Peer-to-peer loans
Zopa offers peer-to-peer loans to responsible people who meet our eligibility criteria.
We carry out credit checks to ensure people can afford the loan they are applying for and to offer a rate that reflects individual circumstances.
We are the UK's largest peer-to-peer lending service offering low rate loans to people who are good with their money.
We've lent £1.72 billion to over 150,000 people since 2005.
Who can get a Zopa loan
To get a loan you need to:
- Confirm your identity
- Be at least 20 years old
- Have credit history we can see
- A good track record of repaying debt
- Be a current UK resident
- Have 3 years of address history in the UK
- Have an income (at least £12,000 per year, this could be a salary or pension)
- Be able to afford the loan
Please note we don't offer joint applications or guarantor loans.
If you are retired but have a regular income you could still be eligible - simply add your pension details when asked for employer details during the application process.
What the press says
“Zopa allows savers and borrowers to bypass banks and their high charges. It works by matching borrowers looking for lower-rate loans with savers looking for higher returns” — The Daily Mail
Zopa's credit checks
Zopa uses two types of credit checks depending on how far you progress in the loan application process.
The same information is checked at each stage and all loan providers use a similar process to determine the APR you are offered.
This means that if you are offered a Zopa loan quote you are unlikely to find a significantly better rate elsewhere.
Getting a loan quote
To give you a loan quote we check your credit score with a Quotation Search (also known as a soft search).
This type of search does not affect your credit score and is not visible to other credit providers such as banks. But it will be visible to you if you request a copy of your credit file.
The Quotation Search allows us to quickly check whether you can afford the loan and to offer you a competitive rate.
We use the credit bureaus Call Credit and Equifax to do this search.
Applying for a loan
If you submit a loan application to Zopa we will do a Credit Application Search. This type of search will appear on your credit file.
The Credit Application Search allows us to confirm that you can afford the loan and that you meet our criteria for borrowing. It is the same type of search that is done by banks and other loan companies.
The credit bureau we use is Call Credit. The Credit Application Search is visible to your other credit providers. Any impact on your credit score will be positive, as long as you make all of your Zopa loan repayments on time.
You can get a Zopa loan to
- Buy a car
- Pay off credit cards
- Make home improvements
- Help manage your debts
We offer loans for other purposes too. Simply select the reason that applies to you when you fill in our online application form.
What our customers say
“I decided to borrow with Zopa because of the interest rate compared to other companies, and the quick and courteous customer service.”
Carol (Inverness)
Our customers have voted us 'Most Trusted Loan Provider' 7 years in a row.
