5 Factors That Influence How Much You Can Borrow from an Online Lender

Online lending has revolutionized the borrowing experience for millions of individuals worldwide, including Canada. Many Canadians are embracing online lending and becoming more familiar with the process. 

Instead of dealing with lengthy paperwork, tedious bank visits, and uncertain approval processes, you can quickly access cash by borrowing money online. With just a few clicks, borrowers can access several loan options tailored to their needs from the comfort of their homes. 

Despite the convenience and accessibility of online lending, one question that often lingers in prospective borrowers’ minds is how much can I borrow? At GoDay, we believe that understanding the nuances of borrowing amounts from online lenders is pivotal in navigating the financial terrain effectively. Use the following guide to get familiar with the intricacies of online lending and explore five key factors that significantly impact how much you can borrow from an online lender.

How Much Money Can You Borrow?

Before exploring the factors that influence loan amounts, it’s essential to understand the range of borrowing options typically offered by online lenders. This often raises the question, how much of a loan can I get?

The amount you can borrow varies widely depending on the lender, your creditworthiness, and the type of loan you’re applying for. 

Online lenders may offer loans ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands. Personal loans, installment loans, and lines of credit are among the most common types of loans available from online lenders.

If you choose to borrow through GoDay, you can get online payday loans between $100 and $1,500 and installment loans between $1,000 and $15,000. When you submit your loan application, you can outline the amount you need and customize your loan based on your requirements. 

Factors That Influence How Much You Can Borrow

To get a proper answer to the question of how much money I can borrow, it’s essential that you get familiar with the following factors that influence how much a lender may be willing to lend.

Credit Score

To get an answer to the essential question of how much you can borrow, you need to understand the influence of credit scores. Your credit score serves as a cornerstone in the lending landscape, and the relationship between loan applications and credit scores can immensely influence the amount you can borrow from an online lender. A credit score is a numerical representation of your creditworthiness, reflecting your past credit behaviour, repayment history, outstanding debts, and other financial indicators.

Some online lenders use credit scores to assess an individual’s lending risk. Generally, borrowers with higher credit scores are deemed less risky and thus qualify for more significant loan amounts at more favourable terms. Conversely, individuals with lower credit scores may encounter limitations on borrowing quantities and may be subject to higher interest rates or stringent eligibility criteria. 

Income and Employment

The connection between earnings and the ability to borrow is vital in the lending formula. Online personal loan lenders sometimes consider the borrowers’ income levels and employment status to gauge their ability to repay the loan. 

A steady and substantial income stream augments your borrowing potential, as it signifies financial stability and reliability in meeting repayment obligations. At GoDay, we try to keep the borrowing process as simple as possible, offering a streamlined application process with minimal eligibility criteria. One of our loan requirements is that you receive a steady source of income and get paid by direct deposit. 

Debt-to-Income Ratio

The debt-to-income ratio (DTI) serves as a barometer of your financial health in the eyes of many online lenders in Canada. It contrasts your monthly debt obligations against your gross monthly income. Online lenders utilize DTI as a crucial metric to assess your capacity to manage additional debt responsibly. 

A lower DTI indicates a healthier financial profile, signifying ample disposable income for loan repayment. On the other hand, a high DTI may raise red flags among lenders, potentially limiting the amount you can borrow or necessitating additional scrutiny of your financial circumstances. 

Loan Purpose

There are many different types of loans in Canada, each serving its own purpose. Typically, the intended use of the loan significantly affects the amount approved by online lenders. While some lenders provide unsecured personal loans with wide-ranging flexibility, others focus on specialized loan products designed for particular needs, such as home improvements, consolidating debt, or covering education costs.

The correlation between the purpose of the loan and the lender’s offerings and assessment criteria substantially affects the amount you can borrow. Specific loan purposes justify higher borrowing limits, whereas others could result in more stringent restrictions on loan amounts due to perceived risks related to how the funds will be used.

Lender Policies and Underwriting Criteria

Each online lender operates within a framework governed by its policies, underwriting criteria, and risk appetite. These factors collectively shape the lending landscape, influencing the borrowing amounts and terms offered to borrowers. Lenders may impose minimum and maximum loan thresholds, set eligibility requirements based on creditworthiness and income thresholds, and establish guidelines for loan approval and disbursement. 

When applying for a loan online, familiarizing yourself with the nuances of each lender’s policies and underwriting criteria empowers you to navigate the lending landscape strategically and identify lenders whose offerings align with your borrowing needs and financial objectives.

How Do Lenders Determine a Loan Amount? 

Online lenders in Canada use a combination of automated algorithms and manual underwriting processes to decide on loan amounts. Automated algorithms quickly analyze financial data, such as credit scores, income, employment history, and debt-to-income ratios, to efficiently provide initial loan offers. Understanding this process can make getting a loan in Canada simpler for you.

Following this, manual underwriting involves a loan officer examining your financial situation in more detail. This deeper analysis considers nuanced factors to make well-informed decisions about the loan amount. By blending these methods, lenders balance efficiency and accuracy in assessing borrowers’ creditworthiness and determining appropriate loan amounts.

How to Qualify for a Larger Loan

Securing a larger loan amount from an online lender necessitates proactive measures to enhance your financial profile and bolster your loan eligibility. Consider implementing the following strategies to maximize your borrowing potential.

Improve Your Credit Score

Elevate your credit score by adopting responsible credit behaviours such as timely bill payments, prudent credit utilization, and regular credit report monitoring. A higher credit score enhances your credibility as a borrower and augments your chances of qualifying for larger loan amounts at favourable terms. A high credit score may help you qualify for lower loan interest rates in some cases. 

Increase Your Income

Explore opportunities to augment your income through supplementary sources such as part-time employment, freelance gigs, or passive income streams. A higher income enhances your debt-servicing capacity, bolstering your eligibility for larger loan amounts from online personal loan lenders. 

Reduce Your Debt

Although having multiple loans at once can be helpful sometimes, it’s equally important to take proactive steps to mitigate existing debts and lower your debt-to-income ratio. Paying outstanding debts alleviates financial strain and enhances your capacity to manage additional debt responsibly, thereby improving your loan eligibility for larger amounts. 

Provide Additional Documentation

Furnish comprehensive documentation, including bank statements, tax returns, and proof of assets, to substantiate your financial stability and enhance your loan application. Transparent disclosure of your financial circumstances instills confidence in online lenders in Canada and strengthens your case for securing larger loan amounts. 

Shop Around

Conduct thorough research and compare loan offers from multiple licensed online lenders to identify the most favourable terms and rates for your borrowing needs. Don’t settle for the first offer you receive; leverage the competitive landscape to negotiate terms and secure a larger loan amount that aligns with your financial objectives.

Conclusion

Various factors influence the borrowing experience and affect the amount you can borrow from online personal loan lenders. By understanding the interplay of these factors and adopting proactive strategies to enhance your financial standing, you can maximize your chances of qualifying for more significant loan amounts with favourable terms and rates.