Finvilo

Emergency borrowing

Part of Personal Loans

For an unexpected bill, calculate the smallest amount needed and a realistic repayment date. An existing credit line can provide reusable funds, but a new application does not promise immediate access. Consider a payment arrangement or qualified debt help if borrowing would only postpone an ongoing shortfall.

Compare the 5 listed products below. Open a product for its terms and source links. Missing terms are not confirmed.

RBC Royal Bank logo

RBC Royal Bank

RBC Homeline Plan

RBC's combined mortgage and home equity line of credit.

Structure
Combines your RBC Mortgage and Royal Credit Line into one product that lets you access your home equity
Maximum amount
Borrow up to 80% of the value of your home
Prepayment
Line of credit portion can be repaid at any time without penalties or prepayment charges
Full details for RBC Homeline Plan (opens in new tab)
RBC Royal Bank logo

RBC Royal Bank

Royal Credit Line

Reusable personal borrowing with secured and unsecured options. Confirm your applicable rate, limit and repayment requirements.

Repayment
Interest-only payments and flexible schedules available.
Withdrawal fee
No fee to withdraw funds.
Structure
Revolving line of credit, not an instalment loan.
Minimum unsecured limit
CAD 5,000.
Full details for Royal Credit Line (opens in new tab)
Scotiabank logo

Scotiabank

ScotiaLine Personal Line of Credit

Revolving personal credit with flexible access and repayment. This listing is for the personal product, not its real-estate-secured counterpart.

Provincial availability
Not confirmed. Ask the provider about residence and membership requirements.
Amount
Credit limits from $5,000 up to $75,000
Repayment
Flexible repayment options
Structure
No need to reapply
Full details for ScotiaLine Personal Line of Credit (opens in new tab)

Costs to compare

Compare interest, administration charges and required payments. Include principal repayment in your budget instead of treating an available limit as income.

Risks and restrictions

Interest-only payments do not reduce principal. Variable rates can rise, and adding another repayment obligation can deepen a recurring cash shortage.

Common questions

Does paying only interest reduce the debt?

No. Principal remains outstanding until it is repaid.

Sources for this guidance

What to check before choosing emergency borrowing

Total cost

Request the interest rate, all fees and the total amount repayable.

Repayment flexibility

Check payment frequency, early repayment rules and missed-payment consequences.

Security and approval

Confirm whether collateral is required and which eligibility checks apply.

An advertised rate is not necessarily the rate you will qualify for. Secured borrowing puts collateral at risk.

Before you visit a provider

Confirm current fees, rates and eligibility directly with the provider. Product terms can change over time. A listed product is not a recommendation or a promise of approval.

Availability must be confirmed for your province or territory. If product-specific location or eligibility information is missing, it is not confirmed.

For further guidance, visit Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

This is general information, not personalized advice. Read our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.