Prosper Lending and Borrowing Review

Review of Prosper Lending and Borrowing

Advertiser Disclosure This article/post contains references to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products or services.
stephaniecolestock 208x208 Written by Stephanie Colestock
Last updated on March 7, 2019

Prosper claims to offer great rates for both borrowers and investors. In this review, we put these claims to the test.

Prosper offers a different way to look at lending. The Prosper platform is a peer-to-peer marketplace where people can borrow money for all aspects of life. It’s an interesting platform for people who need to borrow money. But it’s also great for investors, who have potential to get solid monthly returns. Prosper offers loans for the following:

  • Debt consolidation
  • Home improvements
  • Vehicles
  • Babies and adoptions
  • Small businesses
  • Weddings and other special occasions

Prosper’s big strength is that it removes the roadblocks between people and the funding they need to make the next big leap in life or pursue their goals. It’s a virtual platform for funding that provides both lenders and borrowers with the tools and transparency they need to make informed decisions. There are no in-person meetings with lenders or lengthy application processes.

In This Article:

The Basics of Borrowing Through Prosper

Borrowers can get a rate quote in minutes just by answering a few questions on Prosper’s website. Once you’ve been cleared to receive the loan, Prosper deposits funds straight into your bank account. The process usually takes between three and five business days. Here are the basics of Prosper loans:

  • Fixed terms of either three or five years
  • Maximum loan amount of $35,000
  • Minimum loan amount of $2,000
  • No early payment penalties
  • No hidden fees
  • No minimum income requirement
  • Minimum credit score of 640
  • Payment schedules cannot be adjusted
  • Late fees are charged if payments are not made on time
  • Borrowers can file joint loan applications
  • Payment modification plans are available in some situations

Prosper assigns every borrower on the platform a grade. This grade determines the interest rate Prosper offers and the origination fee borrowers pay. In addition, it’s what investors will look at when deciding whether or not to invest in your loan.

How does Prosper determine your grade? They look at things like your credit score, income, and current debt level. The average income of a Prosper borrower is $88,746. The average FICO score is 710. Those two figures should give you a good idea of how you’d do when seeking a peer-to-peer loan from Prosper’s investors.

The Basics of Lending Through Prosper

Prosper offers the opportunity to invest in personal loans. Lenders can browse loan options for creditworthy borrowers based on factors like FICO scores, Prosper ratings, and loan terms. Prosper assigns each loan opportunity a rating based on its levels of risk and return. As with other investment types, you can earn a higher return. But you generally have to take on more risk for that.

Lenders can either select individual loans or use Prosper’s Auto Invest tool to create a target portfolio. Prosper deposits monthly returns from investments directly and automatically into your account. Prosper does require a $25 minimum investment per loan. The estimated return for Prosper investors is 7.57 percent.

Is Prosper a Good Choice?

Prosper offers a simple and solid way to take part in the peer-to-peer lending world. With loan amounts between $2,000 and $35,000, it’s a good option if you’re looking for a way to finance just about anything without going through traditional banking channels. One thing that separates Prosper from peer-to-peer lending platforms that may appear similar is the fact that the company doesn’t fund loans using its own money. Prosper does underwrite applicants.

What’s the bottom line on Prosper? Borrowers can enjoy a fast way to get funding as long as their credit history is in decent shape and they have a solid income. Lenders may find Prosper to be a simple investment tool that allows them to enjoy some diversification.

Article comments