Full List of 153 Authorised Loan Moneylenders in Singapore

There are 153 authorised moneylenders in Singapore, strictly governed by the Ministry of Law (MinLaw) through the Registry of Moneylenders under the Moneylenders Act 2008. Singapore has one of the world’s most transparent and regulated financial ecosystems, where credit provision is divided into traditional banking institutions, co-operative credit societies, and specialised consumer lending institutions known officially as licensed moneylenders.

Who are the Moneylenders in Singapore?

According to the Moneylenders Act 2008, moneylenders are individuals or entities that carry on the business of lending money in consideration of a larger sum being repaid.

To ensure clarity for everyday borrowers, Singaporean law makes a clear distinction between standard commercial moneylenders and statutory excluded moneylenders.

Excluded moneylenders: These are entities regulated under separate specialized statutes, including commercial banks licensed under the Banking Act 1970, credit societies registered under the Co-operative Societies Act 1979, licensed pawnbrokers, and employers offering salary advances to their workforce. Entities outside these excluded categories that lend money for profit must hold a valid moneylender’s licence issued by the Government.

Licensed moneylenders fulfill an important role in the local credit market by serving individuals and small businesses seeking short-term liquidity or unsecured personal loans. However, operate strictly within statutory boundaries to prevent predatory lending practices.

Full list of licensed moneylenders in singapore

The following table contains the complete list of 153 valid licensed moneylenders registered in the Republic of Singapore as published by the Ministry of Law Registry of Moneylenders (as at 1 October 2026). Borrowers are advised to verify their lender against this official registry before executing loan contracts.

                                     Source: Ministry of Law Registry of Moneylenders (PDF)

Who regulates Moneylenders in Singapore?

Moneylending in the Republic of Singapore is strictly regulated by the Registry of Moneylenders, a specialized department operating directly under the Ministry of Law (MinLaw). The Minister appoints a Registrar of Moneylenders, accompanied by Deputy and Assistant Registrars, to oversee licensing, monitor business operations, enforce legal compliance, and protect consumer welfare.

Roles of the Registry of Moneylenders

1. The Registry maintains a public directory of valid licensed moneylenders.
2. It evaluates annual licence renewals.
3. It inspects financial accounts.
4. It investigates consumer grievances.
5. Moneylenders who breach statutory rules or engage in unethical conduct face severe penalties, including hefty fines, licence suspension, or complete revocation under Section 10 of the Moneylenders Act 2008.

Regulatory guidelines for authorised moneylenders in Singapore

In 2015, the Ministry of Law instituted a comprehensive set of legal guidelines to establish strict boundaries for all operating moneylenders. These guidelines serve as enforceable operational benchmarks. They include, but are not limited to, the following statutory guidelines:

1) Mandatory in-person verification: A licensed moneylender is legally required to verify a borrower’s identity face-to-face at their approved physical place of business prior to granting any loan. Fully remote or 100% online loan approvals without physical interaction are strictly prohibited.

2) Advertising restrictions: Licensed moneylenders are strictly forbidden from marketing their services via text messages (SMS or WhatsApp), mobile phone calls, or social media platforms. Advertising is restricted exclusively to the moneylender’s official verified website, consumer directories, or physical signage at their business premises.

3) Standardized contract note (Note of Moneylender’s Contract): Lenders must provide borrowers with a formal clearly written and easy to understand contract stipulating the principal loan amount, interest rate, payment schedule, tenure, and an itemized breakdown of permitted fees before funds are disbursed.

4) Statements of account and receipts: Lenders are legally obligated to issue regular account statements and official written receipts for every payment received, ensuring complete financial transparency.

Borrowing costs:

To eliminate extortionate interest rates and debt traps, the Ministry of Law enforces strict legal ceilings on all loan charges:

Nominal monthly interest rate (Maximum 4%): The maximum interest rate a licensed moneylender can charge is strictly capped at 4% per month. This rate applies universally across all loan structures, regardless of whether the loan is secured or unsecured, or the borrower’s income level.

Compound interest restriction: Compound interest (interest calculated on accrued interest) is strictly illegal. Lenders are permitted to compute compound interest ONLY on outstanding principal amounts that remain unpaid.

Upfront administrative fee (Maximum 10%): Moneylenders may charge an administrative fee upon loan approval, but this fee cannot exceed 10% of the principal loan amount. This fee is deducted from the loan principal upon disbursement; lenders are prohibited from demanding additional upfront payments.

Late payment fee and late interest: If a borrower defaults on a payment schedule, the late fee is legally capped at a maximum of $60 per month. Late interest is capped at 4% per month and can only be charged on the late or unpaid principal amount, never on accrued fees or paid installments.

Aggregate total charge cap (100% Principal Limit): The aggregate total of all interest, administrative fees, and late repayment charges accumulated over the lifespan of a loan can never exceed 100% of the original principal amount. For instance, on a $2,000 principal loan, total cumulative charges can never exceed $2,000.

How to select the best licensed moneylender

When choosing a licensed moneylender in Singapore, follow these five strategic evaluation criteria:

1) Verify licensing and official registration: Always cross-reference the lender’s corporate entity name and licence number against the official Registry of Moneylenders list published by MinLaw before engaging in negotiations.

2) Compare total cost of borrowing: While interest rates are capped at 4%, administrative fees and repayment terms vary. Request complete fee schedules from multiple institutions to find the most competitive loan structure.

3) Evaluate industry experience and track record: Established moneylenders with years of operating history prioritize corporate reputation and compliance, offering transparent processes and professional loan officers.

4) Ask for a complete written documentation: Never sign incomplete documents. Ensure the contract explicitly articulates the principal sum, repayment tenure, monthly installments, APR, and permitted charges.

5) Assess repayment flexibility and exit terms: Opt for lenders offering flexible repayment adjustments or zero exit penalty fees for early loan settlements.

Security precautions for borrowers

Unlicensed moneylenders (commonly referred to as ‘Ah Longs’) and loan scammers frequently impersonate licensed institutions. To safeguard your financial security, observe the following mandatory security precautions:

1) Scammers often contact victims via SMS or WhatsApp, claiming that funds will be disbursed after the borrower transfers ‘GST fees’ or ‘processing charges’. Real licensed moneylenders NEVER demand upfront bank transfers.

2) Any unsolicited SMS, WhatsApp message, or social media ad offering loan approval is an immediate indicator of illegal activity.

3) If an entity claims to offer 100% online processing without requiring you to visit their registered business address, decline immediately.

4) If you encounter an unlicensed lender or fall victim to a scam, report the incident immediately to the Police Hotline at 1800-255-0000, submit details to http://www.police.gov.sg/iwitness, or contact the X Ah Long hotline at 1800-924-5664.

Summary

Authorized Moneylenders in Singapore can only charge a maximum monthly interest rate of 4% across all loan types, regardless of the borrower’s income or credit history.

Similarly, administrative fees cannot exceed 10% of the principal loan amount, and late repayment fees are strictly capped at $60 per month. Total charges (interest + fees) can never exceed 100% of the principal.

In-person identity verification at an approved business office is legally mandated. Fully online approvals and loan disbursements without a face-to-face meeting are illegal.

Legitimate moneylenders are strictly prohibited from advertising or soliciting loans via SMS, WhatsApp, phone calls, or social media platforms

Reference:

1. Ministry of Law Singapore. (2026). List of Valid Moneylenders Registered in the Republic of Singapore (as at 1 October 2026). Registry of Moneylenders, Ministry of Law.
2. Ministry of Law Singapore. (2015). Guidelines Licensed Money Lenders Must Adhere to According to The Ministry of Law. MinLaw Consumer Advisory & Regulatory Standards.
3. Republic of Singapore. (2020). Moneylenders Act 2008 (2020 Revised Edition, Act 38 of 2023). Singapore Statutes Online, Attorney-General’s Chambers.
4. Singapore Police Force. (2026). Police Advisory on Unlicensed Moneylending and Online Loan Scams. Singapore Police Force & National Crime Prevention Council.