CashASAP review.

CashASAP is a trading name of APFIN Ltd, a London-based direct lender that has operated in the UK regulated short-term sector since 2014 under FCA reference 673186. The same authorisation also covers Polar Credit, APFIN's revolving line-of-credit brand. CashASAP publishes two distinct products. The payday product is a single-repayment loan of £200 to £300 over up to 35 days. The multi-month instalment product runs £200 to £750 over three to six months. The dual-product structure is unusual in the directory and lets the borrower choose between a one-shot payday repayment and a spread-out instalment schedule.

Active Direct lender Established 2014 Verified May 2026

Key facts

The figures below cover the multi-month instalment product, which is the more common borrower path. Each has been verified against CashASAP's published representative example and the FCA register on 4 May 2026.

Loan range
£200 to £750
Representative APR
1,264.8%
Term
3 to 6 months
Funding speed
Same day
Trustpilot
4.5 / 5
Late fee
£10 maximum

290% per annum fixed on the published £200 over six months example. Total amount payable £359.97 in monthly instalments of £73.06, £74.38, £62.99, £59.55, £49.22 and £40.77, with no other fees applied. New customers cap at £400, returning customers up to £750. Trustpilot figure based on 3,500+ reviews. The £10 late fee is below the FCA's £15 per-occurrence ceiling. APFIN Ltd is a CCTA member.

Operational strengths

Two distinct product paths under one application

CashASAP publishes both a single-repayment payday product (£200 to £300 over up to 35 days) and a multi-month instalment product (£200 to £750 over three to six months). The borrower selects the product type at application stage. The dual structure means a borrower whose income event is two weeks away can use the payday product, while someone needing to spread a larger sum can use the instalment route, all within the same lender relationship.

Decreasing-instalment structure on the multi-month product

The published representative example shows monthly payments stepping down from £73.06 in month one to £40.77 in month six. The pattern reflects interest being recalculated each month against the falling capital balance. As capital is paid down, the interest portion of each instalment shrinks. The total cost is the same as a flat-instalment alternative. The cash-flow profile is more forgiving towards the end of the term, where most borrowers benefit most from a smaller payment.

CCTA membership and below-cap late fee

APFIN Ltd is a member of the CCTA (Consumer Credit Trade Association) and applies a £10 late fee, below the £15 per-occurrence FCA ceiling. The combination of an industry-association membership and below-cap default fees indicates an explicit positioning on the responsible-lending side of the short-term sector. CCTA membership also obliges the firm to follow industry-specific complaint-handling and conduct codes alongside the FCA rules.

Sister brand Polar Credit covers revolving credit needs

Borrowers whose use case is recurring rather than one-off can move across to Polar Credit, the APFIN revolving line-of-credit product, without changing parent provider. The two brands share underwriting infrastructure and operate under the same FCA authorisation. The sister-brand option is useful for applicants whose first CashASAP loan suggests their underlying need is for ongoing flexibility rather than a single fixed-term advance.

Material considerations

Cost

Representative APR among the highest in the directory

The 1,264.8% representative APR sits at the upper end of regulated short-term credit. The published £200 over six months example produces total repayment of £359.97, an interest cost of £159.97 (80% of the principal). All within the FCA's price-cap rules, although applicants with access to credit-union products, employer-arranged credit or a 0% purchase card will pay materially less for the same sum. The shorter the term, the lower the absolute interest cost. Borrowers who can repay in three months rather than six should run both options through the on-site calculator.

£400 first-time ceiling restricts initial use case

New customers are capped at £400 on the multi-month product and £300 on the payday product. The full £750 ceiling is reserved for returning customers who have demonstrated repayment behaviour on a prior CashASAP loan. Applicants with a one-off need above £400 should look at directory peers with higher first-time ceilings such as Mr Lender (£500) or Fast Loan UK (£800).

No top-ups on a live loan

CashASAP does not offer top-up facilities while a loan is active. A new application can be made once the existing loan is fully repaid. Borrowers whose underlying need is for incremental access to additional credit during a borrowing period should look at sibling brand Polar Credit, where the revolving structure allows redrawing within an established credit limit.

Hard credit search at application stage

CashASAP runs a hard credit-file search as part of the affordability assessment. The hard search registers a footprint on the credit file whether the application is approved or declined. There is no soft-search eligibility step. Applicants who are uncertain about eligibility may prefer a peer with a soft-search front-end (such as 118 118 Money or Loans 2 Go) before committing to a hard search.

Most appropriate & Least appropriate

CashASAP works best for borrowers who fit a tight profile: a small one-off need under £750, a clean enough credit file to pass affordability, plus a repayment horizon between 35 days and six months. The two columns below clarify the boundaries.

Most Appropriate

The right fit

  • £200 to £400 needed for a one-off short-term gap (first-time customer)
  • Borrower wants the choice between a payday and a 3-6 month instalment product
  • CCTA membership and below-cap fee structure carry weight
  • Decreasing-instalment cash-flow profile suits the budget
Least Appropriate

Look elsewhere

  • Required sum exceeds £750 or £400 first-time
  • Borrower wants revolving access rather than a fixed-term agreement (try Polar Credit)
  • Soft-search eligibility before committing to a hard credit footprint matters
  • Mainstream personal-loan or credit-card rates are accessible

The application process

CashASAP runs a three-stage application flow with the product choice (payday or multi-month instalment) made at the start. Telephone hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 4pm.

1

Product choice and online application

The applicant selects either the payday product (£200 to £300 over up to 35 days) or the multi-month instalment product (£200 to £750 over three to six months) using the on-site calculator. Personal, employment, income and bank details are submitted through the online form. The form takes around five to ten minutes to fill in.

2

Credit and affordability assessment

CashASAP runs a hard credit-file search and an affordability check. The hard search shows on the credit file regardless of approval outcome. Approved applicants see the offered terms before deciding whether to sign the agreement, including the payment schedule for the instalment product or the single repayment date for the payday product.

3

Funding and account creation

Once the agreement is signed electronically, funds are typically released the same day via Faster Payments. The borrower receives login details for the online account. The account is used to monitor the loan, make additional payments without charge, plus contact CashASAP directly about the agreement. Borrowers in difficulty are encouraged to contact the firm before any payment-due date.

Comparable alternatives

Three FCA authorised Lenders
worth considering.

Three firms occupy adjacent positions and are worth weighing against CashASAP, including its own sister brand for revolving access.

Polar Credit

Sister brand under the same APFIN authorisation. Revolving line of credit £200 to £2,000 at 68.7% representative APR, materially cheaper than CashASAP for borrowers whose use case is recurring rather than one-off.

Mr Lender

Direct peer at similar loan sizes with structural cost advantages: zero late-payment fees of any kind and a higher £500 first-time ceiling. Same decreasing-instalment cash-flow shape on the repayment schedule.

Lending Stream

Larger £50 to £1,500 ticket size at similar APR levels, with under-90-second Faster Payments funding and a 25,000+ Trustpilot review base. Six-month fixed term suits borrowers who want a defined end-date.

Sources and verification

Loan terms, representative APR and fee data verified against cashasap.co.uk on 4 May 2026.

Regulatory status verified on the FCA register under firm reference 673186 (APFIN Ltd, which also operates Polar Credit).

Trustpilot data sourced from uk.trustpilot.com/review/cashasap.co.uk, retrieved 4 May 2026.

Swift Money Limited is a credit broker, not a lender. Inclusion in this directory does not imply a commercial relationship between Swift Money and CashASAP. We are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, FRN 738569.

Frequently asked

CashASAP questions, answered.

Should I choose the payday or multi-month CashASAP product?

The payday product runs to 35 days and repays in a single lump sum, suiting borrowers whose income event is in two to four weeks. The multi-month product runs three to six months and repays in monthly instalments, suiting borrowers who need to spread the cost. Total interest is lower on the payday route because the loan is held for less time. The single repayment is harder on cash flow if circumstances change. The multi-month route trades higher absolute interest for smaller individual instalments. Run both options through the on-site calculator before choosing.

Is CashASAP the same company as Polar Credit?

CashASAP and Polar Credit are both trading names of APFIN Ltd, the same FCA-authorised entity operating under firm reference 673186. They are separate brands offering different products: CashASAP's fixed-term payday and instalment loans, Polar Credit's revolving line of credit. The two brands share the same parent, the same regulatory permission and the same underwriting infrastructure. Both are listed on the FCA register under the APFIN Ltd entry.

Can I top up an existing CashASAP loan?

No. CashASAP does not offer a top-up facility on a live loan. A new application can be made once the existing loan is fully repaid. A fresh credit and affordability check applies to the new application. Borrowers whose underlying need is for incremental access to additional credit during a borrowing period should consider the sister brand Polar Credit, where the revolving structure allows redrawing within an established credit limit without a fresh application each time.

Why do my CashASAP repayments get smaller each month?

CashASAP recalculates interest each month against the falling capital balance rather than charging interest on the original principal across the full term. As the capital is paid down, less interest accrues on the remaining balance. Each subsequent instalment therefore carries a smaller interest charge. The published representative example for £200 over six months shows payments of £73.06, £74.38, £62.99, £59.55, £49.22 and £40.77 in that order. Total cost is unchanged versus a flat-instalment alternative. The cash-flow profile gets easier in the later months when the borrower may need flexibility most.

Will CashASAP run a hard credit search?

Yes, at the application stage. CashASAP runs a hard credit-file search as part of the affordability assessment. The footprint shows on the credit file regardless of whether the application is approved or declined. There is no soft-search eligibility step before this. Applicants who want to test eligibility without a hard footprint should use a peer with a soft-search front-end (such as Loans 2 Go's eligibility checker or 118 118 Money's Quick Check) before committing to a CashASAP application.

What is CCTA membership and does it matter?

The Consumer Credit Trade Association is an industry body whose members commit to a code of practice covering responsible lending, transparent communication and fair complaint handling. APFIN Ltd's CCTA membership operates alongside its FCA authorisation rather than replacing it. The practical effect is an additional layer of conduct standards beyond the FCA minimum. CCTA membership does not change the legal regulatory regime that applies to the loan. It does signal a positioning on the responsible-lending side of the short-term sector.

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