RISK WARNING

All persons who register as members on the Qardus Website should read the following warnings carefully before deciding to make any investment. All investment products carry risks. The information provided on individual investment opportunities will cover risks specific to each. You should note that the risks described below are not intended to be exhaustive. You should carefully familiarise yourself with each of the risks associated with any particular investment and properly assess whether investing is appropriate in your own circumstances.

Please bear in mind the following general risks involved when investing through the Qardus Website:

YOUR PERSONAL DECISION TO INVEST

A decision to invest in an offer on the Qardus website is a personal decision by you and no responsibility for the consequences of that decision is accepted by either Qardus or ShareIn or by any of its partners, directors, agents, employees or other members. To invest through this Website you need to understand the following important risks.

YOU ARE NOT COVERED BY THE FINANCIAL SERVICES COMPENSATION SCHEME

When your capital is invested it is not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the event that the SME is unable to make the anticipated returns to its investors. Before it is invested or once the proceeds of investments are returned, your money will be held by the ShareIn in a client account and subject to separate protections under the FCA Rules applicable to credit institutions and banks.

PROVIDING FINANCE TO SME COMPANIES AND LIQUIDITY

When you invest through the Qardus Website you are investing in a bond issued by an SME to fund its business operations. Investors in these bonds can lose 100% of the money they invest, as SME businesses can fail. Advertised rates of return aren’t guaranteed. If the underlying SME company does not pay back as agreed, you could receive less money than expected. If the SME business related to the offer you invest in does not meet its targets, it may not be able to pay on the scheduled dates. You may find that you do not have access to your funds until later than expected or you may be paid less than expected. The platform does not offer a secondary market. While another investor may be interested in buying your investment, there is no guarantee you will find a buyer at the price you are willing to sell. 

DIVERSIFY YOUR PORTFOLIO

You should not invest in the securities offered on the Qardus Website unless you fully understand the risks and potential consequences, including the potential of losing all of your principal investment amount, you are prepared to take such risks and you are able to bear the consequences. Loss of capital is one of the most significant risks that you should consider when entering into an investment agreement with an SME company. You should carefully consider whether investment is suitable for you in light of your knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, investment objectives, financial means and the risks that you are prepared to take and the losses you are able to absorb. You should also only make an investment in these securities as part of a well-diversified portfolio. Putting all your money into a single business or type of investment for example, is risky. Spreading your money across different investments make you less dependent on any one to do well.

TAX

Qardus and ShareIn recommend that you take your own tax advice on any investments which you make via the Qardus Website. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have paid any and all taxes due in relation to any investment that you make through Qardus.

RECOMMENDATION

Neither Qardus nor ShareIn provide advice or make personal recommendations. If you are in any doubt about the action you should take or the details of any particular investment opportunity featured on the Qardus website, you should seek advice from an independent financial advisor authorised under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000.

PAST PERFORMANCE

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance. You should not rely on any past performance as a guarantee of future investment performance.