Compare direct private lenders for personal loans in Canada

If you have good to bad credit and you’re looking for quick approval, direct private lenders of personal loans are a solid option. These lenders have more lenient eligibility criteria, but be prepared to pay more in interest.

What are direct private lenders for personal loans in Canada?

Direct private lenders for personal loans approve and fund loans themselves. They mostly operate online and aren’t affiliated with a major financial institution, such as a bank or credit union.

Applying online to a direct private lender is a good option if any of the following applies to you:

• Banks or credit unions cannot approve you.
• You need rapid approval and funding.
• You’d prefer not to apply to a broker to avoid sharing your details to multiple third-party lenders.

The differences between bank loans and private loans in Canada

How much do private lenders charge for personal loans?

The annual percentage rate (APR) for private lender loans typically fall between 6.99% and 46.96%. The rate you’ll get depends on factors like your credit score and debt-to-income ratio.

Low interest loans will be offered to applicants with good to excellent credit (660+) and a DTI under 40%.

Other costs that may come with private personal loans in Canada include origination fees (administrative payment for setting up the loan), late payment fees and NSF fees. Direct private lenders differ in what fees they charge, so check the terms of any loan before applying so you know what to expect.

Pros and cons of private lenders of personal loans

Example: Monthly payments for a $5,000 loan

Below is an example of how much a $5,000 loan from a direct private lender may cost in monthly payments.

Eligibility requirements of private loans

Exact requirements will vary between direct private lenders, but generally you’ll need to meet the following requirements:

• Be at least the age of majority in your province or territory (18 or 19 years old)
• Be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident
• Have a valid Canadian address
• Have a steady income
• Meet credit score and income requirements

Documents

To apply for private lender loans, you’ll usually need to provide the following documents:

• Valid government-issued ID. Driver’s licence, passport or permanent resident card.
• Proof of income. Pay stubs, bank statements or your most recent Notice of Assessment.
• Proof of residency. Utility bill, bank statement or credit card statement with your name and address.

Keep in mind, if the direct lender offers instant bank verification, you’ll send little to no documents.

How to compare private lenders in Canada

With many options online, how do you narrow down your choices? Consider the following features:

Loan amounts

Check the lender’s minimum and maximum lending amounts. Some private lenders in Canada offer loans as high as $50,000 or as low as $500, while others don’t go over $15,000 or under $1,000.

Loan terms

These vary among lenders. Minimum repayment terms can fall anywhere from around 6 months to 2 years. Maximum repayment terms can go as high as 5 years or more. A longer term may mean lower payments, but you’ll pay more interest over the life of the loan.

Interest rates

Keep an eye on the annual percentage rate (APR), which reflects the annual cost of the loan. Most private lenders offer fixed APRs that stay the same throughout the loan term. Learn more about personal loan rates.

Eligibility requirements

Like banks, private loan providers have minimum credit score and income requirements, while others are more flexible, evaluating applicants on a case-by-case basis. Keep in mind that lenient eligibility requirements tend to come with high interest rates.

Grace period

Private loan providers might offer a grace period. For example, a Mogo personal loan allows borrowers to “test drive” the loan for 100 days. If you’re not satisfied, you can pay back the principal, and Mogo will refund your fees and interest. With a goPeer personal loan, you have a 15-day grace period following your payment due date during which you can make your payment with no penalties or impact to your credit score.

Repayments

You may be able to choose between weekly, biweekly or monthly repayments, although some lenders don’t offer a choice. You may also be able to change the payment schedule, while others may be more restrictive.

Fees

NSF fees are common among direct private lenders, while origination fees (administrative fee to process your loan) and early repayment fees are less common. Before signing, make sure you understand the total cost of your loan, not just the interest rate.

Reputation and customer service

Check out real customer reviews before deciding on a private lender. Steer clear of private lenders that pressure you into signing, avoid clearly explaining the terms of your loan or that push you to get loan insurance. Loan insurance adds to the cost of your loan and should be optional.

Speed

Some direct private lenders of personal loans give approval and funding on the same day or the next morning at the latest, while others may take longer. If your need is urgent, learn more about emergency loans in Canada.

Can I get a private personal loan with bad credit?

There are private bad credit personal loans in Canada, but be prepared to pay a high interest rate. Bad credit borrowers are charged higher rates to offset the risk that they’ll default on the loan. The following tips may help you get approved if you have poor credit:

• Get a secured personal loan. A secured personal loan requires collateral like your car or home to reduce the lender’s risk. Make sure you can afford repayments. If not, the lender can seize your asset.
• Get pre-approved. Some direct private lenders like Mogo and Fairstone offer loan preapproval and a quote within minutes — without impacting your credit score. A full credit pull is typically required afterwards to complete your application.
• Rebuild your credit before applying. Pay your bills on time and try to reduce your debt before applying for a loan. Doing this will boost your credit score and show lenders that you’re a responsible borrower.

Summary: Who should get private personal loans in Canada?

Consider getting a private lender loan if:

• You’re struggling to get approved. Private lenders often have more lenient eligibility criteria than banks and credit unions, so you might get approved more easily.
• You need fast, flexible funds. Private loans in Canada are typically disbursed in 24-48 hours and often come with a variety of repayment terms.
• You have a low credit score. Some private lenders offer loans for people with less-than-perfect credit, although you may get a high interest rate.
• You can manage the repayments. If you can’t afford your repayments, steer clear of private loans even if you meet the eligibility requirements.

Bottom line

Private loans in Canada are a good alternative to bank loans, especially if you have a hard time getting approval, need funds fast or want flexible repayment terms. But make sure you understand all the costs and features of your loan and compare lenders to find the best option for you.

Frequently asked questions about private lender loans

• What can I use a private lender loan for?

  Private lender loans can usually be used for anything. You can use it to consolidate debt, buy a car, fund an education, pay for a major expense and more.

• Are private loans in Canada safe?

  Private loans in Canada are safe as long as you apply to a legitimate direct lender. To determine whether a private lender of personal loans is legitimate, look for a business registration, office address, email address and phone number, and check for its presence on sites like the Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.

• Are private lender loans better than bank loans?

  Not necessarily. Private lender loans are generally faster and easier to get than bank loans, but in exchange you may be offered higher interest rates.

Written by

Leanne Escobal

Publisher

Leanne Escobal is a publisher for Finder. She has spent over 11 years working with financial products and services, specializing in content and marketing. Leanne has completed the Canadian securities course (CSC®) as well as the personal lending and mortgages course by the Canadian Securities Institute. She has a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English literature and creative writing from Western University. See full bio

Co-written by

Stacie Hurst

Associate editor

Stacie Hurst is an editor at Finder, specializing in loans, banking, investing and money transfers. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Writing, and she has completed FP Canada Institute's Financial Management Course. Before working in the publishing industry, Stacie completed one year of law school in the United States. When not working, she can usually be found watching K-dramas or playing games with her friends and family. See full bio