The platform reported a record month in August after launching the cashback offer, gaining over GBP2.25 ($2.91 million) million of investment; LendingCrowd will extend the offer through September 30, giving investors GBP150 ($195) for every GBP2,500 ($3,257) invested; the platform offers investors access to SME loans and has lent GBP17 million ($21.95 million) since launching in 2014. Source
Level39 has launched Cyber39, a program focused on fighting cyberthreats in London; Cyber39 will initially involve the 22 cybersecurity companies associated with the Level39 startup accelerator and it hopes to add more companies; additionally Level39 has also opened the Cyber Demonstration Centre in Canary Wharf with the support of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, and the Department of International Trade; the accelerator's efforts are aimed at building out cybersecurity solutions in the private sector and keeping London at the forefront of cybersecurity innovation. Source
CB Insights reports on two of Europe's top markets for fintech investment, the UK and Germany; the UK is reporting significant early-stage investment in personal banking platforms and insurtech with insurtech also a top investment in Germany; year-to-date, European fintech companies have raised approximately $2.6 billion with early stage fintech financing in the UK at $202 million and Germany reporting financing of $83 million. Source
After receiving FCA authorization earlier this month, ThinCats provides some insight on plans for its IFISA; Stewart Cazier, head of retail for ThinCats, says the company is planning for a 2017 release of its IFISA; Cazier also says the firm is planning a staggered rollout with registered investors receiving first priority. Source
The company's revenue increased from GBP20.6 million ($26.38 million) in 2015 to GBP33.2 million ($42.52 million) in 2016; its earnings also improved with a GBP -5.8 million (-$7.43 million) loss versus GBP -8.8 million (-$11.27 million) in 2015 and the company reported a fourth quarter operating profit; the 2016 results also showed loan originations increasing by 30% to GBP689 million ($882.4 million) in 2016. Source
Aaron Hughes, Managing Director of Equiniti Riskfactor, provides insight on the growth of the UK receivables market; the market now has 40,000 to 45,000 clients; with a growing number of clients the industry is focusing on new technologies for greater efficiency and processing; Aaron Hughes says Equiniti Riskfactor is also testing a blockchain prototype for receivables finance that can even further advance platform efficiency. Source
UK-based personal finance management app Money Dashboard raises $1.7 million in an equity crowdfunding round; the company used crowdfunding platform Crowdcube and the 1,708 investors together acquired a 9.55% equity stake; they use bank statements to organize spending data, give insight on budgeting and help to build a financial forecast. Source
Zopa will reduce its high risk loan exposure following reports on the UK market's consumer credit outlook; data shows consumer defaults and insolvency levels are increasing; the firm says it will seek to target more low risk borrowers; the changes will allow it to offer higher returns in some of its leading products; the company plans to publish a monthly blog post with its perspective on the consumer credit market. Source
The company is estimating a full year loss and its CEO has resigned; it is also being investigated by the FCA and cutting its dividend; the surprise estimates and regulatory investigation are key factors influencing the stock market losses; the company serves 2.4 million customers through a door to door lending process with a focus on the underbanked. Source
While P2P lending platforms have taken a significant amount of lending from banks since the financial crisis, data from the Financial Times suggests that growth could be slowing; an Ernst & Young survey shows only 7% of 1,100 people using P2P lending platforms for borrowing and a separate survey from Blumberg Capital says only 4% of 1,050 British adults have used the platforms in the past 12 months, signaling less awareness and demand; banks have also increased investment in fintech regaining some market share; overall, the Financial Times reports that the market in the UK is changing with regulations supporting P2P lenders but less demand and market risks slowing growth. Source