1,000 – $50,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | 14.9% – 35% |
| Term | 24 - 120 months |
| Min. credit score | 550 |
| Fees | Fees may include insurance fees, administration fees and NSF/late payment fees. |
| Turnaround time | Within 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Ontario and British Columbia |
16. Cashco
$500 – $7,000
Loan amount
Loan amount
Up to 35%
APR
APR
6 - 60 months
Term
Term
Cashco offers unsecured bad credit loans called Flex Loans. Apply for a loan online or in-store.
Why it's one of the best
- Get some flexibility. You can choose a payment schedule, loan amount and loan term that works best for you.
- Rebuild credit. Cashco reports payments to the credit bureau, which will help improve your rating.
- Get a quick loan. You can get approval within minutes and receive your money within 24 hours.
- Fast bad credit loans
- Flexible terms
- No prepayment penalties
- High rates
| Loan amount | $500 – $7,000 |
|---|---|
| APR | Up to 35% |
| Term | 6 - 60 months |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | Up to 10% of your loan amount to set up your loan, NSF and late payment fees of $25. |
| Turnaround time | within 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | BC, AB, NB, SK and ON |
17. Credito
$500 – $850
Loan amount
Loan amount
Starting at 22%
APR
APR
90 - 120 days
Term
Term
Credito is a broker that helps people with bad credit find a short-term installment loan. You won't need to go through a credit check to get approved, but expect to be charged interest plus a $225 broker fee (the exact amount is at the broker's discretion).
Why it's one of the best
- Qualify. Since Credito doesn't do credit checks and offers smaller loans, it may be easier to get a loan from them versus other alternative lenders.
- Avoid payday loans. Credito's bad credit loans are an alternative to payday loans, allowing you multiple repayments and longer terms.
- Get funded fast. You can get your money within 24 business hours.
- 100% online
- No credit check
- High Trustpilot score
- High rates
- High broker fee
| Loan amount | $500 – $850 |
|---|---|
| APR | Starting at 22% |
| Term | 90 - 120 days |
| Min. credit score | 300 |
| Fees | $225 brokerage fee (amount set at broker's discretion) |
| Turnaround time | within 24 hours |
| Serviced provinces | ON, PE, BC, AB, NB, NS, NL, NU, NT, YU |
Finder: Personal Loan Consumer Satisfaction Awards
In 2023, we completed the Finder: Personal Loan Consumer Satisfaction Awards — an annual ranking of personal loan providers in Canada, based on customer satisfaction feedback. Read more about these awards and the methodology used to find the best personal loan providers, based on customer service scores.Quick summary of bad credit personal loans in Calgary
- No collateral required
- Borrow $500 to $10,000
- Repay with equal payments in 3 - 60 months, sometimes shorter
- 18% to 35% APR
Pros and cons of bad credit installment loans
Pros
- Easy to apply. Apply in less than 10 minutes. Get fast personal loan pre-approval to compare your options and get the lowest rate.
- Fast access to funds. While times vary between lenders, you can access your loan funds within 24–48 hours.
- Easy to qualify. Bad credit personal loan lenders have less strict eligibility requirements than traditional lenders. They look beyond your credit score and consider your income and employment to determine your ability to repay the loan.
- Advantages over payday loans. Bad credit installment loans in Calgary offer higher loan amounts and longer terms than payday loans.
Cons
- Expensive. If you have bad credit, lenders will offer you higher rates than borrowers with good credit. Check the annual percentage rate (APR) to find out the true cost of a loan, and check the fine print for any extra fees, such as NSF fees, late payment fees and prepayment penalties.
- Watch out for long terms. Longer loan terms will lower your monthly payment, but this means you’ll end up paying more interest overall.
- Disreputable lenders. Unfortunately, sketchy providers target borrowers with bad credit, so research a lender carefully before applying. Check out our guide to personal loan scams for more information.
Eligibility requirements
The exact criteria you need to take out a bad credit installment loan vary between lenders. Generally speaking, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- Be employed with a steady source of income
- Have a valid bank account
- Meet the credit score requirement
Questions to ask before you apply
- How much will it cost overall? Don’t just look at the monthly payment. Work out the total payments over the life of the loan, and calculate how much of those is interest.
- Can I manage the loan repayments? Can you afford having the monthly payment as part of your budget? Remember to leave room in your budget for essential expenses as well as unexpected bills.
- Can I pay it off early without any penalties? Many lenders do not charge this fee. If there are no prepayment penalties on your loan and you come into some extra money, you can pay off your debt sooner and save on interest.
- Will it improve my credit score? Check whether your lender will report your payments to credit bureaus to help you boost your credit score. Not all lenders do this.
- Is the lender legitimate? Make sure you check whether the lender is registered in Alberta and a legitimate loan provider. Avoid lenders with red flags such as promising guaranteed approval, a lack of transparency about the cost of a loan or trying to pressure you into taking out a loan.
How to apply
Apply for bad credit loans in Calgary by completing these steps:
- Check your credit score. If you haven’t done it yet, get your credit score to find out just how “bad” it is. This will give you a better idea of which lenders you should consider.
- Find lenders. Next, search for lenders that offer bad credit loans in Calgary. Find out what eligibility requirements each lender has, and make sure you’re only dealing with legitimate lenders.
- Compare loans. Now it’s time to compare individual loans to decide which one is right for you. Some lenders offer personal loan pre-approval, which lets you know how much the loan will cost before you proceed with the rest of the application. Look at the APR, loan amount, loan term and repayment flexibility when comparing your options.
- Submit an application. Once you’ve found the ideal loan, apply online. You’ll need to provide your name and contact information, proof of ID and details of your income and employment.
- Review the loan offer. Read the loan agreement carefully before you sign. Double-check the interest rate, fees, loan term and amount carefully. The money will typically be sent to your account within 24–48 hours.
Bad credit installment loans if you prefer to visit a branch
Prefer to visit a branch in person to take out a loan? Here are a few options you might like to consider.
| Lender | Loan amount | Loan term | APR | Location in Calgary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Blue Copper Capital | $1,000 – $100,000 | 6 - 84 months | 16.00% - 35.00% | 1 location (5809 Macleod Trail SW #104) |
$$500 – $100,000 | 9 - 240 months | 9.99% - 35.00% | 8+ locations | |
$500 – $18,000 | 6 - 60 months | 29.90% - 34.28% | 15+ locations |
⚠️ Warning: Be cautious with payday loans
High-cost payday loans are unsustainable for long-term borrowing, with up to $14 charged per $100 borrowed. If you're experiencing financial hardship, consider calling Credit Counselling Canada for free financial counselling (Monday-Friday 8:00am-5:00pm at +1 866-398-5999). You may also want to consider payday loan alternatives.Alternatives to bad credit personal loans: Payday loans
Payday loans are easier to get approved for than installment loans, but they’re extremely expensive and should only be a last resort.
| Lender | Loan amount | Loan term | Interest rate | How to apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$100 – $1,500 | 7 - 62 days | $14 for every $100 borrowed | ||
Blue Copper Capital | Up to $1,500 | 42 - 62 days | $14 for every $100 borrowed | Visit location (5809 Macleod Trail SW #104) or apply online |
$120 – $1,500 | 42 - 62 days | $14 for every $100 borrowed | Visit location (15+ locations in Calgary) or apply online |
Features of bad credit payday loans in Calgary
- Designed for low credit, financial emergencies and speedy funding
- No collateral required
- Borrow $100 to $1,500
- Repay in at least two installments within 42 - 62 days
- $14 for every $100 borrowed
Pros and cons of payday loans
Pros
- Easy online application. You can often complete an application in just a few minutes.
- Fast access to funds. Get your money in as little as 30 minutes.
- Flexible eligibility criteria. Payday lenders will look past your credit score and will focus on your income instead. They can accept non-employment income such as government benefits and private pensions.
Cons
- Extremely expensive. With APRs in the triple digits, payday loans should only be a last resort.
- Disreputable lenders. Make sure any lender you choose has an Alberta payday loan licence and complies with all payday lending regulations in the province.
- Short loan terms. Payday loans in Alberta must have terms ranging from 42 - 62 days, so keep in mind that you only have a very short period to pay back the money you borrow.
Questions to ask before you apply
- Is the lender licensed? Use the Service Alberta website to check whether the lender has a valid payday loan licence. If they don’t, walk away.
- Does the lender have an established presence? Check whether the lender has a physical address for their head office and whether they can be contacted via phone and email. You can also read reviews from other customers on independent websites.
- Will I have enough money left after I repay my loan? Remember: you only have a very short time to repay a payday loan, so it’s essential that you’re certain you can afford it. Check whether you’ll still be able to afford all your other regular expenses after paying back the loan.
- Are there alternatives I haven’t considered? From bad credit personal loans to debt consolidation, there are several payday loan alternatives available. Applying for a personal loan with a cosigner can also help you get better loan terms, so consider all other options before applying for a payday loan.
How to apply
You can apply for bad credit payday loans in Calgary either online or by visiting a lender’s branch in person. Complete the following steps:
- Provide your details. Provide your name, date of birth, contact details, housing situation and employment information. The lender may also require one or two references, such as friends or family members.
- Get approved. The fastest payday lenders can give instant approval with their automated systems.
- Read your contract. Double-check all the details of the loan offer and then submit it when you’re ready.
- Get your money. Once you’ve submitted your signed contract, you’ll get your money within a few minutes via Interac e-Transfer.
Tips to get the best bad credit loan in Calgary
No matter whether you’re comparing installment loans or payday loans, keep the following tips in mind to help find a bad credit loan that suits your needs:
- Understand your financial situation. If you’re deep in debt or struggling to make ends meet, it can be difficult to know where to start to get your finances back on track. That’s where free credit counselling can help you get a handle on your money situation and learn how to better manage your debt. Learn more about debt relief.
- Improve your borrowing power. Before you apply for a loan, consider whether there’s anything you can do to increase your chances of approval with multiple lenders so you can pick the best offer. For example, can you pay down existing debt to improve your debt-to-income ratio? Can you apply with a cosigner to get a better rate? Is your bank account free of NSF transactions in the last 90 days (and if not, can you wait to apply)
- Don’t borrow more than you can afford. Sit down and work out a monthly budget, including some wiggle room for any unexpected bills that drop into your inbox – how much is left after that to go towards your loan repayments.
Frequently asked questions
More resources on Finder
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Best bad credit loans in Edmonton, Alberta
Who are the best lenders of bad credit loans in Edmonton?
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Best bad credit loans in Prince Edward Island
Compare some of the best bad credit loans in PEI.
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Best bad credit loans in New Brunswick
Compare some of the best bad credit loans in New Brunswick.
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Best bad credit loans in Newfoundland
Compare some of the best options for bad credit loans in Newfoundland.
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15 best bad credit loans in Alberta in 2025
Get fast approval from one of these lenders offering bad credit loans in Alberta.
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16 best bad credit loans in BC
Find out where you can apply online and get approved for bad credit loans in BC.
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Personal loans for a credit score under 600
Compare personal loans for a credit score under 600. Apply online and get approved within 24 hours.
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14 best loans for bad credit in Ontario
Browse your top options for bad credit loans in Ontario.
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17 best loans for bad credit in Canada in 2025
Compare the best bad credit loans in Canada. Apply online and get your loan within 24 to 48 hours.
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No bank verification loans in Canada
Compare no IBV payday loans and installment loans in Canada.