Loans in the Channel Islands
If you live in the Channel Islands mainstream options do become limited because of the different legislations that exist compared to the UK. There are, however, a number of banks that have particular brands for the channel islands (included in the table above). Not included in the table are the specialist local lenders. These operate on a case by case basis and can provide you with a personalised quote if you contact them directly.
How will I know if a lender accepts Channel Islands residents?
For the majority of lenders you need to be a UK resident which can make finding a loan on the Channel Islands a little tricky. To remove any confusion the comparison table above only includes lenders that consider applicants from the Channel Islands. Each lender still has their own acceptance criteria so be sure to check those before you apply. As a minimum you will need to be 18 and demonstrate you can afford to repay what you borrow.
Why don’t all lenders offer loans to the Channel Islands?
Technically speaking, the Channel Islands are not part of the UK and mostly have their own banking regulations that, although overlap with UK rules, are different to how UK banks work.
The difference in legislations means some UK based banks and lenders may not expand into the Channel Islands because of limited resources and a small level of demand. Customers also need to be easily contactable and living outside of the UK could cause extra difficulty.
Why have I been declined even though the lender accepts Channel Island residents?
Unfortunately, it’s not just where you live that determines if you are eligible for a loan, there a number of factors. The lender will carry out a range of identity and affordability checks which will include analysing your credit history. If your credit history is slightly blemished or you’re new to credit then you’ll need to take this into account when comparing your options.
If you have been declined, first step is to get in touch with the lender and ask them why. This way you know where you stand.
Final Word
No matter who you are or where you live, before applying for a loan make sure you compare your options. Each lender has varying criteria and if you don’t tick those boxes you won’t be accepted. If you’ll looking to borrow in the Channel Islands you can find all the information you need in this table and our loans library. Know where you stand, compare your options and Choose Wisely.