As economic activity is to grow in the aftermath of COVID-19, many retail borrowers and SMEs are seeking financial help through P2P lending
The 2008 financial crisis unleashed chaos as it severely impacted the financial markets, with investors taking a big hit on their equity portfolio and being jolted out of their comfort zones. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in an unprecedented health and financial crisis, was yet another economic catastrophe of a similar proportion. Besides paving way for several financial reforms, these events reshaped the country’s financial landscape, with investors cherishing significant takeaways for life.
Investors have been on the prowl to discover assets that offer non-volatile investment with minimal correlation to the equity markets, such that investments are insulated against market shocks. This dilemma has paved the way for the rise of alternative investment classes, whereby investors can now avail exposure to new-age, tech backed investment avenues.
Most of these investment offerings are operated on an end-to-end digital platform. They are an investor’s haven as they help them explore new means for booking profits and portfolio diversification while enjoying a passive source of income. One such new-age offering is P2P lending which has gained immense popularity in India in the last few years. The platform allows individuals to participate in retail or SME lending through short-term loans of not more than a year. As these loans are not linked to the public markets, they aid in insulation as investors can avoid unprecedented market fluctuations while still earning market-beating returns.
An alternate investment avenue
P2P lending connects lenders directly with borrowers through their marketplace, thereby eliminating the role of a middleman. It offers seamless borrowing and lending irrespective of the location. An individual investor or a financial institution can become a lender on P2P lending and earn an interest of anywhere from 10% to 12% each year qualifying as a great investment option.
Portfolio diversification for insulation against risks
Defaults are one of the biggest risks when it comes to unsecured lending. However, P2P lending factors in this risk by mapping a particular investment to several borrowers. In other words, the tech platform employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technology to map a particular investment against 100 loans as a default risk mitigation measure. Now even if there is a possibility of 5 borrowers going bad, considering a weighted average returns of 25.50%, one will lose ly 5% of returns while still making a handsome return of more than 20%. Optimal diversification can aid in improving the performance of one’s investment whilst ensuring high returns.
Regular source of passive income
The right kind of investing at the right time can actually help one enjoy financial stability early on in life. P2P lending not just allows one to grow his wealth but also helps generate an additional source of income stream. Besides, cash-flow is not tied to maturity and therefore investors can start making returns from the consecutive month itself. Part of the principal amount, coupled with an interest can help the lender enjoy a new passive source of monthly income.
No volatility
P2P lending is not linked to equity markets which secures investments against any form of market volatility whilst offering superior returns.
Simple, transparent & clear alternative
P2P lending platform offers lenders the advantage of classifying the borrowers to ensure they qualify for identity verification. Besides, they also have the option to communicate directly with borrowers whereby they can finalize the deals in a more effective way. Most importantly it is extremely crucial for an investor to know where his money is being invested. In P2P, besides undertaking stringent verification of personal, professional and financial parameters of the borrowers on-board, it offers investors with a clear view of the borrower to let one make well-informed investment decisions.
As economic activity is to grow in the aftermath of COVID-19, many retail borrowers and SMEs are seeking financial help through P2P lending. Now is a great moment for investors and wealth managers to learn more about peer-to-peer lending as an emerging asset class and its unique merits in the post-COVID 19 economy.
