I’ve always been fascinated with fixed income. I don’t invest in it much since I still have a long time horizon and therefore the ability (but maybe not the mentality) to endure riskier instruments. With fixed income, such as bonds and debt, one gets a “safer” return because if the company where to become insolvent, then you have a higher priority of claims to the company’s assets. A higher priority relative to preferred shareholders and common shareholders. This year I decided to take a look at peer to peer lending as another source of passive income.
Peer To Peer Lending Passive Income
A couple of my friends have had fantastic success investing in peer to peer lending companies such as LendingClub or Prosper. This also acts as a channel of diversification for passive income if you take all of your total investments as a whole. Because of that, I decided to open up an account with LendingClub and deposit $1,000 to get started.
In peer to peer lending, you search and decide who you want to invest in. The sites will show people’s listed income, credit scores, interest rates, etc. There are a number of filters you can select from when searching for investments.
From here, you get to decide who’s borrowing your money. It goes without saying that riskier borrowers will generate a higher return (higher interest rates). Additionally, on LendingClub, they also rate the loans from letter grades A to E. I like to think of it as a credit rating system similar to S&P or Moody’s.
Peer to Peer Filters
My personal preferences for filters only include borrowers rated A, B or C. In addition, they must have verified income and have 0 delinquencies in the past 2 years. Lastly, their credit score must be higher than 700.
I started this peer to peer lending account in January and as of April, 9, 2018, I have received $8.45 in passive income in the form of interest payments. This brings my total account value to $1,008.15. On an annualized basis, this amounts to 10.27% per year. Of course this is a projected amount. Not a realized amount. Since it has only been three months from when I opened this account.
Peer to Peer Lending Conclusion
With the addition of an unconventional fixed income component into my core-satellite portfolio, I can say I finally have more than just equities. Fixed income is a very popular channel for passive income because it’s more guaranteed than equities and more predictable. Peer to peer lending is only one possibility in this area. Most fixed income investors will purchase bonds and debt from corporations and companies.
Peer to peer lending provides a unique way to invest in loans from personal individuals.
I love reading your blog because I discover all the new terms that I had no idea about. Peer to peer lending is one of them. I am familiar with Prosper but never gave much thought to where that money came from. Very interesting. Good luck!
I’ve never heard of such a thing. This is quite interesting. I am already close to being on a fixed income, so I’m not certain how practical this is in my case, but I’m interested in looking into it more. Thank you for the explanation.
I just learned something new. Love the idea of peer to peer lending.
Just getting to hear this new terms will always stay gle to your post
Nero you delivered on this article. I was in the financial services for more than two decades and never heard of this. So thanks for bringing this to my attention. Does this operation only on the continental US or Canada also. Thanks for a great article.
This is all quite helpful information, I haven’t heard of peer to peer lending prior to this.
I hadn’t heard of peer to peer lending. As always, you have explained it so well.
Good to know! I’m always looking for ways to make extra money 🙂
I had never heard of this before but it’s worth checking in to. Thanks for sharing!
Gosh I learned something here — didn’t even know these sites existed. Thanks for the insight. –Paige Bainbridge (www.paigebainbridge.com)
We do not have this concept in India as yet and hence it was a completely new learning. My investments have mostly been in fixed income options & mutual funds.
good to learn something new… never heard of this before
Oh this sounds interesting! I wonder if it’s available in the UK. As always, your posts provide very detailed financial advice.
You have such great info on your blog. Everytime I read your blog it feels like I am sitting for a finance study. So many new things to learn still. Keep it up. 🙂
Once again, I learned something by reading your post! I’d never heard of peer to peer investing and I didn’t know about this kind of website either. I like how you rationalize your investments and projections, it’s a new mindset for me.
Not a lie, some things are best left for those who are good at it. You explain things in financial so well, that I can’t. I hope it works well for you. http://www.thecozyme.com
Peer-Peer lending sounds good. I have always been afraid of asking for some financial help. I’d rather be the lender. Great Post though. Good points here.
I must doff my hat to your for your sound financial literacy. The way you explain some of these technical terms make it look easy peasy.
Thank you
One of my favorite parts of reading your blog is the fact I learn something new every time. I had no clue peer to peer lending was even a thing. But you explained it in a way that is easy to understand. Thanks for always teaching me something new, Nero!
This is really cool! I had no idea this was something you could even do, really neat concept. I love learning new things from you about making passive income!
I love the investment tracker in the sidebar! I always feel like a visual of seeing progress is key. I’ve also never heard of peer-to-peer lending; definitely going to investigate further!