Alternative Finance: P2P Business Lending Comes Of Age

CrowdSmaller

Here’s another interesting end-of-year opinion piece, carried by the media outlet, Financial Reporter. The writer offers evidence to support his view that new businesses are being created at record levels. It’s certainly true to say that funding is needed to fuel growth.

Remember, as a lender you can fuel that growth on this platform – and get excellent returns on your capital for doing so. The rewards are self-evident. For more on the risks of lending, click here.

To see a short video that explains how to lend, click here.

M&CLogo 

“The terms ‘challenger bank’ and ‘alternative funding’ were virtually unheard of before 2007. However, in recent years they have started to receive considerable attention, and their importance and influence on today’s financial landscape is undeniable.

“So, what has happened to raise the profile of this ‘new’ market? Well, quite a lot really. In 2008 Lehman Bros fell over and the world changed. Who had ever heard of Quantative Easing? Who thought HBOS and RBS would have to be rescued? It goes on.  And yet the sky did not fall in. Small British businesses kept on trading, kept on cutting hair, servicing cars, selling beer and wine, doggedly kept their retail premises open and provided holiday lets in those quintessentially gorgeous parts of the UK. Yes there was also failure – but in truth there always is.

“From late 2008 and well into 2010, it was rather grim for business. It was grim for everyone. But it did start to get better. During this time the crowd funding & peer to peer lending industry started. New banks opened their doors to the SME sector. Specialist Invoice discounters appeared and cash advance was created.

“The alternative funders had arrived. This’alternative’ industry came about to fill the vacuum left by the major high street banks as they re-evaluated their own industry and were no longer all things to all businesses. Rtaher than ‘bashing the banks’ and pointing the finger, it needs to be understood that these banks are providing a good service but have moved on.

“In the modern age traditional banks are never going to take a corner shop to a national high street chain, providing every conceivable financial service along the way. This is the vacuum the alternative funders have filled – especially for small to medium sized businesses looking for shorter term unsecured finance. In 2014 the alternative funding industry is reported to stand at £1.8billion and likely to double in 12-18 months. The UK is showing better growth than any other country in Europe. The Small Business Enterprise & Employment Bill is expected to come into force in early 2015. New businesses are being created at record levels. Funding is required to fuel growth.

“Will we look back at 2014 and say was that the year when alternative funding became mainstream? Yes.”



FOLLOW MONEY&CO. ON TWITTER

Search news

You may put double quotes around your search to search for literals. Max. 4 words inside quotes (dashed words count as one word).

Allowed symbols: " ' & -

More from news

Disclaimer: Money&Co.™ is the trading name of Denmark Square Limited, Company Number 08561817, registered in England & Wales, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The company is identified on the Financial Services Register under Reference Number 727325. The registered office is 58 Glentham Road, Barnes, London, SW13 9JJ where the register of Directors may be inspected. Denmark Square Limited (ISA manager reference number Z1932) manages the Money&Co. Innovative Finance ISA.