Flexible & fair short-term loans

What is a short-term loan?

A short-term loan is a small cash loan that you can access quickly to cover emergency costs. Short-term loans and payday loans are similar forms of credit borrowing that offer quick access to cash. At Moneyboat, we offer short-term loans as a flexible alternative to payday loans. Our short-term loans can be useful if you’re caught short before you’re next paid, giving you the option to repay over 2 to 6 instalments.

What can I use a short-term loan for?

We all know how it feels when an emergency cost appears and it’s only halfway through the month. If your finances are tight, a short-term loan may be an option to help cover one-off expenses that just won’t wait until you next receive funds.

Most people who take out short-term loans online use them to cover costs like:

• Car repairs
• Unexpected costs like large bills for essentials
• Replacing essential household appliances

As well as being convenient, short-term loans can also be expensive, with higher interest rates than some other forms of credit.

Why choose Moneyboat for short-term loans online?

Here at Moneyboat, we’re a UK-based company that focuses on responsible lending. When we assess your application, we’ll always consider the bigger picture and will only lend to borrowers who can afford repayments. We’re here to help you access emergency credit quickly and at fair rates.

Our new customers can borrow from £200 to £800 while existing customers can borrow up to £1,500, subject to passing our credit and affordability checks.

A Moneyboat loan is repayable over a minimum of 2 instalments – up to a maximum of 6 months. This means you don’t have to repay the entire balance of your short-term loan on your next payday.

Is Moneyboat a short-term loans direct lender?

Yes, Moneyboat is a direct lender of short-term loans in the UK.

When you apply for a loan with us, we process your application ourselves –  not through a third-party broker. This means you’re dealing with Moneyboat at every step – from application to repayment – giving you more transparency, no broker fees, and a faster, simpler experience.

Whether you’re looking for a short-term loan to cover an emergency expense or to stay afloat until payday, we’re here to help with fair, flexible options.

Benefits of borrowing from a direct lender like Moneyboat:

• No broker fees or extra hidden costs
• Deal directly with the lender who makes the decision
• Clear communication and friendly UK-based support

Short-term loans vs. payday loans: What’s the difference?

There are some key differences between short-term loans and payday loans.

• Repayment terms: Payday loans are often due in full by your next payday. Moneyboat short-term loans can be repaid over 2 to 6 instalments, with the option to repay your loan whenever you like.
• Flexibility: Short-term loans give you extra flexibility to repay the amount borrowed, which can help you budget your finances easier over the borrowing period.
• Affordability: Paying your loan back in manageable instalments can make repayments more reasonable on your wallet.

Borrow responsibly – short-term loans aren’t for everyone

No matter if you’re looking to borrow cash using a Moneyboat short-term loan, or a payday loan from a direct lender, short-term loans are designed for emergencies and interim relief. They shouldn’t be a first-choice solution for cash.

If you’re not sure if you can repay the loan, or you’re running behind on other essential bills, it might not be the right time for you to borrow. Moneyboat is a responsible lender, which means we’ll only approve applications if we believe they’re affordable.

For more helpful guidance and insights, explore our guides on personal cash flow budgeting and financial wellbeing tips and support.

How to apply for a short-term loan online with Moneyboat

1. Click “Apply now” and fill in our free and easy, online application form
2. We'll then carry out credit and affordability checks
3. Sign and send back your loan agreement which will be sent to you via email subject to approval
4. Receive your cash directly into your UK bank account

Practical things to know about short-term loans

Short-term loans can be a helpful option, but it’s important to understand how they work before applying. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

• Short-term loans typically have a borrowing limit, usually around £1,500 or less. If you require a larger amount, alternative borrowing options may be necessary.
• You must have a stable income and hold a UK bank account to qualify. If you don’t meet these criteria, your application may be declined.
• Short-term loans often come with higher interest rates compared to some other forms of borrowing.
• Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) rules cap the cost of short-term credit to help protect borrowers, but interest rates can still add up quickly.

Questions to ask yourself before applying for a short-term loan online?

Before applying for any kind of credit, it’s a good idea to check in with yourself. These questions can help you decide if a short-term loan is the right move:

• Do I really need the money?
• Is there any other way I can get the money without borrowing?
• Do I understand how much this is going to cost me?
• Is the lender trustworthy?
• Can I afford the repayments?
• Is my income stable?
• Do I fulfil the criteria?
• How is my credit score?

What is the criteria for applying for a short-term loan?

To apply for a short-term loan with Moneyboat, you must meet the following criteria:

• You must be at least 18 years old
• You must be in full or part-time employment
• You must receive a minimum NET pay of £1,000 per month
• You must be a holder of a UK bank account and debit card

Can I extend my short-term loan if I need more time?

If you think you might struggle to make a payment, please get in touch with us as early as you can:

• Call: 020 3818 7470
• Email: thecrew@moneyboat.co.uk

We’re open Monday to Friday, 8am–5pm, excluding Bank Holidays.

We’ll do our best to work with you and find a solution that helps you stay on track. Reaching out early can help you avoid extra charges and make managing your loan easier.

Can I get free financial advice in the UK?

If you are struggling with your finances or not sure where to start, the organisations listed below offer free, impartial support:

• MoneyHelper: Government service offering free financial advice by chat, WhatsApp or phone
• National Debtline: Free and independent debt advice by phone or chat
• FinancialAdvice.co.uk: Free debt advice by phone
• StepChange: Free debt advice by app or phone
• Shelter: Free advice on debt, housing and healthcare by phone and chat
• Citizensadvice.org.uk: Free debt support

There are plenty of other third-party support organisations who can offer free guidance and advice too. Just reach out and they’ll do their best to help you with your concerns.

Short-term loans UK – helping you stay afloat

At Moneyboat, we understand that unexpected expenses can happen to anyone. Whether it’s a broken boiler, urgent travel costs, or a sudden bill, our short-term loans are here to give you breathing space when you need it most.

As a trusted short-term loans direct lender in the UK, we focus on clear, flexible borrowing – no hidden fees, no confusing terms, and a friendly team ready to support you. If you’re looking for a straightforward way to cover an unexpected cost, we’re here to help you stay afloat until payday and beyond.

Representative example

Based on the last working day of each month

Interest rate 288.35% pa (fixed) Representative 1,267.9% APR

Warning: Late repayments can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk.

*Our guide to financial promotions

Warning: Late repayments can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to www.moneyhelper.org.uk.

*Our guide to financial promotions: https://www.moneyboat.co.uk/financial-promotions-info/