Written by
Cara Bradley
5 min read
Updated: 30/01/2024
When a financial emergency hits and you’ve made the decision to apply for a loan, the last thing you want to do is jump through hoops and contend with long, confusing forms.
If you’re looking for a short-term personal loan without the jargon, Viva Money may be able to help you.
What are easy loans?
When you think about applying for a loan, it’s likely that you’ll be hoping for a straightforward application process with a swift decision. This may be the case if you need the money quickly; for example, to pay for emergency car repairs or a broken boiler.
Viva Money work with a trusted panel of lenders who offer short-term loans between £100 and £10,000 with repayment terms from 3 to 60 months, depending on how much money you choose to borrow.
How easy is it to get approved for a loan?
Your chance of being approved for a loan will depend on several factors, such as affordability and your credit history.
When it comes to applying for a loan, each lender has their own eligibility criteria. Generally speaking, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over;
- Have a UK address;
- Have a UK bank account and valid debit card; and
- Have a regular source of income paid directly into your bank account.
To search for a loan with Viva Money, you must meet the above criteria.
Is it easy to get approved for a loan with bad credit?
If your credit score isn’t looking it’s best, you may struggle to be approved for a loan, although it is not impossible.
Some lenders, including a handful of those on our panel, specialise in providing loans to those with less-than-perfect credit scores.
If you are approved for a loan with bad credit, you might be offered a higher interest rate than that offered to someone with a better credit score or you may be offered a more manageable loan amount.
Improving your credit score could unlock a range of borrowing options and better interest rates.
Is it easy to get approved for a loan with no credit history at all?
If you’re never borrowed credit or paid bills before it’s likely that you will have no credit history to show. This is sometimes referred to as having a ‘thin’ credit file, and can make applying for a loan tricky. With no available information of how you manage credit, lenders may see you as a risk.
While being approved for a loan with a thin credit file may be difficult, it is certainly not impossible, and the good news is that there are a number of things you can do to build your credit score.
How can I improve my credit score?
Taking the first steps towards a healthier credit position is something you can do today.
- Register to vote. Being on the electoral roll will make it easier for lenders to identify you and verify your current information, such as your address.
- Check your credit report for errors. Did you know that even a mistyped address could impact your credit score?
- Pay your bills on time each month. Late and missed payments can seriously harm your score.
- If you have a credit card, make sure that you stay well within your credit limit.
- Got a thin credit file? You may be interested to learn about credit-building credit cards. When used responsibly alongside other credit-boosting methods, these cards could help you achieve a better credit score.
How easy is the Viva Money loan application process?
If you’re hoping for a stress-free application, we’re pleased to confirm that the Viva Money journey is as easy as V-I-V-A.
We’ve broken the Viva Money process down into four simple sections below so you know exactly what to expect every step of the way.
Step one
Choose your ideal loan and repayment term, and complete our online form. This should take no longer than five minutes.
Step two
Using the information provided on your application, we’ll run a soft search on your credit history and scan our panel of lenders for a suitable match.
Step three
If we’ve been able to find you a loan, you will be redirected to the lender’s website, where you’ll complete some further checks, such as a hard credit search.
Step four
If the lender is happy with the outcome of their checks, you will be sent a loan agreement. Read through this carefully before signing to make sure you are happy with everything and can comfortably afford the monthly repayments.
Once the agreement has been signed and returned, your money will be sent.
If approved for a loan, how quickly could I receive the money?
Some of the lenders on our panel are able to send your money on the same day your application is approved. Of course, it’s worth bearing in mind that the time it takes for the money to show in your account will depend on your bank’s policies and procedures.
If you need the loan to pay for something in an emergency, you might want to make contact with your lender to find out when you can expect your loan to be paid, so you can plan accordingly.
I’m worried about money – what can I do?
Money worries can leave us feeling isolated and exhausted. While it can sometimes feel like there’s no end in sight, it’s really important to remember that help is always available, whatever you’re facing.
If you’ve taken out a loan that you’re struggling to repay, you should contact your lender as soon as possible. Together, you can decide on a practical solution to ease the pressure moving forwards.
You can access free, impartial advice on money and debt management on sites such as National Debtline, Citizens Advice, and MoneyHelper.
Viva Money have teamed up with debt charity StepChange to create a Money Health Check. You can take the quiz online, free of charge, and receive tips on how best to manage your current situation.
