Wisr says new loan originations accelerated in the second half as borrowers continued to seek out alternatives to the major banks for personal loans.

The non-bank lender said it had made $221 million of new loans in the six months to June 30, up 52 per cent on the $145 million lent over the first half. Almost one in three of its loans is used to consolidate existing debt, including on high-interest credit cards, while two in five are to buy cars.