Loans Issued
Capital Lent
Applications Approved
Sustaining Hope & Maintaining Dignity
Our organization was founded in 1911 when a Montreal realtor, Zigmond Fineberg, gathered together 31 members of the Jewish community. The group was inspired by Mr. Fineberg’s idea to establish a HFLA in Montreal, to help individuals to help themselves, and they joined together to create the original Hebrew Free Loan Association of Montreal.
Today, we continue that tradition of making interest-free loans available to Quebecers who need immediate financial assistance or want to invest in their futures, but do not have the resources. The dignity of the borrower is an integral aspect of the loan process.
Learn about the loan approval, closing and repayment process and follow the easy step-by step process.
We offer a number of different loan programs to help you achieve greater financial stability and opportunity in a time of need.
We can never forget our humble beginnings and the help we received from HFL and their supporters
Hebrew Free Loan gave me tremendous self-worth.
Those loans were life savers.
Help to make loans available for generations to come
Since our inception HFLA has granted over 100,000 loans totalling more than $140 million, with a 99% repayment rate. As our loans are repaid, the capital is lent out again and again, helping more people and multiplying the impact over time.
Hebrew Free Loan Association is unique. No other organization in Quebec provides an array of interest-free loans to individuals facing urgent financial needs
We make a living by what we get.
We make a life by what we give.![]()
- Winston Churchill
The loans are funded by compassionate individuals in the community who donate to the HFLA.
Because these loans are repaid, the donated funds can be continually repurposed throughout the lifetime of the organization.
If you would like to make a donation, click here
You live in Quebec and are 18 years or older with a demonstrated need that will be helped by an interest-free loan, and you have endorser(s) who are willing and able to guarantee your loan.
Loans are granted to individuals who demonstrate a financial need and an ability to repay the interest-free loan. Borrowers (except for those requesting a Mitzvah Loan) need to secure an endorser (the number of endorsers depends on the loan amount) who is, in conjunction with the borrower, legally responsible to repay the loan. See For Borrowers for more details.