Do not invest more money than you can afford to lose.
Previously we introduced you to some of the largest crowdfunding websites in the UK and the US. We showed you the leading peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms in the UK. Following is a list of some of the most popular P2P websites in the US:
LendingClub (www.lendingclub.com) –
The website markets itself as “the world’s largest online credit marketplace”. It has facilitated the funding of some $20.7 billion loans since its launch. The platform allows for both personal and business lending, as well as loans of up to $50,000 for medical patients. Borrowers pay low fixed interest on a monthly basis.
LoanBase (www.loanbase.com) –
LoanBase is a relatively new platform set up in March 2015 in the US. It is based on blockchain technology and uses Bitcoin to facilitate small businesses in emerging markets to access financing from lenders worldwide. The platform has helped disburse more than $7.7 billion in loans. It has more than 4,600 active investors and 2,050 borrowers.
Prosper (www.prosper.com) –
Borrowers can use the platform to request a loan of $2,000-$35,000. Lenders can invest as little as $25 in each loan listing they select. The platform has more than 2 million members and over $7 billion in funded loans. It was launched in 2006 and was the first marketplace lender in the US.
Kiva (www.kiva.org) –
The website uses a loan-based crowdfunding model for financially excluded regions and people. Although based in the US, Kiva operates in 80 countries on 5 continents. Lenders provide micro-loans that help finance projects that alleviate poverty. Kiva is a non-profit which staff is predominantly made up from volunteers. The website has helped raise $882.2 million in total lent and targets to reach $1.0 billion in loans by 2017. The website services 1.5 million lenders and 2.1 million borrowers.
Upstart (www.upstart.com) –
Upstart is a P2P lending platform for term loans. It offers three-year fixed interest loans for any purposes from paying off debt, to making a large purchase or paying taxes, to starting a business. The platform charges borrowers a certain fee, depending on several factors. Upstart was founded in 2012 by former Google employees.
CircleBack Lending (www.circlebacklending.com) – 
CircleBack Lending is another website that offers personal loans and enables individuals and businesses to loan money from institutional investors to finance their goals. Users can borrow from $3,001 to $35,000 at low fixed rates. The borrowing process takes three easy steps – creating a loan request, completing an application, and receiving the loan.
Peerform (www.peerform.com) – The platform allows 
borrowers with credit scores as low as 600 to secure funds through the platform. Peerform provides customizable three-year online personal loans ranging from $1,000 to $25,000. Loans are offered at fixed rates of 7.12% to 29.99% annual percentage rate.
ApplePie Capital (www.applepiecapital.com) – 
ApplePie Capital, set up in 2014, is a franchise loan marketplace. It specializes in facilitating franchise entrepreneurs, both new and existing ones, to finance their businesses with loans starting from $100,000. Individual and institutional investors alike can earn attractive fixed-income returns with established franchise brands and earn returns of 7%-12% on their investment. The platform has helped the financing of more than $50 million in loans to more than 40 franchise brands and has returned over $7 million in principal and interest to investors.
Money360 (www.money360.com) –
The website specializes in commercial real estate lending. Loans have maturities ranging from six months to five years and can be used to purchase or refinance commercial and non-owner-occupied residential real estate. Lenders range from institutions to high-net-worth accredited investors, such as banks, insurance companies, pension funds or other accredited investors. Minimum investments start from $50,000 and borrowed loans range from $1 million to $15 million.
Zidisha (www.zidisha.org) –
Zidisha is a nonprofit and an alternative to micro lending websites, aiming to directly connect lenders with entrepreneurs in need for money, especially those in low-income countries. The platform is managed by volunteers. Borrowers receive interest-free loans at costs of some 5% paid as fees, which is much less than what it would cost them if they used traditional banking. Members are also asked to pay a one-time membership fee of 5% of the starting credit limit chosen upon successfully raising their first loan. The Zidisha community consists of more than 50,000 people worldwide.
