Risk warning
Investing or lending through the ShareCredit platform involves significant risks, and before you are able to invest through ShareCredit, we need to make sure that you fully understand these risks and have the experience to make informed investment decisions.
1. Loss of Capital
Lending can lead to a loss of your capital and there is a risk that the companies or individuals you lend to may default. You should not lend more money than you can afford to lose. If you are unsure about any aspect of the information provided, you should seek advice from an independent financial adviser.
2. Illiquidity
Any lending you carry out through Share Credit Limited may be illiquid. There is an active secondary market for the loans you take part in, however liquidity is dependent on demand. For a successful loan that is being repaid on time by the borrower, the underlying principal debt you have lent will not be accessible to you until the loan expires, unless sold on the secondary market. In particular, if you are over the age of 60 at the time of lending you should consider the effect this illiquidity could have on your lifestyle.
3. Diversification
Lending should be done as part of a diversified portfolio. This means that you should invest small amounts into multiple assets classes as opposed to a large amount in one or a few. You should also invest only a small proportion of your investable capital in this asset class, with the majority of your investable capital invested in safer, more liquid assets. You are able to further diversify by lending to multiple borrowers on the Share Credit Limited platform as opposed to just one.
4. Tax
You are responsible for the administering of your own tax affairs, which may include capital gains and/or income tax. Each time you lend, you must satisfy yourself prior to making any commitment that you understand and accept the tax consequences to you. We do not provide tax advice and you should seek this independently before lending if you are unsure of your position. It is your responsibility to ensure that your tax return is correct and is filed by the deadline and any tax owing is paid on time. If you are unsure how this investment will affect your tax status you must seek professional advice before you lend. Tax treatment is dependent on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future.
5. Financial Services Compensation Scheme
Lending through Share Credit Limited is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Deposits in your Share Credit Limited wallet are covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
6. Advice
Share Credit Limited does not give investment advice or provide analysis or recommendations regarding investment opportunities. Investments can only be made by members of Share Credit Limited on the basis of information provided and any professional 3rd party guidance they may have received. Share Credit Limited takes no responsibility for this information, or for any recommendations, opinions or predictions.
7. Past Performance
Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. You should not rely on any past performance as a guarantee of future investment performance.
8. Future performance
Companies may provide forward-looking statements with respect to future results. Forward-looking statement are not guarantees of future results or performance and many different factors could cause actual results to be different from those that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. As such, forecasts are not a reliable indicator of future performance.
9. Lack of Operating History
Many companies on Share Credit Limited are recently formed entities and have no substantive operating history upon which prospective investors can evaluate likely performance.
10. Currency exchange rates fluctuate
Share Credit Limited may from time to time also provide lending opportunities where the loan might not be denominated in GBP. We will clearly mark those opportunities. Lenders should note that while we will not undertake to hedge all currency risk for their and the borrower's benefit, variations/fluctuations in market and currency can affect the repayment of the principal amount of the loan and of any interest.
11. Client Classification
Before being allowed to lend, you will need to be classified as an investor type. You will need to provide the relevant information to us, which you warrant to be truthful and accurate, in order that we can classify you. Please follow the steps when signing up to complete this process. If you no longer fall into at least one of the categories of investor available, you will give immediate written notice to Share Credit Limited and you will not access, or try to access the service unless and until you fall into one or more of these categories again.
12. Jurisdiction
The information and services provided on the Site are not provided to, and may not be used by, any person or entity in any jurisdiction where the provision or use thereof would be contrary to applicable laws, rules or regulations of any governmental authority or where Share Credit Limited is not authorised to provide such information or services. Some products and services described in the Site may not be available in all jurisdictions or to all clients.
This list of risk factors does not necessarily outline all possible risks involved. Prospective lenders should read the Share Credit Limited's Terms and Conditions in its entirety and consult with their own advisers before deciding whether to lend. If you are unsure about any aspect of the information provided by the company, you should seek advice from an independent financial adviser.