LendingHome has reported over $1 billion in mortgage loan originations since it launched two and a half years ago; company is the leading marketplace lending mortgage loan originator in real estate; factors influencing the rapid growth include expansion to jumbo loans and a new investor platform for individuals; active in securitization, it has partnered with Nomura Securities International and developed the industry's first master trust securitization vehicle providing it with ongoing access to the securitization market. Source
Originations for Assetz Capital reached a new high in November; for the month, the platform originated 26 million British pounds bringing its total originations to 100 million British pounds for 2016; according to the firm, it is now the third largest business and property P2P lender in the UK. Source
In Orchard's Weekly Online Lending Snapshot they provide some insight on the Marketplace Lending and Alternative Financing Summit, noting industry performance and data transparency as key themes; data points show gains from publicly traded companies in the industry led by LendingTree with a monthly gain of 19.93% and Square with a monthly gain of 16.17%; in the UK listed marketplace lending funds Ranger Direct Lending led monthly returns with a gain of 24%; the US listed River North Marketplace Lending Fund reported a monthly gain of 0.59%; the LendingClub Issuance Trust LCIT-2016-NP2 was listed as the most recent securitization issuance with a pricing date of December 1. Source
In their recently completed review, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) was particularly worried about some platforms using customer money to buy loans from rival platforms; FCA CEO Andrew Bailey explained that platforms don't have enough loans to present so in turn they use investor money to buy up loans from a rival platform; this is worrisome as investors are not being told the correct risks; Mr. Bailey did not disclose any platforms by name and said the issue was not widespread but worth keeping an eye on. Source
The Financial Conduct Authority released its interim update on crowdfunding rules last week; the update reported that the regulator would be scrutinizing numerous factors pertaining to P2P lending in the UK; one such factor, discussed by the Financial Times, includes the disclosure of loan performance; the introduction of provision funds has caused this disclosure to potentially be misleading for investors; in some cases platforms use provision funds to cover defaults for borrowers; this action could potentially lead to better than actual loan performance on the loans. Source
A report from WDZJ and yingcanzixun.com titled, "2016 China Online Lending Monthly Report (Nov.)" provides insight on China's online lending market in November; says online lending originations reached a new monthly high of CNY 200 billion in November; total historical origination volume of over CNY 3 trillion; 2,454 platforms with eight new businesses and 98 entering suspension or closing down. Source
Able Lending has one of the industry's most unique business models, allowing small business lenders to source loans from their personal network to lower lending costs; Lend Academy interviews Will Davis of Able Lending for more insight on the platform's business; at Able Lending, personal network backers take a subordinated position, allowing the lead lender to get paid back first while offering a lower cost of borrowing overall; the firm has been successful with this lending model, reporting over 80% of loans utilizing backers; it has also seen steady origination growth, with volume growing from $3 million in the first year to $30 million in the second year and an expected $100 million in its third year. Source
Indian online multi-lender Indifi has raised $10 million in a Series B funding round led by Omidyar Network; the multi-lender specializes in connecting micro, small and medium-sized businesses with a network of lending institutions; the firm intends to use the funds for expanding and improving its products and technology. Source
According to a report by AltFi, P2P Global Investments (P2PGI) is continuing their share buybacks; P2PGI has purchased shares on 14 days in the past two months with buybacks ranging from 3,400 to 50,000; the fund currently trades at a 25.3% discount to net asset value; contributing factors to recent performance have been cash drag from currency hedging, level of defaults and volatility surrounding Brexit. Source
In a letter to investors, Prosper has announced they are releasing their seventh generation credit model (PMI7) around December 20, 2016; Prosper also announced they are changing their credit bureau from Experian to TransUnion; according to Prosper, "Using TransUnion will allow us to leverage trended historical data on borrowers and make better underwriting decisions within the new credit model."; Prosper's rating system on loans from AA-HR will remain the same.