Someone in your life wants to help.
You've been invited to a FriendlyBank Circle — a way to receive financial support with dignity, clarity, and respect.
The person who invited you chose this structure so that money doesn't complicate your relationship. If you ever need help, there's now a dignified way to ask.
What it means to be in someone's Circle.
Being invited to a FriendlyBank Circle doesn't obligate you to anything. It simply means someone has made you eligible to request support if you ever need it.
An invitation, not a commitment
You can be in someone's Circle without ever making a request. The invitation is an offer of availability—nothing more.
If life brings a moment where financial support would help, you'll have a dignified way to ask.
A real commitment, clearly defined
If your request is approved, you'll have a real commitment with clear terms, a repayment schedule, and proper documentation.
It's structured support that respects both parties.
Protection for both of you
The person who invited you chose FriendlyBank because they want to help without complicating your relationship. The structure exists to keep money from becoming awkward.
You won't owe them in the social sense. You'll have a clear financial arrangement that exists separately from your personal relationship.
How it works.
Here's what the process looks like if you ever need to request support.
Accept your invitation.
Create your FriendlyBank account and verify your identity. You can do this now or whenever you're ready — the invitation doesn't expire.
Request support if you need it.
If a time comes when help would make a difference, submit a request. You'll share the amount, the purpose, and a realistic repayment timeline.
FriendlyBank prepares an analysis; your Patron makes the decision.
Receive a response.
If approved, you'll see clear terms and sign a commitment agreement. Funds arrive in your account.
If declined, you'll receive a respectful response — the structure is designed to make "no" less awkward.
Repay through FriendlyBank.
Payments go to FriendlyBank, not to the person who helped you. If you ever have difficulty, contact us directly — we can discuss options.
When the commitment is repaid, we close it out and confirm with everyone. The help you provided remains. The structure disappears.
Everything goes through FriendlyBank.
This is important to understand: Someone who cares about you made this loan possible. But from here forward, everything goes through FriendlyBank—the paperwork, the payments, any questions you have.
Your experience is with FriendlyBank
Every interaction—documentation, payments, questions, any issues—goes through us, not the person who helped you.
All communication comes from us
Payment reminders, confirmations, and questions are handled by FriendlyBank. The person who invited you doesn't send reminders, track payments, or follow up if something is late.
If you have difficulty
Life happens. If you're ever struggling to make a payment, you contact FriendlyBank—not the person who helped you. We can discuss options like adjusted payment dates or modified terms.
The relationship stays intact
The whole point is to keep money from complicating your personal relationship. They made the decision to help; the operational relationship is between you and FriendlyBank.
At the next family gathering, you're not "the one who owes them money." You're their nephew, friend, or sister. The financial arrangement exists separately — with FriendlyBank as servicer.
If you need to make a request.
Requesting support is straightforward.
You don't need to prove worthiness.
This isn't a traditional loan application where you're trying to convince a committee. The Patron already decided you're someone they want to be able to help. Your request is about logistics—how much, for what, on what timeline—not about proving you deserve support.
When you submit a request
A clear amount that would make a difference.
Just a few sentences. You don't need to justify yourself in detail.
So we can recommend appropriate terms.
When you could begin repaying and how long you would need.
How your request is handled
FriendlyBank prepares a recommendation and summary for the Patron.
They see a summary — not your raw financial data.
The Patron decides whether to approve, counter, or decline.
If your request is approved.
When a Patron approves your request, here's what happens next.
You'll see your terms
The exact amount approved, which may match your request or be adjusted by the Patron.
Interest rate: clearly shown before you agree. Rates are set by your Patron and comply with IRS requirements.
Repayment schedule with monthly payments, duration, and total repayment amount — all clearly shown before you agree.
You'll sign the agreement
FriendlyBank prepares the commitment documentation. You'll review and sign electronically.
The agreement names your Patron as lender; FriendlyBank services it. It's a real, enforceable loan—not an informal promise.
Take time to read it. Ask questions if anything is unclear.
You'll receive funds
Once the agreement is signed, funds transfer to your designated bank account. You'll receive confirmation when the transfer completes.
You can always decline.
If the approved terms don't work for you—the amount is less than you needed, or the repayment schedule is too aggressive—you can decline. Declining isn't awkward. You simply indicate that the terms don't work, and the request is closed. No hard feelings. No damage to the relationship.
Making your payments.
Repayment is straightforward — and if you ever have difficulty, there are options.
Payments to FriendlyBank
Payments go to FriendlyBank — not to the person who helped you. You'll have a simple dashboard showing your schedule, history, and remaining balance. Automatic payments are available if you prefer.
If life gets complicated
If you're struggling to make a payment, contact FriendlyBank directly — don't wait until you've missed a payment.
We can often find a solution: adjusted dates, modified terms, or other arrangements.
The Patron is notified only if a payment is significantly late, and they're never involved in follow-up communication.
What stays private.
Your Patron doesn't see everything. Here's what they know and what stays between you and FriendlyBank.
What your Patron sees
- That you're in their Circle
- If you've submitted a request (and the basic details)
- FriendlyBank's recommendation summary
- Whether you accepted or declined approved terms
- Your payment status (on track, late, completed)
What stays between you and FriendlyBank
- Your detailed financial information
- Your specific income, debts, or financial struggles
- Your complete payment history detail
- Any conversations you have with FriendlyBank support
- Details of any difficulty or restructuring discussions
Why this matters
Privacy isn't about hiding things—it's about preserving your dignity and the health of the relationship. The Patron has chosen to help; they don't need to audit your situation. This structure lets you receive support without feeling like your finances are being monitored by a loved one.
Questions you might have.
Answers to what Circle members most often wonder about.
No. Being invited doesn't obligate you to anything. You can ignore the invitation, accept it without ever making a request, or accept and request support later. There's no expectation.
That's perfectly fine. Many Circle members are invited just in case. The Patron wants you to have the option—using it is entirely up to you.
Yes. They'll be notified that you've submitted a request and will see FriendlyBank's analysis and recommendation. The decision to approve or decline is theirs. This is how FriendlyBank works—it's their Circle.
A decline is handled respectfully through FriendlyBank. You'll receive a response that doesn't require an awkward conversation. The structure is designed to make “no” less painful than asking directly.
Yes. If approved, you'll sign a real loan agreement naming your Patron as lender and FriendlyBank as servicer. You're legally obligated to repay according to the terms. This isn't a gift—it's structured lending.
FriendlyBank does not report to credit bureaus. Your commitment names your Patron as lender and is serviced by FriendlyBank, and timely payments won't help (or hurt) your credit score.
You'll receive confirmation that your commitment is complete. The record stays in your FriendlyBank history, but you have no further obligation. You're still in the Patron's Circle if they choose to keep you there.
Yes. There are no prepayment penalties. You can pay off your commitment early at any time.
Ready to accept?
You'll create your FriendlyBank account and verify your identity — just a few minutes. After that, you're in. You can make a request whenever you need to, or never. Being in the Circle just means the option exists.
Looking for something else?
If you came here to learn about FriendlyBank but don't have an invitation, you can: