Quick Loans for Bad Credit

Updated: November 13, 2024 Author:

Key Takeaway: Quick loans for bad credit are a type of unsecured loan, letting you borrow small amounts from £50 up to £1,500.

With a bad credit score, interest rates are upwards of 39.9% and the repayment terms can be 1 to 12 months.

    Adequate budgeting and income management make it easier to live comfortably within your means with minimal money worries.

    However, unforeseen events such as unexpected utility bills, car repairs, home improvement projects, or any other type of emergency could put you in sudden need of cash.

    If you find yourself in this kind of situation, a quick loan can bail you out. B

    ut can you get a quick loan if you have a bad credit score?

    What is a Quick Loan?

    Quick loans are a type of unsecured loan.

    They are often advertised by lenders as having instant decisions, or that you’ll get a fast decision.

    They don’t guarantee you’ll be approved, but they can guarantee that you’ll get a decision in as little as 15 minutes.

    They can do this because a soft credit check will be run against your credit files. If you have a CCJ or an active bankruptcy, they may instantly tell you that you won’t be approved.

    Soft searches don’t show to lenders on your credit report.

    If you don’t have severe credit problems, the “quotation search” (which is the soft search) provides enough information for a lender to provide a quote.

    An offer for a loan requires a hard check and you should be asked before the lender or broker proceeds with the application because hard checks can temporarily lower your credit score.

    Applications for any type of unsecured loan is mostly an online process that’s fairly easy and straightforward.

    You will be required to submit your personal information, including a valid ID to prove you’re 18 years or above.

    You’ll also be required to provide proof of income, your bank details as well as other financial information and documentation.

    This is a regulatory requirement to prove your identity, and for the lender to conduct an affordability assessment, part of the FCA responsible lending criteria.

    Quick loans appear similar to payday loans as they both provide quick cash for urgent needs but the repayment terms are different.

    While payday loans are typically paid back when you get your next paycheck, repayment terms for small sums are usually more flexible and varied.

    How a Quick Loan Process Works

    The loan application process differs from one lender to another, but usually, they follow a general pattern.

    When you apply for any type of loan, you can expect your application to go through these stages:

    1. Loan application. This entails going to the lender’s website online to apply.

    As stated earlier, you’ll be required to submit some personal and financial information and documentation.

    2: Application appraisal. The lender reviews your application and makes a quick decision.

    This usually happens within minutes or a few hours.

    3: Loan terms. If they’re satisfied with your application profile, the lender will approve your application and send over their loan terms.

    This will include the approved loan amount, fees, interest rates, repayment details, and so on.

    4: Fund disbursement. If you agree with the loan terms, the funds are quickly released to you- usually within 24 hours of your agreement or the next business day.

    The repayment period for small unsecured loans is usually short, (up to 12 months) and some lenders will give you the option of setting up a direct debit.

    This automatically deducts the agreed repayment amount from your bank account on a specified date every month.

    Always go through the loan terms, read, understand, and agree with them before you make any commitment.

    If you don’t understand a clause, ask the lender for clarification.

    This is necessary because once you sign that contract and get the cash, there’s no going back.

    There will be a 14-day cooling-off period, but that’s no use if you use the cash and can’t repay in full within those 14 days.

    Can You Get a Quick Loan with Bad Credit?

    These days, many credit institutions understand that a potential borrower’s credit history isn’t a true reflection of their ability to repay a loan.

    As a result, some of them place more emphasis on things like residential stability, job stability, income size, etc over bad credit.

    In essence, if the verifiable information you submit satisfies the affordability assessment to show that you can comfortably repay the loan plus interest and fees, your application is more likely to be approved.

    This realisation has reduced the need for a loan guarantor. Since quick loans are unsecured, there’s also no need for collateral, making them one of the easiest ways to get funds in a financial emergency.

    Can You Get a Quick Loan without a Credit Check?

    The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) requires lenders to carry out a credit check before loans are approved.

    No credit check loans don’t exist!

    However, some lenders would do a soft check instead of a hard one, which will not impact your credit score.

    It’s important to look out for this detail before filling out a lender’s application form. Check that they only do a soft check before you take the plunge.

    This way, you can rest assured that you won’t be harming your credit by applying for the loan.

    The Pros and Cons of Quick Loans

    There are several advantages to getting a loan approved fast when you need urgent cash.

    The upside is the obvious cash in your bank to make ends meet.

    There can be significant drawbacks to fast approval loans though that shouldn’t be overlooked.

    1. Higher interest rates

    Small loans repaid over a short-term often come with significant interest rates, higher than what traditional loans attract.

    Since the repayment period is short, some lenders charge high interest to make it financially worthwhile for them.

    As a result, they can be quite expensive sometimes.

    2. The loan amount is often small.

    You can only borrow a few hundred to a few thousand pounds.

    This makes quick loans a non-viable solution to your emergency if the expense is substantial.

    3. It can lead to debt spiraling.

    Quick loans for small sums are one of the easiest finance options available.

    The ease of this can lead to dependency, like borrowing from one lender to pay a previous lender.

    Always consider your repayment ability carefully before applying for any type of loan.