Quick loans

A quick loan is a financial agreement made in which you are able to borrow a certain amount of money far more quickly than by applying for a traditional loan.

Also known as instant loans or fast loans, quick loans are typically unsecured loans – meaning you don’t need to provide collateral like your car or home in order to successfully secure the loan. 

Many people look to quick loans as a resort when having to deal with unexpected emergency expenses like car repairs, medical bills, home repairs and education-related costs.

As you can guess by their name, quick loans are known for being fast to get. 

Many lenders may offer instant decisions and be able to send the amount agreed to your account potentially within a matter of minutes.

Applying for a quick loan is very much the same as applying for any kind of loan. 

First, you have to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria. Whilst these will vary from lender to lender, they will generally ask that you are: 

• At least 18 years of age
• A UK resident
• Have a regular source of income (and are able to prove it)

If you are eligible then you will be asked to set your ideal loan amount and repayment window. Your application will be reviewed and you will likely receive a decision instantly.

Quick loans are typically used to borrow around £50 – £5,000 depending on the lender. 

Quick loans are defined by smaller lending amounts as well as shorter repayment windows – generally 1-36 months.

Remember to practise responsible borrowing when taking out quick loans – you should only ever borrow an amount of money that you are confident in being able to repay according to the terms set out by your quick loan lender.

Generally speaking, quick loan lenders run a less strict application process when it comes to factoring in lower credit scores. 

Many quick loan lenders are less concerned with a borrower’s lifetime credit history and more focused on whether or not they have the steady income needed to pay back a loan in the months ahead.

However, it is important to note that the repayment terms on a quick loan are strict. As repayment windows are also far shorter, this can lead to finding yourself on the wrong side of repayments quicker than you expect. 

Quick loans also generally feature far higher interest fees than traditional loans – so it’s important that you review the terms and conditions of your quick loan closely in order to avoid getting caught out.

Yes, if repayments are made within the terms agreed then your credit score will likely improve. However, if you fall behind on repayments, your credit score will be affected negatively.

Unlike other loan types that are generally repaid via direct debit or manual payments made by the borrower, quick loan lenders receive repayments in the form of Continuing Payment Authority (CPA). 

This means that lenders have access to your bank account and can continue to take payments from your bank account according to their terms. 

Whilst you will have agreed to this beforehand, some borrowers consider this an invasion of privacy and choose to seek out other loan types featuring less invasive repayment methods.

Selecting the right quick loan for you is all about reviewing the interest rates and other terms stated by a range of quick loan lenders.

Whilst you will hopefully make all your repayments on time, it is useful to minimise interest fees to protect yourself in case of unexpected repayment issues. 

At Bad Credit, we’re proud to help you find the best quick loan for you – just enter your details into the comprehensive quote tool and we’ll try to find the quick loan that fits your needs best.

Pros:

Easy access: Quick loans can be secured and funds received the same day.

Lesser requirements: Quick loans often feature less strict application processes and provide funds to borrowers with lower credit scores than traditional loans. 

Versatile usage: Quick loans provide a valuable emergency resource in the face of unexpected costs such as bills, household appliances and repairs, car repairs, medical bills and education-related expenses. 

Self-employed acceptance: Quick loan lenders are more likely to approve self-employed borrowers unable to provide as complete proof of regular income as full-time workers.

Unsecured: As well as being more welcoming to borrowers with bad credit, quick loans are unsecured loans – meaning collateral such as cars and homes are not required. 

Cool-off period: Quick loans feature a fortnight-length cool-off period, during which time you can withdraw from the loan agreement and pay nothing except the interest on any credit you have used. 

Cons:

Expensive: Whilst quick loans enable you to get funds fast, you will have to pay for the privilege, with lenders charging 1,000% APR or greater. 

Credit score risk: With their rapid repayments and high interest rates, it can be easy for borrowers to fall behind on quick loan repayments. And when they do, their credit score will suffer. 

Dodgy lenders: Quick loan lenders have a reputation for targeting borrowers with low income and bad credit. The appeal of instant money then leads them further into debt. We recommend checking out reviews of the quick loan lender you are considering to learn about the experiences of others who have engaged with them before.

Bank account access: Quick loan lenders receive repayments in the form of CPA, meaning the lender has access to your bank account and can take payments from your bank account according to their terms.