Bridgement

Who qualifies for a Bridgement business loan?

Bridgement’s application FAQs specify a South African company or close corporation, monthly turnover of at least R80,000 and more than six months of trading. Its application guide describes the trading requirement as six months or more.

Turnover discrepancy: Other answers on the same official FAQ page refer to annual revenue above R500,000. These thresholds are not equivalent, and no effective dates resolve the difference. Obtain confirmation before relying on the lower figure.

Expect to provide banking or accounting data for assessment. Bridgement says a business plan, budget, financial forecast and VAT registration are not required. Its paperless process still involves financial checks: the privacy policy permits information collection from banks and credit bureaux, while the website terms cover credit-information sharing.

Meeting entry criteria does not establish affordability or approval. Check that repayments leave enough cash for wages, tax, suppliers and existing debt, including during slower months.

When Bridgement may suit your business

This product is most relevant when an established business needs a defined amount for stock, equipment or a project with a credible repayment source. The useful comparison is whether the expected benefit exceeds the full finance cost while leaving adequate working capital.

Reconsider borrowing to cover recurring losses or a project whose receipts may arrive after repayments begin. Bridgement’s FAQs exclude start-up funding, finance to buy a business, NPOs/PBOs and trusts.

Compare other business funding options for the same amount and repayment period. An overdraft or line of credit may suit recurring shortfalls; invoice finance may suit unpaid customer invoices; asset finance may better match equipment with a long working life.

How the Bridgement application works

Application, assessment and withdrawal

Start through Bridgement’s official application portal. Provide the requested business details and financial information. Its application guide describes sharing bank statements or banking/accounting data so it can assess trading history and determine a limit.

If approved, use the dashboard to choose the amount and available repayment term. Review the finance charge and agreement before accepting a withdrawal. Facility approval does not oblige you to borrow the full available amount.

How long does approval and payment take?

Bridgement advertises a short online application and decisions within 24 hours. Its business loan page says funds usually reach the bank account within an hour of an approved dashboard withdrawal. Treat these as advertised timings, subject to completed checks and payment processing, rather than a deadline on which to commit spending.

Repayment support

If a repayment may be missed, contact Bridgement before it falls due on 087 551 0513 or info@bridgement.com. Request any revised arrangement in writing. Its contact page also provides live chat and callback options.

Questions to ask before accepting an offer

• How much will reach the business account, what is the total repayment, and when is each instalment due?
• What annualised cost corresponds to the quoted charge and actual repayment dates?
• Must any director sign surety, and what are its liability limit and release conditions?
• Is insurance required? If so, what are the premium, exclusions and conditions for using alternative cover?
• How is an early-settlement discount calculated, and what charges or recovery steps apply after a missed payment?

Bridgement advantages and limitations

Advantages

• Cost known before withdrawal: A fixed finance charge supports cash-flow planning.
• No advertised standing facility fee: Keeping an unused approved facility available does not carry an ongoing account charge.
• Early-settlement savings: Bridgement advertises discounts on outstanding finance costs without a prepayment penalty.

Limitations

• Personalised pricing: Simple fee presentation does not establish that an offer is cheaper than alternatives.
• Possible personal exposure: Directors’ surety may be required despite the absence of collateral.
• Inconsistent eligibility wording: Published turnover thresholds need clarification.
• Cash-flow pressure: Repaying capital over a relatively short period can absorb a substantial share of available cash.

Bridgement interest, fees and total repayment

The official pricing page describes one fixed finance charge per withdrawal. It states that additional interest, upfront application, legal, raising or initiation fees, and ongoing account or facility fees are not charged. These ordinary pricing disclosures should not be read as confirmation that default or recovery costs cannot apply.

Your quote determines the actual charge. Compare cash received, total repayment and payment dates; a percentage charged on the original advance is not directly comparable with an annual rate applied to a reducing balance.

The reviewed material did not establish offer-specific insurance premiums or exclusions, or a schedule of default charges. Obtain those terms before accepting. For early repayment, request a dated settlement figure showing the discount.

Illustration: translating a fixed charge into repayments

Illustration only, not Bridgement pricing: Assume R100,000 is received in full, an agreed finance charge of R8,000 applies, and repayment is spread across six equal monthly instalments. With no other charges, total repayment would be R108,000, or R18,000 per month. The R8,000 charge equals 8% of the original advance over the whole term; it is not an 8% APR. This illustration excludes insurance, default costs and early-settlement adjustments.

Is a Bridgement business loan worth considering?

Bridgement’s strongest feature is the ability to assess a fixed borrowing cost before drawing funds, with potential savings for early settlement. Its main limitation is quote-dependent pricing. Compare the actual repayment schedule with another offer and test whether the business can pay on time if customer receipts are delayed. Directors should assess any surety separately from the company’s repayment budget.

Bridgement business loan FAQs

How do Bridgement’s costs compare with a bank business loan?

Bridgement’s pricing page advertises rates from 1.7% per month and describes a fixed finance charge per withdrawal. This is a starting monthly rate, not an APR or a personalised offer. Compare the cash received, total repayment and instalment dates with a bank quotation for the same amount and term. A fixed charge calculated against the advance cannot be compared directly with an annual interest rate charged on a reducing balance. Bridgement advertises no application or ongoing facility fees, including when an approved facility is unused.

Can sole traders apply, and what turnover does Bridgement require?

The detailed criteria specify a South African company or close corporation, more than six months of trading and monthly turnover of at least R80,000. Sole-trader eligibility is not confirmed. Elsewhere, its FAQs refer to annual revenue above R500,000, which is a different threshold. Businesses between these figures should obtain written clarification before treating Bridgement as an available option. Meeting a turnover threshold does not establish the amount you can borrow.

Can Bridgement fund a start-up, business purchase or new tender?

Bridgement excludes funding to start or buy a business, including a new venture with a tender or purchase order. An established business seeking finance for a new project is a different case, subject to assessment. When comparing business finance providers, distinguish lenders that finance an existing trading operation from those that accept pre-revenue businesses or business acquisitions.

What replaces a business plan in Bridgement’s assessment?

Bridgement says a business plan, budget and financial forecast are not required; its application uses access to banking or accounting data instead. The practical difference is how you demonstrate trading performance, rather than an absence of financial scrutiny. Its privacy policy also covers ongoing eligibility monitoring. Before connecting accounts, check the scope of access and how customer or director information will be handled.

Can I qualify if another lender declined my business?

A previous rejection does not establish what Bridgement will decide, but its public disclosures do not promise acceptance of adverse credit. Its website terms authorise credit-bureau enquiries and reporting, including payment and default information. Ask whether the reason for the earlier rejection—such as arrears, a judgment or insufficient trading history—affects eligibility before making another application.

Does Bridgement’s no-collateral approach protect directors from personal liability?

Not necessarily. Bridgement’s June 2026 explanation says it does not require collateral but may require surety from one or more directors. No pledged asset does not mean no personal repayment obligation. Compare the surety alongside the price: ask whether liability is capped, whether it covers future withdrawals, and what must happen before the director is released.

Does approval within 24 hours mean I will receive the money that day?

Approval and payment are separate stages. Bridgement advertises decisions within 24 hours; an approved applicant then chooses a withdrawal amount and repayment term and accepts the quoted charge. Its business loan page says funds usually arrive within an hour of a dashboard request. These are advertised timings, subject to assessment and payment processing. For a time-sensitive purchase, establish whether a competing lender’s quoted turnaround means a decision, funds released or cleared money in your account.

How much could I save by settling a Bridgement loan early?

Bridgement advertises no early-settlement penalty and a proportionate discount on the outstanding finance charge. The actual saving requires a settlement quotation; it is not simply the number of remaining instalments multiplied by a monthly rate. Compare the settlement amount with the scheduled repayments still outstanding. If customer receipts may arrive early, ask for settlement figures at likely repayment dates and confirm whether partial extra payments also reduce the charge.

What if I dispute a charge or cannot meet a repayment?

For payment difficulties, contact Bridgement before the due date and request any arrangement in writing. For a formal complaint, email complaints@bridgement.com or call 087 551 0513. Its complaints procedure targets resolution within five business days, with a final response within six weeks where unresolved, and allows escalation to management. Ask explicitly whether repayments or recovery action will change during the dispute; submitting a complaint does not itself confirm a payment arrangement.