Legal Licensed Money Lenders in Singapore 2023

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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

The Most Comprehensive Guide

No matter how much you earn, there may be times when you need financial help. Sometimes, we might need a leg up in finances for personal reasons, business expenses, medical costs, or for our children’s education.

In the past, some people may have had some reservations about borrowing from a licensed money lender. This was mainly due to misconceptions they might have about legal money lenders.

Who are licensed money lenders in Singapore?

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Let us clear a common misconception – an approved money lender in Singapore is NOT a loan shark. Every legal money lender in Singapore has undergone a strict qualification process to obtain a money lender license.

A legal money lender is a business that has been authorised and licensed by the government to lend money to members of the public. Each authorised licensed money lender is under constant scrutiny to abide by the Moneylenders Act.

Today, everyone from business owners to middle-class housewives to struggling domestic workers take loans from money lenders in Singapore.
There is no need to feel embarrassed if you need to borrow money from private money lenders. You are joining thousands of your relatives, colleagues, friends, and neighbours who have done the same thing.

Where can I find a list of licensed money lenders in Singapore?

You can find an updated list of licensed money lenders on the Ministry of Law’s Licensed Money Lender registry. If the money lender you are approaching is not on this list, beware – they could be illegal.

Should you choose a bank or licensed money lenders?

When most people think of getting a loan, their first instinct is to approach a bank. Banks have been around all our lives and they have good reputations as well as very large reserves of cash. To the ordinary person, licensed money lenders may not seem like an option.

In truth, a licensed money lender can offer terms and deals that are attractive to the borrower. Hence, some borrowers turn to a money lender if they cannot qualify for a bank loan.

Here are some differences between applying for a loan with a bank versus a licensed money lender:

Banks Licensed money lenders
Eligibility criteria Strict
  • No bad credit history
  • Stable income
  • Salary >$20,000 a year
  • Less strict
  • Bad credit history can apply
  • As long as able to prove a source of income
  • Documents required Extensive documents required Minimal documents required
    Loan approval time Up to 2 weeks Less than 30 minutes
    Disbursement To a bank account To a bank account or in cash
    How to apply Online or at a branch office Walk-in to the office or online application (in-person verification is still required by law)
    Maximum loan Up to 10 times monthly income Up to 6 times monthly income
    Repayment period?
    (Personal loan)
    Up to 5 years Up to 2 years
    Interest rate 3.5-11% per annum 1-4% per month
    Processing fee 6.5-20% per annum Up to 10% of the loan amount

    In short, why should you borrow from a Singapore money lender?

    EASY ELIGIBILITY

    Lenient eligibility criteria mean that almost anyone can qualify

    SIMPLE PROCESS

    Easy to apply with few documents required

    FAST APPROVAL

    An instant money lender can approve a loan within 30 minutes

    IMMEDIATE CASH

    The loan can be disbursed to you in cash immediately after approval

    How do I find legal money lenders near me?

    All registered reliable money lenders can be found online.

    One simple way to find the best licensed money lender near you is to use Google Maps and search “licensed money lenders near me”. Take the time to compare the money lenders’ Google ratings.

    It’s important to read  their reviews before contacting any of them. You can also use Google and search for “licensed money lenders in Singapore reviews” to check if there are any red flags, such as complaints of harassment in forums.

    Remember, a Google rating alone is no guarantee that the business is legitimate. Cross-check the business’s details with the Registry of Moneylenders for official addresses and contact details.

    Staying near Chinatown and searching for suitable licensed money lenders?

    How do I identify an illegal money lender in Singapore?

    Loan sharks are getting more sophisticated but here are some ways to identify them:
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    They are not registered on the Ministry of Law website.
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    They do not have an office. Instead, they would ask to meet in public places.

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    They advertise their services on SMS, WhatsApp, WeChat, Facebook, or email

    Sometimes, the signs only become obvious when they are processing your loan application:
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    They ask for your SingPass or other login credentials as well as the passwords

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    They keep your original NRIC, FIN card, or passport

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    They ask you to sign an incomplete loan contract or do not give one at all

    If, at any point, you feel uncomfortable with the process or the lender, do not sign anything.

    What are the interest rates and fees if you take a loan with a private money lender in Singapore?

    An authorised money lender in Singapore has to operate according to strict guidelines, which are listed on the Ministry of Law website. Here is the summary:

    1. Licensed money lender Singapore interest rate

    Private money lenders’ interest rates are capped at 4% per month. The best licensed money lender in Singapore may offer lower interest rates as a promotion but they cannot exceed that limit, regardless of the type of loan.

    2. How do licensed money lenders calculate interest – the reducing balance method

    A personal loan money lender in Singapore is only allowed to charge interest on the outstanding amount of a loan. As the borrower pays off the loan, the amount of interest charged falls. This is known as the reducing balance method of calculating interest

    To illustrate this, let us consider a $10,000 loan with an interest rate of 4% per month. This is how the payments are calculated over 6 months if the borrower pays every instalment on time.

    Month Balance Interest
    (4% of the previous month’s balance)
    Principal Instalment Amount
    (Interest + Principal)
    0 $10,000.00 $- $- $-
    1 $8,492.38 $400.00 $1,507.62 $1,907.62
    2 $6,924.46 $399.70 $1,567.92 $1,907.62
    3 $5,293.81 $276.80 $1,630.64 $1,907.62
    4 $3,597.95 $211.75 $1,695.87 $1,907.62
    5 $1,834.24 $143.92 $1,763.70 $ 1,907.62
    6 $0 $73.37 $1,834.24 $ 1,907.62

    Lenders also charge a late interest on late payments, up to 4% a month. This interest can only be charged on the overdue amount.

    For example, if a borrower is loaned $10,000 for 6 months and misses the first payment of $1,907.62. The late interest is charged on the $1,907.62 that is due, and not on the remaining total instalments amount of $9,538.10 that isn’t due for repayment yet.

    3. Other fees and charges

    A licensed money lender can charge processing fees and impose limited penalties:
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    Loan processing fees – cannot exceed 10% of the loan principal granted
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    Licensed money lender late payment fees – cannot exceed $60 per month
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    Legal costs ordered by the court for a successful claim for the recovery of the loan (if the borrower defaults on the loan)
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    Total charges – the combined value of processing fees, loan interests, late interests, and late fees cannot exceed the loan principal

    Finding the best money lender with low interest rates in Chinatown?

    Negotiating terms with the best licensed money lender

    Licensed money lenders are not as rigid as banks when discussing the terms of a loan. When you meet a lender, ask for the best deal possible, as well as clauses.

    These are the loan terms you should try to negotiate:

    1. Interest rate

    Dependent on your creditworthiness and repayment history.

    2. Repayment period

    Try to get the maximum of a two- year repayment period if your budget is tight.

    3. Penalties

    Lenient penalties will let you absorb small missteps and still pay your debts.

    4. Instalment due date

    Schedule it for payday or just after so you will have the cash needed.

    5. Repayment channels

    Depending on your need, you may ask for loan disbursement in cash, bank transfer, PayNow, or another mutually agreed method.

    Here are some other tips to note before you apply for a loan.

    Sometimes, the type of loan you apply for can affect these conditions. Soon Seng Credit offers a range of loans to suit a variety of purposes:

    How to apply for a loan with the best money lender in Singapore

    So, you are ready to apply for a loan from the best money lender in Singapore. Before you do, here’s what you need to take note of:

    Eligibility

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    Nationality – Singaporeans, PRs and foreigners are all eligible for loans, provided they satisfy the income threshold
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    Documents required
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    Credit history – if you are undergoing the following, your application will not be approved:

    Nationality and income eligibility

    Your nationality and income affect the maximum loan principal you can get. Here are the loan limits:

    Annual income Singapore Citizens and PRs Foreigners living in Singapore
    Less than $10,000 $3,000 $500
    $10,000 – less than $20,000 $3,000 $3,000
    At least $20,000 6 times monthly income 6 times monthly income

    Loan application process

    Every good Singapore online money lender has a website. This means that the best online money lenders are available for applications 24/7. However, this does not mean that there are 24-hour money lenders in Singapore. 

    Licensed money lenders still operate within stipulated office hours, but rest assured they will get back to you usually within one working day after receiving your loan application. Any money lender that claims to be a 24 hours money lender is likely illegal.

    HERE ARE THE STEPS TO APPLY FOR A LOAN:

    1. Check if you meet the loan requirements.

    2. Walk into the money lender’s office to apply or submit your application online via the money lender’s website.

    3. For borrowers who applied online, if you qualify, the loan officer will call you within one working day and schedule an appointment with you at their office for a face-to-face verification. This is a necessary step that could not be skipped. For those who walked in to apply, the verification can be done on the day of application.

    4. At the money lender’s office, the loan officer will verify your CPF and IRAS information and conduct a credit assessment.
    5. If you meet all the criteria, the loan officer will discuss with you the loan amount and repayment terms. Your loan can be approved in less than 30 minutes.

    6. The loan officer will explain the terms of the loan contract to you. Make sure you understand them. Once you are good with the terms, you can sign the contract.

    7. You will then receive the loan amount immediately via cash or bank transfer or another mutually agreed transfer method.

    How to settle licensed money lender loans

    Once you have signed on the dotted line and received your loan principal, you have also gained responsibility. All borrowers should follow these guidelines when repaying a loan:

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    Borrow only what you can afford to repay.
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    Read the contract. Know the instalments due on the exact dates and the penalties.
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    Read the legal guidelines. Don’t let carelessness or ignorance cost you money.
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    Make repayment your priority ahead of all casual expenses.
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    Ask for receipts when you make payments and take screenshots of online transactions.
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    Do NOT turn to illegal money lenders!

    By paying all the instalments on time, you will strengthen your credit history while enjoying the convenience of a loan.

    What if you are unable to pay money lenders in Singapore?

    If, despite your best efforts, you are unable to pay off your loan, the licensed money lender has a set procedure to follow.
    The lender will send a Letter of Demand (LOD) to the debtor’s home or office. This document contains the details of the loan, the outstanding amount, a list of additional fees and charges, and other relevant information. It will state a due date before further steps are taken.

    If the loan is not repaid even after the due date in the LOD, the lender may send debt collectors to the debtor’s home or office. Debt collectors are only allowed to request payment. They are prohibited from using intimidation and harassment, issuing threats and violence.

    The final step that a money lender can take is to bring formal court proceedings against the debtor.

    How to deal with licensed money lender harassment?

    checking moneylender website

    No money lender or their outsourced debt collectors are allowed to confiscate belongings as ‘collateral’ until the debt is paid. They also cannot vandalise or damage a debtor’s home or possessions.

    If you believe they are acting illegally, make a formal complaint to the Registry of Moneylenders online or call them at 1800-2255-529. You may also contact the police to report any illegal or threatening behaviour.

    Keen to take a loan from the top licensed money lender in Singapore?

    At Soon Seng Credit, we understand that you may be facing a difficult period in your life. We offer complete privacy, 100% confidentiality, and an understanding, empathetic team of loan officers. 

    Let us help you get past this minor bump in the road and achieve the dreams that you were meant to.

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