MoneyIdeas
HandCoins

Peer-to-Peer Lending

Earn interest by lending money to individuals and businesses through online platforms.

financeIntermediate$50 - $2,000/mo (passive)

Overview

Peer-to-peer (P2P) lending platforms connect lenders with borrowers, cutting out traditional banks. As a lender, you can earn attractive interest rates on your capital, though it comes with risk.

How to Get Started

  1. 1Research P2P lending platforms (LendingClub, Prosper, Kiva)
  2. 2Start with a small amount to understand the process
  3. 3Diversify across many loans to reduce risk
  4. 4Reinvest returns for compound growth
  5. 5Monitor your portfolio and adjust strategy as needed

Pros

  • Passive income
  • Higher returns than savings accounts
  • Help others access capital
  • Low minimum investments

Cons

  • Risk of borrower default
  • Capital is locked up
  • Platform fees
  • Not FDIC insured

Recommended Tools & Platforms

LendingClubProsperFunding CircleKivaPeerStreet

Pro Tip

Diversify across 100+ loans to minimize the impact of defaults. Stick to higher-rated borrowers for more consistent returns, even if the interest rates are slightly lower.

Related Ideas