What is a direct lender loan?
A direct lender loan is a type of consumer finance product that gets issued directly by a lender. The term ‘direct lender’ simply refers to a loan provider who lends their own money - cutting out the middle person.
When customers apply directly with a lender, the direct lender is able to instantly make all of their own loan decisions. Because of this, applying for a personal loan with a direct lender is usually a far simpler and quicker process.
List of direct lenders in the UK
Here at ThisLender, we make applying for a direct lender loan easy, by matching you with the most suited direct lender on our panel. Some direct lenders that feature on our panel are listed below.
This list is the go-to for all consumers in need of loans from direct lender loans. So, whether you’re looking to access short-term cash through a payday loan, or you’re in search of a revolving credit facility - we do our best to get you matched to a suitable direct lender.
Perhaps you’re in need of direct lenders for bad credit - if so, that’s not a problem either! Many of the direct lenders that feature on the list have options for payday loans for bad credit and more.
The best part? All of the direct lenders that feature on our UK direct lender list are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This means you can be certain that you’re researching trustworthy providers, helping you borrow with confidence.
Here is a list of some of the direct lenders in the UK:
118 118 Money
118 118 Money is a direct lender offering unsecured personal loans from £1,000 to £8,000 over a 12 - 60 month period. They promise their borrowers a fair and affordable loan solution with no hidden fees.
| Min Loan Amount | £1,000 |
| Max Loan Amount | £8,000 |
| Min Term | 12 Months |
| Max Term | 60 Months |
| Representative APR | 49.9% |
Bamboo Loans
Bamboo Loans offer flexible personal loans from £2,000 to £15,000 borrowed over a 12 to 60 month period and with a representative 49.7% APR. Bamboo loans do not require a guarantor and have made the loan application process as simple as possible.
| Min Loan Amount | £2,000 |
| Max Loan Amount | £15,000 |
| Min Term | 12 Months |
| Max Term | 60 Months |
| Representative APR | 49.7% |
CashASAP
CashASAP offer payday loans from £200 to £300 over 1 - 35 days and monthly instalment loans from £200 to £750 over 3 - 6 months. And as their name suggests, they’re pretty quick at making decisions.
CashASAP Payday Loan
| Min Loan Amount | £200 |
| Max Loan Amount | £300 |
| Min Term | 1 Day |
| Max Term | 35 Days |
| Representative APR | 1348.0% |
CashASAP Instalment Loan
| Min Loan Amount | £200 |
| Max Loan Amount | £750 |
| Min Term | 3 Months |
| Max Term | 6 Months |
| Representative APR | 1264.8% |
CashFloat
CashFloat offers payday loans from £300 to £1500 over 3 - 9 months. Their loans are unsecured, which means you don’t need to offer up an asset as security, which makes the whole loan application process nice and quick.
| Min Loan Amount | £300 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,500 |
| Min Term | 3 Months |
| Max Term | 9 Months |
| Representative APR | 611.74% |
Get your loan quote today
Access from £50 to £5000†
Creditstar
Creditstar offer flexible consumer loans from £2000 to £10000 over 18 - 36 months. With over 15 years of experience as a trusted lender, Creditstar is clear and upfront about costs - so you know exactly what you’re getting. There are no hidden fees or charges, no paperwork or complicated process.
| Min Loan Amount | £2,000 |
| Max Loan Amount | £10,000 |
| Min Term | 18 Month |
| Max Term | 36 Months |
| Representative APR | 29.7% |
DotDotLoans
Dot Dot Loans is a direct lender that offers short term loans from £100 to £5000 over 3, 6, 12, 18, 24 oor 36 months. They steer clear of unnecessary charges and deliver customers a convenient and responsible loan service.
| Min Loan Amount | £100 |
| Max Loan Amount | £5,000 |
| Min Term | 3 Months |
| Max Term | 36 Months |
| Representative APR | 79.5% |
Drafty
Drafty offers line of credit and loans from £50 to £3000 with a representative of 96.2% APR and 79.9% APR respectively. If you’re looking for a bad credit loans direct lender in the UK, Drafty will consider your application regardless of your credit history. Their line of credit works like a pot of cash up to £3,000 — so you can keep using it again and again until you reach your credit limit. Your application can be approved in as little as 90 seconds.
Drafty Flexible Line of Credit
| Min Loan Amount | £50 |
| Max Loan Amount | £3,000 |
| Representative APR | 96.2% |
Drafty Loan
| Min Loan Amount | £1,000 |
| Max Loan Amount | £3,000 |
| Min Term | 12 Months |
| Max Term | 24 Months |
| Representative APR | 79.9% |
Everyday Loans
Everyday Loans offer short term loans from £1,000 up to £15,000 over a minimum term of 18 to 60 months, for almost any purpose. With a conditional decision within minutes, Everyday loans can help you access cash fast, and because of their case-by-case approach to all customers, they can offer a degree of flexibility to loan amounts that other lenders can’t provide.
| Min Loan Amount | £1,000 |
| Max Loan Amount | £15,000 |
| Min Term | 18 Months |
| Max Term | 60 Months |
| Representative APR | 99.9% |
Fair Finance
Fair Finance are a direct lender that provides affordable personal loans from £400 to £1000 over 6 - 12 months. So if you need cash for a big purchase or a small emergency, Fair Finance could be a suitable option for you. Their product is flexible, allowing you to repay weekly, fortnightly or monthly to suit your needs.
| Min Loan Amount | £400 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1000 |
| Min Term | 6 Months |
| Max Term | 12 Months |
| Representative APR | 280% |
Get your loan quote today
Access from £50 to £5000†
Lending Stream
Lending Stream offers short term loans from £50 to £1500 over six months. A sister brand of Drafty, Lending Stream provides an alternative to payday loans; their short-term credit solutions mean you can access cash when you need it.
| Min Loan Amount | £50 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,500 |
| Min Term | 6 Months |
| Max Term | 12 Months |
| Representative APR | 1271% |
Loan Pig
LoanPig is a direct lender that offers short term loans from £50 to £1500 over 2 - 12 months. This direct lender welcomes all credit histories to apply for their loans, and it’s easy to apply with their service existing 100% online — no in-branch visits here; they’re an online loan direct lender.
| Min Loan Amount | £50 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,500 |
| Min Term | 2 Months |
| Max Term | 12 Months |
| Representative APR | 1335% |
Loans2Go
Loans2Go offer online unsecured personal loans from £500 to £1,500 over 18 months. With Loans2Go, applicants can repay loans early to save interest fees; this direct lender can also ensure money is in your account in just 15 minutes.
| Min Loan Amount | £500 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,500 |
| Min Term | 18 Months |
| Max Term | 18 Months |
| Representative APR | 450.5% |
Moneyboat
Moneyboat offer flexible short term loans from £200 to £1500 over 2 - 6 months. Offering an easy to understand repayment plan, Moneyboat commits to providing customers affordable and fair short-term loan options. They also accept applications from applicants with a poor credit history.
| Min Loan Amount | £200 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,500 |
| Min Term | 2 Months |
| Max Term | 6 Months |
| Representative APR | 1267.9% |
Get your loan quote today
Access from £50 to £5000†
MrLender
MrLender offers quick short term loans from £200 to £1000 over 3 - 6 months. With no upfront fees and over 35,025 five-star reviews, MrLender is a popular direct lender choice among consumers. Use their calculator to work out how much your repayment instalments will be and the total cost of your loan.
| Min Loan Amount | £200 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,000 |
| Min Term | 3 Months |
| Max Term | 6 Months |
| Representative APR | 1256.0% |
Oakbrook Advance
Oakbrook Advance offer personal loans from £500 to £5000 over 12, 24 or 36 months. Loans without surprises, Oakbrook Advance offer an affordable approach to lending money. Using technology such as Open Banking means what you’re offered is affordable in relation to your financial situation. Once your application is accepted, the funds will be in your bank account the same day (if you are approved before 3pm Monday to Friday), or the next working day.
| Min Loan Amount | £500 |
| Max Loan Amount | £5,000 |
| Min Term | 12 Months |
| Max Term | 36 Months |
| Representative APR | 39.9% |
Quidmarket
Quidmarket is a direct lender providing short term loans and flexible alternatives to payday loans. Borrow between £300 to £1500 over 3 - 6 months. Brand new customers can borrow between £300 and £600, and returning customers can lend up to £1,500. If you’ve got bad credit, you can still apply, and they don’t require a guarantor or collateral to secure the loan.
| Min Loan Amount | £300 |
| Max Loan Amount | £1,500 |
| Min Term | 3 Months |
| Max Term | 6 Months |
| Representative APR | 1292.1% |
Savvy
Savvy offers unsecured loans from £300 up to £2500 spanning 6, 8, 10, 12, 18 and 24 12 months. Cash is transferred to your bank account quickly after your application is approved, and if you make consistent repayments, you’ll be offered loans at a better rate over time.
| Min Loan Amount | £300 |
| Max Loan Amount | £2,500 |
| Min Term | 6 Months |
| Max Term | 24 Months |
| Representative APR | 99.0% |
Please note that some direct lenders aren’t taking on new applications at this moment.
This list was last updated on 28th Aug 2026. We aim to keep reviewing this periodically.
Why choose direct lender loans?
Many people prefer to borrow money from direct lenders because it simplifies the process and only requires one application to be made with the lender. While direct lender loans can be more straightforward, it’s important to find the right direct lender for your needs.
Researching different direct lenders in the UK can take up a huge amount of time, which isn’t something you can necessarily afford in a financial emergency. For this reason, our list of direct lenders can be utilised to compare up-to-date lender offers from one place.
Can I get direct lender loans for bad credit?
Yes. Direct lenders will take all applicants into account, even if you have a very bad credit history, you can still apply for a loan.
Very bad credit loans from direct lenders in the UK:
With a very bad credit score, you might think that you aren’t able to qualify for a loan from direct lenders in the UK. Luckily, this is not the case! With slightly bad or even very bad credit, personal loans are still issued by direct lenders - providing you can prove your affordability.
Consumer finance is becoming more forward thinking than ever before, which means that many direct lenders are able to see past a very bad credit history and conduct different checks to determine whether or not you can afford to borrow money.
Whenever you decide to pursue a loan with a bad credit score, it’s important to ask yourself whether or not you can confidently take on debt. If not, your credit score could go from very bad to worse - which is a position you definitely don’t want to be in.
Remember: Improving your credit score before you apply with a direct lender will give you a better chance of getting accepted for a loan. Not only that, but it will give you access to a wider choice of credit products and better rates. You can check your credit report, scores and more for free with Credit Karma.
Do direct lenders offer loans with no credit checks?
No credit check direct lender loans do not exist. All UK lenders are required to conduct credit checks as part of their responsible lending obligation as set out by the Financial Conduct Authority’s regulations.
Lenders are responsible for carrying out credit checks on all potential borrowers, so if you find a direct lender offering no credit check loans, you must check their legitimacy using the FCA’s Financial Services Register.
The credit check allows lenders to see your financial history in detail, and ensures you, the borrower, is able to repay the loan on time and in full.
There are two types of credit checks a direct lender will perform:
Soft Credit Check
A ‘soft credit check’ is a quick look at your credit report. This is often used in the initial stages of your loan application. These soft credit searches aren’t visible to other companies and, as a result, do not affect your credit score.
Hard Credit Check
A ‘hard credit check’ is when a lender requests a full copy of your credit report. This is often used in the final stages of your loan application. However, too many hard credit searches in a short space of time can damage your credit rating.
How to apply for a direct lender loan
Applying for a direct lender loan is easy. You can either apply directly with the lender online, use a comparison site or an online broker service like ThisLender. Here at ThisLender, it is completely free for you to make an online application. After you have submitted our short online form, we simply match you to a direct lender suitable to your needs in just minutes.
As a broker, we’re on hand to help you navigate the world of consumer finance. Borrowing money can be daunting, which is why we try to make it as easy as possible for you to get the money you need quickly.
Applying for direct lender loans:
-
Apply online for free
Spend 5 - 10 minutes completing our easy online application. It costs nothing to apply, and you don’t have to provide any additional paperwork either.
-
Get a quote from a suitable direct lender
We will quickly match you to a suitable direct lender on our panel and you will be sent their offer directly. All quotes sent are no-obligation, so you don’t have to go through with the loan.
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Money deposited directly to your account
Once you have been approved, you will communicate directly with the lender to complete the final part of the loan process. As soon as you’ve signed the dotted line, the money gets deposited into your account, sometimes in as little as 10 minutes after approval.²
Get your loan quote today
Access from £50 to £5000†
Will I be eligible for a direct lender loan?
The criteria will differ depending on the direct lender, but, generally, to meet basic eligibility, you must:
- Be aged 18 or over
- Be a UK resident with a permanent address
- Be employed (full-time, part-time or self-employed) and have a regular income
- Have a UK bank account with a debit card
- Have your wages paid into your UK bank account
Ready to apply? Apply now.
What types of loans do direct lenders offer?
Direct lenders can offer a wide range of loans to suit a variety of customer needs. The most common types of loans provided by the direct lender panel we work with include:
- Unsecured Personal Loans
- Secured Personal Loans
- Payday Loans
- Guarantor Loans
- Instalment Loans
- Short Term Loans
Can I get payday loans through direct lenders?
Yes! You can. Lots of direct lenders offer payday loans to customers who need to bridge the gap between their next payday. These short term loans are the ideal solution if you need to borrow smaller amounts of money quickly.
With payday loans, direct lenders tend to approve applications and release funds quickly. However, you should be aware that these loans can come with higher interest rates.
Top Tip: Always think twice about taking on debt, as there may be better ways to raise the money you need. From asking friends or family to selling something you own, such as a computer game, there are many ways to make cash fast without getting a direct lender loan.
Can a direct lender refuse a payday loan?
In short, yes, direct lenders can refuse to give you a loan. Lots of our customers search for no refusal payday loans, but in the UK, direct lenders reserve the right to refuse applicants who don’t meet the eligibility criteria. This is done in your best interests to avoid you taking on debt you can’t afford to repay.
Why choose ThisLender?
As a leading UK broker, we’ve helped countless customers find a suitable direct lender loan option for their specific needs through our online loan matching service. We’re authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and we’ve worked in the Consumer Credit sector for years.
Our only goal is to provide you with a trusted and reliable loan matching service, and give you all the information you need to borrow responsibly with confidence.
Ready to apply with a direct lender through ThisLender? Apply now.
Where do I go for help if I’m in financial difficulty?
If you are having financial difficulties or need to speak to someone regarding your financial situation before applying for a loan you can get free and confidential advice from MoneyHelper (formerly The Money Advice Service), National Debtline or debt charity StepChange.
Get your free loan quote today
Access from £50 to £5,000†
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Representative 79.5% APR
Here's an example to illustrate: If you borrow £1,000 for 12 months, your monthly payment will be £123.40. The total amount repayable will be £1,480.80, including £480.80 in interest. The interest rate is 79.5% PA (fixed). 79.5% APR Representative.
Interest rates range from 23.6% APR to 1721% APR. You can request a quote without any obligation. The APR you receive will depend on your personal circumstances. Our loans are available for amounts between £100 and £5,000, with terms ranging from 3 months to 36 months
We are a licensed credit broker, not a lender.
Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help and advice go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk
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