Rifco vs LendCare vs CarFinco in Alberta
Three of Canada's major subprime auto lenders compared honestly — who each one serves, what they prioritize, and why applying through a multi-lender dealer gets you better terms than approaching any one of them.
Last reviewed: May 2026
Key Facts
- Rifco HQ
- Red Deer, Alberta
- LendCare
- goeasy subsidiary
- CarFinco
- TD Bank Group
- Shift Lenders
- 21+
Rifco vs LendCare vs CarFinco — Which Is Best for Alberta Buyers?
None of them is universally 'best' — each lender prices your specific profile differently. The right answer is to apply through a dealer who submits to all three simultaneously, so lenders compete on your actual file. Shift Happens submits to 21+ lenders including these three.
One Application — Multiple Lenders Compete
We submit to Rifco, LendCare, CarFinco, and 18+ others on your behalf.
★★★★★ 82+ Google Reviews · AMVIC Licensed · Free Delivery 300km
Important Note on Rate Information
Rates Are File-Specific — Not Published
Rifco vs LendCare vs CarFinco — Lender Profile Comparison
| Factor | Rifco | LendCare | CarFinco |
|---|---|---|---|
| Founded / HQ | Red Deer, AB (Canadian independent) | Toronto, ON (goeasy subsidiary) | Edmonton, AB (TD Bank Group) |
| Credit spectrum served | Deep subprime to near-prime | Deep subprime to near-prime | Subprime to near-prime |
| Primary approval factor | Income stability | Income + credit profile balance | Income + employment tenure |
| Consumer proposals | Yes — active and completed | Yes — active and completed | Yes — typically completed preferred |
| Bankruptcy (discharged) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Powersports financing | Limited — auto primary | Yes — cars, trucks, motorcycles, ATV | Limited — auto primary |
| Decision speed | Same day to 24 hours | Hours — often faster | Same day to 24 hours |
| How to access | Dealer-only (not direct) | Dealer-only (not direct) | Dealer-only (not direct) |
| Backed by | Independent Canadian company | goeasy Ltd. (TSX: GSY) | TD Bank Group |
Lender profiles based on publicly available information and general industry knowledge as of 2026. Specific terms, approval criteria, and rates vary by application. Information may change — verify current terms through a dealer.
Rifco — The Alberta Specialist
Rifco is unique in this comparison as a Canadian-owned, Alberta-headquartered lender. Their underwriters understand Alberta's employment landscape — oil and gas sector income, seasonal employment patterns, and the economic cycles that affect the province. This regional knowledge matters when your employment history doesn't fit a standard template.
Rifco's sweet spot is the borrower with a damaged credit history but a stable current income — particularly those who have gone through a consumer proposal or bankruptcy and have been working consistently for at least 6 months post-discharge. Income is their primary decision lever, and they are willing to go further down the credit spectrum than many lenders when income is demonstrably stable.
LendCare — Scale and Speed
As part of goeasy Ltd., one of Canada's largest alternative financial services companies, LendCare brings institutional scale to the dealer network. Their technology infrastructure allows for fast adjudication — often faster than smaller lenders. For dealers submitting high volumes, LendCare is a consistent performer. For borrowers, this speed means quicker answers.
LendCare is also one of the few major subprime lenders that actively finances motorcycles, ATVs, and powersports units — not just passenger vehicles. For Alberta buyers looking to finance a sled, dirt bike, or ATV with challenged credit, LendCare is an important option in the network.
CarFinco — Institutional Stability
CarFinco has been financing non-prime auto loans in Canada since 1993. Their long history in the market has produced a well-developed adjudication system with consistent, predictable outcomes. As part of the TD Bank Group, CarFinco carries institutional-level financial backing — which affects the quality of the loan servicing experience post-origination.
CarFinco tends to perform well for mid-subprime applicants: borrowers with credit challenges but strong, documented employment. Their process is straightforward, and their dealer feedback loop is well-established. For borrowers with very recent credit events (bankruptcy within 1 year, active consumer proposal), Rifco or LendCare may be more flexible.
Why a Multi-Lender Dealer Is Better Than Picking One
Trying to determine which lender is "best" before applying is the wrong approach. The right lender for your file is the one who offers the best terms on your specific combination of credit history, income, vehicle, and down payment — and that changes file to file.
A dealer who submits to multiple lenders simultaneously gets you competing offers — not a single take-it-or-leave-it quote.
Lenders have their own internal appetite for different risk profiles. Rifco might pass on a file that LendCare approves at a lower rate than you'd expect.
Submitting to multiple lenders doesn't increase the number of hard credit inquiries — multiple auto loan inquiries within a short window (typically 14 days) are treated as one inquiry by Canadian credit bureaus.
A multi-lender dealer can also adjust the loan structure (down payment, vehicle price, term) to improve what lenders will offer — something you can't do going direct.
Shift Happens submits to Rifco, LendCare, CarFinco, and 21+ total lenders. One application, real competing offers, presented to you before you sign anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rifco and who does it serve in Alberta?
Rifco National Auto Finance is a Canadian-owned subprime auto lender headquartered in Red Deer, Alberta. They specialize in non-prime lending across Canada, with particular depth in Alberta. Rifco focuses on borrowers with damaged credit histories — including recent consumer proposals, bankruptcies, and low scores — with a strong emphasis on stable income as the primary approval factor. They are a dealer-only lender, meaning you access their financing through an authorized dealership, not directly.
What is LendCare and who does it work best for?
LendCare (now part of goeasy Ltd.) is one of Canada's largest subprime auto finance companies. They lend across a wide credit spectrum — from near-prime down to deep subprime — and are known for quick decisions and broad approval criteria. LendCare also handles motorcycle, ATV, and powersports financing, which is relatively rare among subprime lenders. They are a dealer-channel lender.
What is CarFinco and who is it best for?
CarFinco is a long-established Canadian subprime auto lender (founded 1993) now operating as part of the TD Bank Group. Their dealer network is broad and their approval criteria are well-suited to mid-subprime applicants — borrowers with damaged credit but stable employment. CarFinco is known for consistent approval timelines and a straightforward adjudication process. Their backing by TD provides financial stability.
Why should I go through a dealer instead of approaching lenders directly?
Rifco, LendCare, and CarFinco are all dealer-channel-only lenders — they do not accept applications directly from consumers. The dealer submits your application on your behalf. Working with a multi-lender dealer like Shift Happens means your file is presented to multiple lenders simultaneously, improving your approval odds and letting lenders compete on terms. Going dealer-direct is the only way to access these lenders.
Which lender gives the best rate — Rifco, LendCare, or CarFinco?
Rate depends entirely on your specific credit profile, income, loan amount, vehicle, and down payment. There is no universal 'best rate' lender — the same applicant may receive different rate offers from each lender on the same day. This is why working with a dealer who submits to multiple lenders is advantageous: you get real competing offers on your specific file rather than guessing which lender is cheapest.
Does Shift Happens work with Rifco, LendCare, and CarFinco?
Yes. Shift Happens is an authorized dealer for multiple subprime and prime lenders, including those in this comparison. When you apply through us, your file goes to the most appropriate lenders for your profile simultaneously — giving you real competing offers rather than a single take-it-or-leave-it quote.
One application — 21+ lenders.
Our partner network spans prime through deep-subprime tiers. We submit your file once and shop every lender that fits your profile.
What Our Customers Say
“Luke was awesome to deal with and made the car buying experience enjoyable again for me and my wife after a few very unpleasant interactions in the past. I would highly recommend if someone is looking for a great car buying experience.”
“I bought my RAV4 from Wes and Luke just before new years! Honestly we got the best service possible. I was at the dealership for a total of one hour and we had our deal done. The price was great, super convenient, professional and very helpful.”
“Both Victoria and Luke were sensational with their help and guidance in buying a reliable used vehicle for myself and my family! Quick and painless is really all there is to be said. Highly recommend!”
Continue Your Research
These pages cover the closest-adjacent situations to yours.
One Application — Multiple Lenders Compete for You
Shift Happens submits to 21+ lenders including Rifco, LendCare, CarFinco, and more. See real offers before you commit.