With the retail sector enduring its fair share of challenges, companies are looking at new ways to attract customers, and drive conversion. In an overcrowded, dog-eat-dog marketplace, with behemoths such as Amazon flexing their muscle, it’s easier said than done.
2015: A massive year for Lending Works and P2P lending
No matter which way you spin it, 2015 has been a historic year for both Lending Works and the peer-to-peer lending (P2P) industry as a whole. On a personal level, we’ve been thrilled to see our platform go from strength to strength which is thanks in no small part to our customers. Yet our industry has also been given plenty of encouragement by both Government and regulators, with many landmark events and rulings to digest along the way.
So, with these in mind, we thought we’d do a review of a year which we’ll no doubt look back on with great fondness…
Innovative Finance ISA
The July Budget was unquestionably the seminal moment of 2015 for the UK’s P2P sector. Having held our breath since the 2014 Budget – where it was confirmed that P2P would be included within the ISA framework – HMT revealed on 8th July that a new third-way Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) would be available from April 2016, and that consumers would be able to hold peer-to-peer loans within this new account in order to benefit from tax-free returns on interest paid by borrowers.
There remain one or two ambiguities under consultation, such as whether pre-existing P2P loans will be eligible for transfer, and whether platforms still under an interim FCA permission will be able to offer IFISAs when they go live. However, such technicalities haven’t taken the shine off a breakthrough announcement which is set to see the industry swell to £50 billion by 2018.
Pension freedom
It was hailed as one of George Osborne’s finest hours as Chancellor. From 6 April, those over the age of 55 had the shackles broken to the previously-mandatory annuity, meaning they could draw down as much of their pension as they pleased.
It’s fair to say that the reforms haven’t been without their teething issues, not to mention risks. However, it’s unquestionably resulted in a windfall for the peer-to-peer lending sector, with savvy pensioners having since put their faith in P2P platforms as a suitable investment option within their retirement portfolios. At Lending Works, we saw the share of capital from these ‘silver lenders’ double in the first three months following the arrival of the freedoms, and this trend has since continued. We’ve also seen a dramatic gravitation towards making use of our Auto Income tool, suggesting the will among our over 55s to use P2P lending as an income device.
Regulation
Lending Works, like most other platforms, has been operating under an interim FCA permission since April 2014. However, all platforms had until 31 October this year to submit their applications for full authorisation. It was an exhaustive and expensive process but, as an industry, it was something we embraced, as being held to account to the highest level of financial and operating standards will weed out platforms not fit for purpose, and strengthen P2P as a whole as confidence among investors continues to rise.
In addition, the nine-strong Peer to Peer Finance Association – of which we are a member – recently updated its ‘Operating Principles’ to improve the level of transparency among its members. One such change was making it mandatory for platforms to display detailed statistics on risk and return, while also making their loan books available for download on their websites. Lending Works has duly obliged with the launch of our new Statistics pages, and we’re proud to give consumers the opportunity to make completely informed decisions before choosing to lend with us.
Lending Works
Well, what can we say… it’s been a fantastic year for us here too! In 2015, we’ve nearly quadrupled on the amount we lent last year, with every penny due to our lenders being received – and on time. As a result, our team has doubled in size requiring us to upgrade to some plush new offices.
In June, we also received the prestigious honour of ‘Highly Commended’ as Most Trusted Personal Loan Provider at the 2015 Moneywise Customer Service Awards, just a year after our launch, beating off competition from the high street banks and building societies. However, we haven’t rested on our laurels, and have since improved our website, launched our Auto Income and Retirement Income Calculator tools, released our Help Centre and a whole lot more in order to deliver the best possible customer experience.
Looking into the crystal ball
So, what does next year have in store for us? IFISA will no doubt be the main event for both current and future lenders, and the inevitable influx of lender capital will be fascinating to observe, and rewarding for all involved. At a company level, we’re also launching some exciting new initiatives including some significant new partnerships, and you can expect a few other announcements from us in the coming months too.
It all bodes well for an even better 2016, in which we expect to see Lending Works and peer-to-peer lending in the UK soar to dizzy heights. We certainly hope you’ll see fit to join us for what should be a hugely enjoyable ride.
Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all!
Related articles:
- The Innovative Finance ISA debt vs equity conundrum
- P2P: A silver lining for base rate misery
- Innovative Finance ISA: The good and the 'bad'
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