What is debt consolidation?
If you’ve got debt in various places, including credit cards and loans, a debt consolidation loan lets you combine all your existing debts into one place. Once you apply for a loan for the amount you owe in existing debt and if approved, you can pay off the debt in a single monthly repayment. Makes your debt easier to manage and can reduce the amount of interest at a lower interest rate.
If a loan for debt consolidation isn't for you, then check out our personal loans page to see what else a loan can be used for.
1. Combine all your existing debts
If you've got balances on store cards and credit cards or even overdrafts and loans, you might be making a number of repayments throughout the month at a number of different rates. A debt consolidation loan could help you.
2. Pay off your debt
Use the debt consolidation loan to pay off existing borrowing:
Save money if your Santander personal loan rate is lower than your existing rates.
Lower your monthly repayments at a fixed rate.
Put all your existing debts into one monthly payment for convenience.
3. Pay back the loan
Once you have paid off your existing debt, you'll then pay back the consolidation loan within 1-5 years. We can't guarantee that this type of loan will reduce your overall cost of borrowing. You need to consider the interest rates you're currently paying and compare them with the options here.
Debt consolidation loan calculator
The interest we charge varies between loan amounts. The amount you want to borrow may be close to one of the points where the APR (annual percentage rate) goes up or down. You might be able to reduce your monthly repayments, and total amount payable by slightly adjusting the amount you borrow.
The calculator is for illustrative purposes only. Your personal circumstances and the loan amount might affect the rate we offer. The maximum APR we could offer is 26.9%. You should make sure you’re able to make the repayments over the full term of the loan. We reserve the right to refuse any application. Information and rates correct as at 09/08/2024.
To apply for a loan
- You must be aged 21 or over.
- You must have a regular yearly income of £10,500+ for loans up to £19,999, or £20,000+ for loans between £20,000 and £25,000.
- You must be employed, self-employed or retired.
- You must live permanently in the UK.
- You must have a good credit record and not been declared bankrupt, had a CCJ or an IVA within the last 6 years.
All credit is subject to status.
Eligibility checker
Before you apply, we'll check your chances of being approved for a loan. This check will not impact your ability to get credit elsewhere. You can then decide if you want to apply.
If you have Experian CreditLock or similar with another credit reference agency you'll need to switch it off before you apply.
Once you submit your application, we'll do a credit check on you. This will leave a mark on your credit file which will remain for 12 months.
What you can get
Rates
Rates from 6.2% APR representative on loans from £7,500 to £15,000
Range
Range of personal loans from £1,000 to £25,000
Overpayments
Overpay at no extra cost
Repayments
Repay over 1-5 years
If you've got balances on store cards and credit cards or even overdrafts and loans, you might be making a number of repayments throughout the month at a number of different rates. A debt consolidation loan could help you. You could:
- Save money if your Santander personal loan rate is lower than your existing rates.
- Lower your monthly repayments at a fixed rate.
- Put all of your existing debts into one monthly payment for convenience.
We can't guarantee that this type of loan will reduce your overall cost of borrowing. You need to consider the interest rates you're currently paying and compare them with the options here.
Unacceptable loan purposes
We are unable to lend for certain purposes. Take a look at our Key Facts Document (PDF - 179 KB) for more information.
Range of loan rates
This table shows the rates that you may get if you apply for certain loan amounts. The rate we offer you depends on your personal circumstances. The maximum APR we could offer you on any loan amount is 26.9%.
| New and existing Santander customers | |
|---|---|
| £1,000-£2,999 | 13.5% |
| £3,000-£4,999 | 9.9% |
| £5,000-£7,499 | 7.2% |
| £7,500-£15,000 | 6.2% |
| £15,001-£20,000 | 6.4% |
| £20,001-£25,000 | 6.4% |
Check to see if you’re eligible
Using our checker will give you an idea of whether we’ll accept you for a loan. It won’t leave a record on your credit file. This only happens when you apply. Using our checker won’t impact you getting credit somewhere else. Using our checker does not commit you to making a full application.
We will look at your ability to afford the loan and credit reference information. If our checker states that you might not be able to get a loan, you might want to check our criteria again and check your credit file. You can do this by contacting Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
If the details you entered into the checker have changed or were incorrect, call us on 0800 876 6386 and we will review the outcome.
Apply online between 6.30am - 11.30pm
You'll usually receive an accept, decline or refer decision by email within 5 minutes.
Apply online between 11.30pm - 6.30am
You'll receive an email with a decision by 7.30am.
Receiving a 'refer' decision
This means that we need our underwriting team to look at your application and we may need more information from you. You'll receive an accept or decline email within 2 working days of the additional information being provided.
If your application is accepted
You'll receive a further email with details of how to sign your loan agreement online.
Your loan code
Once your application is accepted we'll send you a code by first class post. You'll need to enter it online to release your loan funds
Receiving your loan
Once released, your loan funds will be in your chosen bank account within 2 working days.
If additional checks are needed this could take longer.
If you need your funds quicker and you’ve had a current account with us for at least 60 days
Apply in branch and if your application is accepted, you could get your money instantly.
Apply over the phone and we’ll guide you through your loan application and give you a decision. You could get your loan paid into your account the next working day. In most cases, you won’t need to return any paperwork.
Key documents
- Personal Loans Key Facts Document (PDF - 179 KB)
- Terms & Conditions and Important Information (PDF - 333 KB)
To view these documents, you may need to download Adobe Reader
Repayments
Your loan repayments will be taken by Direct Debit each month. When you apply for a loan, you’ll be asked to choose a repayment date between the 1st and the 28th of the month. Your monthly repayment amount is fixed and won’t change during your loan.
To change your repayment date, call us on 0800 876 6386. Changing your repayment date could mean that 2 repayments are taken within a 30-day period.
Annual loan statement
Every year on the date you opened your loan, you’ll be sent a statement confirming details of the repayments you’ve made.
Early repayment
You can make unlimited overpayments at any time before your final repayment is due or you can repay your loan in full. You can find out how to do this in your agreement.
Online and Mobile Banking
You can see information about your Personal Loan in both Online and Mobile Banking. If you’ve never used it before, you’ll need to sign up first.
Find out more about Online Banking
Find out more about Mobile Banking
Top up your loan
If you want to borrow more you can top up your loan. In this case your new loan will pay off your existing loan and you will continue to make one monthly repayment. You can only arrange this in branch or over the phone by calling us on 0800 028 4055.
Take another loan
You don’t have to pay off your loan to borrow more. You can keep your original loan and take out a second one, in this case you will have two separate loan repayments to make.
Early repayment
You can repay your loan in full or make overpayments any time before the final payment is due. Take a look at our repaying your loan early page to find out more.
Settlement figure
To find out the amount needed to repay your loan in full (we sometimes call this your ‘settlement figure’), call us on 0800 028 4055. We’ll send you a breakdown including any charges that will apply because you’re paying off your loan early.
Have your borrowing needs changed?
Please speak to us in branch or call us on 0800 028 4055 as we can assess your borrowing needs and may be able to find a solution for you.
Online Banking
If you have a loan with us and nothing else, you may not have Online Banking.
If you’d like to get Online Banking so you can manage your loan online, call us on 0800 028 4055 and we’ll help you set this up.