How to Check a Moneylender Licence in Singapore: Official Registry Steps
5/8/26
8 minutes read
By: Joey Chong
Key Takeaways
To check a licensed moneylender in Singapore, open the current list on the Registry of Moneylenders website and match the lender’s business name, approved address, licence number, landline and business URL. Use the website link shown in the official list instead of a link from an SMS, WhatsApp message, social media account or advertisement. A licensed moneylender must conduct face-to-face identity verification at its approved place of business before granting a loan. Do not transfer “GST”, processing or security fees before disbursement, and stop if any detail differs from the Registry record.
A familiar name, convincing website or photograph of a licence is not proof. To check licensed moneylender Singapore details safely, begin with the Government’s official Registry list and compare every field independently.
Where Is the Official Moneylender Registry?
The authoritative source is the Registry of Moneylenders’ List of Licensed Moneylenders in Singapore. The page links to a downloadable PDF containing the current registered businesses and a separate section for any suspended licences.
Check the date at the top because licensing information can change. At this review, the linked list is valid as at 1 July 2026. An old copy or third-party directory may be outdated.
The Registry list is evidence that a business was licensed according to that edition. It is not a government recommendation, service rating, promise of approval or indication that a particular loan is affordable.
How to Check a Moneylender Licence in Singapore
Step 1: Open the Registry Website Directly
Type the Registry address into your browser or use a trusted government link. A fake page may imitate the Registry or use an address differing by one character.
Step 2: Open the Latest Official List
Open the complete list, confirm its “as at” date and search for the lender’s full legal business name. Ask for the legal name if only a brand or abbreviation is given.
Step 3: Match All Five Registry Fields
| Registry field | What to compare | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Business name | The lender’s full registered company name | A similar name with different spelling or company suffix |
| Business address | The exact building, street and unit number | A meeting requested at another office, café or public place |
| Licence number | The complete number and year shown | A missing, altered or expired-looking reference |
| Landline number | The fixed-line number in the official list | Communication limited to an unlisted mobile number |
| Business URL | The exact domain, including its spelling | Extra words, hyphens, characters or a different domain ending |
Do not treat one matching field as sufficient. A scammer can use the name, licence number and address of a real lender while directing you to a false website or mobile number.
Step 4: Access the Website Through the Official List
Use only the business URL recorded in the Registry PDF. Avoid sponsored search results and links in unsolicited messages. If the Registry states “N.A.” for a business URL, do not assume that a website using that lender’s name is authorised.
Step 5: Confirm the Approved Office Before Visiting
The approved place of business must match the Registry address. A licensed moneylender may collect preliminary information online, but it must meet the borrower there and conduct physical face-to-face identity verification before granting the loan. A loan completed fully online or at another location is disallowed.
A Practical Example Using BST Credit
The official list valid as at 1 July 2026 records the following details for BST Credit. Always consult the newest list when applying.
Submit Your Details to Proceed
| Field | Registry entry |
|---|---|
| Business name | BST CREDIT PTE. LTD. |
| Approved address | 131 Jurong Gateway Road, #01-251, Singapore 600131 |
| Licence number | 133/2025 |
| Landline | 6299 1782 |
| Business URL | https://www.bstcredit.com.sg |
If someone claiming to represent BST Credit uses different contact details or requests a meeting elsewhere, pause the process and verify independently through the current official list.
Advertising Rules That Help Identify Suspicious Offers
The Registry’s borrower FAQs explain that licensed moneylenders may advertise only through business or consumer directories, their own websites and advertisements placed within or on the exterior of their approved premises.
They are not permitted to solicit loans through SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, email, flyers or social media. An advertisement through a prohibited channel may come from an unlicensed lender or a licensee breaching the advertising restrictions. Either way, do not respond.
Read BST Credit’s guides on loan scams in Singapore and the differences between a licensed moneylender and a loan shark for more warning signs.
Red Flags Even When the Business Name Is Licensed
A scammer may impersonate a real licensee, while a listed lender may still engage in conduct that should be reported. Stop and seek clarification if the lender or its representative:
- asks for payment of “GST”, processing, insurance or security fees before loan disbursement;
- offers or confirms a loan through a call, message or email before reviewing an application and supporting documents;
- requests your Singpass password, internet-banking password, PIN or one-time password;
- wants to retain your NRIC, passport, work pass, ATM card or another identity document;
- asks you to sign a blank or incomplete Note of Contract;
- refuses to explain the terms in a language you understand or provide a completed contract; or
- uses abusive, threatening or harassing behaviour.
The permitted administrative fee is different from an upfront scam payment. A licensed moneylender may charge up to 10% of the principal when a loan is granted, and this may be deducted from the loan proceeds. It should appear clearly in the contract. It is not a fee transferred in advance to secure a remote loan.
What a Valid Licence Does Not Guarantee
Licence verification does not establish that the lender offers the lowest rate or that borrowing is appropriate. Compare the principal, net disbursement, interest, fees, instalments and total repayment.
Regular and late interest are each capped at 4% per month, the administrative fee at 10% of principal, and the late fee at S$60 for each month of late repayment. These are legal maximums rather than recommended prices. Approval and loan amount also remain subject to assessment.
Use BST Credit’s 12 checks for choosing a licensed moneylender and responsible borrowing checklist after completing the Registry check.
What to Do If the Details Do Not Match
- Stop communicating. Do not send money, documents, Singpass details or banking credentials.
- Save the evidence. Keep screenshots, phone numbers, website addresses, messages and payment instructions.
- Contact the genuine lender independently. Use only the landline or website in the Registry list.
- Report suspicious activity. Possible unlicensed moneylending may be reported to the Police. Concerns about a licensed lender may be reported to the Registry of Moneylenders.
- Contact your bank promptly. If money or banking information has already been sent, ask what protective action is available.
For unfair practices or contract issues involving a licensed lender, retain the contract, receipts, statements and messages. BST Credit’s guide explains how to lodge a moneylender complaint.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check whether a moneylender is licensed in Singapore?
Open the Registry of Moneylenders’ current official list and match the business name, approved address, licence number, landline and business URL. Access the lender’s website through the URL in that list rather than an unsolicited link.
Is a photograph of a moneylender licence sufficient proof?
No. Images and licence numbers can be copied from legitimate businesses. Verify all five fields against the current Registry list and contact the lender only through the official landline or website.
Can a licensed moneylender contact me through WhatsApp?
Licensed moneylenders are not permitted to solicit loans through WhatsApp, SMS, phone calls, email or social media. Do not respond to an unsolicited loan offer through these channels.
Can a licensed moneylender grant a loan fully online?
No. Preliminary information may be collected online, but the lender must conduct physical face-to-face identity verification at its approved place of business before granting the loan.
Does a moneylending licence mean the Government recommends the lender?
No. A licence indicates that the business is authorised to operate subject to regulatory requirements. It is not a government endorsement, promise of approval or assurance that a loan is suitable or affordable.
Verify First, Then Assess the Loan
The official Registry is the starting point for every licence check. Match all five details, use the listed website and landline, and attend identity verification only at the approved office. If anything differs, stop until the discrepancy has been resolved independently.
After verification, consider whether borrowing is necessary and whether the full repayment fits your budget. If you have compared the alternatives and decide that borrowing may be suitable, you can apply for a loan with BST Credit. Approval, loan amount, rates and repayment terms remain subject to eligibility, supporting-document checks, an affordability assessment and face-to-face identity verification at the approved office.
Joey Chong
Joey loves asking questions about why things work the way they do. This trait has served her well. During her decade-long career as a media strategist, she discovered she had a knack for writing and design and continues to employ that to her advantage. She loves watching horror movies on Netflix.
5/8/26
8 minutes read
By: Joey Chong
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