Covid-19 Support Loans Businesses In Singapore Can Take
Given the economic impact of Covid-19, many businesses around the world have taken a hit. In Singapore alone, as many as 457 retailers have closed down in September 2020. But it is not all doom and gloom for businesses in Singapore, as Covid-19 support loans are available to help them tide through this tough period.
Covid-19 Support Loans Businesses Can Take
Provided by Enterprise Singapore, various financial support options and booster packages are available for businesses to apply.
Here are Covid-19 support loans businesses can consider applying.
Temporary Bridging Loan Programme (TBLP)
The Temporary Bridging Loan Programme (TBLP) is aimed at alleviating the cash flow needs of businesses.
Under this programme, you can borrow a maximum of S$5 million from participating financial institutions when you submit your application by 31 March 20201.
For applications done between 1 April 2021 and 30 September 2021, the maximum loan amount will be S$3 million.
Max loan amount | – S$5 million for applications by 31 March 2021S – S$3 million for applications sent between 1 April and 30 September 2021 |
Max tenure | 5 years |
Interest rate | Maximum 5% p.a. |
Eligibility | Business entities registered and physically operating in Singapore, with a minimum of 30% equity held by Singaporeans or PRs. |
This temporary bridging loan can provide you with the working capital needed to get through this period, allowing you to pay for short term expenses such as daily operation costs.
Learn more about the Temporary Bridging Loan Programme in our guide here.
Enterprise Financing Scheme — SME Working Capital Loan
As the name suggests, the Enterprise Financing Financing Scheme — SME Working Capital Loan is specially catered to SMEs to help bridge working capital gaps.
Previously, businesses applying for the SME working capital loan could only get a loan of up to S$300,000.
Now, for applications till 31 March 2021, the enhanced Covid-19 support loan will allow you to obtain up to S$1 million in funding.
Max loan amount | S$1 million per borrower |
Max tenure | 5 years |
Interest rate | To be determined by the participating financial institution |
Eligibility | – Business entities registered and physically operating in Singapore, with a minimum of 30% equity held by Singaporeans or PRs. – Maximum Borrower Group* revenue cap of S$500 million for all enterprises – For “SME Working Capital”, “SME” refers to a business with group revenue of up to S$100 million or maximum employment of 200 employees |
*Note: a borrower group consists of the borrower along with corporate shareholders that hold more than 50% of the total shareholding of the applicant company, and any subsequent corporate parents all levels up as well as subsidiaries all levels down. (Annual sales turnover and employment size is determined on a group basis.)
Enterprise Financing Scheme — Trade Loan
The Trade Loan covers an array of trade needs including the following:
- Overseas working capital
- Bank guarantee
- Billing
- Inventory
- Revolving working capital
- Stock financing
Businesses can use this loan to cover both domestic and overseas transactions.
Max loan amount | S$10 million per borrower group until 30 September 2021 |
Max tenure | 1 year |
Interest rate | To be determined by the participating financial institution |
Eligibility | – Business entities registered and physically operating in Singapore, with a minimum of 30% equity held by Singaporeans or PRs. – Business entities with group annual sales turnover of not more than S$500 million. |
Enterprise Financing Scheme — Project Loan
Previously available to support the overseas projects of local companies, the Enterprise Financing Scheme — Project Loan is now enhanced and available for construction companies with domestic projects.
Types of loans covered under this scheme include the following:
- Working capital loan
- Factory, building, or land
- Equipment, machinery, vessels, other fixed assets, or machinery hire purchase
- Guarantees
Max loan amount | S$50 million per borrower group for overseas projectsS$30 million per borrower group for local projects |
Max tenure | 15 years for fixed asset loans5 years for working capital loan and guarantee |
Interest rate | To be determined by the participating financial institution |
Eligibility | – Business entities registered and physically operating in Singapore, with a minimum of 30% equity held by Singaporeans or PRs. – Business entities with group annual sales turnover of not more than S$500 million. |
Other Financial Schemes Available
Besides the above-mentioned Covid-19 support loans, businesses may also apply for government grants to help tide through this period.
Enterprise Development Grant
The Enterprise Development Grant aims to help businesses with their expansion plans, through upgrading their core capabilities, finding better growth niches, or venturing into overseas markets.
From now to 30 September 2021, it offers businesses support of up to 80% of project costs.
International Co-Innovation Programmes
The International Co-Innovation Programmes help companies with international projects on technology development.
They aim to assist businesses in innovating creative solutions, beta-testing, and scaling-up in various regions.
Land Productivity Grant
Through the Land Productivity Grant, businesses can defray a part of the costs from relocation.
This includes relocation costs of existing plant and machinery, human resources costs, and consultancy fees.
Market Readiness Assistance Grant
The Market Readiness Assistance Grant is aimed at SMEs that wish to expand overseas.
Capped at S$100,000 per new market, the grant covers up to 80% of costs from 1 November 2020 to 30 September 2021.
Productivity Solutions Grant
Companies that are looking to adopt technology to increase their productivity can tap into the Productivity Solutions Grant.
Similar to most of the grants mentioned, funding is capped at 80% of the costs until 30 September 2021.
The grant is open to businesses in sectors such as food, construction, retail, and more. Digitalisation efforts such as remote working programmes, digital financial management, and inventory tracking can also be funded with this grant.
An Alternative To Covid-19 Support Loans: Getting A Business Loan From Private Financial Institutions
The Covid-19 support loans and grants from the government will be helpful to businesses who are in need of funds.
However, application for these loans and grants may take some time to process. Even if your company were to meet the requirements, the funds might not reach you in time.
At Capitall, we do not want the lack of funds to limit your business growth. On top of our streamlined loan application process, we offer a variety of loans that will be able to meet your needs.
Business Line Of Credit
Similar to a credit card, a business line of credit allows you to draw funds as needed to cover short-term business expenses.
It is one of the better options because interest is only charged on the amount drawn, and the credit limit goes back up once the amount drawn is repaid. This helps business owners to have quick access to capital for unforeseen circumstances, especially during this period.
Learn more about how you can increase your chances of getting a business line of credit here.
Working Capital Loan
Business owners can use working capital loans to finance their everyday operations. These include daily operating costs, employee payroll, rent, and inventory purchases. It is also an ideal option to cover short-term business expenses.
Find out more about how a working capital loan can help your business here.
Bridging Loan
Another loan that is suitable for short-term expenses is a bridging loan. It provides your business with immediate cash flow, allowing you to meet current financial obligations and cover urgent expenses.
For more information on how a bridging loan can help your business, read our guide here.
Expansion Financing
Expansion financing can come in handy as it allows your business to leverage an opportunity to grow and expand.
For instance, it can be used to launch a new product, open new retail outlets, or acquire smaller companies. With this financing option, business owners can also hire more staff or create new products, increasing their production capacity and generating long-term benefits.
Find out more about how your business can benefit from expansion financing here.
Auto Financing
Capitall offers 2 types of auto-financing loans: car flooring loan and in-house loan. Car flooring loans are catered to dealers to finance their stock of vehicles, while in-house loans are for buyers to finance their car and motorcycle purchase.
Payroll Loan
As the name suggests, a payroll loan helps you cover employee salaries. It is useful for covering salary increments, as well as costs of hiring extra workers during festive seasons.
Learn more about when you should take out a payroll loan here.
In need of quick funds for your business? Apply now with Capitall.