Fintech in Online Lending Marketplaces

Abstract

Abstract The Fintech case study in this chapter evaluates the alternative financing markets for smaller businesses and individual consumers, especially online P2P lending platforms. P2P lending improves the effectiveness of allocating credit resources and fosters financial equality among businesses of different sizes. The chapter considers the economic importance and financial dilemma of SMEs and illustrates the need for SMEs to have P2P lending as a vital fundraising option. It presents the online P2P lending markets in three countries with the most active loan transactions: the UK, the US, and China. The chapter claims that P2P lending has a number of advantages over bank lending because of the added value that financial disintermediation generates for both investors and borrowers, such as more diverse funding sources, higher investment returns, the expedited process, and increased transparency. Finally, it investigates the industry policies and regulatory frameworks governing online lending marketplaces.