Loans for Blacklisted
If you’ve been blacklisted or have bad credit, these lenders are here to provide you with a range of alternative loan products.
View Bad credit loan OffersOnline Loans for People with Bad Credit
If you’ve defaulted on a credit agreement in the past, have been late to repay or have been blacklisted for whatever reason you will be unable to qualify for traditional loans.
That’s where these bad credit lenders come in!
Table of Contents
- What is a Bad credit loan?
- Blacklisted loans in South Africa
- Government support for people with Bad credit
- Peer-to-peer loans for Blacklisted borrowers
- Borrowing from friends & family
- Secured loans for Bad credit
- Practical tips before you take a Bad credit loan
- Bad credit loan Calculator
- List of direct lenders offering Bad credit loans
- FAQs on Bad credit loans
Personal loans if you’re Blacklisted or have Bad credit
Being blacklisted or living with a low credit score can feel hopeless, especially when every application comes back “declined”. It doesn’t mean you’re out of options. In South Africa, total consumer debt is now around R2.3 trillion, and roughly a third of the 28.2 million credit-active consumers have impaired records, so you’re far from alone.
There are lenders and products designed specifically for people with bad credit. They usually cost more than standard personal loans, but they can still help if you use them carefully and focus on rebuilding your credit at the same time.
LoansFind helps South Africans with bad credit understand their options, compare lenders, and find realistic ways to access credit while working towards a more stable financial future.
Affordability comes first
No matter how desperate things feel, responsible lenders registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) must check that you can afford the loan. That’s not them being “difficult” – it’s a legal requirement under the National Credit Act to protect you from over-indebtedness.
You’ll normally need to:
- Show proof of income and expenses
- Sometimes provide collateral (an asset like a car), especially if your credit record is very weak
If the instalment doesn’t fit into your budget, a responsible lender should decline you. It’s frustrating, but taking a loan you can’t realistically repay will pull you even deeper into trouble.
To improve your chances, start by learning how credit works, how your credit score is built, and how to reduce existing debt. The more you understand, the easier it becomes to choose the right product and avoid repeating the same cycle.
Bad credit loans in South Africa
If you have bad credit, the first step is to get a clear picture of your situation. You need to see exactly what has been recorded against your name – late payments, defaults, judgments, or accounts in arrears.
You’re entitled to one free credit report every year from the main South African credit bureaus. Use it. When you receive your report:
- Check that every account listed actually belongs to you
- Look for amounts or details that don’t make sense
- See whether older negative listings should have been updated or removed
It’s not unusual to find mistakes or even fraudulent accounts. You can only dispute and correct these if you know they exist.
Having bad credit doesn’t automatically mean you can’t get a personal loan. Big banks may decline you, but there are specialist lenders who work with higher-risk clients. Because they carry more risk, their interest rates and fees are usually higher.
At the same time, South Africans are relying more on unsecured credit. By mid-2025, total loan balances had climbed to around R2.6 trillion, up nearly 6% year-on-year, with unsecured loans (like personal loans) making up about 42% of all new credit products.
If you decide to apply, do it smartly:
- Apply to a few suitable, NCR-registered lenders within a short period (for example, 1–2 weeks) so it counts as “shopping around” rather than constant, scattered applications
- Stick to registered credit providers who follow the National Credit Act
- Avoid loan sharks and unregistered lenders completely – they may hand over cash quickly, but their interest and fees can be so extreme that you end up trapped
If your credit is very poor, also consider options such as specialised bad-credit lenders, blacklisted-friendly products and, if you’re seriously struggling, formal debt review.
Government support for people with Bad credit
There are government and municipal programmes aimed specifically at people in financial difficulty. These can include:
- Small emergency loans for essential expenses
- Loans for basic home repairs or improvements
- Micro-loans to help start or stabilise a small business
Sometimes these are offered directly by a government agency. In other cases, they are provided through normal banks but backed or supported by the state.
They’re not open to everyone, and there are usually clear rules about how the money may be used. If you qualify, though, they can be a safer option than turning to loan sharks. It’s worth checking what’s available in your area or on relevant government websites.
Peer-to-peer (P2P) loans for blacklisted borrowers
Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending is another option that’s becoming more common in South Africa. Instead of borrowing from a bank, you borrow from individual investors via an online platform.
The positives:
- Different investors focus on different risk levels, including bad credit
- You might still get funding even if a bank has declined you
But it remains a real loan:
- You sign a legal agreement and must repay the capital plus interest and fees
- Missed or late payments can still damage your credit score
- If you default, the account can still go to collections or legal action
Treat a P2P loan as seriously as any other form of credit. It’s not “easier” or “informal” money – it’s simply a different channel.
Borrowing from friends & family
For smaller amounts or short-term gaps until payday, friends or family might be the cheapest and safest option. You avoid high interest and deal with people who know and care about you.
If you borrow from someone you know:
- Put the agreement in writing – even a simple one-page document is enough. Include the amount, repayment dates, and any interest (if agreed).
- Ask them to transfer the money into your bank account rather than giving cash. That way there’s a clear record of the loan.
Even if loved ones can’t lend you money, they may still be able to support you:
- Someone with a stable income might agree to co-sign a loan with you. You apply together and both take responsibility for the repayments. This lowers the risk for the lender and can help you qualify or secure a better rate.
Be honest about the risk. If you miss payments, your co-signer’s credit record is affected too, and it can place real strain on the relationship.
Secured loans for Bad credit
If you’re blacklisted or have a weak credit record, a secured loan is often easier to get than an unsecured one.
With a secured loan:
- You offer collateral – such as a paid-up car or, in some cases, property
- If you don’t repay, the lender can repossess and sell that asset
- Because their risk is lower, lenders are more willing to approve you, and the interest rate is usually better than on an unsecured bad-credit loan
This can be a useful option, but it’s not a decision to take lightly. If you fall behind, you could lose your car, furniture, or even your home. Before you sign, make sure the instalments still fit your budget if your income drops slightly or your monthly expenses increase.
Practical tips before you take a Bad credit loan
Before you agree to any new loan, especially when you’re already under pressure, slow down and check a few basics. A rushed “yes” can lock you into months or years of extra stress.
Start by looking at the total cost of the loan, not just the advertised instalment. Add up the interest, the once-off initiation fee, and the monthly service fees. That total is what you’re really committing to.
Then compare the instalment to your real monthly life, not to a perfect spreadsheet. After rent or bond, food, transport, school costs, medical expenses and other essentials, is there still enough left over for this payment – with some breathing room? If the numbers only work when everything goes perfectly, they don’t really work.
Also ask what this loan actually does for you. Does it put you in a stronger position – for example, by replacing several expensive debts with one cheaper, more manageable payment – or does it simply push the problem a few months forward? If it doesn’t clearly improve your situation, it may not be worth it.
Taking new debt to pay off old debt is risky unless it’s part of a proper plan, such as a well-structured consolidation loan that genuinely saves you interest, or debt counselling with a registered debt counsellor under the National Credit Act. If you feel unsure after reading the contract, or the instalment already feels “tight” before you sign, treat that as a warning sign. Rather pause, talk to your current creditors, look for places to cut back, or get professional help than commit to a loan that could turn a hard situation into a crisis.
Bad credit loan calculator
List of direct lenders offering Bad credit loans
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Blink Finance
- Loans up to R4,000
- Apply online
- Transparent online loans
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Square Finance
- Loans up to R3,000,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest from 5%
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Global Finance
- Loans up to R100,000
- Term up to 60 months
- No fees charged!
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SupaSmart Loans
- Loans up to R200,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest from 16%
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Hippo Loans
- Loans up to R200,000
- Term up to 72 months
- Interest from 24.75%
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Mulah
- Loans up to R4,000
- Term up to 30 days
- Interest up to 38%
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Fincheck Loans
- Loans up to R250,000
- Term up to 72 months
- Interest from 16%
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EC Loans
- Loans up to R120,000
- Term up to 84 months
- Interest up to 28%
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Hoopla Loans
- Loans up to R250,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest from 20%
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Mr Cash Loans
- Loans up to R200,000
- Term up to 72 months
- Interest up to 28%
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EZI Finance
- Loans up to R8,000
- Term up to 6 months
- Interest up to 32.1%
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Cyber Finance
- Specialised Debt Solutions
- Expert Finacial Advice
- Blacklisted Loans
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TA Consulting
- 100% free service
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest from 14 %
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Ayoba Loans
- Low-income loans
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest up to 28%
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Easy Cash Loans
- Loans up to R150,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Bad credit friendly
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Loan SA
- Loans up to R150,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest up to 27%
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My Financial He...
- Expert Financial Advice
- Term up to 5 years
- Interest from 28%
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Binixo Loans
- Loans up to R9,000
- Term up to 65 days
- Interest from 10.5%
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LoanSpot
- Low interest loans
- Loans up to R300,000
- Term up to 84 months
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Low Credit Loan...
- Loans up to R150,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest from 32.1%
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iLoans
- Loans up to R200,000
- Term up to 60 months
- Interest up to 28%
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Speedy Loans
- Competitive interest rates.
- Loans up to R200,000
- Flexible repayment plans.
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ShowTime Financ...
- Loans up to R250,000
- Term up to 84 months
- Interest up to 27.75%
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Cube Finance
- Loans up to R20,000
- Term up to 3 years
- Interest from 28%
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SA Personal Loa...
- Loans up to R150,000
- Term up to 59 months
- Interest from 21%
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Cool Finance
- Low interest rates
- Loans up to R500,000
- Affordable loan options
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Just Affordable...
- Simple & affordable loans
- Term up to 60 months
- Bad credit friendly
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Budget Cash Loa...
- Loans up to R3,000
- Term up to 40 days
- Interest up to 65.96%
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Wanna Loan
- Loans up to R3,000
- Term up to 37 days
- Interest from 5%
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Finance Wizard
- Loans up to R150,000
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uBank
- Loans up to R180,000
- Term up to 72 months
- Competitive interest rates
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Just Loans
- Term up to 60 months
More Frequently Asked Questions on Bad credit loans
Can I get a loan if I’m blacklisted or have a very low credit score?
It’s difficult, but not impossible. Many big banks will decline you once you’re blacklisted or your credit score has dropped too low. However, there are specialist lenders that work with higher-risk clients. They look at your income, how stable it is, your overall debt load, and sometimes your recent payment behaviour – not just the score alone.
The trade-off is cost: interest and fees are usually higher, and terms can be stricter. Before you sign anything, make sure the instalment fits your budget and that the loan actually improves your situation, not just buys you a few quiet months.
What’s the difference between “bad credit” and being “blacklisted”?
“Bad credit” usually means you’ve had late payments, arrears, or high utilisation on your accounts, and your score has dropped. You may still be approved for some products, just at a higher interest rate.
“Blacklisted” is more informal language people use when there are serious negative listings on your profile – like judgments, handovers to collections, or multiple accounts in default. At that point, many mainstream lenders will automatically decline you until the issues are settled and updated.
Are there legal lenders that work with blacklisted clients in South Africa?
Yes. There are NCR-registered credit providers that specialise in higher-risk borrowers, including people with bad credit or blacklisting. They must still follow the National Credit Act, do an affordability assessment, and give you a proper written contract.
Avoid anyone who lends “off the books”, won’t give you paperwork, or dodges questions about their NCR registration. That’s when you drift into loan-shark territory – very high costs, aggressive collection tactics, and almost no protection for you.
Will a bad credit or blacklisted loan be more expensive?
Almost always, yes. Lenders price for risk. If your credit history shows missed payments, defaults or judgments, they see you as more likely to fall behind again, so they charge more in interest and fees to cover that risk.
That’s why it’s important to compare offers, not just grab the first “yes”. A difference of a few percentage points in interest, or a lower monthly service fee, can save you a lot over the full term of the loan.
How do I know if a bad credit lender is legitimate?
In South Africa, a legitimate lender:
- Has a visible National Credit Regulator (NCR) number on their website and documents
- Gives you a written pre-agreement quote and full contract before you sign
- Explains interest, initiation fees and monthly service fees in plain language
- Asks for your payslips, bank statements, or other proof of income and expenses
Red flags include: promising “guaranteed approval”, asking for your bank card and PIN, keeping your SASSA card, charging “upfront admin fees” before any loan is approved, or saying “no checks, no paperwork”. Walk away from those.
Will taking a bad credit loan help or hurt my credit score?
The application itself can drop your score slightly in the short term because of the credit enquiry – that’s normal. What really matters is what happens afterwards.
If you pay every instalment in full and on time, the account can help rebuild your profile over time, showing that you can now handle credit responsibly. If you miss payments, skip debit orders, or default, your score will usually fall further, and the next loan will be even more expensive or impossible to get.
Can I get a bad credit loan if I’m under debt review (debt counselling)?
If you’re under formal debt review, most legitimate lenders will not give you new credit – and they’re not supposed to. One of the conditions of debt review is that you stop taking on new debt while your existing debts are being restructured and paid off under a court or consent order.
If someone is offering you a “secret” loan while you’re under debt review, that’s a serious warning sign. It can undo the whole process and put you back at square one. Rather speak to your debt counsellor if you’re struggling with your current repayment plan.
Can I use my car or house as security if I’m blacklisted?
Yes, some lenders offer secured loans to people with bad credit or blacklisting, using an asset as collateral – most commonly a paid-up car, sometimes property. Because the lender can repossess and sell the asset if you don’t pay, they’re more willing to approve the loan and may offer a better rate than on an unsecured bad credit loan.
But the risk is heavy on your side: fall behind, and you can lose the asset. Before you sign, run a very realistic budget – including what happens if your income drops or an extra expense (like medical or car repairs) shows up. If the numbers are tight, think very carefully before you put essential assets on the line.
Can I get a bad credit loan if I’m unemployed or on irregular income?
If you have no income at all, a legitimate lender is very unlikely to approve you – the affordability rules simply don’t allow it. If you have irregular income (freelance work, commissions, side gigs), some lenders might consider you, but they’ll usually want several months of bank statements to see the pattern.
If there’s genuinely no stable income, rather talk to your current creditors about new arrangements, look at government or NGO support if you qualify, or consider debt review, instead of signing an expensive loan you realistically can’t repay.
What documents do I need when applying for a bad credit loan?
Most South African lenders, even those who work with bad credit, will ask for:
- Your SA ID or valid passport
- Proof of address (like a utility bill or bank statement)
- Payslips or bank statements (usually 3 months) if you’re employed
- Bank statements or other proof of income if you’re self-employed or earn commission
Having these ready speeds up the process and reduces back-and-forth. It also helps you see, on paper, what’s really coming in and going out of your account each month.
Are there better alternatives than taking another loan if I’m already over-indebted?
If debit orders are bouncing, you’re dodging calls, or you’re regularly borrowing to cover other loans, another bad credit loan is almost never the real solution. At that point, you’re dealing with over-indebtedness, not a once-off emergency.
Alternatives to consider include:
- Debt counselling (debt review) with a registered debt counsellor, to bundle unsecured debts into one lower repayment and get legal protection
- Negotiating directly with creditors for lower instalments or longer terms
- Budget changes, like cutting non-essentials and freeing up cash flow
- Looking for extra income (overtime, side work, selling unused items) to attack existing debt faster
A bad credit loan can sometimes help if it’s part of a structured plan and clearly cheaper than what you already have. But if it’s just plugging holes in a sinking ship, it usually makes the eventual problem bigger.
How do I use a bad credit loan safely if I decide to go ahead?
If you’ve thought it through and still decide to take the loan:
- Borrow only what you truly need, not the maximum you’re offered
- Keep the term as short as you can realistically manage
- Set up reminders or a debit order so you never miss a payment
- Avoid opening new store cards, credit cards or short-term loans on top of it
And keep an eye on your credit report once or twice a year. Seeing your profile slowly improve can be a powerful reminder that every on-time payment is moving you in the right direction.