At Debt & Finance, our reviews exist to help South Africans make informed, confident decisions about credit and debt — not to sell loans. We are an independent educational resource, not a credit provider or debt counsellor. Here’s exactly how we assess every lender and product we cover.
Who we cover
We only review and list credit providers that are registered with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) and operate under the National Credit Act 34 of 2005. Before publishing, we check a provider’s NCR registration number against the NCR’s public register. If a provider isn’t properly registered, we don’t list it.
What we assess
Every review is scored against the same criteria:
- Regulatory standing: Valid NCR registration, NCA compliance, and clear, lawful terms.
- Cost and transparency: How clearly rates, initiation fees and service fees are disclosed, and how the total cost of credit compares for the type of product.
- Loan terms and flexibility: Amounts, repayment periods, and whether early repayment is allowed without penalty.
- Eligibility and accessibility: Who can realistically qualify, and how clear the requirements are.
- Repayment options and support: Available payment methods, customer service, and how the provider handles missed payments.
- Track record and reputation: How established the provider is and what independent evidence exists of its service.
Our rating scale
We rate each provider out of 5:
- 4.5–5.0 — Excellent. Strong on cost, transparency and track record for its category.
- 3.5–4.4 — Good. Solid and trustworthy, with some trade-offs to weigh.
- 2.5–3.4 — Fair. Works for specific needs but has notable limitations.
- Below 2.5 — Weak. Significant concerns; better options usually exist.
Ratings reflect a product within its own category; a short-term loan is judged against other short-term loans, not against a home loan.
How we keep reviews accurate
We base reviews on each provider’s own published terms, FAQs and agreements, cross-checked against official sources such as the NCR and the National Credit Act. Every review shows a “verified” date, and we update reviews when products or terms change.
If you spot something out of date or incorrect, please contact us. We’ll check and correct it promptly.
Our independence
Ratings and rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when a reader applies through some of our links (see our Advertiser Disclosure), but commercial relationships have no influence on our scores, rankings or opinions. A provider cannot pay to be rated higher, featured, or to have criticism removed.
Debt & Finance provides general information, not financial advice. Always read your own quotation and credit agreement, and consider speaking to a registered financial adviser or debt counsellor about your specific situation.