Understanding Roshi: A Digital Lending Facilitator in Singapore
Roshi Private Limited, legally registered with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) of Singapore under Company ID 202222480E, has emerged as a significant player in the nation's digital finance landscape. Founded in March 2022, this privately held, bootstrapped enterprise operates a sophisticated business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) digital loan marketplace. Unlike traditional lenders, Roshi does not extend credit from its own balance sheet. Instead, it leverages proprietary artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms to intelligently match borrowers with suitable loan offers from a network of partner banks and licensed moneylenders.
The company's innovative model addresses a common pain point for borrowers: the tedious process of comparing numerous loan products across different financial institutions. By providing real-time, personalized loan offers, Roshi aims to deliver transparency, efficiency, and competitive advantage directly to the consumer. Its core target demographic includes salaried Singapore citizens and Permanent Residents, typically aged twenty-one to sixty-five, who are seeking quick and straightforward financing without the burden of extensive paperwork. Key executives, including Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Amir Nada, and Head of Research and Data Analytics Trịnh Mai Thanh, steer Roshi's strategic direction, building on a foundation inspired by personal observations of lending challenges.
Since its inception, Roshi has successfully facilitated hundreds of loan approvals, underscoring its growing influence within Singapore's fintech sector. Its commitment to a price-beat guarantee and cashback rewards further distinguishes its offering, providing tangible benefits to borrowers. This makes Roshi a compelling option for those navigating the complexities of securing financing in Singapore.
Roshi's Financial Products and Associated Terms
Roshi’s marketplace encompasses a diverse array of loan products designed to cater to various financial needs. These include unsecured Personal Loans, Consumer and Cash Loans (primarily through licensed moneylender partners), and Home Loans (facilitated via bank partners). The platform is also planning to expand its offerings to include SME and Business Loans in the near future, indicating a broader vision for supporting Singapore's economy.
Regarding loan amounts, Roshi connects borrowers to financing ranging from a minimum of Singapore Dollars (SGD) 1,000 to a maximum of SGD 200,000. This wide spectrum ensures that both smaller, immediate cash needs and larger financial commitments, such as home financing, can be addressed through its partner network.
Interest rates and annual percentage rates (APR) are crucial considerations for any borrower. Through Roshi's partners, monthly flat rates typically fall within 1.0 percent to 4.0 percent. The indicative annualised rates, or effective interest rates (EIR/APR), generally range from approximately twelve percent to forty-eight percent per annum. These rates are dynamic and depend significantly on the chosen loan tenure, the specific lending partner, and the borrower's credit profile. Loan tenures are flexible, extending from three months to forty-eight months, allowing borrowers to select a repayment schedule that aligns with their financial capacity.
Repayment is structured conveniently through monthly instalments, primarily via the GIRO system or direct online bank transfers. In terms of fees, Roshi itself does not impose service fees on borrowers. However, partner banks and licensed moneylenders may charge processing or origination fees, which typically range from zero percent to two percent of the loan principal, depending on the specific lender. Late payment penalties are also standard across the industry, usually amounting to four percent to six percent per annum on the overdue amount, though this can vary by lender. For most personal and consumer loans, collateral is not required. Home loans, however, are secured by property collateral, in line with bank partner policies.
Navigating the Roshi Platform: Application to Approval
The application process through Roshi is designed for digital convenience, although it also accommodates traditional channels. Borrowers can initiate their application via Roshi’s responsive web portal,
The initial step for potential borrowers is to visit the Roshi website. The onboarding process incorporates robust Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols, primarily utilizing Singpass authentication for swift and secure identity verification. This digital identity integration streamlines the submission of necessary documentation, which typically includes the applicant's NRIC (National Registration Identity Card) or FIN (Foreigner Identification Number), along with their latest payslips, recent bank statements, and a credit bureau report. These documents provide a comprehensive financial snapshot vital for loan assessment.
Roshi’s core strength lies in its sophisticated credit scoring and underwriting process. The platform employs proprietary artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms to meticulously analyze various data points. These include income stability, credit bureau scores, debt-to-income ratios, and behavioral data. This data-driven approach enables Roshi to generate pre-approval decisions in real-time, often within minutes, as highlighted by its "5-minute pre-approval promise." This efficiency is a key differentiator in a market where traditional loan applications can be lengthy and cumbersome.
Once an application is approved by a partner lender, loan disbursement is typically prompt and convenient. Funds are usually transferred directly to the borrower’s designated bank account. For select licensed moneylender loans, disbursement may also occur via cheque or, by appointment, in cash at partner branches. Throughout the entire process, Roshi's customer success team provides dedicated follow-up, particularly during the document review phase, ensuring a smooth and supportive experience for the borrower. While Roshi facilitates the matching and application, collection and recovery of repayments are managed directly by the lending partners, with monthly instalments automatically collected via GIRO. Roshi offers customer support to assist borrowers in managing repayment plans if difficulties arise.
Regulatory Adherence, Market Standing, and User Experience
Roshi Private Limited operates as a technology service provider, registered with ACRA, rather than a direct lender. This distinction is crucial for understanding its regulatory framework. Lending activities are exclusively executed by its partner banks and licensed moneylenders, which are strictly regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). Roshi itself adheres to MAS Fair Debt Collection guidelines and comprehensive Data Protection (PDPA) standards, ensuring consumer privacy and ethical practices. The integration of Singpass for KYC further demonstrates its compliance with stringent digital identity regulations in Singapore. To date, Roshi has no reported regulatory actions or penalties, reflecting its commitment to compliance.
In the competitive Singaporean fintech landscape, Roshi holds a noteworthy position. It was recently ranked seventy-fifth in Singapore's Top 100 FinTechs by F6S in March 2025. Its primary competitors include established platforms like MoneySmart, CompareAsiaGroup, Cashew, and Finty. Roshi differentiates itself through several key features: its AI-driven real-time loan matching, which offers superior efficiency compared to manual comparison sites; its unique offering of cashback and grocery voucher rewards; and its price-beat guarantee, promising the most competitive rates available through its network. Roshi’s growth trajectory is ambitious, with plans for international expansion into Vietnam by the first quarter of 2025 and a roadmap for launching an SME loan marketplace by late 2025. The company boasts partnerships with over forty banks via Singpass integration and numerous licensed moneylenders such as EZ Loan, MoneyPlus, and Goldstar, with planned integrations with telecommunication and payment service providers like Singtel Pay.
Customer experience is central to Roshi's appeal. While a dedicated mobile application for iOS or Android is currently in development (planned for Q4 2025), its web portal provides a responsive design with real-time loan comparisons and a user-friendly dashboard. Customer feedback is largely positive, with referrals to partner lenders often yielding five-star Google reviews. Users frequently praise the platform's ability to secure emergency cash approvals in under thirty minutes. Common loan purposes cited in testimonials include home renovation, medical emergencies, and working capital for small and medium enterprises. While some users have noted occasional delays adapting to new lender integrations and the absence of live chat support (relying on email and telephone instead), the overall sentiment underscores Roshi’s effectiveness and dedication to customer success, promising proactive follow-ups during the application process.
Practical Considerations for Borrowers in Singapore
For individuals in Singapore considering a loan through Roshi, several practical pieces of advice can enhance the borrowing experience and ensure financial prudence. Firstly, it is imperative to utilize Roshi's platform for its intended purpose: to compare offers. Even with Roshi's price-beat guarantee, borrowers should still review all terms and conditions meticulously from the partner lender before committing to any agreement. Pay close attention to the indicated Annualised Rates (EIR/APR), as these provide the most accurate depiction of the loan's total cost over a year, encompassing both interest and fees.
Secondly, while Roshi's pre-approval process is swift, ensure all submitted documentation, including NRIC/FIN, payslips, and bank statements, is accurate and up-to-date. Discrepancies can cause delays. Understanding that Roshi does not lend directly but connects you to regulated entities means that the final loan agreement and all legal obligations will be with the partner bank or licensed moneylender. Therefore, direct communication channels with the specific lender should also be noted for future reference.
Thirdly, assess your repayment capacity realistically. The flexible tenure options from three to forty-eight months allow for tailored repayment plans, but choosing a shorter tenure often results in higher monthly instalments, though it reduces the total interest paid over time. Opting for a longer tenure reduces monthly burden but increases overall interest costs. Ensure your chosen plan aligns comfortably with your monthly budget. Leverage the convenience of GIRO for automated monthly repayments to avoid late payment penalties, which can quickly add up. If you anticipate any difficulty with repayment, engage with the partner lender and Roshi's customer success team early to explore potential solutions.
Lastly, take advantage of Roshi's unique differentiators like cashback rewards and the price-beat guarantee. These added benefits can translate into tangible savings or value for borrowers. By understanding Roshi’s role as a digital marketplace, thoroughly reviewing loan terms, and prudently managing repayments, borrowers can effectively leverage this platform to secure suitable financing solutions in Singapore.
