Compare lenders in Ireland

Choosing the right lender

Once you’ve decided on the type of loan that would best suit your needs, here’s what you can do to ensure you apply to the right lender for your borrowing needs, financial circumstances and credit rating.

• Check for exclusive rates with your current bank: Some lenders offer favourable rates or exclusive loan products for existing customers. It’s worth checking out interest rates from your bank or building society first.
• Check eligibility criteria: To qualify for a loan, you must be over 18 and a resident of the Republic of Ireland. A lender will decide whether you’re eligible for a loan based on repayment capacity, financial status, and a credit check with the Central Credit Register (CCR), but approval may differ depending on the lender’s criteria.
• Use a loan calculator: Your loan’s interest rate and total cost will depend on how much you borrow and how long for. Use our loans calculator to find out the lender’s typical APR and loan costs based on your specific borrowing needs.
• Compare typical interest rates: The lender will set the interest rate based on your ability to repay and credit history; however, you can get a fair idea of the interest rate by looking at the ‘typical APR’.
• Find out about extra fees and charges: Some lenders may charge for set up or demand early repayment fees. Late payment or missed payment fees will also differ between lenders. Check out the fine print before you apply so there are no surprises later.
• Check the lender is authorised by the Central Bank of Ireland: The Central Bank of Ireland must regulate all lenders. You can check a lender by using the Central Bank of Ireland’s Financial Service Provider Register Search.