Recent peer-to-peer lending developments in the Netherlands
September 19th, 2007
Dutch Boober this week resumed full operations overcoming an imposed stop on lending. Lenders however now are facing even more restrictions. After a maximum amount of 39000 Euro was introduced for lenders earlier, a new rule now allows lenders to close no more than 100 loans. Since the minimum bid is only 5 Euro in the worst case that could mean, that a lender has to stop after lending out 500 Euro (100×5). Apparently this development means that the top lenders, responsible for 30% of Boober's total loan volume, are banned from lending more money. While lenders critizise this new development as overregulated forced by dutch regulator AFM, there is not much they can do about it. Theoretically each individual lender could apply for a license, but in practise license fees over 1000 Euro prohibit this move.
Frooble
After a failed launch in May p2p lending service Frooble.nl now wants to lauch with a new concept. Borrowers can seek short term loans of 1 to 3 month duration for amounts between 50 and 500 Euro. Apparently these parameters have been selected to avoid falling under the regulation of the AFM. It remains to be seen if Frooble can thrive with this business model.
Grant
Coffee Project
I am writing to inquire whether this would invite a proposal from the, Arayason Coffee & Tea requesting an investment of dollar 50,000 per year over Three years to support our Enterprise. This grant would provide part of the funds needed for us to farm coffee in rural Kiambu Kenya. This include farming, pulping, milling and roasting for local and export market. These as sustainable businesses as we alleviate poverty. Your website indicates that you are helping entrepreneur innovative ideas to improve the lives of the rural poor; we believe Arayason falls well within your area of interest. Farming is a promising solution to one of the primary obstacles facing the small rural poor in poverty: Good farming is possible for even in the most remote locations do business on a region-wide, national, or even international basis. Working in conjunction with other small scale farmers Arayason Coffee & Tea gives individual need; and, in collaboration with other agencies and redistribute coffee, we also assure that they obtain the best Arabica Coffee. We believe that broadly-implemented have the potential to help the lives of many struggling farmers, and change the economic landscape of impoverished rural communities. Unlike many poverty alleviation initiatives, all of the Communal Kenya programs are predicated on the assumption that these farmers already have 90% of what it takes to compete in the marketplace -intelligence, ambition, initiative, and talent, and established a high degree of credibility among community groups, policy makers, and donors. With your support, we can make that 50% difference in the lives of these hard-working people and the future of our rural communities.
Please feel free to email me with any questions.
I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Naftaly Arayason