How to get a startup business loan without collateral in Singapore?

Apr 05, 2024

Whether to start a business or expand an existing one, business owners still rely on financial institutions for business loans.


In general, banks require collateral to approve and process these loans. However, unsecured loans are also provided by certain banks in Singapore to promote the growth of startup enterprises.


A startup business loan without collateral is easy to process, and startups find it trouble-free as they can safeguard their assets.


Collateral free business loans are just like the line of credit which credit card companies offer businesses. They can be instantly obtained and repaid in flexible terms. So, what does it take to obtain one?

What are collateral free business loans?


As mentioned above, to obtain a loan above a certain threshold, they need dependability from the borrower in exchange for the value they offer. If the borrower has an asset (property, business shares, gold, or any tangible asset), they can keep them as collateral and recover the rights once the loan is paid off.


Collaterals are like a guarantee that lender demands to ensure a timely repayment. 


A startup business loan without collateral indicates a loan offered without any security source presented by the borrower.


Since there is no collateral, confirm the loan eligibility, the financial status, cash flow statements, credit score, previous debts, and payment history.

Factors to consider before applying for a startup business loan without collateral


Collateral free business loans are for all businesses. But what should you know before applying for one?


Should have a strong business plan


Banks don’t rely on your assets since it’s an unsecured loan. So, your business plan should be brief, viable, and convincible to crack through.


Work on your business plan and fix the flaws to make it exemplary. Financial institutions weigh your plan based on current market affairs, trends, competition, and your implementation strategy.


The odds of securing a collateral free business loan in Singapore are relatively low if your business plan isn’t foolproof.


Have a good credit score


Those who have been in the business world for a few years know how hard it is to build a decent credit score.


Even minor payment mishaps can bring it down and make it hard to catch up. Lenders check your credit score to analyze your creditworthiness and repayment pattern.


A good credit score can improve your chances of securing a business loan without collateral.


Age of business


How long you have existed in the startup world also matters to the lender before they decide to sanction your collateral free business loan.


The interest rate and tenure vary significantly for a new startup and a grown organization. Some financial institutions favor startups more, while some give importance to matured enterprises.

What are the business loans available without collateral in Singapore?


Startups need money to build their working model and get money from investors. Unless they have the required finance at the start, they will be stuck in the first phase for good.


The good news is that there are many banks in Singapore that encourage and provide startup business loan without collateral to motivate these budding startups.


1. OCBC


Being one of the effective startup loans without collateral, OCBC gives the necessary push to the startups by providing them with unsecured loans.



The eligibility factors are simple to meet.


• Your business should have been started less than three years ago.


• You should not have more than ten employees


• Your annual turnover shouldn’t be more than SGD 1 million


• 30% of the company shares should belong to a Singapore citizen.



You should also find a guarantor who should be a Singapore citizen and between the age of 21 and 62. 


At this stage, startups wouldn’t like wasting time on time-consuming banking procedures. To your relief, all you need to submit online is



• A fully filled online form


• Bank statements


• Notice of assessment (recent copy)


Your business loan without collateral is here, and you haven’t spent more than a day on it. That’s what OCBC aims to achieve. 


2. DBS


Post pandemic, DBS bank has started issuing startup business loans without collateral, primarily focusing on micro and small businesses.


Their loans mainly cater to the working capital and liquidity needs of the startups. They can borrow up to SGD 1 million. 


There are two different loans available for different capital needs



Temporary bridging loan:


When an already registered and running business is in need of financing needs, they can apply for this no collateral, quick processing loan.


The maximum amount that they can get is SGD 1 million. Here are the requirements that you need to meet.


• 30% of the company shares should be possessed by a Singapore citizen


• The business should have been registered and operated in Singapore


• Should find a guarantor who must be a Singaporean citizen


Here are the documents you will have to gather.


• If you are applying through the ACRA platform, they will recover a majority of your business info through that. 


• If required, you will need to produce your financial statements from 3 months to 3 years, depending on the sanctioned amount.



SME capital loan:


This loan is offered when you have exhausted the loan amount offered through a temporary bridging loan and are still in need of funds.


The repayment tenure is 1 to 5 years, and the maximum borrowing limit is SGD 300,000.


Eligibility criteria are almost the same as the bridging loan. If it’s a consolidated group of companies, the total turnover shouldn’t be more than SGD 100 million, or the total number of employees shouldn’t cross 200.


DBS has an affordability calculator available on its website. You can calculate the interest and the monthly repayment amount.


3. UOB


Grow your business with UOB’s collateral free business loan, where you can get up to SGD 8 million. Quick response and processing time and funding assistance through government schemes are their exemplary benefits. 



Requirements:


• Bank statements of the past six months


• Singpass credentials


• Other loans and liabilities particulars


• If you are a private limited company, then produce the memorandum and articles of association


• Partnership agreement letter for partnerships



They have 3 plans depending on your money requirement and stage of your business.


Temporary bridging loan - Working capital business loan with no collateral up to SGD 1 million offered in collaboration with Enterprise Singapore.


SME Working capital loan - Jointly offered by Enterprise Singapore and UOB, this collateral free business loan up to SGD 3 million.


UOB Bizmoney - Unsecured loan for SMEs where you can get a maximum of SGD 350,000


ESG financing scheme is introduced by the Singapore government to share the risk of unsecured loans with financial institutions in the cases of borrower insolvency.


4. Standard Chartered business loan


Standard Chartered offers business installment loans up to SGD 300,000. The maximum repayment period is 3 years, and this is a business loan with no collateral.


There is an annual fee associated with this loan which is 2% of the approved loan amount. 



Eligibility criteria to meet:


• Should be a Singapore registered business


• Business should be in existence for at least 3 or more years


• 50% of the company shares should belong to a Singapore citizen


• Minimum turnover value should be SGD 750,000



Requirements:


• Personal identification proof of directors and partners involved in the business.


• Tax statements for the past four quarters


• Memorandum and articles of association and board of directors resolution


• Filled application form


• Bank account statements of the company for the past six months


Standard Chartered business loan is best for those who expect quicker loan processing and access to other business banking services all under one roof.


Related read - Guide to opening business bank account in Singapore

What are the benefits of collateral free business loans?


You have to take risks to taste growth. That doesn’t mean pledging your precious assets against financial loans.


Take a business loan without collateral and enjoy the following benefits.



Pay on your own terms


When you can repay your loan in a stretchy, relaxed period, your monthly dues will be negligible.


In collateral free business loans, the tenure period is usually long (between 3 to 5 years) in regards to the amount obtained. That gives you the freedom to lay back and pay off the debt without impacting your cash flow.


Anyone can get financial aid


Not everyone is backed up with expensive investments and assets to pledge. Startup business loans without collateral give an opportunity to everyone to expand their business.


Instant processing


You don’t have to wait for months to get the money and spend it. Fintech companies take no time to process collateral free business loans if the applicant has every document they need.


Build your credit score


If you don’t have a credit score or have low scores, you can pick it up by taking an unsecured loan. By building a good repayment history, you can make your way to a solid credit score.


Not risking anything


You have nothing to lose as there is no collateral involved. Businesses see their worst when they miss paying a few dues of a secured loan.


Interesting read: What are employee savings schemes and their importance?

Why choose Volopay for collateral free business line of credit?

Collateral free business loans save you when you have a huge expense or planning a prominent operation.


But what happens when you are in dire need of funds to cope with everyday business expenses. There is a well-planned cash flow. But off-the-cuff expenses can crash your expenditure strategy. What is the solution, then?


Volopay offers risk-free, no collateral flexible credit for businesses in Singapore. The application process is too simple and needs minimal documents. Our credit team will process it promptly and add the credit to your account. 


You can use credit for all business operations including settling your online subscription bills and other payments.


Open an account with Volopay to get the advantages of a business bank account while also providing a broader choice of services and options.


Check this out: How to use Facebook Marketplace for business in Singapore?

Avail super easy and flexible credit line for day-to-day business expenses