The system of investment is changing and the way we borrow money is coming to live on our palms. We can get money from other individuals other than banks and financial institutions.
However, when you do not want to borrow money from the bank, peer-to-peer lending Kenya is an option worth seeking.
Can you picture yourself in Kenya and see the emerging market filled with individuals who are ready to offer financial help. So the emergence of peer-to-peer lending opened a new opportunity for investors willing to offer more financial help. Individuals make a profit by coming together and joining a fund, then lending it out.
Let us discuss everything you need to know about peer-to-peer lending in Kenya.
What Is Peer-to-Peer Lending?
Peer-to-peer lending is a platform that enables individuals to get loans directly from lenders other than formal financial institutions. It is a social or crowd funding that connects lenders and borrowers. Most of the loans on this platform are unsecured personal loans. With its unique characteristics with other formal financial institutions, they consider it as an alternative to financing.
Understanding Peer-to-Peer Lending
Peer-to-peer lending binds borrowers and investors who will lend out some part of their money. First the investors open an account and fund it and then disperse it as loans. It is usually done in cash with little formal documentation.
However, it is limited to a close network of people in the lender’s group. They also give loans to outsiders. A third party can handle the loan application and disbursement and shares a portion of the profit with the lender. Lenders or investors on this platform include people who are ready and willing to assure a portion of the loan.
How Peer-to-Peer lending evolved
Traditionally, lending in Kenya has been informal. Peer-to-peer lending started with no documentation and in cash and with a close number of people in the same group. Earlier on, the peer-to-peer lending system started by offering loans to people who were spurned by formal financial institutions in Kenya.
Often lending on this platform is a way to generate interest in cash at a rate that exceeds those offered by the banks. Lenders then are allowed to start with a little money and as time goes on, they can decide to contribute more and loan out more.
How Does Peer-to-Peer Lending Work?
Peer-to-peer lending involves processes and steps which include:
1. You fill and submit an online application. This entails you fill in a credit inquiry which can either be soft or hard.
2. The lender may assign you a risk category. Here, your score or rating will affect the principal amount, terms and interest rate. If you settle for the loan limit, you can move forward with the application.
3. Investors review your loan request and requirements. State why you need the loan and how you can pay back. Your reasons have full chances of convincing the lender. Depending on the structure of that peer-to-peer lender, they might reject your loan application.
4. Loan acceptance. If the investor states other criteria that you are suitable with, you can accept the terms and the loan amount. Some lenders would transfer the loan amount to your bank account within days.
5. You make monthly repayments. Peer-to-peer lenders report all individuals who cannot pay back their loans. CRBs keep the record and you retrieve it any time. Late payments may also come with late fees that increase the total amount of repayment.
Advantages
Peer-to-peer lending provides some significant advantages to both borrowers and lenders. Both have various ways they benefit from the platform. Advantages of peer-to-peer lending includes:
- Higher returns to the investors or higher profit maximization: Peer-to-peer lending provides returns or profit to investors through charging of interest rates. Late fees and other fees paid by the borrower are also part of the returns. g
- More alternative and accessible source of funding: For some borrowers, peer-to-peer lending is a better option. They are not ready to go through the stress of the formal banking system. Some borrowers also with low credit scores see it as an alternative.
- Lower interest rates: Peer-to-peer lending interest rate is often low and affordable because of the greater competition of financial institutions in Kenya.
Disadvantages
Peer-to-peer lending comes with a few disadvantages and which includes:
- Credit risk: Peer-to-peer loans have much default probability because of the risk taken by lenders to give loans to borrowers with low credit scores.
- Lack of insurance/government protection and policy: The government does not provide any form of policy to govern the platform. No form of insurance or protection to the lenders in case of the borrower’s default.
- Legislation: Some jurisdictions are limited and do not allow some borrowers to borrow and some lenders to give out loans. It is required you conform to the regulations and when you do not; it affects the platform and the borrowers.
Some Peer-to-Peer Lenders in Kenya
Some of the peer-to-peer lenders in Kenya are:
- Kiva
- Zidisha
- Pezesha
- UbaPesa
The P2P lending platform in Kenya is still new with their continuous zeal in connecting borrowers to lenders.
They all use different models to give customers access to loans and have different interest rates and repayment terms. Before applying, ensure you compare different P2P lenders and read their terms.
Types of Loans Available Through Peer-to-Peer Lending
Peer-to-peer lending serves as an unsecured personal loan. It can be used for the same purposes as personal loans. Few loan types you may find on peer-to-peer lending websites are:
- Personal Loans
- Mortgage Loans
- Car Loans
- Student Loans
- Medical Loans
- Business Loans
The investing side of Peer-to-Peer lending
Becoming a Peer-to-peer is a gigantic business for investors and the investing side to this platform are:
- Peer-to-peer lending helps investors earn extra income.
- Through the platform, you can learn how to track your earnings from principal to interest and as your borrowers make their payments. You will also learn how to cash out or reinvest.
- There is risk involved in the platform
- There’s also a tendency of the lending platform itself shutting down. When borrowers don’t turn as suppose, you might lose a portion of the profit or investment.
Is Peer-to-Peer lending the right fit?
Peer-to-peer lending may be a better option for those who cannot qualify with banks and other lenders. Despite the sophisticated Fintech setup, people with fair credit can also apply and have it help them.
For those who would wish to explore alternative financing sources, peer-to-peer lending might be right for them.
Special Considerations
People who are considering joining a peer-to-peer lending platform should:
- Need to note about default rates, as do banks and other financial institutions.
- Any consumer or investor considering using a peer-to-peer lending platform should check the fees on transactions. Fees like origination, transaction and processing fees.
- Know that each platform works differently but as unique features which includes credit score rating and interest rates.
Conclusion
Peer-to-peer lending platforms connect borrowers directly to investors or lenders. The platform decides the rates, terms and conditions and also approves all transactions. The lenders are individual investors or consumers who want to get a return on their cash savings. Finally, borrowers who seek alternatives to banks can patronize peer-to-peer lenders and still smile home.