Payday lenders are financial service providers with personal loans that are quickly disbursed to borrowers, making them a great choice for those who need a loan on an urgent basis to pay for emergency personal expenses. The most common type of payday lenders operating in Australia is payday loan providers.
Most payday lenders in Australia provide loans through an online application process, whereby approved funds are also electronically transferred into the borrower’s designated bank account.
For those who are unable to secure a loan through a credit union or a bank, a payday lender provides a great source of credit that is readily available, although the maximum amount allowed by payday lenders on a loan may be smaller compared to big lenders. Also, payday lenders do not base loan approval decisions based upon the borrower’s credit history alone, rather place greater emphasis on the borrower’s ability to make regular loan repayments.
Is It Wise To Borrow From A Payday Lender?
payday lenders are called as such because you don’t require an intermediary to avail their services, and the lenders don’t act as brokers on another lender’s behalf as well. This means that you can apply online for a loan with any payday lender and, if approved, the lender would transfer the funds into your account from its own resources.
However, there are many brokers in Australia that specialize in payday lenders, facilitating borrowers with their application process for availing a loan. These brokers charge a small commission, usually to the lenders, for their services. However, payday lenders have streamlined the loan application process to such an extent that hiring the services of a broker may not offer much utility.
Tip: A broker such as Viva Paydays can help you identify the best payday lenders in the market.
The Advantages Of Using A payday lender
A major advantage of using the services of a payday lender is the fast loan application processing time. In fact, you can potentially file the initial application, get approved, and have funds disbursed to your bank account, all in the same day. This is possible for payday lenders because the loan amount is small, the entire system is automated and online, and the lender does not need to conduct lengthy background checks to approve a loan.
Another advantage is that payday lenders do not require borrowers to pledge any personal assets as collateral against the loan amount. This protects borrowers from losing their assets in case they default on the loan. However, payday lenders compensate for the higher risk with a higher interest rate, compared to a secured personal loan.
Choosing The Best Payday Lender
There are many payday lenders in Australia, and it can become a daunting task to select the best one considering your individual circumstances. The following are a few points you should take into consideration while evaluating different payday lenders.
Lender Terms And Conditions
Although most lenders would have quite similar lending terms and conditions, some lenders might charge hidden fees that become evident at a later time.
Tip: Look out for these hidden charges, which are usually mentioned in the fine print on the lender’s website.
Reputation of the Lender
While many payday lenders are known for putting the needs of their customers above profitability, there are some that may offer potentially exploitative terms in their loan agreements. If a lender does exploit its customers, it develops a reputation over time. A quick read of customer reviews on the internet should confirm the reputation of a lender.
Convenience
You must pick a payday lender that has a convenient application process. It should be 100% online, require submission of only the most essential documents (electronically), and disburse funds directly into your bank account.
Eligibility Criteria
Every lender has unique lending criteria that it follows to ensure it only lends to customers who have the ability to repay the loan amount. However, you can expect most payday lenders to have the following eligibility requirements in place. Applicants must:
- Be over the age of 18
- Be employed and have a stable inflow of income (some lenders may also specify a minimum income required to qualify for a loan)
- Have a valid bank account
Some payday lenders may also require that applicants do not have any other outstanding loan obligations at the time of filing the loan application.
Important Considerations
You must take into consideration the following before applying for a loan with a payday lender.
Required Credit Score
Most direct payday lenders in Australia provide loans regardless of the borrower’s credit history. But, there are some small loan payday lenders that do take the credit score of the borrower into consideration while approving the loan. Make sure your chosen lender accepts your credit score, otherwise your loan application is likely to be rejected.
Your Affordability
While you may qualify a lender’s stipulated affordability assessment, you must conduct a self-assessment of your affordability as well to determine whether you can comfortably service due loan repayments over the loan term. Make sure getting this loan will not make your personal financial situation very difficult to manage, as defaulting on a loan can further exasperate your financial woes.
Alternative Options
Borrowing from a payday lender could be more expensive compared to other, more traditional, options, such as banks. Of course, the cheapest source of funding is borrowing from friends and family. Make sure you have exhausted cheaper options and considered alternatives before choosing a payday lender.
Top 3 Payday Lenders in Australia
To give our readers an idea about who the leading payday lenders in Australia are, here’s quick rundown of top 3 payday lenders in Australia:
- Nimble Short Term Loans (popularly known as ‘Nimble’) is probably the best known payday lender in Australia. Established in 2005, the company has really grown in stature and popularity by offering highly flexible and no-credit-check loans to thousands of Australians over the last decade.
- Sunshine Short Term Loans is a registered member of the National Credit Providers’ Association. The company is based in Surfers’ Paradise, Queensland and is best known for their instant loan application reviews.
- Ferratum Australia, owned and operated by theFerratum Group, is another popular payday lender. Ferratum Group presently operates in over 20 countries around the world as a ‘mobile loan provider’. Ferratum Group has recently managed to receive a banking license in Australia, making their lending arm all the more safe and reliable to engage with.
FAQs
What is a payday lender?
A payday lender is a loan provider that offers loan products and services from its own resources.
What is the maximum amount I can borrow through a payday loan payday lender?
The maximum amount that can be borrowed through a payday lender depends upon the lender and the loan type. Payday loans are usually smaller, while personal loans can even exceed $100,000.
What is the difference between a broker and a payday lender?
A broker is a firm that facilitates customers in using the services of numerous payday lenders. A payday lender directly provides loan products and services to its customers without any intermediaries.
