Skip to main content
WiTMONEYWiT Money
Borrow
Invest
Business Finance
Insurance
Providers
Tools
Guides
About
WiTMONEYWiT Money

Compare UK financial products

Wise. Insightful. Trusted.

© 2026 WiT Money. All rights reserved.

Borrow

  • Credit Cards
  • Personal Loans
  • Mortgages
  • Car Finance
  • Debt Consolidation
  • Bad Credit Loans
  • Credit Score
  • Eligibility Checkers

Invest

  • Current Accounts
  • ISAs
  • Investment Platforms
  • Funds & ETFs
  • Savings Accounts
  • Pensions
  • SIPPs
  • Robo Advisors
  • Alternative Investments
  • Precious Metals

Business Finance

  • Business Loans
  • Business Bank Accounts
  • Business Credit Cards
  • Invoice Finance
  • Asset Finance
  • Start Up Loans
  • Business Overdrafts
  • Merchant Cash Advance
  • Spend Management
  • Payments & International

Insurance

  • Car Insurance
  • Home Insurance
  • Travel Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Business Insurance
  • Insurance Guides
  • Insurance Providers

Tools & Guides

  • Mortgage Calculator
  • Loan Calculator
  • Savings Calculator
  • Investment Growth Calculator
  • Budget Planner
  • Stamp Duty Calculator
  • Debt Payoff Calculator
  • Net Worth Calculator
  • Life Insurance Cover Calculator
  • All Guides

Providers

  • Personal Finance
  • Investments
  • Business Finance
  • Insurance
  • All Providers

Company

  • About Us
  • How We Make Money
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Comparison Methodology
  • Corrections Policy
  • Complaints

Support

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Contact
  • FCA Register
Part ofWiT FINANCE GROUP

Wise. Insightful. Trusted.

WiTMoney is a free financial comparison and information service, part of WiT Finance Group. We do not provide financial, investment or credit advice. WiT Money may receive a commission or referral fee from some providers when you follow a link or take out a product. See how we make money.

Product information is provided for comparison and general information purposes only and does not constitute a personal recommendation. Rates, fees, eligibility criteria and other terms can change. Always check the latest information and full terms directly with the provider before making a decision.

WiTMoney is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and does not carry out regulated financial services activities.

  1. Home
  2. Guides
  3. Borrowing
  4. Payday loans and bad credit
Borrowing
Borrowing guide

Payday loans and bad credit

Why payday-style high-cost credit and a weaker credit file are a high-risk combination, and what to compare instead of chasing acceptance.

8 min read · Published 19 September 2026 · Last updated 19 September 2026

Written by Teresa Mary, Chief Finance Editor

On this page

  1. 01Why this combination is risky
  2. 02Product listings
  3. 03Other options
  4. 04Frequently asked questions
On this page
  1. 01Why this combination is risky
  2. 02Product listings
  3. 03Other options
  4. 04Frequently asked questions

Why this combination is risky

Payday-style high-cost short-term credit is designed to be repaid quickly. If your credit file is already strained, missing a repayment can make the next application harder and add charges within the FCA cap rules that still apply to HCSTC.

WiT Money does not use guaranteed-acceptance or no-credit-check language. Lenders assess affordability. A weaker file does not create a right to credit.

Product listings

Participating high-cost or specialist products appear on the bad-credit and small-amount comparison pages only when verified ranges match. This guide is education-first and is not a lead-generation landing.

Other options

Talk to existing creditors. Check local welfare support. Use free debt advice. A credit-builder product used carefully is different from stacking short-term loans.

Frequently asked questions

Read our editorial standards →

Written by

TM

Teresa Mary

Chief Finance Editor

Teresa leads WiT Money’s financial editorial content, helping ensure guides, comparisons and tools are clear, accurate and useful for UK consumers and businesses.

Last updated 19 September 2026

View Teresa Mary's profile →

Questions or updates

If you spot something that needs correcting or want to contact our editorial team, get in touch.

contact@witfinancegroup.com →

Related guides

Borrowing

High-cost short-term credit: the FCA cost cap

How the FCA price cap on high-cost short-term credit works, including the daily interest/fees cap, default-fee limit and total-cost cap — with primary sources.

9 min read: High-cost short-term credit: the FCA cost cap

Borrowing

Am I blacklisted for credit?

UK lenders do not normally share a single universal blacklist. Declines usually come from credit-reference information and each firm’s own criteria.

8 min read: Am I blacklisted for credit?

Borrowing

How Credit Checks Work

Understand what lenders may check when you apply for credit, the difference between soft and hard searches, and how to check your eligibility before applying.

9 min read: How Credit Checks Work

Borrowing

Same-day loans explained

Payment timing depends on approval, lender processes and banking systems. Same-day marketing is not a guarantee of funds.

7 min read: Same-day loans explained