I've just arranged a 5k personal loan with abbey which is parked for thirty days in case i need it.(I have a 10k tax bill to settle before 28 jan).
The actual rate was/is 19.9 over 12mths which was the minimum repayment period.This is £459 pm with £508 interest over the term.
The typical APR quoted was 12.9%.
Two lenders, nationwide and C&G turned me down! Talk about bloody cheek.