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Borrowers Ditch Banks, Turn to Peer Loans

Once modest industry will soon lend more than $5 billion annually

By Mat Probasco,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 20, 2009 9:38 AM CDT
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(Newser) – As the banking pendulum swings from reckless lending to impossible-to-get credit, people are increasingly turning away from institutions and toward each other for loans, reports the Washington Post. The shaky stock market has made the peer-to-peer market ideal for investors, while borrowers happily trade credit card debt for interest rates as low as 4%.

"With this credit crunch, the timing couldn't have been better for this industry to really gain a foothold and grow," says one expert. Some $282 million in loans were floated through peer lending in 2006—a number expected to balloon to nearly $6 billion next year. The industry has grown so much that companies helping facilitate loans are now required to register with the SEC.

Michael is a member of Prosper.com, the US leader in a growing trend known as peer-to-peer lending, which facilitates loans between complete strangers.
Michael is a member of Prosper.com, the US leader in a growing trend known as peer-to-peer lending, which facilitates loans between complete strangers.   (AP Photo/Marcus R. Donner)
How peer-to-peer lending works.
How peer-to-peer lending works.
In a tight credit market, those in need of a loan are turning to banks less often.
In a tight credit market, those in need of a loan are turning to banks less often.   (©Mike Miley)
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With this credit crunch, the timing couldn't have been better for this industry to really gain a foothold and grow.
- Curtis Arnold, founder of CardRatings.com

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A peer lending site
loanio.com

Money • US

 
credit • credit card loans • credit market chaos • peer-to-peer • Securities and Exchange Commission

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