Best Credit Builder Loans in Canada

Building up your credit score can feel challenging, especially if you have a short credit history or have had some negative financial incidents in the past. Fortunately, credit builder loans can help. Credit builder loans can act as a valuable tool to help you establish or improve your credit score. Here, we explain Canada's best credit builder loans, including their benefits, drawbacks and alternatives.

Borrowell

Borrowell's Credit Builder is an instalment loan that allows you to start building your credit for only $5, $15 or $25 biweekly over 48 months. During this time, Borrowell reports your payments to Equifax Canada (one of the two consumer credit bureau in Canada). If you make consistent payments and ensure that you are financially responsible with this and any other credit you have outside of this loan, your credit score should improve with time.

• Interest rate: N/A

• Loan Term: 48 months

• Eligibility: There are a few criteria for applicants:

  • Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident

  • Must be at or above the age of majority in your province

  • Must live in Canada, excluding Saskatchewan

Benefits

This program is straightforward to use: you select the bi-weekly payment that works with your budget. Then, focus on making consistent, on-time payments to improve your credit score. A higher credit score can make it easier to qualify for loans and credit in the future. In addition to helping you build your credit history, Borrowell's Credit Builder also offers the following benefits:

• Guaranteed approval

• No hard credit check when you apply

• No interest, just a flat program fee

• Pre-authorized debit payments

• Access to exclusive credit education and cash back rewards

• Ability to cancel any time without financial penalty

Drawbacks

Currently, this program is unavailable in Saskatchewan, so you’ll have to consider other options if you live in that province.

KOHO Credit Building

KOHO's credit builder tool is a line of credit that can help you establish and improve your credit score. To sign up, you need to have an existing KOHO account with enough money in your account to cover the subscription fee. From there, you pay a subscription fee of $5, $7 or $10 a month, depending on the account type, to get access to $225. Every month, you have to choose a credit utilization rate using the KOHO app, and KOHO reports your payments to Equifax.

For example, if you use $22.50 of your $225 available credit, your credit utilization rate is 10%. Every month, on your billing date, your credit utilization rate resets to 0%. You will need to reset it yourself in the app, and KOHO reports this activity to Equifax.

• Interest rate: N/A

• Loan Term: N/A

• Maximum loan amount: $225

• Eligibility: No application – guaranteed approval

Benefits

The most significant benefit to this program is that you can build up your credit score for a relatively low cost. Additional benefits of KOHO include:

• Guaranteed approval regardless of credit score

• No hard credit check

• Free access to credit score

• No interest charges; only a monthly subscription fee

• Access to financial coaching

• Cancel your subscription at any time

Drawbacks

KOHO Credit Building provides a lower credit limit than some other credit building options. To use KOHO's credit building services, you have to have a KOHO account. If you don't want to become a KOHO customer, you’ll have to look elsewhere.

Credit Unions

If you want to shop around and check out various lenders, looking at what different credit unions can offer you is a good idea. Typically, you have to become a credit union member, and then you can get loan details based on your situation and the credit union’s policies. You can start looking for a credit-building loan from a credit union on Loans Canada and LoansConnect, two platforms that allow you to research and compare loans from various lenders.

• Interest rate: Varies

• Loan Term: Varies

• Maximum loan amount: Varies

• Eligibility: Varies

Benefits

You may be able to find a credit union that offers payments and terms that work well with your budget and timeline.

Drawbacks

You’ll have to become a member of that credit union, and many credit unions are co-operatives, so you would need to meet specific eligibility criteria to become a member. Some credit unions offer less advanced online banking tools than what you would get from Borrowell or KOHO. Depending on the credit union, you may be charged additional fees and interest costs.

Why Would You Need a Credit Builder Loan?

There are a few reasons why you might need a credit builder loan. Reasons include:

• You're a newcomer to Canada, a student, or you've never taken out a loan before and you don’t have a long enough credit history.

• You have a low credit score because of a history of missed or late payments.

Whatever the reason, a credit builder loan helps establish or rebuild your credit by reporting your payments to a credit bureau.

What is a Credit Builder Loan?

A credit builder loan is designed to help you build or improve your credit score. Unlike traditional loans, you don’t get the money upfront. Instead, the money is held in a savings account or certificate of deposit (CD) while you make payments on the loan. Once you have completed all the payments, the funds are released to you, sometimes along with any interest that has accrued.

How Does a Credit Building Program Work?

Credit building programs work by helping you establish or improve your credit history. These programs usually involve taking out a credit builder loan, making on-time payments and monitoring your credit score. Some programs also offer credit counselling and financial education to help you manage your finances more effectively in the future, but if your program doesn’t, it might be worth seeking out that help elsewhere.

How to Apply for a Credit Builder Loan

To apply for a credit builder loan, you typically need to provide proof of income, a valid ID and a Social Insurance Number (SIN). You may also be required to provide additional documentation, such as bank statements or proof of employment. Some lenders may also require a deposit, which will be held in a savings account or CD until you have made all the payments on the loan.

How Long Does it Take to Improve My Credit Score with a Credit Builder Loan?

The length of time it takes to improve your credit score with a credit builder loan depends on several factors, including your current credit score, the amount of the loan, and the length of the repayment term. However, very generally, it can take six to 12 months to see a significant improvement in your credit score.

When Is It a Good Idea to Get a Credit Builder Loan?

If you have a limited credit history or a low credit score, you should consider getting a credit builder loan well before you want to apply for a traditional loan, since it can take a minimum of six to 12 months to see a change in your credit score. By establishing a history of on-time payments, a credit builder loan can help you qualify for better rates and terms if you plan to apply for a mortgage, car loan or another type of loan.

What are the Drawbacks of Obtaining a Credit Builder Loan?

Like most financial products, credit builder loans come with benefits and drawbacks. One disadvantage of obtaining a credit builder loan is that you will not have access to the funds until you have made all the payments. Additionally, some credit builder loans may come with high interest rates or fees, making them more expensive than other types of loans. Finally, if you miss a payment or default on the loan, it can negatively impact your credit score.

Are There Any Other Options for Improving My Credit Score?

While credit builder loans can be a useful tool for improving your credit score, there are other options to consider. One option is to get a secured credit card. With a secured credit card, you make a cash deposit upfront that acts as collateral for any purchases you make with your card. You then use the card and make regular payments, which are reported to the credit bureaus, and this can help you establish a positive payment history.

Another option is to become an authorized user on someone else's credit card. This can allow you to benefit from the primary cardholder's positive payment history and improve your credit score. Whatever you choose, make sure you make on-time payments and keep your debt-to-credit ratio low.

What is a Good Credit Score in Canada?

In Canada, credit scores range from 300 to 900. While lenders might have different requirements, most consider a good credit score to be 660 or higher, which aligns with Equifax's credit score bands. This score demonstrates that you have a positive credit history and are a low-risk borrower, making it easier to qualify for loans and credit products.

What Credit Score is Needed to Obtain a Mortgage?

The credit score you need to obtain a mortgage will vary depending on the lender and the type of mortgage you are applying for. In general, most lenders will want to see a credit score of at least 680. If your credit score is lower than this, you may still be able to qualify for a mortgage, but that might mean you need to pay a higher interest rate or provide a larger down payment.

What Credit Score is Needed for a Car Loan or Car Lease?

The credit score needed to obtain a car loan or lease depends on the lender. However, most lenders prefer a credit score of at least 660. If your credit score is lower than this, you may still be able to obtain a car loan or lease, but you may need to pay a higher interest rate or provide a larger down payment.

The Bottom Line

If you want to improve your credit score, you have several options, including credit builder loans. These loans can be a valuable tool for establishing a positive payment history and improving your credit score over time. However, they are not your only option. You can also consider secured credit cards, becoming an authorized user, and other credit-building strategies.

By managing your credit responsibly and making on-time payments, you can work towards improving your credit score, giving you better access to financial products and terms.