Every financial company claims to be transparent. Very few actually are. Let's talk about why.
Real transparency means showing all fees upfront, not hiding them in footnotes. It means explaining terms in plain language, not relying on legal jargon that requires a lawyer to decode. It means being honest about timelines, approval criteria, and what could go wrong.
Here's a test: if a customer asks 'what's the catch?' and you have to think about how to phrase your answer, you're not being transparent.
At Crooks West, we list everything clearly on the application page. All fees. All terms. All conditions. Before you apply. Because hiding that information until after someone's invested time in an application is disrespectful.
Yes, this means some people see our rates and go elsewhere. That's fine. We'd rather have informed customers than surprised ones.
Transparency isn't a marketing strategy. It's basic respect for people's time and intelligence.