Is the Tala Loan App Legit? (Review)

Is the Tala Loan App Legit? (Review)

In a world where financial emergencies can arise without warning, digital loan apps like Tala have gained significant popularity. Tala has gained a lot of popularity because of its simplicity in application and quick disbursement of funds. It has also become appealing to a lot of individuals who do not yet have access to traditional banking services. But even at that the question a lot of people still ask is  “Is the Tala loan app legit?” Though, understandably, you want to know how legit the app you are dealing with is.

Because of this, we will examine and review Tala’s background, offerings, and credibility. We will also be examining customer reviews, security measures, and the benefits and drawbacks of using the app, helping you make an informed decision about whether Tala is the right choice for your financial needs.

Repayment plan1 – 61 days Max
Interest rate0.31% per day
One time processing fee3.99%
Daily service fee0.43% – 0.5% of the amount you borrowed
First time LoanKsh 1000 – 2000
website & app speed scale of (1 – 100)70% Rated (D)
Legit or Scam? Scale of (1 -10)8% (legit)

What is Tala?

Background and Origin of Tala

In 2011, Shivani Siroya and Paul Moore founded Tala Loan App with the motive of providing good credit for underserved populations, especially in emerging markets. Tala was initially launched in Kenya, but since then, the company has expanded into other countries like the Philippines, Mexico, and India.

How Tala Operates as a Fintech Platform

Tala operates on a low-key level by using alternative machine learning to determine your creditworthiness as a customer. This is done through the analysis of your smartphone usage, social connections, and also your financial transactions. This way tala assesses your application or any other person’s application and loan offers accordingly. With this method, they were able to reach millions of customer bases worldwide.

How Tala Loans Work

Let us head straight down to discover how exactly and also how these Tala loan apps function and how they work to make it easier for you.

Loan Application Process on Tala

When you are ready to apply for a loan with Tala it is very much easy. Below are a few things to do and how to do about doing them.

The process of applying for a loan with Tala is straightforward.

  • Download the app
  • Create an account,
  • Submit your personal and financial details.

Have you done this? if you have then your work here is over. At this level Tala takes over to review your application if you are eligible you will be approved within a short period of time most of the time it is always less than an hour.

Loan Approval Criteria and Requirements

Your credit score does not matter to Tala, I guess you just be happy but that is true because they use another method instead which is known as “proprietary algorithms” to get a full glimpse of your behavior and all your needed smartphone data. however, they will need your permission to be able to have access to most of these data it might give you concerns but that is the rule.

Loan Amounts and Repayment Terms

Tala offers flexible loan amounts, with new users usually having access to smaller amounts initially. Repayment terms vary, typically ranging from a few weeks to several months, and users must repay on time to avoid penalties and increase their loan limits. see the begining of our article as we stated them in a table in case you missed it.

The Legitimacy of Tala Loan App

Verification of Tala as a Legitimate Business

Tala is a legitimate business registered with the SEC with a registration number CS201710582 and a Certificate of Authority number 1132.

Reviews and Customer Testimonials

You can submit your personal reviews and also check some other customer reviews also.

Comparison with Other Loan Apps

Here’s a comparison table of its competitors:

CategoryHoney Loan appTala loan app
Repayment Plan6 months1 – 61 days max
Interest Rate12% per month0.31% per day
One-Time Processing FeeNone3.99%
Daily Service FeeNone0.43% – 0.5% of the amount borrowed
First-Time Loan AmountPHP 1,000 – 30,000Ksh 1,000 – 2,000
Website & App Speed81%70% (scale of 1 – 100)

Security Measures in Tala App

Let’s equally check how secure these guys are find out more below.

Data Protection and Privacy Policies

I took my own time to analyze their Data Protection and Privacy Policies and here is a snapshot of what I discovered below. So in summary they did not care to describe how their customers’ data is being used which is a typical dubious act, they also have no banner which will notify their customers how they will be tracking their activities on their website and lastly some tracking cookies was set without users awareness tat rude. But the site is secured they make use of ssl.

How Tala Ensures Secure Transactions

All transactions on Tala are encrypted, ensuring that users’ financial data remains safe. Additionally, Tala monitors its platform for fraudulent activity, aiming to protect users from scams and unauthorized access.

Is Tala Regulated?

Regulations Tala Follows in Different Countries

Just for the record Tala always follows the laws and regulations of each country they step foot into take for example they are registered in the Philippines like I said earlier on and also being licensed and regulated in Kenya by CBK. The same goes with other countries their services cover.

Advantages of Using Tala Loan App

There have to be some advantages to using this loan app find out below:

  • Accessibility and Convenience
  • Fast Loan Processing Time
  • Flexible Loan Amounts and Terms

Disadvantages of Using Tala Loan App

Limited Loan Amounts for New Users

  • New users are limited to ₱25,000 in cash in the Philippines 
  • First-time loans start at KSh 1,000–2,000 in Kenya Customers can increase their loan amounts up to KSh 50,000 by making on-time payments. 

Consequences of Late Repayments

you might be contacted by collection agents in case you take time to repay your loan secondly you can equally be blacklisted by Tala and also be reported to the credit bureau.

Alternatives to Tala Loan App

Similar Loan Apps for Comparison

There are various other apps similar to Tala, like Branch, honey, M-Pesa, and Kiva. Each has unique features, so exploring alternatives can be beneficial.

Traditional Loan Options

Traditional loans from banks or credit unions may offer lower interest rates and longer repayment terms, but they often have stricter approval criteria.

Conclusion

Tala provides a convenient loan solution for those who may not have access to traditional banking services. It’s a legitimate, regulated platform that uses alternative credit scoring to offer small loans quickly. However, users should weigh the pros and cons—such as high-interest rates and data privacy concerns—before deciding if Tala is the best choice for their needs.


FAQs

Is Tala safe to use?

Yes, Tala follows encryption protocols to protect user data and is regulated in the countries where it operates.

What are the interest rates for Tala loans?

Tala’s interest rates vary but are generally higher than traditional loans. It’s advisable to check the terms before borrowing.

How long does it take to receive a loan from Tala?

Most users receive funds within hours of approval, making Tala one of the quickest loan options available.

Can Tala loans improve my credit score?

Tala doesn’t report to traditional credit bureaus, so it may not directly impact your credit score.

What happens if I don’t repay my Tala loan on time?

Late repayments may incur penalties and affect your borrowing limit on the app.

Naijaloanapps
Get in Touch

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *