Editorial policy: how our pages are written and checked
Every page on Ask Sterling is written to answer one question straight, with the sources listed and the maths shown. We'd rather leave a number out than print one we can't back up. This page explains the rules we write to, so you can judge our pages by them.
Sources on every page
Each page lists its sources at the bottom. Where a page states a specific fact, such as a legal limit, a scheme rule or a government warning, the source is listed there and was checked when the page was written or reviewed.
We prefer primary sources: the law itself, the regulator, the government agency, the scheme's own pages (for example legislation.gov.uk, gov.uk, fca.org.uk, ico.org.uk, british-business-bank.co.uk). We use secondary sources only where no primary one exists, and say so.
No invented numbers
We don't publish statistics, averages, approval rates or speed claims we can't source. If a figure varies across the market, we say "typically" or "often" and cite where the range comes from, or we leave it out. We won't tell you finance takes "24 hours" because a competitor says so.
Our own maths, shown openly
Worked examples on our pages come from the same engine as our calculators, not from guesswork. Each tool page shows its method, including the assumptions (for example, daily repayments are counted as 21 business days a month, weekly as 52 a year). That means you can check any figure we print by running it yourself. Our standard example: an advance of £10,000 at a 1.35 factor rate, repaid daily over 6 months, means £13,500 back in 126 repayments of £107.14, a cost of £3,500, and about 126% APR.
Sterling's verdict bands (under 20% APR "priced like bank lending" up to over 100% "very expensive") are our rule of thumb, and we label them that way. They aren't market data.
Review dates
Each page shows a "last reviewed" date. When we review a page we re-check its sources and figures. If a rule changes, we update the page and the date.
No paid placements
Nobody pays to appear on our pages or to be ranked higher in them. Our only income is a fee from our one funding partner for qualifying introductions, explained in full on how we get paid. That fee doesn't change what our guides or calculators say: if an offer is expensive, the calculator says so, whoever made it.
No testimonials or reviews
We don't publish testimonials, star ratings, reviews or "funded" counters. We're a new service, and we won't invent social proof. When we have real, verifiable feedback, we'll say how it was collected.
The character is a guide, not an advisor
Sterling is an illustrated character who gives our pages one consistent voice. He isn't a real person, he has no credentials, and "Sterling's take" is our editorial view, not personal advice. Read more on about.
Who reviews our pages
Pages are written and checked by the team at OPTIMAX AI LTD against the rules above. We don't yet have a named, credentialed reviewer (such as a chartered accountant or solicitor) signing off pages, and we won't imply that we do. If that changes, the reviewer will be named on the pages they check.
Corrections
If you spot a mistake, email mike@optimax-ai.com with the page and what's wrong. We'll check it against the source, correct it if you're right, and update the review date.