Fast loans

Everyone falls short of cash from time to time. Maybe your car broke down a few days before your payday, or you get into an accident and need to cover medical expenses. In these situations, fast loans offer an easy fix. Here's a quick guide to getting fast loans and avoiding common pitfalls.

Understanding fast loans

Fast loans are called ‘fast' because they usually skip the most time-consuming steps in standard loans, such as credit checks and security approval. Because they're usually for small amounts (often under $1,000), lenders don't take on too much risk by loaning you the money outright. Your main form of security is usually a postdated cheque, which will be cashed or deposited to the lender's account on a given date.

Advantages

The most obvious advantage of a fast loan is speed. Fast loans can be processed anywhere from overnight to two days and last from one to six weeks. And because it's short-term, you won't be stuck with the debt for years as long as you pay back on time. It's a great way to manage day-to-day spending and tide you over until your next payday.

Disadvantages

Fast loans are considered high-risk because they skip the steps that ensure you're a good borrower. Interest rates can be several times higher than that in standard loans, and the fees are much steeper for missed, late, or even early repayments.

Choosing a lender

Many lenders take advantage of the immediate need of fast loan borrowers, charging extremely high fees and interest. Look around for good lenders who offer reasonable rates and loan terms. Avoid those who charge upfront fees or don't issue a written contract detailing the total cost of the loan.