Gold Safe Keeping Receipt Loans

Gold Safe Keeping Receipt Loans: The Complete Guide to Borrowing Against Your Gold

If you hold substantial gold bullion, gold bars, or high-value precious metals, you may not need to sell them to access capital. A Gold Safe Keeping Receipt (Gold SKR) loan allows you to borrow against the verified value of your gold — keeping your asset fully intact and in secure custody while unlocking the liquidity your project or business needs. This guide covers every aspect of Gold SKR loans: how they work, what you can borrow, what lenders require, and how a specialist private lending programme can help you get there.

What Is a Gold Safe Keeping Receipt Loan?

A Gold Safe Keeping Receipt loan is a form of asset-backed lending in which a gold owner uses their Gold SKR — the official document issued by a licensed custodian confirming their gold is held in secure custody — as the basis for obtaining a loan or credit facility. Rather than physically transferring or liquidating the gold, the borrower presents the SKR as evidence of the underlying asset, and the lender extends financing against that verified value.

How It Differs from a Standard Gold Loan

A traditional gold loan involves physically pledging jewellery or bullion directly to a retail lender. A Gold SKR loan operates at a significantly higher value threshold and involves institutional-grade custody, international lenders, and structured finance instruments such as Standby Letters of Credit (SBLCs) or Bank Guarantees (BGs). The gold remains in the vault throughout the entire loan period — it is never physically moved to the lender.

Who Uses Gold SKR Loans?

Gold SKR loans are typically used by high-net-worth individuals, commodity traders, family offices, corporations, and investment funds that hold significant gold positions and require liquidity for project financing, business expansion, working capital, or trade transactions — without wanting to exit their gold position.

Is a Gold SKR Loan Right for You?

This type of facility is ideal for borrowers who have access to qualifying gold or cash capital, have a viable project or business requiring significant funding, and can operate within a structured 60–90 day compliance timeline. It is not suited to borrowers with urgent same-day funding requirements or those who cannot demonstrate clear ownership and source of the underlying gold asset.

 

Our Gold SKR Loan Programme: Key Terms at a Glance

We work with a specialist private wholesale lender that has been operating its lending programme since 2005 — nearly two decades of structured, repeat transactions across the globe. This is not a conventional bank, hedge fund, or retail lender. It is a private wholesale lending facility that offers terms and multiples you will simply not find elsewhere, specifically designed for projects and businesses that need significant capital and can position qualifying assets to access it.

Here is a summary of the core programme terms:

Gold SKR Loan Programme

Programme Term	Detail
Minimum Facility Size	€30 million
Maximum Facility Size	No upper limit (up to 3x your qualifying capital)
Loan Multiples	1x to 3x your Qualified Capital (QC) deposit
Minimum QC Deposit	€10 million (cash, Gold SKR, or approved crypto)
Interest Rate	SOFR + 4.5% (minimum total rate: 7.5% per annum)
Repayment Structure	Interest-only, paid quarterly. No amortisation.
Loan Term	48 months (4 years) from first disbursement
Disbursement Schedule	10 equal monthly tranches over 9–12 months
Early Repayment Penalty	None — repay any portion at any time
Closing / Loan Fee	5% of total facility, deducted from first disbursement
Personal Guarantees Required	No — secured against project/business assets only
Compliance Period	60–90 days from QC deposit to first disbursement
QC Deposit Tied Up For	Minimum 16 months from first disbursement
Gold SKR Accepted as QC?	Yes — discounted at 20% or more by monetising bank

 

All amounts are denominated in Euros (€) unless otherwise agreed. Sterling and UAE Dirham may also be accepted subject to confirmation.

 

Using a Gold Safe Keeping Receipt as Your Qualifying Capital

Within this programme, your Gold SKR can be used as your Qualifying Capital (QC) deposit — the asset that sits in place to support the credit facility that generates your loan. This is one of the programme’s most powerful features: if you hold gold in a top-tier vault, you do not need cash to access millions in project financing.

Gold SKR Requirements

For a Gold SKR to be accepted as Qualifying Capital, the following conditions must be met:

• The gold must be vaulted with a top-tier bank or an internationally recognised vaulting company (such as Brinks or G4S)
• The vault must be located in a reliable, politically stable banking jurisdiction
• The gold must be free and clear — no liens, pledges, or encumbrances of any kind
• The vaulter issues the SKR with our monetising partner as the named beneficiary
• The SKR is forwarded to the monetising bank, who verifies and holds it for the duration of the loan
• The SKR is returned to you upon full repayment or settlement of the loan
• Gold SKRs are accepted subject to a discount of 20% or more — your deposit must be “grossed up” to yield a minimum net value of €10M against which the loan multiple is calculated

 

What Does the 20% Discount Mean in Practice?

When a Gold SKR is used as QC, the monetising bank applies a discount to the value of the gold to account for liquidity and verification risk. This means that to qualify for the minimum €10M facility, your gold must have a verified value of approximately €12.5M or more before the discount is applied. The exact discount will be confirmed once your Proof of Funds has been assessed.

Gold SKR vs Cash as Your QC Deposit

Cash is always the preferred QC deposit and processes most quickly. A Gold SKR is the second-ranked option and is widely accepted, but takes slightly longer to structure because the monetising bank must verify and assess the gold. Crypto is the third option. If you have the ability to use cash rather than a Gold SKR, it will typically result in a faster timeline to first disbursement.

 

How the Gold SKR Loan Process Works: Step by Step

Step 1 — Submit Proof of Funds and Executive Summary

The process begins with you submitting a Proof of Funds (POF) confirming your qualifying capital is in place — in cash, Gold SKR, or approved crypto — along with a project or business executive summary of no more than seven pages. This should include a brief project description, financial model, use of funds table, and key personnel details.

Step 2 — Underwriting and Proposal

Our lending partner’s underwriters assess your application and prepare a customised Proposal. This outlines the loan multiple being offered, the acceptable deposit method at that time, and the specific steps you will need to follow. Every deal is assessed independently — the Proposal, and subsequently the Term Sheet, will govern your transaction.

Step 3 — Term Sheet Issued and Signed

Once your application is approved, a Term Sheet is issued. This is a non-binding summary of the indicative loan terms, but certain elements — including the legal document fee and compliance requirements — become binding upon signing. Term Sheets expire 30 days from issuance. All decision-makers must be engaged from this point forward.

Step 4 — Position Your Qualifying Capital

Once the Term Sheet is signed, you position your QC — whether cash, Gold SKR, or crypto — with the approved custodian. For Gold SKRs, the vaulter issues the receipt with the monetising entity as beneficiary. Your QC remains fully under your control at all times. The lending partner has no involvement in, or control over, your QC deposit.

Step 5 — 60–90 Day Compliance Period

From the date your QC is confirmed in position, the 60–90 day compliance clock begins. During this period, final loan agreements and the General Security Agreement (GSA) are drafted and executed. AML and KYC compliance is completed. The loan monitor is assigned. Note that compliance periods falling in June–September 15 (summer banking slowdown) or November 30–January 15 (Christmas holiday period) will not count towards the compliance timeline, so factor this into your planning.

Step 6 — First Disbursement and Monthly Drawdowns

Following the compliance period, your loan facility begins disbursement. The entire credit facility is typically released over 9–12 months in 10 equal monthly tranches to your designated account. Interest begins only on amounts actually disbursed — not on the full facility from day one. A third-party Loan Monitor oversees all disbursements to ensure your spending matches your submitted use of funds schedule.

 

Loan Multiples: How Much Can You Borrow Against Your Gold SKR?

Unlike conventional lenders who apply a simple Loan-to-Value ratio, this programme offers loan multiples of 1x to 3x your Qualified Capital deposit. This means the lending power of your gold can be significantly amplified — your gold SKR is not just securing a loan equal to its value, it is the foundation for a much larger credit facility.

 

Gold SKR Value (Net after discount)	Loan at 2x Multiple	Loan at 3x Multiple
€10,000,000	€20,000,000	€30,000,000
€15,000,000	€30,000,000	€45,000,000
€25,000,000	€50,000,000	€75,000,000
€50,000,000	€100,000,000	€150,000,000

 

The exact multiple offered will be confirmed in the Proposal following underwriting of your application. Multiples are determined by the quality of your QC, the nature of your business or project, and the lender’s current credit facility capacity.

 

Gold SKR Loan Fees and Costs: Full Transparency

One of the distinguishing features of this programme is that there are no upfront fees at the application stage — beyond certain legal and compliance costs that are clearly disclosed in advance. Here is a complete breakdown of what to expect:

Pre-Closing Fees

• Compliance Fee: €30,000 payable on submission of the full application package. This is refunded to you at the time of the first loan disbursement if the loan closes.
• Legal Document Fee: €50,000 (non-refundable), capped at 1% of the loan facility, payable upon signing the Term Sheet. This covers preparation of the Loan Agreement, GSA, and all related facility documents.
• VCC Commitment Fee (if applicable): €100,000 one-time fee if you elect to use a Singapore Variable Capital Company to hold your QC deposit.

 

Post-Closing Fees (Deducted from Loan Disbursements)

• Closing / Facility Fee: 5% of the total loan facility, deducted from the first disbursement.
• Annual Facility Management Fee: 1% to 2% per annum on the loan amount — covers ongoing administration and monitoring of the credit facility.
• Annual Independent Project Accreditation Fee: 1% to 2% per annum — covers loan performance audits, site inspections, and compliance monitoring.
• Monthly Loan Monitor Fee: €5,000 per month, assigned to an independent third-party monitor (such as PwC or equivalent) — deducted from monthly disbursements while the facility is active.
• Additional Annual Fee: Up to 3% of the outstanding facility for certain project types, payable quarterly.
• Compliance Officer / Board Director Fee: An annual fee may be payable if the lender designates a compliance officer or board member — amount to be agreed.

 

What You Will NOT Be Asked to Pay

You will never be asked to pay large upfront fees to the lender before your gold has been independently verified or before a formal custody agreement is signed. You will not be required to provide personal or corporate guarantees beyond the project assets themselves. And unlike retail lenders, you will not face an amortising repayment schedule — payments are interest-only, quarterly, for the duration of the loan term.

 

What Qualifies as a Gold Safe Keeping Receipt for This Programme?

Not all Gold SKRs are created equal. For a Gold SKR to be accepted as Qualifying Capital in this programme, it must meet specific standards that the lending partner’s monetising bank will enforce during due diligence.

• The gold must be vaulted with a Top Tier bank or a recognised professional vaulting company (e.g. Brinks, G4S) in a reliable banking jurisdiction
• The issuing vault or bank must be SWIFT-capable and verifiable through official regulatory registries
• The gold must be free and clear of all liens, pledges, or third-party claims
• The gold must be described with full detail: weight, purity (e.g. 999.9 fine), bar serial numbers, and date of deposit
• The SKR must be issued with the monetising bank named as beneficiary
• The gold owner must be able to demonstrate clear chain of ownership — purchase records, assay certificates, or import documentation as applicable
• KYC and AML compliance must be fully satisfied by all parties, including any third-party investors providing the gold as QC on the borrower’s behalf

 

How Your Gold SKR and QC Deposit Are Protected

A common question from borrowers considering this structure is: what happens to my gold during the loan? The answer is straightforward — and it is one of the programme’s most important features.

Your Gold Stays in the Vault

Your gold never moves. It remains in the same vault, under the same custodial arrangements, for the entire duration of the loan. The monetising bank holds the SKR as a document — not the gold itself. The gold’s physical location, condition, and your beneficial ownership remain unchanged throughout.

The Lender Has No Control Over Your QC

This is explicitly a non-depletion arrangement. The lending partner has no involvement in, access to, or control over your Qualifying Capital deposit at any point in the process. The QC deposit relationship is strictly between you and the regulated custodian — whether that is a licensed attorney’s trust account, a Tier 1 bank sub-account, a Singapore VCC, or the monetising bank holding your Gold SKR. This is a fundamental feature of how the programme is structured.

What Happens to Your Gold SKR at the End of the Loan?

Upon full repayment or settlement of the loan, the monetising bank returns the Gold SKR to you. Your gold is then fully unencumbered, and the custody arrangement reverts to whatever arrangement you had prior to the programme. The QC deposit can be requested for return after the later of 16 months from the first disbursement or full loan repayment.

What If You Default?

In the extreme worst-case scenario where the project or business has no recoverable value at the time of default, your QC deposit must remain in place for a maximum of 60 months before being returned to you. Because the lender pledges its own assets to back the credit facility, your QC is not the primary security against the loan — meaning it is not automatically seized in the event of default. The recoverable value of the funded project is assessed first, which in most cases significantly reduces the timeframe before QC is released.

 

Loan Repayment Options

At the end of the loan term, there are four ways to settle the facility:

• Standard Loan Repayment — repay outstanding principal plus any accrued interest at end of term.
• Short or Long-Term Mortgage — the lender can assist in arranging a mortgage to repay the facility if appropriate for the nature of the asset being funded.
• Equity or Debt-Equity Hybrid — subject to the lender’s election, the principal can be converted into equity in the borrowing entity at a pre-negotiated valuation. If not converted, the lender retains the right to exercise warrants to acquire approximately 20% of the equity of the borrower.
• Loan Term Extension — if you are not yet positioned to repay at the end of the initial 48-month term, an extension of up to a further 4 years may be negotiated by mutual agreement.

 

There are no early repayment penalties. You may repay any portion of the principal at any time after 16 months from first disbursement, without discount, premium, or penalty.

 

Gold SKR vs Cash vs Crypto as Qualifying Capital: Which Is Best?

 

Feature	Cash	Gold SKR	Crypto
Programme Preference	1st (preferred)	2nd	3rd
Speed of processing	Fastest	Slightly slower	Slowest
Discount applied?	None	20% or more	Varies
Bank acceptance	Always accepted	Usually accepted	Subject to appetite
Asset stays in your control?	Yes	Yes (gold in vault)	Yes (wallet locked)
Value locked at signing?	Yes	Yes	Yes (crypto price locked)

 

Gold SKR Loan Fraud: How to Protect Yourself

The Gold SKR lending space is disproportionately targeted by fraudsters. The combination of high asset values, complex documentation, and limited mainstream lender participation creates an environment where bad actors can operate. Protecting yourself starts with knowing the warning signs — and understanding that a well-structured legitimate programme will never require you to expose your gold to risk.

Red Flags to Watch For

• Large upfront fees demanded before your gold has been independently verified or a custody agreement signed
• The custodian or lender cannot be found in any official regulatory registry
• The SKR references gold in a location that cannot be physically confirmed or independently inspected
• You are promised guaranteed returns, access to trading programmes, or unrealistically high multiples
• The lender has no verifiable physical address, banking relationships, or regulatory standing
• You are pressured to act immediately or to keep the arrangement confidential from your own advisers
• The lender asks to take control of, or have access to, your QC deposit at any stage

 

How a Legitimate Gold SKR Loan Programme Operates

• Your QC deposit is always held by a fully regulated third party — a licensed attorney, Tier 1 bank, or approved custodian — never by the lender directly
• All fees and costs are disclosed in writing before you are asked to sign anything binding
• KYC and AML compliance is mandatory for all parties — not optional
• The lender pledges its own assets to back the credit facility, meaning your QC is not the primary security against default
• All transactions are bank to bank — there is no mechanism for unclean funds to enter the system

 

Is This Gold SKR Loan Programme Right for Your Project?

This is not a programme for every borrower — and that is by design. It is specifically structured for businesses and projects that meet the following criteria:

Ideal Borrower Profile

• You have a minimum of €10M in qualifying capital — whether cash, a Gold SKR from a top-tier vaulter, or approved cryptocurrency
• You have a viable business or project that requires €30M or more in financing
• You have a flexible timeline and can operate within a 60–90 day compliance process
• You are not under a hard deadline to receive funds in 30–45 days
• All decision-makers in your organisation are prepared to engage from the outset and follow the programme’s structured process
• You can demonstrate clean source of funds, clear gold ownership, and full KYC/AML compliance
• You are looking for interest-only repayments, no personal guarantees, and significantly lower rates than conventional lenders can offer

 

This Programme Is NOT Suitable If

• You need funding within a fixed short-term deadline
• Your gold is already pledged to another lender or carries any encumbrance
• You are unable or unwilling to follow a structured compliance process
• You cannot demonstrate verifiable, independent proof of your gold’s existence and ownership
• Your project is based in a politically sensitive jurisdiction or involves legally restricted activities

 

How to Apply: The Gold SKR Loan Application Process

The application process is straightforward for prepared borrowers. Here is what you will need to submit to get started:

Initial Pre-Approval Package

• Proof of Funds (POF) confirming your qualifying capital — for Gold SKRs, this means documentation of the gold in vault with weight, purity, and custodian details
• Project or business executive summary (maximum 7 pages) including: project description, financial/revenue model, use of funds table, and key personnel
• KYC documentation including passport copy and Know Your Client form for the authorised signatory
• If a third-party investor is providing the Gold SKR as QC, they must also provide KYC, passport, and Proof of Funds

 

Following Pre-Approval

Once pre-approval is confirmed, you will receive a Proposal outlining the loan multiple, acceptable deposit methods, and steps to follow. Upon acceptance, the full application package is submitted, the Compliance Fee is paid, and a Term Sheet is issued. From there, you position your Gold SKR with the monetising custodian, and the compliance clock begins.

There are no costs or obligations until you have decided to proceed and are satisfied with the terms presented to you. You will never be asked to do anything with your Gold SKR or QC until you have received full, satisfactory disclosure.

Ready to Explore a Gold Safe Keeping Receipt Loan for Your Project?

If you hold qualifying gold in a top-tier vault and have a project or business that requires substantial funding, a Gold SKR loan could be the most cost-effective and capital-efficient solution available to you — giving you access to a loan multiple of up to 3x your gold’s value, at interest rates and on terms that no conventional bank will match.

The key to accessing this structure is working with specialists who understand both the Gold SKR landscape and the private wholesale lending framework behind it. We work directly with the lending programme described in this guide and can walk you through the entire process — from assessing whether your Gold SKR qualifies, to submitting your pre-approval package, to receiving your first disbursement.

Get in touch today to discuss your project and find out how your gold can start working harder for you.

Gold Safe Keeping Receipt Loans — Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about borrowing against your gold without selling it.

FAQ: Can I get a loan against a Gold SKR without selling my gold?

Yes. That is the primary purpose of this structure. Your gold remains in secure custody throughout the loan term and is returned fully unencumbered on repayment.

FAQ: How long does a Gold SKR loan take to arrange?

From the point your QC is confirmed in position, you are typically looking at 60–90 days to first disbursement. Be aware that this timeline excludes banking slowdown periods (June 1–September 15 and November 30–January 15), which do not count towards the compliance period.

FAQ: What happens to my gold if I cannot repay the loan?

In the event of default, the recoverable value of the funded project or business is assessed first. Your gold SKR remains in the custodian’s hands while this assessment is completed — up to a maximum of 60 months in the worst-case scenario. Because the lender pledges its own assets to back the credit facility, your gold is not the first recourse in a default situation.

FAQ: Can my investor provide the Gold SKR as QC on my behalf?

Yes. A third party can provide the Gold SKR as your Qualifying Capital, provided they also submit KYC documentation and Proof of Funds, and are prepared to follow the programme’s compliance procedures. Additional agreements between the borrower, the investor, and the lender may be required.

FAQ: Can I use borrowed money as my QC deposit?

No. The QC deposit must represent genuine capital that you or your investor controls. Funds borrowed from this or any other lending programme cannot be recycled back in as QC.

FAQ: Is there a penalty for repaying the loan early?

No. You can repay any portion of the principal at any time after 16 months from first disbursement, without penalty or premium.

FAQ: What currencies are accepted?

Euros (€) and Sterling (£) are the primary accepted currencies. UAE Dirham may also be available subject to confirmation. All facility amounts are denominated in Euros unless otherwise agreed.

FAQ: Can I really borrow money against my gold without selling it?

Yes — and this is precisely what a Gold Safe Keeping Receipt (Gold SKR) loan is designed to do. Your gold remains in secure custody with a top-tier vault or bank for the entire duration of the loan. You do not sell it, transfer ownership, or physically move it. Instead, the vault issues a Gold SKR — an official document confirming the gold’s existence, purity, and custodial arrangement — which is used as the foundation for a structured loan facility.

Through our specialist private lending programme, gold holders can access loan facilities of up to 3x the net value of their custodied gold, at interest rates and on terms that conventional banks simply do not offer. Your gold stays untouched. Your ownership remains intact. And when the loan is repaid, the SKR is returned to you and the gold is fully unencumbered once again.

FAQ: How much can I borrow against my Gold SKR?

The amount you can borrow depends on two factors: the independently verified net value of your gold after any applicable discount, and the loan multiple your application is approved for.

Our lending programme offers loan multiples of 1x to 3x your Qualified Capital (QC) deposit. The minimum facility size is €30 million, which requires a minimum QC deposit of €10 million in net verified value. There is no upper limit on borrowing, provided it does not exceed 3x your QC.

When a Gold SKR is used as QC, the monetising bank applies a discount of 20% or more to the gold’s value to account for verification and liquidity. This means your gold needs to have a verified value of approximately €12.5 million or more to meet the €10 million net minimum. The exact discount and multiple offered will be confirmed following underwriting of your application.

FAQ: What type of gold qualifies for a Gold SKR loan?

For a Gold SKR to be accepted as Qualifying Capital in our lending programme, the gold must meet the following standards:

• Vaulted with a top-tier bank or a recognised professional vaulting company such as Brinks or G4S, in a reliable and politically stable banking jurisdiction
• Free and clear of all liens, pledges, charges, or third-party claims — no other lender can have a claim against the gold
• Fully documented with weight, purity (e.g. 999.9 fine gold bullion), bar serial numbers, and date of deposit
• The issuing vault or bank must be SWIFT-capable and independently verifiable
• The gold owner must be able to demonstrate a clear chain of ownership — purchase invoices, assay certificates, or import documentation as applicable
• The SKR must be issued with the monetising bank named as beneficiary

Gold jewellery, unrefined gold, or gold held in non-regulated storage does not qualify. The programme is specifically designed for institutional-grade gold bullion holdings.

FAQ: What interest rate will I pay on a Gold SKR loan?

The standard interest rate on our lending programme is SOFR (Secured Overnight Financing Rate) plus 4.5% per annum. Regardless of how low SOFR moves, the total interest rate will never fall below 7.5% per annum — this floor is a fixed feature of the programme.

Interest payments are interest-only and are paid quarterly on the outstanding drawn balance. Crucially, you are only charged interest on the amounts actually disbursed to you from the credit facility — not on the total facility from day one. This means if you are drawing down in monthly tranches over 9–12 months, your interest cost builds gradually rather than being charged on the full amount from the outset.

For context, these rates are significantly lower than what most alternative lenders, hard money lenders, or private equity sources would charge for a facility of this nature, particularly given that no personal guarantees are required.

FAQ: What fees are involved in a Gold SKR loan?

Transparency on fees is a core feature of this programme. Here is a complete breakdown of what to expect:

Before the loan closes:

• Compliance Fee: €30,000 on submission of your full application package — refunded to you at first disbursement if the loan closes
• Legal Document Fee: €50,000 (non-refundable), capped at 1% of the facility, payable upon signing the Term Sheet

After the loan closes (deducted from disbursements):

• Closing / Facility Fee: 5% of the total loan facility, deducted from the first disbursement
• Annual Facility Management Fee: 1%–2% per annum on the loan amount
• Annual Independent Project Accreditation Fee: 1%–2% per annum
• Monthly Loan Monitor Fee: €5,000 per month (third-party monitor such as PwC or equivalent)
• Additional annual fee: up to 3% of the outstanding facility for certain project types

There are no upfront fees payable to the lender at the application stage. You will never be asked to pay large sums before your gold has been verified or a formal agreement signed.

FAQ: How long does it take to receive the loan funds?

From the point your Gold SKR is confirmed in position with the custodian, you are typically looking at 60–90 days to the first disbursement. This is the compliance and documentation period during which the loan agreements, General Security Agreement (GSA), and all related facility documents are finalised.

Once disbursements begin, the full credit facility is released over 9–12 months in 10 equal monthly tranches. The final disbursement schedule is determined by the lender’s risk department and insurer based on your project’s profile and drawdown schedule.

There are two periods in the year when banking processing slows significantly and do not count towards the compliance timeline:

• June 1 – September 15 (summer banking holidays)
• November 30 – January 15 (Christmas holiday period)

If your application falls within these windows, plan accordingly. Submitting before these periods puts you at the front of the processing queue when normal operations resume.

FAQ: Is my gold at risk during the loan period?

No. Your gold is never at risk. This is one of the most important features of the programme and is worth understanding clearly.

Your gold remains in the same vault, with the same custodian, for the entire duration of the loan. The lender receives the Gold SKR document — not the gold itself. The lender has no access to, control over, or involvement in your Qualifying Capital deposit at any stage of the process.

The QC deposit relationship is strictly between you and the regulated custodian — whether that is a Tier 1 bank, a licensed attorney’s trust account, or a Singapore Variable Capital Company. This is a non-depletion arrangement, meaning the gold cannot be drawn down, sold, or transferred by any party other than you.

Additionally, the lender pledges its own assets to back the credit facility. This means that even in a default scenario, your gold is not the primary security against the loan — the recoverable value of the funded project is assessed first. In the absolute worst-case scenario, your QC remains in place for a maximum of 60 months before being returned to you in full.

FAQ: Do I need to provide personal guarantees to get a Gold SKR loan?

No — and this is one of the most significant advantages of this programme over conventional lending.

The credit facility is secured against the assets of the business or project being funded, plus the lender’s own assets pledged to the credit line. You will not be asked to attach personal assets, personal property, or personal financial guarantees to the loan. Corporate guarantees and a first-ranking General Security Agreement (GSA) over the project or business assets are required, but individual owners and directors are not personally on the hook.

The one exception is if the borrowing entity is structured as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), in which case the lender’s security interest will also include the ownership interests in that SPV. Your legal counsel should review all security arrangements before signing.

FAQ: Can an investor provide the Gold SKR on my behalf as the borrower?

Yes. A third-party investor can provide the Gold SKR as the Qualifying Capital deposit on behalf of the borrower. This is a recognised structure within the programme — many projects are funded where the borrower has the business or project but the QC is provided by a separate investor or capital partner.

However, the third-party investor must meet the same compliance requirements as the borrower:

• They must submit their own KYC documentation, passport, and Proof of Funds
• They must clear AML and compliance checks independently
• They must sign agreements with the borrower and/or the lender to formalise their role and ensure there are no misunderstandings about how and when their QC is returned
• Additional legal costs may apply to document the three-party arrangement

If you have an investor willing to provide gold as QC but need help structuring this arrangement correctly, we can guide you through the process from the outset.

FAQ: How do I know this is a legitimate lending programme and not a scam?

This is the right question to ask — and the fact that you’re asking it is a good sign. The Gold SKR lending space has a well-documented fraud problem, and due diligence is non-negotiable.

Here is how a legitimate programme distinguishes itself from fraudulent operations:

Hallmarks of this legitimate programme:

• No large upfront fees — the €30,000 compliance fee is the only pre-approval cost, and it is refunded if the loan closes
• The lender never takes possession of or control over your gold or QC deposit at any stage
• All QC deposits are held by fully regulated, independently verifiable third parties — licensed attorneys, Tier 1 banks, or approved custodians
• The programme has been operating continuously since 2005 with nearly two decades of repeat institutional clients
• The lender is registered and domiciled in regulated jurisdictions (Cayman Islands, UAE, and Hong Kong) and operates as a controlling affiliate of a DIFC-licensed entity
• All transactions are strictly bank-to-bank, meaning AML clearance occurs at every stage through regulated financial institutions
• Full fee disclosure is provided in writing before you sign anything binding
• No guaranteed returns, no promises of trading programme access, and no pressure to act immediately

What you should always do before proceeding with any Gold SKR loan:

• Have independent legal counsel review all documentation before signing
• Verify the custodian’s regulatory status through official registries independently
• Never transfer funds or move your gold based on verbal promises alone
• Ensure all fees and costs are disclosed in writing before any binding commitment is made

We are happy to answer any due diligence questions you have before you proceed. Transparency is a non-negotiable part of how we operate.

Have a question not answered here?

Get in touch with our team and we will provide a clear, direct answer before you take any next steps. There are no costs or obligations at the enquiry stage