Marketplace is a very new concept that allows people to borrow and lend money through peer to peer marketplaces like Lending Club and Prosper Marketplace. This article will focus on marketplace lending and explain what it is, how to invest in it, and the risks involved.
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What is Marketplace Lending?
Marketplace lending is a relatively new concept in the business world but is based on a simple principle. A company with a powerful technology behind it provides a platform in which the borrowers are matched with the lenders. As such, borrowers are able to get financing from these non-banking institutions while the lenders are able to diversify their investments.
Anyone with a good credit score can borrow in these marketplace lenders but not every person can give out loans. On average, one needs to have an annual gross income of at least $80,000 and a net worth of the same amount. Alternatively, they need to have a net worth of at least $250k. Since its formation about a decade ago, it is estimated that more than $50 billon has been loaned in the marketplace lending platforms.
Is Marketplace Lending Safe?
A concern among many people is whether the marketplace lending industry is a safe one. To be termed as being safe, regulation plays a critical role. The industry attracted a lot of attention when it was launched in 2006 and 2007. In fact, in 2008, the big players in the industry like Lending Club and Prosper had to cease operations as they registered their loans as securities. Since then, they must file a prospectus for every loan that they give out. While these platforms are safe for investments, they are also risky. The most common risks for investing in marketplace lending are:
- The loans are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Company (FDIC). This means that if a customer defaults, you lose the money.
- New industry with loss-making companies. The marketplace lending industry is a relatively easy one and is dominated by Lending Club and Prosper Marketplace, which have never made a profit. In fact, the two companies lost $120 million and $105 million in 2018 respectively.
- Interest rates risks. These companies have succeeded at a time when interest rates have been at historic lows. Therefore, they have not been tested at a time of rising interest rates. Similarly, they have not been tested in times of recessions.
- Liquidity Risk. There is a liquidity risk in that you cannot exit a loan that you have already given out. This is unlike other investments like stocks and bonds that you can exit at any time.
Can Marketplace Lenders Replace Traditional Lenders?
This is highly unlikely because of the size, scale, and convenience of the traditional lenders. To date, the industry has given out more than $50 billion in loans. On the other hand, the traditional lenders give out almost a trillion dollars in loans every year. Therefore, with the marketplace lending industry expected to grow to $122 billion in 2020, it is still a tiny portion of the entire lending industry.
Who are the main players in marketplace lending?
The biggest company in the marketplace lending industry is Lending Club, a company that generated more than $630 million in revenues in 2018. It is followed by Prosper Marketplace, which had revenue of more than $120 million.
Upstart is another company in the industry, with its business model being a bit different. This is because it looks at other things other than the FICO credit score when giving out loans. For example, it will look at the education level and the stage you are in your life. For example, if you are a recent MIT graduate who passed well, the company will give you a loan because you have higher chances of paying back.
Funding Circle is a peer to peer lending marketplace started in the United Kingdom and has recently expanded in the US. The company has invested in more than 68k small businesses around the world with more than 90K investors. More than 7 billion euros has been given away. Streetshares is a peer to peer marketplace for small businesses. Another option is Peerform that gives unsecured loans to qualified investors.
What is the Way Forward for Marketplace Lending?
We believe that there is a lot in store in the marketplace lending industry. As algorithms become more advanced, more people will get into the industry. However, it is also a risky industry in that it is possible to lose money and the returns are not all that enticing. Therefore, you should only invest in these platforms as a way of diversifying your returns. They should not be your primary source of passive income.
