Bad credit loans in Canada — approval based on income, not your score
A low credit score does not mean you cannot borrow. Captain Cash has been helping Canadians with bad or no credit history since 2015 — because we assess what actually matters: your income and your ability to repay.
Free to apply · No obligation · APR 23% · Not available in QC, MB, or SK
A loan designed for people the banks turned away
A bad credit loan is a personal loan offered to borrowers who have a low credit score, a limited credit history, or past financial difficulties — circumstances that would typically disqualify them from a traditional bank loan.
Most Canadians do not have perfect credit. Missed payments, high credit utilization, a thin file, or a past bankruptcy can all drag a score down — even if your current financial situation is stable. Traditional lenders use that number to make a binary decision. We do not.
Captain Cash is a direct lender, not a broker. We built our assessment model around income and banking activity because those are far better predictors of whether someone can repay a short-term loan. A borrower with a 580 credit score who has held the same job for three years and keeps a consistent account balance is a good candidate. A borrower with a 720 score who has had six jobs in two years may not be.
Our loans are installment loans — not payday loans. You repay in scheduled payments over 90 to 150 days, not in a single lump sum. This makes the repayment manageable and predictable.
No credit check
We do not perform a hard inquiry. Applying will not lower your credit score or appear on your credit report.
Income-based approval
We assess your monthly income, employment stability, and bank account history — not a three-digit number from a credit agency.
Same-day Interac e-Transfer
If approved before 2 PM ET on a business day, your funds arrive the same day — directly to the bank account on your application.
Direct lender, not a broker
Your application stays with us. We do not share your information with third-party lenders or brokers.
What we look at instead of your credit score
A credit score tells a lender how you handled debt in the past. It does not tell them whether you can handle a $500 repayment next month. For short-term lending, income and banking stability are far more relevant signals.
Our Halifax team reviews four factors for every application:
Eligibility requirements
Bad credit is not a barrier — but you do need to meet these minimum requirements. They exist to protect you as much as us.
You must:
Income sources we accept:
Income sources we do not accept:
Approval is subject to eligibility verification. Meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee approval.
What a bad credit loan actually costs
Every cent is disclosed before you sign. No hidden fees, no surprise charges.
| Loan amount | APR | Term | Approx. total repayment | Weekly payment (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $500 | 23% | 90–150 days | ~$750 | ~$50–$56 |
| $600 | 23% | 90–150 days | ~$900 | ~$60–$67 |
| $700 | 23% | 90–150 days | ~$1,050 | ~$70–$78 |
| $800 | 23% | 90–150 days | ~$1,200 | ~$80–$89 |
| $900 | 23% | 90–150 days | ~$1,350 | ~$90–$100 |
| $1,000 | 23% | 90–150 days | ~$1,500 | ~$100–$112 |
APR 23% on all loans. Total repayment and payment amounts are estimates — your exact schedule is shown before you sign. NSF fee: $45. Deferral fee: $25 (requires 48-hour notice). No application fee. No prepayment penalty — pay off early at any time for free. Borrow responsibly.
Bad credit installment loan vs. payday loan
Captain Cash is not a payday lender. Understanding the difference could save you real money.
For a deeper comparison, read our guide on how Captain Cash loans work.
Common questions about bad credit loans
Yes. Captain Cash does not perform a credit check. We assess your income, employment stability, and banking history instead. If you earn at least $1,200 per month by direct deposit and have an active Canadian bank account, you may qualify regardless of your credit score.
No. Captain Cash does not perform a hard credit inquiry. Applying will not appear on your credit report and will not lower your credit score.
Captain Cash offers loans from $500 to $1,000. The amount approved is based on your income and repayment capacity — not your credit history. Your exact loan offer and repayment schedule are shown to you before you sign anything.
A past bankruptcy does not automatically disqualify you. If your bankruptcy has been discharged and you have stable income and an active bank account, you may still be eligible. You cannot apply if you are currently bankrupt or in an active consumer proposal.
If your application is submitted and approved before 2 PM ET on a business day, you will receive your funds by Interac e-Transfer the same day. Applications submitted after 2 PM ET or on weekends are typically processed the next business day.
Captain Cash is licensed to lend in Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut, and the Northwest Territories. We are not currently available in Quebec, Manitoba, or Saskatchewan.
Where we offer bad credit loans in Canada
Captain Cash serves borrowers in 9 provinces and territories. Select your province for local information.
