Advisory
ABOUT CONTROLLED GREED
At Controlledgreed.com, we aim to give online education to everyone who wants to know where their financial life and assets stand. As we live in a fast-paced digital era, it is easy to get lost with growing expenses, bills, and wants. This website was created to inspire readers to have stable finances and aim towards financial freedom. May our content encourage more individuals to be more sensible in their financial journey.
Cash Mart Singapore acquired ControlledGreed.com to devote a space for financial literacy such as budgeting, saving, responsible borrowing, facts about licensed money lenders in Singapore and investing in undervalued stocks. In addition, some content will focus on typical and global investments such as net working capital, low price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios, and book value discounts.
It also tackles getting legal payday loans in SG, small business loan SG, interest calculations and looking for the best loan product for every need.
We hope that this website will serve as a guide for everyone looking to have a better understanding of their finances since the website’s name refers to Warren Buffett’s famous words, “You must be animated by controlled greed and fascinated by the investment process.”
ABOUT CASH MART SINGAPORE
Cash Mart Private Limited (CMPL) is a reputable licensed money lender with a growing list of loyal clientele for the past 50 years. More than just a lender, Cash Mart aims to be a financial partner that gives personalized customer experience with flexible loan products. The office located in Balestier may be open from Monday to Saturday (except on holidays), but our website is always available for your inquiries.
MONEYLENDERS ACT IN SINGAPORE
The Singapore government has put up strict parameters around the moneylending industry. This is to ensure that the rights of both the borrowers and the money lenders are protected. The unlicensed moneylenders have steep interest rates and have notorious collection practices. They are called loan sharks or Ah Long. They scam and trick people into signing loan contracts with unfair terms and conditions.
On the other hand, licensed moneylenders are expected to have competitive interest rates and more flexible payment terms. They are required to explain the loan agreement in terms that the borrowers can easily understand.
In addition, if you are getting an unsecured loan or loan without collateral the lender will have to base your loan amount on what the Moneylenders Act permit.
Permanent residents with an annual income of no more than $20,000 can get a loan of up to $3,000. This is the maximum total loan amount they can borrow from all of the licensed lenders. Let’s say a permanent resident borrowed $1,000 from licensed lender A. Then licensed lender B can only lend up to $2,000.
Permanent residents who have an annual income of more than $20,000 can get a loan amount of as much as six times their monthly income.
If you are a foreigner. You can still get a loan from a licensed money lender. You can get a maximum loan amount of $500 if you earn less than $10,000. If your annual salary is more than $10,000 then you can borrow up to $3,000.
Since the loan amount, fees and charges are highly regulated, it keeps the industry highly competitive and gives the borrowers more options.
HOW TO SPOT AN AH LONG
Getting a loan from a licensed lender has a lot of benefits. Not only will you be sure that the terms are fair, but you can also keep a good credit score.
If you get a loan from loan sharks your fees will be astoundingly high. No matter how good you are with your repayments, it will not make your credit score increase. The loans sharks will also device illegal means to collect money. If you have no more money to pay, they will force you to do illegal activities for them.
However, not all loan sharks are easy to spot. Some pretend to be legal moneylenders. You need to find the red flags. Licensed lenders do not advertise outside their office. They do not have paid ads online as well. So if a lender hands out pamphlets along the street in stations, do not give them even a glance.
Legal lenders also take their time to explain their loan contract are will give the borrower a copy. Every payment must have a receipt and is reported to the credit bureau.
If you think that a licensed lender is practising business against the Moneylenders Act, do not hesitate to contact the Registry at 1800-2255-529.
CASH MART’S RESPONSIBILITY
As a licensed moneylender itself, Cash Mart has taken its responsibility to educate people how to be responsible borrowers themselves. From getting to know how to spot a loan shark to giving tips on how to manage their payment terms, Cash Mart will always put their borrower’s welfare first.