However there is some help available. More lenders are realizing that there is a market for bad credit personal loans, for individuals who want to rebuild their credit by paying on time, with secured loan and credit card products, as well as unsecured bad credit personal loans for borrowers with poor or damaged credit.

You can begin to rebuild credit with secured loans. These are loans that are backed by your own funds, put into a savings account so that they accrue interest, but the funds act as security for your loan. For example, you put $1,000 into a savings account, and then borrow against it for a 12-month note. You make payments, and the bank holds the funds in case you default. 

Nearly every bank will set up a secured loan for you. It might seem like it does not make sense to tie up your own money, but it does give you an opportunity to show you can make payments on time, and have a “paid as agreed” on your credit report, plus you get your collateral back at the end of the loan, with interest! 

You can also use collateral such as your home to obtain credit, if you don’t already have a home equity loan. Some lenders will work with your bad credit just because they know that by taking out your home equity loan, you can pay off some of your cards, improving your credit score after getting the loan. 

Another option is to get a secured credit card. Similar to the loans, you deposit a smaller amount with the bank, say $300 or $500, and get a line of credit for that amount. Many times the fees can be high for these cards, so check the terms, and how to get your collateral released when you qualify for non-secured cards. 

Finally, there are lenders who offer unsecured bad credit loans. Using these lenders is a good way to show you can rebuild your credit, because the loan does appear on your credit report as unsecured debt. The terms might be high, but be sure to find out whether you can pay off the loan early without penalty and do so as soon as possible by paying more than the minimum monthly payment. 

Remember to investigate and compare all loan terms thoroughly before you apply!