Finance One Lender Review.

Non-bank lender specialising in serving individuals and businesses with poor or no credit history
Finance One Lender Review

Finance One Review

Finance One Logo

Overview

  • Founded in 2010
  • Online-only non-bank lender (also known as a neobank)
  • Prides itself on its compassionate and personal approach to lending

Lender Type

Non Banks, Specialist Lender, Direct Lender.

Non-Bank: A lender that is not part of the traditional banking system.

Specialist Lender: A lender that considers applications outside standard lending criteria. Caters to borrowers with unique needs, such as self-employed income or past credit issues.

Direct Lender: A lender that provides credit directly to the borrower without intermediaries.

About Finance One.

Finance One is a specialist non-bank lender that offers flexible finance solutions to individuals and businesses who have been rejected by traditional banks and other lenders. This includes borrowers who have faced bankruptcy, defaults, or other significant credit events.

They provide loan options across vehicles, personal loans, and business loans. While their products are known for flexibility and a forgiving approach to challenging credit histories, they often come with higher interest rates and fees than most mainstream lenders. On the upside, Finance One does not charge early payout fees, making it easier for borrowers to refinance when their financial situation improves.

If you have been ruled out of a loan because of bad credit and still need access to finance, a Finance One loan may be the solution.

Awards

Finance One Trustpilot 2020 Award
Finance One Australian Achiever Award 2021
Finance One Winner Badge
Finance One Best for Motorcycle Loans
Finance One Best for Boat and Marine Loans
Finance One Best for Accessible Credit Car Loans

How Does Finance One Compare?

Pros

  • Open to individuals or businesses with a challenging credit history, including prior defaults, missed repayments, or formal debt arrangements such as bankruptcy.
  • More flexible employment requirements, with approvals possible after as little as three months in casual work, and sometimes sooner for full-time PAYG applicants.
  • Your credit file isn’t marked with a hard inquiry until you’ve actually been approved.

Cons

  • Interest rates are on the higher end, starting from 19% and reaching up to 25%.
  • Ongoing account fees are fixed at $27 per month, regardless of the loan size or borrower profile.

Best Suited For

  • Individuals and businesses
  • Borrowers with challenging credit (low or no present credit history)
  • Borrowers with credit defaults, including bankruptcy

Key Limitations to Consider

  • Higher interest rates and fees compared to other lenders
  • Automatic decline if you’ve an unpaid default in the past 3 months
  • Automatic decline if you’ve been employed in continuity for less than 3 months

Is Finance One a good lender?

Finance One Pty Ltd is regarded as one of Australia’s most flexible lenders. They have options available for extra repayments or increasing your loan repayments to get ahead of paying off loans faster. They also have no early payout fee, so it’s easy to also refinance to a loan with a better interest rate through another lender once your credit improves.

They don’t factor in your credit score when pricing your loan. Instead consumers are priced in based on tiers, and customers that can show evidence of good savings records and have no outstanding debts are favoured.

Customer reviewing Finance One loan options
Finance One consultant assisting a customer

What is Finance One?

Finance One is a non-bank, specialist, and direct lender focused on helping customers who may not qualify with traditional banks. Established in 2010, the company operates entirely online and supports individuals and businesses with a history of defaults, late payments, or even bankruptcy.

As a specialist lender, Finance One reviews applications outside standard lending criteria, with a portfolio that includes personal loans, car finance, and business loans. Policies are more flexible around employment history and credit profiles.

While Finance One provides access to finance for challenging circumstances, the trade-off is higher interest rates and fixed monthly fees. However, there are no early repayment penalties, allowing borrowers to pay out their loan sooner if their situation improves.

In short, Finance One positions itself as a lender of last resort for those who need access to credit despite a challenging financial history.

Finance One Loans Reviewed.

Reviewed: Finance One Car Loans

Vehicle Loan Range

Finance One offers a range of vehicle loans designed for borrowers who may not qualify with traditional banks. A Finance One Car Loan can be used not only for cars but also for 4x4s, motorbikes, boats, jet skis, caravans, campers, registerable trailers, and even vehicle repairs.

Finance One Car Loan Interest Rates

Interest rates are tiered and sit on the higher side, typically ranging from 16% to 28%, depending on your credit profile and circumstances. In addition, there is a $27 monthly fee, applied consistently regardless of loan size or borrower strength.

Customer Sentiment

When looking at Finance One car loan reviews, the recurring theme is strong praise for customer service. Many borrowers describe the process as “stress-free,” “fast,” and “easy to understand,” often highlighting staff members by name for going above and beyond. Long-term customers also report loyalty to Finance One, returning for second or even third vehicle loans because of the personal support they received.

For customers with imperfect credit histories, the company is frequently described as a “lifeline,” with some reviewers noting that Finance One was the only lender willing to provide them with car finance. The responsiveness and compassion of individual consultants — whether helping to secure a car quickly or supporting borrowers through financial hiccups — consistently stand out.

On the other hand, not all feedback is positive. A number of reviewers raise concerns about high interest costs, fixed monthly fees, and contract terms that they felt lacked transparency. Some report frustration with credit reporting issues or dissatisfaction when exiting a loan early, where fees and interest made repayments feel steep compared to other finance options.

Overall Assessment

Overall, Finance One Car Loans attract a mixed but mostly positive response. Customers value the human element and willingness to assist those declined elsewhere, while the trade-off remains the premium cost of borrowing. For those with limited options, Finance One is often seen as a practical solution — but one that comes at a significantly higher price than traditional lenders.

Compare Car Loans →

Reviewed: Finance One Personal Loans

Finance One Personal Loans are specifically designed for borrowers who may not meet traditional lending criteria. Known as a Finance One bad credit option, these loans are available to applicants with defaults, late payments, or even discharged bankruptcies on their file. Loan purposes are broad and can cover home renovations, weddings, travel, medical or dental bills, study costs, and veterinary expenses. Customers can choose from secured loans ($5,000–$25,000) or unsecured loans ($5,000–$15,000), with flexible repayment terms and no penalties for paying out early.

Finance One Interest Rates and Fees

A key consideration for prospective borrowers is cost. Finance One interest rates generally sit much higher than mainstream lenders, usually ranging between 16% and 28% depending on the borrower’s tier. Alongside interest, there is also a flat $27 monthly fee, applied to every personal loan regardless of loan size or credit profile.

Customer Sentiment

Reviews for Finance One personal loans show a split in customer experience:

Positive experiences highlight supportive staff, clear communication, and quick approvals. Many borrowers describe Finance One as a lifeline when banks have declined them, praising the team for being compassionate and willing to listen to their personal financial circumstances.

Negative experiences are mainly centred around credit reporting disputes, high costs, and transparency of terms. Some borrowers report that repayments were misallocated or reported incorrectly, while others feel that the overall cost of borrowing is steep compared to competitors.

Overall Assessment

For borrowers with limited access to mainstream finance, Finance One personal loans can provide an accessible option to fund important life expenses. Customers value the personalised service and flexibility for those with bad credit, but this comes with a significant trade-off in the form of higher interest rates and ongoing fees. As such, these loans may be most suitable as a short- to medium-term solution, especially for people focused on rebuilding credit or consolidating debts.

Compare Personal Loans →

Reviewed: Finance One Business Loans

Finance One Business Loans are designed for small to medium businesses that may not qualify with mainstream lenders, particularly those with bad credit or limited credit history. These loans can be used to finance a wide range of business needs, including vehicles, trucks, food trucks, forklifts, earth-moving machinery, tractors, commercial lawn mowers, trailers, and other essential equipment.

Loan Structure and Terms

Finance One offers business loans from smaller amounts up to $150,000, though larger loans (between $75,000–$150,000) must be secured against property. In some cases, approvals can be provided in as little as 24 hours, provided sufficient documentation is supplied. As with Finance One’s other products, business loans carry higher interest rates and a flat $27 monthly fee, which apply regardless of loan size or borrower profile.

Customer Experience and Sentiment

Reviews from business loan customers mirror the broader Finance One feedback:

Positive sentiment emphasises Finance One’s willingness to help when banks won’t, with many small business owners grateful that they could secure finance for vehicles or equipment to keep their operations running. Borrowers often highlight personalised service and quick turnaround times, with consultants praised for their responsiveness and willingness to explain the process clearly.

Negative sentiment is largely tied to the cost of borrowing. Some reviewers mention high interest rates, expensive repayment terms, and limited flexibility once contracts are in place. Others raise concerns around credit reporting accuracy and a lack of clarity in fee structures.

Overall Assessment

For businesses struggling to obtain finance through traditional avenues, Finance One Business Loans provide an accessible — though costly — option to secure essential equipment or vehicles. The lender’s focus on supporting applicants with bad credit makes it an appealing lifeline for some, but prospective borrowers should weigh the benefit of access against the higher interest rates and ongoing fees.

Compare Business Loans → | Compare Equipment Loans →

Customer Reviews Summarised.

Across all loan types, customer sentiment towards Finance One is generally positive, with many borrowers praising the company’s personalised service, quick responses, and willingness to approve applications that banks would typically decline. Customers often highlight team members for going “above and beyond,” with long-term clients returning for second or third loans because of the supportive experience.

However, reviews also raise consistent concerns about the high cost of borrowing, fixed monthly fees, and occasional disputes over credit reporting or contract transparency. Finance One is valued as a lender of last resort, but prospective borrowers should weigh the strong support against the premium pricing of its loans.

Check Your Finance One Loan Options, Without Impacting Your Credit File

Before applying with Finance One or any lender, it’s worth seeing how you compare across the board.

You can explore personalised loan options for car, personal, or business finance—even with a bad credit history—without leaving a mark on your credit file.

A streamlined digital process helps assess key information such as income, employment, and financial history to give you a clear picture of your eligibility. Compare options confidently, reduce paperwork, and understand your borrowing position while keeping your credit protected.

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Chantelle is amazing to deal with, nothing was too much trouble, she was thorough and extremely helpful and accommodating to my requests. Chantelle worked out the best solution for my personal needs to move forward with my life and she ensured I was informed every step of the way.? I cannot recommend Chantelle highly enough. A huge thank you Chantelle ?

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Pan Bhandge was very efficient and professional. The transaction was seamless and fast I never have to worry about anything. I'm very very busy so that matters. Not only did I get a good fair deal, it saves me from looking around.

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