February 29, 2016 @ 7:57 am By JD Alois  |  

loanDepot has announced a new partnership with Orchard Platform – the company that is at the nexus of online lending and institutional participation. loanDepot will now be integrating its performance data into the Orchard U.S. Consumer Marketplace Lending Index and Market Data products. loanDepot states believes… Read More

February 29, 2016 @ 7:35 am By JD Alois  |  

Lending Works is hoping to launch their IFISA product on April 6th, just like most other peer to peer lending platforms. They too, like many others, are awaiting final approval by the FCA to offer the new saving vehicle. According to Lending Works, current regulation… Read More

February 29, 2016 @ 7:19 am By JD Alois  |  

Andy Murray, a top ranked professional tennis player and advisor to Seedrs, has released his first investments for 2106 via the equity crowdfunding platform.  Murray has reportedly invested in five different early stage companies for undisclosed amounts. Jeff Lynn, CEO and co-founder of Seedrs, said… Read More

February 28, 2016 @ 8:55 pm By JD Alois  |  

Global investment crowdfunding platform OurCrowd has invested in many innovative new firms but one sector has caught significant interest: Mobile Technology. The advent of the iPhone was a seminal occurrence that transferred a convenient communication device to mobile super-computer in your pocket.  The data crunching… Read More

February 28, 2016 @ 10:58 am By JD Alois  |  

The Australian Senate referred the provisions of the Corporations Amendment Bill 2015 (or Crowd-sourced Funding as it is called)  to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by February 22nd, which was then extended until February 29th. The proposed bill has come under pointed criticism… Read More

February 27, 2016 @ 3:23 pm By JD Alois  |  

VPC Specialty Lending Investments PLC (LSE:VSL), a publicly traded fund that invests in online lending platforms and assets, continues to see a strong pipeline of investment opportunities within the online lending sector. This is according to VPCs most recent report. The investment manager of the… Read More

February 27, 2016 @ 2:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

For many small businesses to thrive, they need access to capital.  A promising business must be able to find financing to grow their business. If you do not have sufficient cash on hand you must go elsewhere. Typically SMEs start with the proprietor using their… Read More

February 27, 2016 @ 1:51 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a backer update emailed to supporters yesterday, the second most funded Kickstarter campaign delivered some disturbing news. In brief, Coolest Cooler has ran out of cash. The email, signed by Coolest Creator Ryan Grepper, danced around the subject a bit. Grepper stated; “However, this… Read More

February 27, 2016 @ 7:52 am By JD Alois  |  

The European Commission is in the midst of a consultation as to how they may improve retail financial services to consumers across Europe.  The challenge, of course, is not just within individual countries, but in the diversity of cost, structures and regulatory approaches that pepper… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 10:07 am By JD Alois  |  

Lending Club (NYSE: LC), the largest marketplace lending platform in the United States, has altered operations in light of concerns over the Madden vs. Midland decision delivered by the Second Circuit Court of Appeals in May last year. This court case has cast a bit of… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 9:25 am By JD Alois  |  

Hibernian FC has roots that go all the way back 1875, is raising capital and it is doing it online. The football club has partnered with ShareIn to allow fans to support the team not only in the stands but by purchasing up to 51% ownership… Read More

February 26, 2016 @ 8:09 am By JD Alois  |  

Crowdcube Spain has announced that is has received Catalan government accreditation from the Ministry of Business and Knowledge (ACCIÓ) as a quality platform for alternative funding. Crowdcube Spain is affiliated with Crowdcube UK – the largest investment crowdfunding platform in Great Britain. Since 2014, the… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 9:44 pm By JD Alois  |  

There were several informative presentations delivered today at the convening of the Advisory Committee on Small and Emerging Companies (ACSEC) at the SEC.  One of the presentations, shared by Jeffrey Sohl, Professor of Entrepreneurship & Decision Science Director, at the University of New Hampshire, addressed… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 4:31 pm By JD Alois  |  

Berlin-based Innovestment has announced the completion of the “First” crowdfunding offer to use a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) in Germany. Use of an SPV or similar structure is prevalent in some jurisdictions. Creating a single shareholder entity can drive benefits for the issuing firm.  One… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 4:02 pm By JD Alois  |  

The Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) has told UK banks they should “sell their stake in UK payments infrastructure”. The statement comes after the release of an interim report that reviews the UK’s payment system. The assessment pretty much tells banks they are stifling innovation and competition…. Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 11:22 am By JD Alois  |  

Scott W. Bauguess, Deputy Director, Division of Economic and Risk Analysis at the SEC, delivered an interesting presentation  during the ACSEC meeting today. Bauguess updated the group with data on raising private capital post the JOBS Act of 2012.  Bauguess acknowledged that fewer companies are… Read More

February 25, 2016 @ 8:54 am By JD Alois  |  

The forthcoming Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) launches on April 6, 2016.  This new savings vehicle is expected to drive value for both investors and peer to peer lenders alike.  For investors, the benefit is a better risk-adjusted return. All peer to peer lenders deliver far… Read More

February 24, 2016 @ 9:49 pm By JD Alois  |  

In a report published today by HM Treasury, in partnership with EY, the UK declared global domination in the world of Fintech. The UK has consistently punched above its weight-class when it has come to financial innovation.  The Brits have benefited from elected officials that… Read More

February 24, 2016 @ 12:09 pm By JD Alois  |  

Lemonade has hired Professor Dan Ariely as Chief Behavioral Officer.  Ariely is a heavy-hitter when it comes to Behavioral Economics.  His bio lists his current status as a professor of Psychology and Behavioral Economics at Duke University. But a recent Tweet by Dan is telling… Read More

February 24, 2016 @ 11:00 am By JD Alois  |  

RealtyShares, a crowdfunding real estate marketplace, has closed on a $20 million series B funding round led by big name investor Union Square Ventures with participation from existing investors Menlo Ventures and General Catalyst Partners. Crowdfund Insider first revealed the capital raise this past January… Read More