Updated: 24 Feb 2026
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Small size loans are primarily used to handle emergency expenses, debt consolidation, and more. In particular, some loan products on the market that brand themselves as "No-TU" generally offer lower loan amounts than standard private loans and carry higher interest rates. Therefore, if you require a larger sum of capital, you should consider applying for a private loan instead. Before applying for a loan, you should think clearly about the purpose of the borrowing and ask yourself why you need this money. Is it to cover sudden, essential expenses (such as medical bills or emergency repairs), or for non-essential consumption (such as travel or shopping)?
Once you have decided on the actual amount you need to borrow, you should only borrow the amount you truly require. Do not over-borrow simply because the application process is easy. The limits for No-TU small size loans are usually not high; while they can release funds to you quickly, you should still avoid borrowing more than your actual needs to minimize interest expenses as much as possible.
There are many banks and financial institutions in Hong Kong that provide small size loans. Some finance companies even offer "No-TU" loan products, which serve as a method for quick turnover for individuals with poor TU credit ratings or those without a fixed income (such as the self-employed, students, or homemakers). Below is a comparison of 5 small size loans:
(1) HKID Card
(2) Proof of address: such as utility bills, bank statements, etc., which need to show your name and most recent address.
(3) (Optional) Proof of income can be waived (subject to meeting credit record requirements)
1. Hong Kong Identity Card
2. Recent income proof, e.g., payroll slip, tax demand note, monthly bank account statement/passbook with your salary or MPF statement
3. Employment proof
4. Current residential proof, e.g. utility bills, bank statement
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New and existing customer is entitled for the Welcome Offer if the following requirements are satisfied within the Promotion Period:
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Loan approval and electronic transfer service is available from Monday to Friday (9:00am-6:30pm), Saturday (9:00am-12:30pm) and except to Sunday & public holidays. The actual date of transfer is subject to the transfer servicing hours of each individual bank.United Asia Finance Limited reserves the right to make final decision on loan approval
United Asia Finance Limited reserves the right to make final decision on loan approval
Warning: You have to repay your loans. Don't pay any intermediaries.
Enquiry and Complaint Hotline: 2681 8888
Money Lender’s Licence No.: 0805/2025
HKID
However, please note that the above information is for reference only. To enjoy the lowest Annualized Percentage Rate (APR) and the maximum loan amount mentioned above, specific requirements often must be met—for example, the loan amount reaching a designated threshold or the applicant being a property owner. The actual APR and maximum loan amount will depend on the final approval by the banks and finance companies.
There are many types of small size loans. Although there is no explicit definition, in a broad sense, loans with an amount below HK$100,000 can be referred to as small size loans. Some finance companies even provide small size loan products as low as several thousand Hong Kong dollars. Naturally, the repayment period for these is shorter, generally within a few months; therefore, this type of loan is also known as a "short-term loan," allowing applicants to obtain emergency funds quickly. Generally, products that fit the definition of a "small size loan" share the following common points:
Lower loan amounts, which can be as low as HK$1,000.
Some small size loans waive income proof and TU (credit report) checks.
Approval is generally faster, with cash available as soon as the same day.
Applications can be made online, and the process does not require appearing in person.
Unlike standard bank private loans, the application process for a small size loan is simpler and can even be completed without appearing in person. You only need to submit basic identification documents (some do not even require income proof), and the entire process can be conducted online, with cash available as soon as the same day. Note, however, that the application process varies by finance company; details are subject to the requirements of individual institutions.
Submit the application online (via website or mobile app).
Upload identification documents (such as ID card, proof of address within the last 3 months, phone number, etc.).
TU credit check (this step is waived for some No-TU small size loans).
Receive the approval result (approved loan amount and APR).
Extract the loan after signing the contract.
While some banks and financial institutions typically advertise that the APR for their loan products can be as low as under 2%, this is the best-case scenario. To obtain the lowest interest rate, certain requirements must usually be met, such as a loan amount exceeding HK$1.5 million. For small size loans, No-TU loans, or applicants with poor credit scores, the APR may reach double digits. Because these types of loans can waive credit checks, finance companies cannot assess the applicant's default risk; therefore, interest rates are usually higher, and the annual rate can reach 20% or more.
There is no explicit definition for a small size loan. Generally speaking, any loan with a lower amount (roughly below HK$100,000) can be called a small size loan. Since you can choose your own loan amount for a private loan (with the final result determined by the bank/financial institution), you can also apply for one as a small size loan. Although financial institutions will review the applicant's income and TU credit rating, interest rates are generally lower, making this suitable for individuals with a fixed income and a good TU record.
Some financial institutions provide No-TU loan products. As the name suggests, the applicant does not need to submit income proof, and the financial institution will not review the applicant's TU credit score. Due to the low application threshold and relatively simple procedures, these are suitable for individuals in urgent need of cash turnover, those without a fixed income, or those with a poor TU record.
Some financial institutions also offer short-term loan plans specifically designed as small size loans. Because the amounts are small, the repayment periods are also shorter. For example, the Promise "Express Cash" small size loan specifically provides loans of HK$2,000 with a fixed repayment period of 4 months; the Cashing Pro "Small Emergency Cash" loan amount starts from HK$1,000, with interest calculated daily. These are suitable for individuals who need to borrow a small amount of money for emergencies.
Revolving loans are sometimes referred to as credit card overdrafts. A bank will pre-approve an overdraft limit for the applicant, allowing the customer to withdraw cash directly from the account even if the balance is insufficient. Once repaid, the overdraft limit can be reused without needing to apply each time; hence it is called a revolving loan. While the benefit is greater flexibility, revolving loans generally calculate interest daily. If the loan is not repaid for a long time, a considerable amount of debt will accumulate.
Life is full of sudden situations, such as an urgent need for cash to cover medical expenses, family emergencies, or short-term liquidity issues. For some Hong Kong residents, if their credit record (commonly known as the "TU" rating) is not ideal, or if they are freelancers or self-employed and cannot provide the income proof required by traditional banks, applying for a bank loan may be difficult. In these cases, small size loans that brand themselves with "No-TU" and "Ultra-fast Approval" become a way to release funds quickly.
However, the Annualized Percentage Rate (APR) of these "No-TU small size loans" can be much higher than traditional bank loans, and one could easily fall into a debt trap if not careful. In fact, the approval process for standard private loans is quite fast nowadays; generally, results are available within two weeks of application. Therefore, if you have a stable income and a good TU record, it is recommended to apply for a standard private loan instead.
Although small size loans are relatively easy to get approved, a loan that truly suits you must align with your intended use of funds. If you fall into the following situations, you may consider options other than a small size loan:
| Situation | Potential Loan Product | Reason |
| Large expenses (e.g., wedding, renovation) | Private Loan | Standard private loans (especially from banks) usually allow for higher borrowing amounts, and the APR may be lower than a finance company's small size loan, making it more cost-effective for large expenses. |
| Purchasing a new/used car | Car Loan (Dealer Financing), Private Loan | "Dealer financing" is a dedicated car loan. Additionally, if a large amount is needed, the interest rates of general private loans may be more competitive than small size loans. |
| Clearing credit card debt | Debt Consolidation Loan (Balance Transfer) | Specifically used to consolidate high-interest credit card debt or other liabilities. Interest is generally lower, saving on interest expenses; it is more effective than using a small size loan to "cover" debts. |
| Funds for business use | Private Loan, Bank Financing, Crowdfunding, Startup Funds | If funds are for business use, bank commercial loans or financing schemes may better suit your needs (e.g., larger amounts, different repayment periods). |
| Paying taxes | Tax Loan | Every tax season, banks and finance companies launch tax loans with exceptionally low interest rates, usually far lower than general small size loans, making them the top choice for tax payments. |
| Applicant owns property | Homeowner Private Loan | If the applicant owns a property (or a parking space), they can consider a homeowner private loan, which offers higher maximum loan amounts and more attractive interest rates. |
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