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See all options at a glance with key features and an easy-to-follow format
view our range of PEER-TO-PEER accounts
See how much you could earn
See all options at a glance with key features and an easy-to-follow format
Choose accounts from our range of P2P platforms
Once you’ve decided, click through and set up your account
Peer-to-peer lending enables you to lend to individuals or small businesses - cutting out the need for banks to be involved. You could earn higher returns than from other types of investment, but there are risks.
You can invest in some P2P products through an ISA – using your £20,000 annual ISA allowance. Your £20k ISA allowance can be spread across different types of ISA – such as cash, stocks and shares and an IFISA.
An ISA that contains P2P loans is known as an innovative finance ISA – IFISA. ISA tax rules apply. P2P products are not covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme – including those in an IFISA.
The type of peer-to-peer lending (P2P) you choose will in part depend on the type of borrower you are prepared to lend to...
While you lend through a P2P platform, the borrowers are individuals who will be assessed first and then granted unsecured loans based on their credit score.
Your loan will be used to help small businesses. There may be additional security should a firm default, such as personal guarantees from the directors.
You could lend to fund development projects. In this instance your money will be secured against the property, offering some degree of security.
There are lots of considerations to weigh up when thinking about peer-to-peer lending as an investment. These include…
Potential to make greater returns than other types of investment
Loans can be secured, so you have some recourse should a borrower default
Some P2P platforms have provision funds should borrowers run into trouble
Peer-to-peer lending is an investment and all your initial capital is at risk
There may be charges if you need to get your money back quickly
Returns can be lower than expected if the loan is paid back early
Before making a decision on peer-to-peer lending as an investment, these are some of the factors to consider:
How long do you want to tie-up your money? Think about when you’re looking to receive a return
Most P2P platforms will have a minimum and maximum investment amount, so check the terms and conditions are suitable for you
Peer-to-peer lending can be risky for investors. Make sure you understand the risks and are comfortable before proceeding
The higher the credit rating, often the more reliable the borrower. Some platforms have a high threshold for creditworthiness
You may receive interest monthly or less frequently. Find out whether the platform pays it directly or if it will be reinvested
Check what restrictions and charges you might face for withdrawing your money early, for example, and if there are management costs or platform fees
You can easily see peer-to-peer lending options with MoneySuperMarket.
We’ll show you a list of potential P2P investment platforms including more details about how they work.
See who you’ll be lending to, how often interest is paid, fees and charges, and how your money will be protected.
Once you have made your decision, you can click through to your chosen provider to find out more and start investing today.
If the peer-to-peer lending platform goes best it doesn’t automatically mean you’ll lose your investment. The loan is between you and the borrower, so whether an individual or firm, they will still owe you the debt. As part of the platform’s wind-down the loans are likely to be picked up by a third-party (potentially another P2P platform) who would be in a position to give you recourse. However, this may not always run smoothly, and you may get back less than you had loaned out. P2P accounts - including loans held in an Innovative ISA - are not covered under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.
While both peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding involve you giving money to an individual or company, the difference is that peer-to-peer lending is a loan that should be repaid. Crowdfunding does not usually need to be paid back.
It’s often wise to spread your investments because this helps spread the risk. Often peer-to-peer lending is seen as being at the higher end of the risk spectrum. But this could also lead to potentially much higher rewards. For this reason some investors use it as part of their overall investment portfolio.
You may have to pay tax on your returns, but some peer-to-peer investments can now be included tax-free within an ISA. This type of ISA is known as an innovative finance ISA and you can invest up to £20,000 in ISAs, either in stocks and shares, cash, or peer-to-peer loans, or you can invest in a combination of these. ISA tax rules apply.
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