How do you go about obtaining a loan if you have a poor credit score? Is it even possible if you have declared bankruptcy? Well, the short answer is yes. It may be difficult however, so you should be ready to put up with a few rejections. You should also be ready to accept higher interest rates and tighter restrictions. You should also be wary of disreputable loan companies who specifically target those with poor credit ratings and offer them loans with excessive interest rates, unfair terms and very high penalties. With offers like this, it may be that you are better off without the loan than with it. There are a variety of possibilities available however and some of them are worth considering. They range from unsecured credit cards, to mortgages secured over your home. Everyone, before taking on extra debt, should carefully assess how much they can afford, what are their needs and how much do they need to borrow. Lenders will need to see evidence of income so if you try to borrow a very large amount, you will likely be turned down. However, it is often possible to borrow far more than you can reasonably afford so think about how much you ask for too. If your credit rating is very bad you will have to adapt to these circumstances. For example:

With a mortgage, you may have to supply a larger down payment.

With a credit card you will face higher interest rates.

For a personal loan you may have to supply security. You should also understand that your bargaining power will be weaker if you have a poor credit rating. Some lenders will set up a plan under which your interest rates, and the terms of the loan, improve as you demonstrate responsible repayment of the loan. This can be a good option and you should ask your lender if they will consider this option. It may also be worth seeking the advice of a loan officer or debt counselor who will advise you on how much you can afford under your current budget. In some cases, you will simply have to wait till your credit rating improves before you can make a desired purpose. Credit cards can demonstrate to lenders that you are a good risk, but they can be very dangerous for someone who has a history of over spending. You should also look into options such as transferring credit card balances to cards with lower rates. You can also negotiate with your lenders if you are having problems making repayments. At the end of the day, only consistently making on time repayments over an extended period of time will your credit rating improve.