Terms of Service

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Stonebridge Financial Ltd. website, mobile application, and related services (collectively, "Services"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms") and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, you must not use our Services. Stonebridge is a registered micro-lending institution operating under the Industry & Providence Act (Jamaica) and supervised by the Department of Cooperative & Friendly Societies (DCFS). These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you ("Member", "Borrower", "Investor", "User") and Stonebridge Financial Ltd.

2. Eligibility & Account Registration

To use Stonebridge Services, you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age and legally capable of entering into contracts under Jamaican law.
• Provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration (including full legal name, valid email, physical address, TRN/NIDS, and contact details).
• Complete our Know Your Customer (KYC) and identity verification process, which may include government-issued ID, proof of address, and biometric verification.
• Maintain the confidentiality of your login credentials and accept responsibility for all activities under your account.
• Notify Stonebridge immediately of any unauthorized access or security breach.

3. Loan Products & Credit Services

3.1 Loan Application & Approval

Stonebridge offers personal loans, business loans, mortgage solutions, and emergency micro-lending. All loan applications are subject to credit assessment, underwriting criteria, and affordability checks. Approval is not guaranteed. We utilize automated decision-making systems combined with manual review. Interest rates (APR) range from 5.99% to 24.99% depending on loan type, term, credit history, and collateral (if any). Final terms will be disclosed in your loan agreement.

3.2 Disbursement & Repayment

Approved loans are disbursed directly to your Stonebridge digital wallet or nominated bank account within 1–3 business days. Repayments are due on scheduled dates via direct debit, card payment (Visa/Mastercard), or bank transfer. Late payments incur penalties as specified in your loan contract (up to 5% late fee + accrued interest). Default may lead to credit bureau reporting, collection actions, and legal proceedings under Jamaican law.

3.3 Prepayment & Early Settlement

You may prepay your loan in full or partially at any time without penalty unless otherwise stated in your agreement. Interest will be recalculated on the outstanding principal balance.

4. Partna Plans (Partnership Savings)

"Partna Plans" are group-based or individual savings products designed for families, couples, and business partners. By joining a Partna Plan, you agree to:

• Make regular contributions as per the selected plan (Stonebridge Plan or Custom Group Plan).
• Understand that Partna Plans carry administrative fees (ranging from 1% to 4.99% depending on plan type).
• Withdrawals before maturity may be subject to restrictions or early termination fees.
• Stonebridge acts as plan administrator and does not guarantee fixed returns—returns depend on pooled investment performance.
• All Partna funds are held in segregated accounts and protected by BCIC Jamaica deposit insurance up to applicable limits.

5. Investment Accounts & Real Estate Offerings

Stonebridge provides investment opportunities including Real Estate syndications, Fixed Deposits, and Wallet Invest. By investing, you acknowledge:

• Investments carry inherent risks; past performance does not guarantee future returns.
• Real estate investments are subject to market fluctuations, liquidity constraints, and potential delays in capital appreciation.
• Minimum investment amounts and lock-in periods apply as disclosed in each offering.
• Stonebridge does not offer financial advice; you are responsible for conducting your own due diligence.
• Returns (ROI) are estimates; actual returns may vary based on economic conditions.

6. Digital Wallet & Card Payments

Your Stonebridge digital wallet allows you to receive loan disbursements, hold funds, make repayments, and load gift cards. You agree that:

• Wallet balances are not interest-bearing unless specifically designated as "Wallet Invest".
• Card payments (Visa/Mastercard) are processed through PCI-DSS compliant gateways. Stonebridge is not liable for third-party payment processor errors.
• You authorize Stonebridge to initiate debits/credits to your linked bank account or card for loan repayments and fees.
• Any suspicious transaction may be frozen pending investigation.

7. Fees & Charges

Stonebridge may charge the following fees (non-exhaustive):

• Loan Processing Fee: 1% – 3% of principal (deducted at disbursement).
• Late Payment Fee: 5% of overdue amount or $1000 JMD, whichever is greater.
• Partna Plan Administration Fee: As specified in plan agreement (1% – 5% of contributions).
• Investment Management Fee: Up to 2% per annum for managed portfolios.

All fees are disclosed before you confirm any transaction. Stonebridge reserves the right to modify fees with 30 days' notice via email or website announcement.

8. Prohibited Activities & User Conduct

You agree NOT to:

• Use Stonebridge Services for any illegal purpose, money laundering, fraud, or terrorist financing.
• Provide false or misleading information during KYC or loan applications.
• Attempt to circumvent security measures, reverse-engineer our platform, or introduce malware.
• Harass Stonebridge employees or other users via chat, email, or social media.
• Use automated bots to scrape data or submit multiple applications.

Violation may result in immediate account termination, forfeiture of funds (where legally permissible), and reporting to Jamaican authorities.

9. Default & Collection Practices

If you default on any loan or fail to meet repayment obligations, Stonebridge may:

• Report delinquency to credit bureaus (CRIF Jamaica, etc.) affecting your credit score.
• Charge additional interest and late fees as per your loan agreement.
• Engage a third-party collection agency or legal counsel to recover outstanding amounts.
• Offset any balances in your Stonebridge wallet or investment accounts against the debt.
• Pursue legal action in Jamaican courts to obtain judgment and garnishment orders.

10. Intellectual Property

All content on Stonebridge platforms (logos, trademarks, text, graphics, software, and the "Stonebridge" name) are owned by Stonebridge Financial Ltd. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without our express written consent. Unauthorized use may lead to legal action.

11. Limitation of Liability & Disclaimer

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW: Stonebridge and its directors, employees, and partners shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of Services, including loss of profits, data, or goodwill. Our total aggregate liability shall not exceed the amount of fees paid by you to Stonebridge in the preceding 6 months. Stonebridge provides Services "AS IS" without warranties of uninterrupted access, error-free operation, or fitness for a particular purpose. We do not guarantee loan approval or specific investment returns.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold Stonebridge harmless from any claims, losses, damages, liabilities, including legal fees, arising out of your breach of these Terms, misuse of Services, or violation of any law or third-party rights.

13. Termination & Suspension

Stonebridge may suspend or terminate your account at any time for violation of these Terms, fraudulent activity, or as required by law. You may close your account by contacting support, provided all outstanding loans and fees are settled. After termination, we will retain data as required by regulatory retention policies (minimum 7 years for financial records).

14. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Jamaica. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or Stonebridge Services shall first be attempted to be resolved through good-faith negotiation. If unresolved, the dispute shall be submitted to binding arbitration in Montego Bay, Jamaica, under the Arbitration Act of Jamaica, or at Stonebridge's option, to the competent courts of St. James, Jamaica. You waive any right to participate in a class action against Stonebridge.

15. Amendments to Terms

Stonebridge reserves the right to modify these Terms at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email or prominent notice on our website at least 30 days in advance. Continued use of Services after the effective date constitutes acceptance of revised Terms. It is your responsibility to review this page periodically.

16. Electronic Communications & Consent

By using Stonebridge, you consent to receive electronic communications (emails, SMS, in-app notifications) regarding your account, loan status, investment updates, and marketing offers (opt-out available). Electronic documents have the same legal effect as physical copies.

17. Contact Information

For questions about these Terms, please contact our Legal Department:

Stonebridge Financial Ltd.
Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica W.I.
Email: legal@stonebridgefinancialltd.com
Phone: (876) 276-4640
Operating Hours: Mon-Fri 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST