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118 118 Money Loan Review UK 2026 — Rates, Eligibility and Verdict

CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor, Kaeltripton
Published 10 Apr 2026
Last reviewed 20 Apr 2026
✓ Fact-checked
118 118 Money Loan Review UK 2026 — Rates, Eligibility and Verdict
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118 118 Money is a UK financial services company offering personal loans and credit cards to borrowers with poor to fair credit histories. Named after the well-known directory enquiries brand, it operates as a direct lender and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

118 118 Money at a Glance 2026

DetailInformation
ProductsPersonal loans and credit cards
Loan amounts£1,000 to £5,000
Loan terms12 to 36 months
Representative APR (loans)49.9% (verify at 118118money.com)
FCA authorisedYes
Target marketBorrowers with poor to fair credit
Minimum age18
UK residents onlyYes
Early repaymentPermitted — check terms for any charges

Source: 118 118 Money website, April 2026. Representative APR and loan amounts are indicative — always verify the current rates directly at 118118money.com before applying as rates may have changed.

118 118 Money Pros and Cons

Pros
  • ✅ FCA authorised direct lender
  • ✅ Offers both personal loans AND credit cards — flexible products
  • ✅ Considers borrowers with poor credit
  • ✅ Soft eligibility check available before full application
  • ✅ Online application process
Cons
  • ❌ Representative APR is high — typically 49.9%+
  • ❌ Lower maximum loan amount (£5,000) than some competitors
  • ❌ Not suitable for borrowers with very severe credit problems
  • ❌ Higher-cost option compared to mainstream lenders for those with good credit

118 118 Money vs Alternatives

LenderMax LoanRep APRBest For
118 118 Money£5,000~49.9%Poor credit — loans and credit cards
Bamboo Loans£15,00049.7%Poor credit — larger loan amounts
Finio / OakbrookAdvance£5,00039.9%Poor to fair credit — lower APR
Zopa£25,000From 6.9%Fair to good credit — lower rates
Lendable£25,000From 5.9%Fair credit — competitive rates

APR figures are representative rates as of April 2026. Always compare current rates directly with each provider before applying.

Our Verdict

118 118 Money is a legitimate FCA-authorised lender offering both personal loans and credit cards for borrowers with poor credit. The representative APR is high, as expected for this market segment. If you have poor credit and need up to £5,000, it is worth checking your eligibility — but always compare with Finio/OakbrookAdvance (39.9% rep APR) and Bamboo (49.7% rep APR) before deciding. Use soft eligibility checkers first to avoid multiple hard credit searches.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 118 118 Money?

118 118 Money is a UK direct lender authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. It offers personal loans and credit cards to borrowers with poor to fair credit. It is named after the 118 118 directory enquiries brand but operates as a separate financial services business.

What APR does 118 118 Money charge?

118 118 Money typically charges a representative APR of around 49.9% on personal loans. The exact rate you are offered will depend on your credit profile and circumstances. Always verify the current rate directly at 118118money.com before applying.

Can I get a 118 118 loan with bad credit?

118 118 Money specifically targets borrowers with poor to fair credit. They consider applications from people who may have been declined by mainstream lenders. However, they will only approve loans they assess as affordable, and your credit history and income will still be assessed.

Is 118 118 Money safe?

Yes — 118 118 Money is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, making it a legitimate and regulated lender. Always verify any lender on the FCA register at register.fca.org.uk before applying.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always verify rates and eligibility directly with the provider before applying. Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk

This topic was previously covered by NerdWallet UK before its closure in March 2026. Find out what happened to NerdWallet UK →


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Editorial Disclaimer

The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.

CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.

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