Are you looking for loans to fund your next big purchase? A P2P lending platform may be able to help you! However, there are so many different options out there. You will want to make sure that you are choosing a reliable platform that is going to be worth your time. 

Many of the most trustworthy sites have more than ten years’ worth of experience. These sites are very secure and consistently deliver your loans. You will not need to worry when you decide to go with one of these long-standing P2P platforms.

What is a P2P Lending Platform?

A P2P, also known as a peer-to-peer lending platform, allows you to get loans directly from others.

This option is best when you want to cut out lenders, such as banks. Many people with lower credit choose P2P lending since they can still get loans in this way.

Many of these platforms use specialized software to match lenders with borrowers. If you are looking for more loan options to pay for something expensive, you will want to consider this method. It is worth noting that you will still need to pay interest on your loan, most of the time.

How P2P Lending Works

P2P lending is a straightforward process and works much like you would expect it to. You will experience a soft credit check, which is there to make sure you can pay back the loan.

Once you make it through this step, the platform performs a hard credit check, then assigns you a rank. This rank or grade shows lenders on the forum what levels of risk they take when investing in you.

At this stage, you have access to the platform! You can make a post about what you need for the loan, as well as what interest rates you can pay. Finally, lenders make “bids” on your post. These bids include the amount the lender will offer- then you choose the one that suits you the best.

After you accept a bid on your listing, the loan amount enters your bank account. You will have to pay it back over time, but you now have the funds for your purchase.

Why Use a P2P?

There are a variety of reasons for anyone to use a P2P platform. Many people use P2P lending to provide funds for personal projects and similar situations. If you do not want to work with an institution, then P2P is your best choice! The sites still report to the credit bureaus, so you can still build your scores using these sites.

https://www.moneyunder30.com/peer-to-peer-lending-sites-for-borrowers-and-investors

However, there are plenty of sketchy P2P platforms online. You only want to borrow from reliable sources, so make sure to check out all the options below.

The Best P2P Lending Platforms

Now that you understand how to use a P2P lending site best, you will want to choose a platform that suits you the best. There are plenty of different sites available, so you will want to choose one that fits all your needs. For example, if you have Fair Credit, then Payoff may be best for you.

1. Peerform

Peerform is an excellent P2P lending platform. The site offers competitive interest rates, does not have prepayment penalties, and is perfect for Fair credit scores. This platform is very trustworthy since it’s been around since 2010. The people running the site also have ample experience in the field because of this.

The maximum loan amount is $25,000, which is not as high as others on this list. Still, you receive great rates and reliable services. It is also worth noting that the minimum loan amount is $4,000.

Overall, Peerform is the best P2P lending platform for many people. It comes with a low credit requirement, which is a 600-credit score. If you happen to be late paying on the due date, you also have 15 days before receiving a late fee.

https://www.thebalance.com/best-peer-to-peer-lending-companies-4580285

2. Payoff

The payoff is another reliable P2P lending platform that you will want to consider. Payoff even works with those who have a short credit history or fair credit scores. Many borrowers also said they appreciated having free access to their FICO scores on the site.

You can also pre-qualify as an added benefit, giving you a higher chance of getting the loans you want. There also are no prepayment penalties, so you can pay off the loan as soon as you are ready. 

Payoff also started in 2005, giving the site many years’ worth of experience. The platform also has lower fees and sends you the funds quickly. Their maximum loan amounts also fall between $5,000 and $40,000, which is more than enough money for many situations.

Overall, Payoff is an excellent option for anyone with fair credit who wants to build on their score. Most borrows can find the loans they need there.

3. Upstart

Upstart is a trustworthy P2P lending site that you should also investigate. The starting interest rate is a bit higher than the above two options at 8.27%. However, it is still great for borrowers who do not have an extensive credit history.

To offer loans to more people, Upstart does look at your job history and education, but these factors should work in your favor when you have low credit scores. The platform accepts those with scores of at least 600, which is lower than many other lenders.

Upstart came into existence in 2012. Today, you can borrow between $1,000 and $50,000. Additionally, about 90% of borrowers pay off their loans from the platform- making it an excellent place for those looking to invest on a platform. 

4. Prosper

Prosper is another wonderful option, but it is much better for those with a long credit history. Many of their lenders mention appreciating that the site allows them to change their monthly due dates. That way, you can choose a date that will enable you to make payments reliably.

Prosper was the first P2P lending site, which came online in 2005. During the years since the platform has gained a lot of experience and is very well-known. They can be a little slow to provide you with the funds, but you can borrow between $2,000 and $40,000.

This lending platform is best for those with a more extended credit history because the venue requires at least three open credit accounts. Those just starting on building their credit may not have that many credit accounts open. In short, Prosper is very trustworthy and always makes sure that you get your funds from accepted loans.

Final Thoughts

To summarize, there are many trustworthy P2P lending platforms that you can make use of. Many borrowers use these loans to pay for home improvement, new cars, starting a business, and other large purchases- we’re sure you will find them helpful!

Image credit: Wutzkoh