So I've got an appointment at the bank this week to apply for a loan.

I wondered if anyone had any experience of applying or even working in a bank and could offer me any tips on the application and being successful?

Any help appreciated as always.

Have you considered one of the p2p loan sites? They tend to offer better rates, depending on your story.

http://uk.zopa.com/

That would be perfect, only I live in Australia now...

https://www.igrin.com.au/default.aspx

I know nothing about this site, but it may be worth a look. As a borrower, I can't really see what there is to lose. Except maybe your legs

Thanks mate, going to take a look but still go to my bank appointment, mainly because I quite like my legs and thought it'd be easier to manage through them? If I get rejected there I'll definately apply through this site however.

Edit: Plus you can only borrow $10,000 there and I want $15,000. (You just can't please some people! )

I never applied for any credit in Oz not even a phone contract, but I think you need to be a resident rather than on a working visa.

IIRC Blue's got a full immigration thingy. He's there for good (or until we can get him to nmove back)

Thanks for this!

I'll be back at this site next month I think.

I looked for a £6000 loan a few months ago online, then one day while checking my account online I noticed a loan tag so pressed it entered the required amount and got a very good rate so I went for it and the loan went straight through and into my account as I watched the screen, very impressive. Why I didn’t look there the first time I not sure but it's worth checking with your current bank as the rate I got was much better than the online advertisements when I did a searched.

Is this a business loan or a private loan?

If business then you will need things like a business case, how you plan to repay etc

If it's anything like our system, there's nothing you can practically do. It's all about what your score is. Each institution scores you differently, but there are some fundamentals. Borrowing for "home improvements" will almost always get you the best score in the "reason for borrowing" category. So say that, even if it's not the case but you can get away with it (of course, what I just said is ludicrous, you'd never do that )

Other factors important to your score are other borrowings (none is good, some is better, lots is bad), homeowner/renting, work situation. It's all common sense really. Sorry I can't help other than that, but when I worked in the bank we had a lot more discretionary power.

If you can do so check your records with the Australian credit reference agencies.
In the UK they all have websites that you can register on and check out all the relevant documentation that the banks see when youa pply for a loan.
Make sure you are on the electoral register (or whatever the Australian equivalent is) as the banks likes to know that you have a fixed address.

If they've told you what to take along with you then make sure you do so. If not then take your passport, driving licence and at least one, preferably two things with your address on (like a utility bill and a letter from the council or whatever the equivalent is). It will also probably help to know to the nearest month how long you've lived at your current and previous address(es) within the last three to five years.