Passive income

ExpressCredit decreases bond nominal value for EUR 250 000

By MPI29th August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer Lendingbond, decrease, ExpressCredit, issue, prospectus

According to SIA ExpressCredit bond issue prospectus ISIN LV0000801280, as of 25/08/2017 nominal value of one security is going to be decreased by EUR 50. Total nominal value of bonds issue will be decreased for EUR 250 000. After settlement nominal value of one security (ISIN LV0000801280) will be EUR 250.

According to bond issues prospectus ISIN LV0000801280, 5 000 bonds were issued with an original nominal value of 1 000 euros. Yearly interest rate of the coupon is 14% with a 5 year term and gradual repayment of the nominal value.

ID Finance and Da Vinci Capital launch $200m fintech fund

By MPI29th August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer Lendingasset management, Da Vinci Capital, fintech fund, ID Finance

ID Finance has joined forces with former Elbrus Capital fund manager Yuri Popov and asset management company Da Vinci Capital to launch FinTech Credit Fund, a $200m debt finance fund aimed at financial technology companies with a focus on alternative lending.

FinTech Credit Fund will offer debt finance to companies looking to scale and will cover loans to the companies themselves, as well as financing of their loan portfolios. The duration of the agreement will range from six months to three years.

“The vast majority of money going into fintech is chasing a small number of well-known startups. There are many more high quality fintech companies all over Europe, some of which are performing extremely well, that are seeking capital to scale,” comments Boris Batine, Co-Founder and CEO at ID Finance. “We see a huge opportunity to support these companies while providing a superior risk adjusted return to investors.”

The Fund will initially focus on projects within the CIS and European markets. Funding will be provided to companies involved in consumer and SME lending, and both balance sheet and marketplace (p2p) lenders will be eligible. Projects offering analytical solutions for credit scoring based on Big Data, AI and machine learning, as well as SaaS and PaaS solutions and payment services are of particular interest to the Fund and align with the investors’ areas of expertise.

Investment decisions will be made following assessment of a number of criteria including: a company’s creditworthiness, the strength of their business model and technology, the quality of their loan portfolios, and risk and revenue potential.

“ID Finance and Da Vinci Capital will provide a solid investment process and infrastructure for the Fund as well as access to our broad network of institutional and private investors. Our expertise in fintech and alternative lending at an international level will also help to reduce credit risks,’” added Oleg Zhelezko, Managing Partner, Da Vinci Capital.

“The lack of access to the capital market is a key factor hampering the growth of the financial industry. The access to capital markets is often open only to large companies. Similar problems are experienced by companies around the world. FinTech Credit Fund seeks to meet the need of fintech companies in the sources of constant capital for their further development,” said Yury Popov, Managing Director, FinTech Credit Fund.

ID Finance is one of the fastest growing and fastest moving online lenders globally. The balance sheet lender was founded in Russia in 2012 and has rapidly expanded into Kazakhstan, Georgia, Poland, Spain and Brazil.

“We see a huge opportunity to back the billion-dollar companies of tomorrow focused on digital lending,” continues Alexander Dunaev, Co-Founder, ID Finance.

About the global FinTech industry

The main drivers of the growth of the Fintech industry are the change in consumer preferences of the millennium generation, innovative technology and products, the development of market infrastructure, the increase in penetration and development of telecommunications services, the spread of APIs and the reduction in the cost of attracting users. The banking industry is at the greatest risk of change from the fintech companies. According to Accenture Banking 2020 report, by 2020, fintech companies will deprive banks of a third of revenue, and traditional banking services will become easily replaceable by the services of technology-oriented Internet-centric players. According to Preqin, funds attracted annually to direct lending funds for alternative lending industry, have increased tenfold over the last ten years to $ 21 billion in 2016.

Atlantis Financiers Join Viventor peer-to-peer lending marketplace

By MPI21st August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer LendingAtlantis Financiers, Factoring, Invoice Financing, Netherlands, p2p, p2p lending, Viventor

Atlantis Financiers from The Netherlands have joined Viventor.

Established in 2013, Atlantis Financiers are one of the biggest non-bank invoice financing and factoring solution providers for Dutch and Belgian businesses. Since inception, the company has serviced over 2’500 SMEs in the region, financing over EUR 20’000’000 worth of invoices.

“When we think about our services, we think of solutions that are customisable, flexible and online-based. As we see it, these are some of the core values that modern small and medium enterprises are looking for when thinking of financing solutions. We’re very happy to partner with Viventor, as our solutions have incorporated the same core values,” states Lex Gielen of Atlantis Financiers.

Atlantis Financiers invoices on Viventor marketplace

300-30000 EUR in size
30-120 days duration
6%-14% projected annual return
90 day Buyback guarantee + Invoice Insurance

Atlantis Financiers offer invoice financing solutions with Advance Rate between 30% and 80% (percentage of invoice paid out by the factoring company up front). Moreover, every single deal has been insured with such trusted insurance companies as Euler Hermes (member of Allianz Group) or Atradius.

Given the levels of Advance Rate, insurance and Buyback Guarantee provided, investments in invoices factored by Atlantis Financiers are very conservative.

Update your AutoInvest settings by including Atlantis Financiers now. Remember to include Invoice Financing as a loan type, and Netherlands as a country!

Loans issued in Africa now available on the Mintos marketplace

By MPI21st August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer LendingAfrica, Botswana, GetBucks, Mintos, MyBucks, peer-to-peer lending, Short-term loans

GetBucks has started placing short-term personal loans issued online in Botswana on the Mintos marketplace. With this move, GetBucks is the first loan originator on the Mintos marketplace to offer an opportunity to invest in loans issued in one of the fastest growing regions of the world — Africa.

GetBucks, part of Frankfurt-listed fintech company MyBucks, joined the Mintos marketplace in June 2017, offering investors the opportunity to invest in short-term personal loans issued in Poland. So far, the company has funded loans worth more than EUR 400 000 through Mintos.

Tim Nuy, Deputy CEO of MyBucks, says: “We initially approached Mintos as a practical and flexible solution to our funding needs in Europe. So far, the Mintos platform has given us great results, with excellent investor demand.”

“The outcome was so good, we thought it would be great if we could find similar solutions for our successful African operations,” says Nuy. “Some African markets are not too different from many Eastern European countries. Botswana, for example, has a very stable economy with a GDP per capita of over USD 16 000. Loan impairments there are much lower than in most Eastern European markets.”

“We are glad to partner with Mintos in this initiative to allow European investors to participate in the African consumer finance business. We are confident that it will be as successful as it has been in Poland.”

The average Botswana-issued loan GetBucks will place on the Mintos marketplace is EUR 250, with a repayment period of 30 days. The average annual net return to investors will reach 11%.

GetBucks will provide a buyback guarantee for loans that are delinquent for more than 60 days, and will keep at least 5% of each loan available on the Mintos marketplace on its balance sheet. Obligations of GetBucks Botswana will be guaranteed by MyBucks Group.

The subsidiary GetBucks acquired in Botswana was established in 1998 and provides short-term unsecured loans. The company has already disbursed more than 120 000 loans worth more than EUR 19 million, most of them for consumption and education.

MyBucks Group has experienced exponential growth since its inception in 2011. Through its different brands, the company offers customers unsecured consumer loans, banking solutions and insurance products.

MyBucks Group operates in 12 countries across three continents – Africa, Europe and Australia. The company currently has four banking licenses and employs over 1 000 people. It has disbursed more than 1 million loans since inception. MyBucks now has a loan portfolio of almost EUR 100 million; it had a record year in 2016 when the company disbursed EUR 124 million in loans.

The Luxembourg-registered MyBucks group is the first African fintech company to be listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. It is also the first fintech company in Africa to provide savings products. In 2017, the company successfully listed bonds on the Vienna, Botswana and Zimbabwe stock exchange. It now has plans to list bonds in several other jurisdictions.

Over the last four years, MyBucks group’s revenues have grown fivefold to reach EUR 66.3 million, as of the end of June 2017. The company’s operating profit has grown over 30% in the past year to EUR 15.6 million.

GetBucks has developed unique credit-scoring technology with self-learning algorithms that allow the company to keep a default rate below 8%. The company distributes its product portfolio through digital channels and internet service points, which has allowed it to scale rapidly while also managing its credit risk effectively.

If you would like to invest in loans issued by GetBucks and use Auto Invest on the Mintos marketplace, be sure to adjust your settings accordingly and add GetBucks to your Auto Invest loan originators’ list!

Mogo adds loans from Bulgaria to the Mintos marketplace

By MPI21st August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer LendingBulgaria, car loans, Mintos, Mogo, Mogo Group, peer-to-peer lending

Non-bank car loan provider Mogo continues strengthening its presence on the Mintos marketplace by adding Mogo car loans issued in Bulgaria to its offering to investors. Bulgaria is the sixth Mogo Group market represented on Mintos.

Mogo is one of the top loan originators on the Mintos marketplace. Mogo joined Mintos in March 2015, and has since funded car loans worth EUR 56 million through the marketplace. To date, the average net annual return offered for Mogo loans has been above 12%.

The new loans Mogo will place on the Mintos marketplace will range from EUR 500 to EUR 10 000, with a repayment period of up to 72 months. The average net annual return to investors will range from 8 to 14%.

Loans with and without the buyback guarantee will be offered. Mogo Group has committed via a Letter of Comfort to provide additional intragroup funding to Mogo Bulgaria, if its needed to meet obligations to investors.

To retain its skin in the game, Mogo will keep at least 5% of each loan placed on the Mintos marketplace on its balance sheet.

With a total of more than EUR 300 million in loans originated since the company was founded in 2012, Mogo Group is the largest non-bank car loan provider in the region, with operations in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. Mogo started operations in Bulgaria in March 2017. To date, car loans worth EUR 800 000 have been issued.

The typical Mogo customer is an economically active person with a stable income for whom comfort, mobility and time are important factors in their daily life.

The aggregate net loan portfolio of Mogo Group was EUR 80 million as of June 2017. It has EUR 12 million in equity and EUR 90 million in assets. Mogo Group has demonstrated consistent profitability. Last year, it generated EUR 6 million in net profit and projects to generate about EUR 10 million in net profit in 2017. Mogo Group is audited by PwC.

Mogo Group currently employs more than 200 people, while the number of active customers exceeds 35 000. See more information about the performance of Mogo Group in this presentation.

If you use Auto Invest on the Mintos marketplace and want to invest in Mogo loans issued in Bulgaria, make sure to adjust your Auto Invest settings accordingly.

Mogo offers loans from Romania on the Mintos marketplace

By MPI16th August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer Lendingcar loans, Mintos, Mogo, peer-to-peer lending

Non-bank car loan provider Mogo has added car loans issued in Romania to its offering on the Mintos marketplace. Thus, Romania is the the fifth Mogo Group market represented on Mintos, alongside Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland.

Mogo is one of the top loan originators on the Mintos marketplace. Mogo joined Mintos in March 2015, and has since funded car loans worth EUR 54 million through the marketplace. To date, the average net annual return offered for Mogo loans has been 12.3%.

Loans with and without the buyback guarantee will be offered. Mogo Group has committed via a Letter of Comfort to provide additional intragroup funding to Mogo Romania, if needed to meet obligations to investors.

To retain its skin in the game, Mogo will keep at least 5% of each loan placed on the Mintos marketplace on its balance sheet.

With a total of more than EUR 300 million in loans originated since the company was founded in 2012, Mogo Group is the largest non-bank car loan provider in the region, with operations in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, Poland, Bulgaria and Romania. Mogo started operations in Romania in January 2017. To date, loans worth EUR 1.5 million have been issued.

The typical Mogo customer is an economically active person with a stable income for whom comfort, mobility and time are important factors in their daily life.

The aggregate net loan portfolio of Mogo Group was EUR 80 million as of June 2017. The company has EUR 12 million in equity and EUR 90 million in assets. Mogo Group has demonstrated consistent profitability. Last year, it generated EUR 6 million in net profit.

Mogo Group currently employs more than 200 people, while the number of active customers exceeds 35 000.

To obtain exposure to Mogo Romania loans, investors will be able to invest in loans issued by Mintos Finance, a Mintos group company, to Mogo Romania where repayments depend on the borrower’s payments. Each loan issued by Mintos Finance to Mogo Romania will be pegged to a respective loan issued by Mogo Romania to the final borrower.

MoneyMetro loans issued in Latvia now available on the Mintos marketplace

By MPI16th August 2017News, Peer-to-Peer LendingExpressCredit, Mintos, MoneyMetro, peer-to-peer lending

The Mintos marketplace now features consumer loans issued in Latvia by MoneyMetro. The company is fully owned by ExpressCredit Group, the leading consumer financial services chain in Latvia, which already places consumer loans issued under the Banknote brand on the Mintos marketplace.

MoneyMetro loans placed on the Mintos marketplace will average EUR 400 and have a repayment term of 12 months. The annual net return to investors is expected to reach 11.5%.

The loans will be supplemented with a buyback guarantee covering loans delinquent for more than 60 days. The obligations of MoneyMetro will be guaranteed by ExpressCredit Group. To retain its skin in the game, MoneyMetro will keep at least 5% of each loan on the Mintos marketplace on its balance sheet.

MoneyMetro specializes in consumer loans, focusing on medium- to higher-income customers and their financial needs in various life situations. The brand was launched in late 2016 with branches in the centers of the three largest cities in Latvia. At the end of April 2017, MoneyMetro’s loan portfolio surpassed EUR 1 million. The company’s registered share capital is EUR 569 000.

ExpressCredit was founded in 2009. Operating under different brands, including Banknote and MoneyMetro, it has become a trusted partner for more than 300 000 people across Latvia. ExpressCredit is the second largest non-bank consumer loan originator in Latvia. The company offers personal loans, international bank transfers with Western Union, and secured loans using personal property as collateral (pawnbroking loans) in 91 branches across Latvia.

Since 2015, ExpressCredit bonds have been included in the NASDAQ OMX Baltic Bond list and available for free trade. The company is also a member of the Alternative Financial Services Association of Latvia and the Pawnshop Association of Latvia.
Banknote loans worth more than EUR 37 million have already been financed through the Mintos marketplace.

To obtain exposure to MoneyMetro loans, investors invest in loans issued by Mintos Finance to MoneyMetro, where repayments depend on the borrower’s payments. Each loan issued by Mintos Finance to MoneyMetro is pegged to a respective loan issued by MoneyMetro to the final borrower.

A “new Bitcoin”

By MPI4th August 2017Newsbitcoin, bitcoin cash, blockchain, money

Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s virtual currency code was split on Tuesday and generated a new clone called Bitcoin Cash, Reuters writes.

The initiative was headed by a small group of mostly China-based bitcoin miners – programmers who essentially operate the bitcoin network – who were not happy with scheduled improvements to the currency’s technology meant to increase its capacity to process transactions.

These miners, who get paid in the currency for contributing computing power to the bitcoin network, initiated what is known as a “fork” on Tuesday, where the underlying blockchain splits into two potential paths, creating a new digital currency.

The blockchain is a shared online ledger of all bitcoin transactions and has spawned a range of financial and business applications.

Bitcoin’s split has created a new competitor to the original digital currency, which remains the oldest and most valuable in circulation.

Bitcoin Cash on Tuesday traded on certain exchanges at a median price of $146.37, according to bitinfocharts.com, while bitcoin was at $2,729 BTC=BTSP on the BitStamp platform, down 4.6 percent.

The creation of new tokens may speed up as less computing power will be required to mine new blocks, said Jeff Garzik, co-founder of blockchain startup.

Source: reuters.com

5 helpful tips on how to get rid of debt

By MPI4th August 2017Smart moneydebt, financial education, money, personal finance, smart, tips

There are no more stressful things than debts, worries about monthly spending and insistence of creditors. Did you think maybe you just do not know how to get rid of these debts? Well, you’re not the only one! Fortunately, there are experts who can show you some practical ways that can help you pay your debts in time.

First, there are periods when debt is inevitable. For example, you can buy a house, a car, pay for medical fees or school for your child. If you do not have the money to make a full purchase, then taking a loan can often be a move even indicated.

However, there are situations where you borrow more money than you can afford and you are unable to repay them. This is the time when problems arise. However, it is important not to panic. You can always find solutions to help you get rid of debt.

Here are some practical tips that will help you better manage your debt:

1. Perform a financial reassessment

It begins by always looking at both the mistakes and the financial successes of the previous year. What can you learn from this? What did you do well? What could you do better? Draw up a budget for the next year, using what you learned from the previous year and use it to guide your spending in the future.

2. Plan and buy smartly

Make a list of the items you need to buy before shopping. Knowing just in advance what you need and limiting only to purchasing these items will allow you to fit into the budget. Try to establish with your family and friends and buy together what you need in larger quantities. This can help save you in the long run.

If, for example, you tend to exaggerate with Christmas gifts, and this is important for you, prepare yourself early. Consider budgeting and buying gifts throughout the year to avoid last-minute spending and debt.

3. Take a part-time job

One of the best ways to get rid of debt is choosing a part-time job. The extra money you will earn is an excellent way to pay your bills. Normally, if the time permits you and your current job is not very demanding.

4. Sell what is no longer useful

Another recommended way to get some extra money to pay your debts is by selling items that you no longer need or you no longer use.

5. Consider the advice of a specialist

If you realize that you simply can not manage your own budget and personal expenses, then you can call on a financial specialist. It does not have to be a professional you need to pay. Instead, he can be a friend with money management experience that can provide you with financial education, guidance and counseling.

Salary too small? Here’s how you can handle it more easily

By MPI2nd August 2017Smart moneybudget, money, pay chek, salary, save, small, smart

Almost all of us have been through a period of financial instability when you have a too small salary and you can not pay your bills anymore. However, there are people who can handle such situations. An impressive number of people have a small salary and they live from one month to the next with just that money. If you want to know what you should do when you have too little money, read the tips below:

Follow a monthly budget

Try to watchevery month the way you spend your money and sources of income. Once you have an idea, manage your expenses carefully and exclude those that are unnecessary. Every month analyze how much money you have and what are the possible costs that may occur. Prioritize your bills and debts.

Be prepared for unprepared urgings

We know that when you have too little wages, you do not want financial emergencies, but such things happen to us all. Besides the monthly budget, from the little you are trying to put aside the month after the month, you must save for the financial urgencyes. Saved money will help you get over heavy times without spending too much of your personal budget.

Try to reduce your monthly expenses

You may not have realized, but the services you call monthly may be cheaper than you have now. Change your TV and even electricity suppliers if you can. In the long run these changes will feel in your pocket.

Borrow smartly

If you need money to pay an emergency bill take an online loan. However, try to borrow only in urgent situations, when you have to pay bills that do not support postponement, such as when you have ruined your household appliances, or at other similar moments. Making a credit to buy a perfume or to make a gift to a person is not necessarily the best idea. Make sure the reason for the loan is good and real and be objective when making this decision.

Find long-term solutions

It is very nice to know that you have a big amount of money when your monthly salary is low. Even if the temptation is great, do not resort to methods that will leave you without money in the coming period. For example, do not pawn your personal objects that you are very sentimental off. You will want them to be returned, but you may not have enough money to take repossession of them. Rather, look for another part-time job or do something that you are good at, but well payed.

Which of the above ideas seems the most appropriate to you when you have too little a salary?