The common bond test for credit unions doesn't have to be just about where you live; it can be about who you work for, or something else you have in common.

What's interesting about the OP's post is thast judging by the rates quoted this ispart of the DWP's drive to grow the credit union market by providing funds for credit unions to lend out at higher rates than CUs would normally charge. These loans are often easier to get than the traditional CU loan where you may have to have been a member for a qualifying period...

Black Adder:

Agree that the CU's are a good alternative source, but they do not provide a uniform service. Some will only lend to existing members and I believe you have to be resident in the area.

This would be difficult for MS to include within the site. But they could allow ABCUL to do a feature article.

Huckster

Unfortunately credit unions often do get overlooked, they are an excellent source of responsible and reliable credit. Also a good place to invest your money once you are, "back in the Black".

Instead of using people like Provident for smaller loans, have you tried your local Credit Union? They are not shown on moneysupermarket.com, although I have put a question into the expert asking as to why. My local one is Hampshire Credit Union based in Basingstoke. Provident wanted to charge me £465.01 in total for a £300.00 loan over 31 weeks (365.1% APR). The same loan at the Credit Union was £321.92 in total (26.8% APR). And the interest is not a fixed lump sum but is calculated weekly/monthly so you can pay back more than the minimum and pay less interest, with no early payment fee.