Loan Application Documents

Loan Application Documents

Understand what documents you need to submit and the information we need to be able to see on them for your application to progress.

Proof of Identity

In order to progress with your loan application you may be asked to provide proof of identification. We accept a number of different forms of ID, but you only need to submit one from the list below.

If you choose to submit either a EU or EEA member state identity card or a non-EU passport you will also need to submit proof of your address separately.

Please note, we can only accept scanned copies of original physical documents as proof of ID. The documents must be in colour, black and white copies will not be accepted. Please ensure that all edges and corners of the documents are visible, and no photo flash has obscured any wording or numbers.

Proof of Address

In order to progress with your loan application, you may be asked to provide proof of your address. We accept a number of different document types that we can use to verify your address.

What we need to see:

  • The documents must be in colour, not black and white
  • Please ensure that all edges and corners of the documents are visible
  • All relevant pages are provided
  • Please be aware that if your first name is displayed as initials, we may ask for additional proof of address
  • These documents must have been mailed to you at your current address
  • We can only accept PDF’s or scanned copies of physical documents

Two months of Personal Bank Statements

In order to ensure that you will be able to afford any potential loan repayments we will ask you to provide the last two months consecutive bank statements, as these will be used to help us complete the necessary application checks.

Please note, that some bank accounts do not meet our criteria, for example some do not accept direct debits. Your allocated adviser will be able to discuss these requirements with you during your application.

These statements must include all transactions for two months prior to the month of application. The documents must be in colour, black and white copies will not be accepted. We may ask for additional bank statements, depending on your circumstances.

Please note, we accept both scans of physical statements or PDF versions of official online statements, however we cannot accept screen shots of your online bank account.

UK or EU passport

Your passport must:

  • Be valid
  • Not have expired

What we need to see on your passport:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Photograph
  • Signature
  • Expiration date
  • Date of birth
  • Machine readable zone (MRZ)

EU or EEA member state identity card

If you decide to submit your ID card as proof of identity, you must also provide proof of address.

Your ID card must:

  • Be valid
  • Not have expired

What we need to see on your identity card:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Photograph
  • Signature
  • Expiration date
  • Machine readable zone (MRZ)
  • Date of birth OR Address

Accepted forms of proof of address:

  • UK driving licence
  • Utility bill
  • Government issued letter
  • Personal bank account or credit card statement
  • Council tax bill
  • Housing benefit entitlement

Non-EU passport

If you are submitting a non-EU passport as proof of ID, you must also provide proof of UK residency.

Your Non-EU passport must:

  • Be valid
  • Not have expired

What we need to see on your non-EU passport:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Photograph
  • Signature
  • Expiration date
  • Date of birth
  • Machine readable zone (MRZ)

Accepted forms of proof of residency:

  • UK Naturalisation Certificate
  • UK Residence Card
  • UK Residence Document
  • UK Visa

UK Driving Licence

Please note that you cannot submit your driving licence as both proof of ID and proof of address. If you are required to submit a proof of address, there are a number of other documents we can accept.

Your licence must:

  • Be valid
  • Not have expired
  • Have been issued in the UK
  • Be a photo card provisional or full licence

What we need to see on your UK Driving Licence:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Photo
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Expiration date
  • Signature
  • Back of the driving licence

UK military ID

Your UK military ID must:

  • Have been issued by the UK military
  • Not have expired

What we need to see on your UK military ID:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Photo
  • Date of birth
  • Signature

What if I do not have any of these documents?

If for any reason you do not have any of these documents, then you must provide a copy of two different letters issued by Government departments dated within the last 12 months.

Two Government letters

Example government departments:

  • HM Revenue & Customs (we do not accept P60 or P45 documents)
  • Universal Credit Award
  • Child Support Agency
  • Department for Work & Pensions
  • Benefits Agency
  • Jobcentre Plus

Each letter must:

  • Be dated within the last 12 months
  • Have been received through the post
  • Have been sent to your current address
  • Be submitted in full, including any extra pages

What we need to see on your government letters:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Address
  • Issuers letterhead
  • Date
  • Your date of birth or National Insurance Number

Driving licence

You cannot submit your driving licence as both proof of address and proof of ID. If you have been asked to submit proof of ID, there are a number of other documents we can accept.

Your driving licence must:

  • Be valid
  • Not have expired
  • Have been issued in the UK
  • Be a photo card provisional or full licence

What we need to see on your driving licence:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Photograph
  • Expiration date
  • Address
  • Date of birth
  • Signature
  • Back of the UK driving licence

Utility bill

Example bills:

  • Gas bill
  • Electric bill
  • Water bill
  • Phone bill
  • Internet bill
  • TV Licence

The bill must:

  • Be dated within the last three months
  • Have been received through the post at your current address
  • Not be a copy of an online bill
  • Not be a new account, update or confirmation letter

What we need to see on your utility bill:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Address
  • Issuer’s letter head
  • Date

Government letter

Example government agencies:

  • HM Revenue & Customs (we do not accept P60 or P45 documents)
  • Universal Credit Award
  • Child Support Agency
  • Department for Work & Pensions
  • Benefits Agency
  • Jobcentre Plus
  • National Insurance Letter

The letter must:

  • Be dated within the last 12 months

What we need to see on your government letter:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Address
  • Date
  • Issuer’s letter head
  • National Insurance Number OR date of birth

Council Tax bill or Housing Benefit entitlement letter

Your letter or bill must:

  • Be dated within the last 12 months
  • Have been received through the post at your current address

What we need to see on your entitlement letter:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Address
  • Issuer’s letter head
  • Date

Personal credit card or bank statement

You cannot submit your bank statement as both proof of bank account and proof of address. If you have been asked to submit proof of your bank account, you will need to choose a different proof of address to supply from this page.

The statement must:

  • Contain transactions dated within the last 12 months
  • Be for a personal UK bank account or credit card
  • Be submitted in full, including all pages

What we need to see on your statement:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Address
  • Date
  • Bank’s letter head
  • Full list of transactions for statement period
  • Every page of your bank statement

Bank account types we can accept:

  • Personal current account
  • Personal cash account
  • Personal savings account

Your statements must:

  • Be dated within the last two months
  • Show transactions from within the last 12 months
  • Be for a personal bank account, not a business account or temporary account
  • Be for a bank account established in the UK
  • Include each statement in full
  • Be for the bank account receiving the loan funds

What we need to see:

  • Current legal name and surname
  • Date
  • Address
  • Full transactions of statement period
  • Your bank’s letter head
  • Every page of each statement

If you are applying for a Debt Consolidation loan we need to see:

  • All creditor statements you wish to consolidate showing name, address, outstanding balances and bank details

Loans FAQs

Have a question? Check below to see if it is answered in our Frequently Answered Questions.

How do I apply for a loan and can I borrow straight away?

If you are already a member with us, you can apply online or though the Mobile App. 

If you are new to Cambrian you can become a member and apply for a loan at the same time. Click here and use our loan calculator

How much can I borrow?

You can apply to borrow as much or as little as you need. Borrow from £200 to £15,000. All loan decisions are based on your income, expenditure and your ability to repay.

What are the key features of borrowing from Cambrian?

You can benefit from interest charged only on the reducing balance, no hidden or early repayment fees, personal decision-making, and the ability to build savings as you repay.

What is the eligibility criteria to borrow from Cambrian?

To apply, you must be at least 18 years old, reside or work in Wales, and not be subject to a Debt Relief Order (DRO), an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), or bankruptcy.

What will I need for my application?
  • Your recent bank statements from the past two months that demonstrate your income and expenditure OR Open Banking
  • For a Debt Consolidation Loan: all creditor statements you wish to consolidate showing name, address, outstanding balances and their bank details
  • For loan applications over £5,000 we do require applicants to provide Open Banking via our Online banking App
  • Proof of Address and Proof of Identification may need to be provided additionally.
What happens once you have applied for a loan?
  • Loan applications are generally turned around in 72 hours although in times of high demand this may take longer.
  • Your application is then given to our Loans Team with all applications subject to an affordability check.
  • For existing members we will run a hard credit check via our Credit Reference Agency TransUnion.
  • For new members we will run a soft credit check via our Credit Reference Agency TransUnion.
  • The team will then contact you for any additional information that they require.
Will my application be approved?

Every Cambrian loan is subject to manual affordability and credit checks. Your likelihood of approval increases if:

  • You are able to comfortably afford the repayments alongside your other existing financial obligations
  • You haven't engaged in risky behaviours that could make it difficult for you to repay, including excessive gambling
  • We may share the information you provide on this application with credit reference and fraud prevention agencies to help us make a decision. What we do and how both we and credit reference and fraud prevention agencies will use your information is detailed in the document called the Credit Reference Agency Information Notice (CRAIN).
Can I repay my loan early?

Yes, you can repay your loan in full at any time without penalty. You can also make additional deposits to reduce the value of your outstanding loan at any time – again without penalty.

What is save as you borrow?

We believe in helping our members build a stronger financial future by turning loan repayments into a lifelong savings habit. As part of your agreed weekly or monthly payment, a small portion—either a minimum of £2.50 per week or £10 per month—is automatically tucked away into a regular savings account to help you create a financial safety net. While these funds are generally held until your loan is fully repaid, leaving you with a helpful lump sum, your consistent saving also makes you eligible to enter our £100 monthly prize draw. It’s our way of supporting your long-term well-being while giving you an extra chance to grow your money.

Are there any membership fees?

To use our products and services, there is no joining fee. Members must maintain a minimum of £5 in their account at all times to keep it active.

A yearly membership fee of £5 is charged on the anniversary of joining.  Junior members (Aged up to 15 years) do not pay a membership fee until they become an Adult Member (from 16 years of age) 
Deposits can be made via a Payment Link which is sent once the online application is submitted.  Standing Order and Benefits are accepted.

For more information of our fees please click on this link

What Identity Documents (ID) do I need to become a member?

IF asked please provide one of the following: Photographic ID

  • Current signed passport – if the passport is not UK/Irish then we will also need to see their UK VISA immigration documentation.
  • EEA member state identity card (which can also be used as evidence of address if it carries this)
  • Current UK or EEA photocard driving licence (Full and Provisional) – the address on the Driving licence must be checked against the record in Progress, if this does not match the Driving licence is not valid.
  • Photographic registration cards for self-employed individuals in the construction industry -CIS4
  • Firearms or shotgun certificate
  • Residence permit issued by the Home Office to EEA nationals on sight of own country passport
  • UK Citizen Card
  • Armed forces identity card – unexpired

Non-Photographic ID

  • Full old-style driving licence – not provisional
  • Official letter from Benefits Agency/DWP/Local Authority confirming your right to UK benefits, local benefits, UK Pension  - dated within the last 12 months.
  • UK Student loan/ grant paperwork – dated in last 12 months
  • HMRC coding/assessment/statement/tax credit letter (not P45/P60) (dated within the last 12 months)
What Proof of Address do I need to become a member?

IF asked please provide one of the following: Proof Of Address

  • Utility bill (gas, electric, satellite television, landline phone bill or broadband bill) dated within the last six months.
  • TV licence or confirmation of TV licence renewal letter as long as dated in the last 12 months.
  • Water bill dated in the last 12 months.
  • Local authority council tax bill for the current council tax year – this must be the bill only not letters relating to the tax.
  • Current UK driving licence (but only if not used for the ID evidence)
  • Bank, Building Society or Credit card statement or passbook dated within the last three months.
  • Original mortgage statement from a recognised lender issued for the last full year.
  • Solicitors letter within the last three months confirming recent house purchase or land registry confirmation of address
  • Council or housing association rent card or tenancy agreement or Occupation Contract for the current year
  • Official letter from Benefits Agency/DWP/Local Authority confirming your right to UK benefits, local benefits, UK Pension  - dated within the last 12 months. Only if not used as Proof of ID.
  • HMRC self-assessment letters or tax demand dated within the current financial year
  • Electoral Register entry or 
    NHS Medical card or letter of confirmation from GP’s practice of registration with the surgery – note this is not appointment letters from hospital
  • HMRC coding/assessment/statement/tax credit letter (not P45/P60) (dated within the last 12 months) Only if not used as Proof of ID. 
  • Letter from a Prison Governor or Probation Officer (must be on official headed paper)
  • UK Student loan/ grant paperwork – dated in last 12 months
  • For Homeless – letter from support/social worker dated in last 3 months 
What is the 60 and 90 day rule?
  • Members can only apply for a loan after 60 days from their previous loan application, as each application generates a credit report which impacts the member’s credit score. Additionally, if a loan application is declined, the member must wait 90 days before reapplying to allow their credit rating time to recover.
  • As ethical and responsible lenders, we require up-to-date information regarding a member’s financial circumstances when reviewing each loan application. We believe it would be detrimental to a member’s financial health if credit reports were generated too frequently.
Why do we ask for Child benefit or benefit payments on some products?

As some members may have limited or no credit history we ask may for a benefit to be paid in rather than a Standing Order or Direct Debit.  This will help the member to build their credit history with Cambrian. while also providing a secure repayment method.

What is the maximum APR that can be charged?

 The maximum Annual Percentage Rate (APR) that the Credit Union will charge is 42.6%

If I work for a Payroll Partner can I get a discount on the loan rates?

Yes - Cambrian offer a 1% discount on your loan rate if you are employed by one of our 50+ Payroll partners.  This only applies to our Personal Loan Product.

If I am a Homeowner can I get a discount on the loan rates?

Yes - Cambrian offer a 1% discount on your loan rate if you are a Homeowner.  This only applies to our Personal Loan Product.

Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help with your account please contact our team on 0333 2000 601, email info@cambriancu.com or visit https://www.cambriancu.com/contact-us . For financial advice visit www.moneyhelper.org.uk