Peer-to-peer personal loans

Finding a personal loan with favourable terms can be difficult no matter what you are borrowing for. If you are looking for a competitive personal or business loan, consider the benefits peer-to-peer lending has to offer.

What is peer-to-peer lending?

Peer-to-peer lending involves borrowing money from individual investors, where the “lender” simply acts as a facilitator for the loan. By lending their money, investors gain access to an attractive fixed income asset class that can yield better returns than other investment options. Borrowers can also take advantage of lower rates based on their credit scores. This is facilitated by a peer-to-peer lending platform that connects people looking to borrow money with people looking to invest.

Compare peer-to-peer loans in New Zealand

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Name	Product	Interest Rate (p.a.)	Min. Loan Amount	Max. Loan Amount	Loan Term	Monthly Service Fee	Establishment Fee
Lending Crowd Personal Loan		6.49%-16.78%	$2,000	$200,000	3 or 5 years	N/A	$250-$1,450 depending on the amount borrowed	A secured personal loan from $2,000 to $200,000 with repayment instalment options. Eligibility: Be an 18+ NZ permanent resident, earn $30,000 or more, have a good credit history and collateral/security.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How does peer-to-peer lending work?

Peer-to-peer (P2P) providers do not match individual lenders directly with a borrower, but enable the lender to invest in a portfolio of consumer loans. In other words, the P2P provider facilitates a platform where investors finance a portfolio of loans and earn interest on what they lend; while borrowers are given an individual rate based on their credit score.

• Borrowers. To borrow, you submit an application with the P2P lender. The provider then evaluates your eligibility for a peer-to-peer loan, by verifying your identity, credit history, employment and finances. It will assess the risk of the loan and give you a personalised interest rate. You will generally need to have a good credit history and be in a secure job to be eligible. After approval, your loan will be funded by one or several investors that choose to take you on. The P2P provider will usually deduct an application fee from the amount transferred.
• Investors. Potential investors review the available applications on the website and identify the borrowers they would like to fund, in part or in full. Investors cannot see any personal information about borrowers. Funds are transferred to the borrower and their repayments are made to the investor, based on how much of the loan they funded.

Peer-to-peer loans are still a fairly recent addition to the New Zealand financial landscape

Given the ease with which people – investors and borrowers – can secure loans at favourable terms via P2P lending, it is clear these providers are here to stay. Though small at present, the peer-to-peer industry is eyeing the potential market. Its convenience and competitive interest rates enhance its appeal in comparison to mainstream financial institutions. This is also the first borrowing platform to open up the doors to smaller investors looking for higher and more secure returns.

It is unlikely the P2P industry will replace banks altogether, but by harnessing technology and offering tiered interest rates to borrowers based on their credit scores, P2P providers can provide a convenient alternative to banks and other financial institutions.

Weighing up the benefits and drawbacks of peer-to-peer loans

How to compare your options

• Are they compliant?
  Check the credibility of the website or platform that you are considering borrowing from. They should have a credit licence listed on the bottom of the page; and check what banks or services they are affiliated with.
• What rates are you being offered?
  The rates offered by peer-to-peer lenders are usually lower than those offered by the banks, but you should check whether they are fixed or variable.
• What fees are associated with your account?
  Take a look at the comparison rate to see how much the loan is likely to cost you with the fees included; and remember to check whether you need to pay any upfront fees to set up the loan.
• What are your loan terms and the amount you are borrowing?
  Some peer-to-peer lenders may not be able to offer you as high a loan amount as other banks or lenders, so check to see that you are able to borrow the amount you need for as long as you need it.
• Have you researched the lender’s reputation?
  The lender’s reputability should also form part of your comparison. You might want to read independent customer reviews online; see how easy it is to contact the lender; and how transparent they are with their fee and rate information.
• What are the requirements for an investor?
  As a borrower, you want to ensure the person you are borrowing from is reliable and that the lender has strict guidelines in place to ensure no unscrupulous investors find their way into the lending network. Check out the lending requirements before you apply to see the type of people you will be borrowing from.
• Are you eligible to become a borrower?
  While you need to check you are eligible, you also want to ensure the peer-to-peer network doesn’t have a borrower eligibility criteria that is too relaxed. Some overseas peer-to-peer networks who lent to borrowers with bad credit failed due to a high number of defaulted loans, so you want to ensure the lender you apply with doesn’t engage in high-risk borrowing behaviour

Peer-to-peer lending is an alternative credit option to consider. With competitive rates, quick approval times, not to mention a way for investors to diversify their portfolio, peer-to-peer lending is definitely making its mark on the credit industry.

Frequently asked questions about P2P lending

• Who is lending me the money when I take out a P2P loan?

  The funds come from an individual or group of investors. The investors sign up with the P2P lender you applied with and have chosen to lend you money (either by choosing your loan specifically; or by you meeting the investor’s credit requirements). Remember, none of your personal information will be divulged during this process.

• How do I repay a P2P loan?

  A peer-to-peer personal loan is usually repaid via direct debit. The money is then transferred either directly to the investor or into an account they can make withdrawals from.

• How do investors choose who to lend to?

  Investors either select a risk grade they are willing to lend to ie low risk, high risk, etc and are then matched automatically with borrowers; or they can choose who to loan to on an individual basis. These loans can be funded in part or in full.

• Am I eligible to borrow?

  Eligibility criteria differs between lenders but you generally need to be over the age of 18, employed and earning over a certain amount each year (for example $35,000 p.a.) and have a good credit score.

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