For a peer-to-peer loan, a genuine lender is either a person you actually know or a licensed organisation listed in a regulator's official register. No stranger you meet online is a "verified lender", whatever testimonials or documents they show you.
What is a genuine lender in a private loan?
In practice, a safe loan between individuals happens in only two ways. The first is a family or friendly loan: a relative, friend or colleague you know in person lends you money, ideally with something in writing. The second goes through a regulated intermediary: an authorised crowdlending platform, a microcredit provider, or a licensed credit institution that connects lenders and borrowers within a supervised framework.
The "lists of trusted private lenders" circulating on Facebook, WhatsApp or Telegram are scams. They line up names, photos and fake testimonials to steer you towards a contact who will eventually ask for fees before any money is paid out. An honest lender does not need to be recommended in a chat group: if it is a business, it appears in a public register.
How this list was built
The organisations shown below were identified from the official registers kept by each country's supervisory authority, such as the banking regulator, the financial markets authority or the consumer credit regulator. For each one, we show the type of activity and the regulatory status under which it appears in those registers.
This list is indicative only: a licence can be withdrawn, suspended or changed at any time, and fraudsters regularly copy the names of real organisations. Before committing to anything, check the name, licence number and contact details yourself directly on the regulator's register, never through a link received by message.
Licensed lending organisations, country by country
The tables below group, by country, lending platforms, microcredit providers and regulated lenders, together with their status with the competent authority.
United Kingdom
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Funding Circle UK SME loans from £10,000 to £750,000; closed to retail investors since 2020. | FCA-authorised |
| Zopa Bank Global P2P pioneer (2005) turned digital bank, offering personal loans and savings. | PRA-authorised bank, regulated by FCA/PRA |
| Loanpad P2P platform for secured property loans, with senior-tranche investing for lenders. | FCA-authorised (FRN 741576) |
| CrowdProperty P2P property development loans secured by first-charge mortgages, open to investors. | FCA-authorised (FRN 723959) |
| Kuflink Property-backed loans funded by individuals, with platform co-investment. | FCA-authorised — P2P platform (FRN 724890) |
| Start Up Loans Fixed-rate personal loans for business use up to £25,000, with free mentoring. | Public programme (British Business Bank) |
| Credit unions (ABCUL) Network of British credit unions offering members loans at capped rates. | PRA-authorised cooperatives, regulated by FCA/PRA |
United States
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Prosper Peer-to-peer lending pioneer: personal loans from $2,000 to $50,000 funded by investors. | SEC-registered marketplace; loans issued by WebBank |
| Happen Bank (ex-LendingClub) Former P2P leader turned bank (renamed Happen in 2026), still offering online personal loans. | Chartered bank, FDIC member |
| Upstart AI-underwritten personal loans from $1,000 to $75,000, issued by partner banks. | Lending platform partnering with banks and credit unions |
| Kiva US 0%, fee-free crowdfunded microloans of $1,000–15,000 for small US entrepreneurs. | 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation |
| Accion Opportunity Fund Community lender financing small businesses underserved by traditional banks. | Certified non-profit CDFI (US Treasury) |
| SBA Microloan Program Microloans up to $50,000 provided through SBA-approved non-profit intermediaries. | Federal programme (Small Business Administration) |
Canada
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| goPeer Canadian peer-to-peer personal loan platform: investors fund loans made to borrowers. | Peer Securities, exempt market dealer (CIRO/CSA) |
| Fairstone Fixed-rate personal loans from $500 to $50,000, online and in branch. | Regulated lender (Fairstone Bank of Canada) |
| easyfinancial Online personal loans from $500 to $20,000, available to a range of credit profiles. | Licensed consumer lender (goeasy) |
| Desjardins Canada's largest cooperative group; its caisses offer members personal loans and lines of credit. | Financial cooperative supervised by the AMF |
| Futurpreneur Canada Unsecured loans up to $75,000 and mentoring for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 39. | Non-profit backed by the federal government |
Australia
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Plenti Formerly RateSetter Australia: personal loans up to $75,000, car and green energy loans. | Australian Credit Licence (ACL 569622) |
| Harmoney Online lender: unsecured personal loans from $2,000 to $100,000. | Australian Credit Licence (ACL 474726) |
| Wisr Personal and car loan fintech, with quotes based on your credit score. | Australian Credit Licence (ACL 458572) |
| No Interest Loan Scheme (NILS) Interest- and fee-free loans up to $3,000 ($5,000 for vehicles) for essential items. | Government-funded programme (DSS), run by Good Shepherd |
| Banques coopératives (COBA) Association of customer-owned banks and credit unions, with a "Find a Bank" tool. | APRA-authorised institutions (credit unions, mutual banks) |
Nigeria
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| FairMoney Mobile microfinance bank: instant loans via app, licensed by the CBN and registered with the FCCPC. | Microfinance bank (CBN) – FCCPC-approved digital lender |
| Carbon Digital microfinance bank offering loans from ₦100,000 to ₦9.5M via app. | Microfinance bank (CBN) – FCCPC-approved digital lender |
| Aella Nigerian lending app offering low-rate loans and payment services. | FCCPC-approved digital lender |
| QuickCheck Instant loan app offering up to ₦1,000,000 without collateral. | FCCPC-approved digital lender |
| KiaKia Peer-to-peer and digital lending platform, on the FCCPC list (Kiya Bits Ltd). | FCCPC-approved digital (P2P) lender |
| Baobab Nigeria Nigerian subsidiary of the Baobab Group: loans to small businesses and individuals. | CBN-licensed microfinance bank |
| LAPO Microfinance Bank Major Nigerian microfinance bank specialising in loans to micro-entrepreneurs. | CBN-licensed microfinance bank |
South Africa
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Lula South African SME funding platform: online business advances and loans. | SME lender (Lula Lend Pty Ltd) |
| sefa – Small Enterprise Finance Agency Public agency providing finance to SMEs, micro-businesses and cooperatives. | Public financing agency (State) |
| Capitec – prêt personnel Personal loans from Capitec Bank, a lender registered with the National Credit Regulator. | NCR-registered lender (NCRCP13) |
| African Bank South African bank offering personal loans and savings products to individuals. | NCR-registered lender (NCRCP7638) |
| Absa – prêts Personal, home, vehicle and student loans offered by Absa to individuals. | Licensed bank (SARB) – NCR-registered lender |
France
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Adie Business microcredit and support, with offices in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. | Association authorised for microcredit |
| Créa-Sol (Institut de Microcrédit) Supported personal and business microcredit for people on modest incomes. | Association authorised for microcredit |
| Initiative France Interest-free honour loans via local platforms, including Initiative Guadeloupe and Initiative Réunion Entreprendre. | Non-profit honour loan network |
| France Active Social-impact financing and bank guarantees, with teams in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. | Non-profit social finance network |
| Réseau Entreprendre Honour loans and mentoring by business leaders to start or take over a company. | Non-profit honour loan network |
| Action Logement — Avance Loca-Pass 0% loan covering a rental security deposit, up to €1,200, repayable over max. 25 months. | Joint employer-union scheme (Action Logement) |
| Crédit Municipal de Paris Pawn loans against a valuable item, plus guidance towards personal microcredit. | Public credit and social aid institution |
| Younited 100% online fixed-rate consumer credit from €1,000 to €60,000, with no arrangement fees. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| Cofidis Personal loans from €500 to €35,000 with no proof of use required, subject to a credit check. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| MiiMOSA Lending-based crowdfunding platform for farming and food, open to individuals. | AMF-licensed crowdfunding service provider (CSP) |
| Lendosphere Crowdlending from individuals to renewable energy and energy transition projects. | AMF-licensed crowdfunding service provider (FP-2023-22) |
| Enerfip Crowdfunding platform for renewable energy projects, open to individual savers. | AMF-licensed crowdfunding service provider (FP-20222) |
French overseas territories
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Adie Business microcredit and support, with offices in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. | Association authorised for microcredit |
| Initiative France Interest-free honour loans via local platforms, including Initiative Guadeloupe and Initiative Réunion Entreprendre. | Non-profit honour loan network |
| France Active Social-impact financing and bank guarantees, with teams in Guadeloupe, Martinique and Réunion. | Non-profit social finance network |
| Action Logement — Avance Loca-Pass 0% loan covering a rental security deposit, up to €1,200, repayable over max. 25 months. | Joint employer-union scheme (Action Logement) |
| Crédit Agricole de Guadeloupe Mutual bank offering personal loans and consumer credit in Guadeloupe. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| Crédit Agricole Martinique-Guyane Mutual bank offering personal loans and consumer credit in Martinique and French Guiana. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| Crédit Agricole La Réunion - Mayotte Mutual bank offering personal loans and consumer credit in Réunion and Mayotte. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| BRED Banque Populaire Cooperative bank present in the French overseas territories, lending to individuals and businesses. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
French Polynesia
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Banque de Tahiti Polynesian retail bank offering personal loans and a loan calculator. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| Banque SOCREDO Polynesian bank financing personal projects, with a consumer loan calculator. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| Banque de Polynésie Retail bank in French Polynesia offering credit to individuals and businesses. | ACPR-licensed credit institution |
| Sofidep Loans to Polynesian entrepreneurs (start-up, growth, cash flow), including the PACE participative loan. | Development finance company (Country) |
Belgium
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Look&Fin Crowdlending platform where individuals lend to Belgian and European SMEs. | FSMA-licensed platform (EU Regulation 2020/1503) |
| Mozzeno Personal and business loans funded indirectly by individual investors. | FSMA-registered platform |
| WinWinner Crowdlending of subordinated loans between individual investors and Belgian SMEs. | FSMA-licensed platform (EU Regulation 2020/1503) |
| Ecco Nova Crowdlending for green energy, energy-efficient real estate and sustainable SMEs. | FSMA-licensed platform (EU Regulation 2020/1503) |
| Spreds Crowdfunding for start-ups and SMEs, through loans or equity. | FSMA-licensed platform (EU Regulation 2020/1503) |
| Beebonds Bond crowdlending where individuals lend to local companies and real estate projects. | FSMA-licensed platform (EU Regulation 2020/1503) |
| microStart Microloans up to €25,000 to start or grow a business, for people excluded from bank credit. | Microfinance institution |
| Crédal Social finance cooperative offering solidarity loans, including to individuals in difficulty. | Licensed cooperative (ethical finance) |
Netherlands
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Qredits Microloans, coaching and training for start-ups and small businesses in the Netherlands. | Microfinance foundation (non-profit) |
| Geldvoorelkaar.nl Crowdlending where individuals lend to Dutch SMEs. | AFM-licensed platform (ECSP no. 32000020) |
| Collin Crowdfund Platform connecting creditworthy SMEs with individual investors through loans. | Crowdlending platform (ECSP) |
| Kapitaal op Maat Loan-based crowdfunding platform for Dutch SMEs. | ECSP-licensed platform |
| Lendahand Impact investing in microfinance and SME projects in emerging markets, up to 9% a year. | Crowdfunding platform regulated by the AFM (Netherlands) |
| Freo Online personal loans, debt consolidation, and loans for cars, home improvement or energy upgrades. | Consumer lender (Rabobank group) |
| Kredietbanken (NVVK) Social loans and debt-restructuring credit from non-profit municipal kredietbanken. | Supervised municipal credit banks |
Switzerland
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Cashare Platform connecting borrowers (private loans, SMEs, mortgages) with private or institutional investors. | Swiss crowdlending platform |
| LEND Crowdlending of private and SME loans funded by individual investors. | Financial intermediary affiliated to an SRO (Polyreg) |
| Swisspeers Crowdlending that lets investors lend directly to Swiss SMEs, without a bank. | Swiss crowdlending platform |
| Microcrédit Solidaire Suisse Microloans of CHF 5,000–30,000 at 4% to start a micro-business without access to bank credit. | Public-interest foundation |
| Cembra Money Bank Swiss bank specialising in personal loans, leasing and credit cards. | FINMA-authorised bank |
| BANK-now Swiss bank specialising in private loans and car leasing. | FINMA-authorised bank |
Luxembourg
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Microlux Microloans up to €50,000 with coaching for entrepreneurs excluded from bank credit. | Microfinance institution (non-profit) |
| Spuerkeess (BCEE) Luxembourg state bank offering personal loans and a repayment calculator. | CSSF-licensed credit institution |
| Banque Internationale à Luxembourg (BIL) Bank offering personal loans to individuals and a loan calculator. | CSSF-licensed credit institution |
| Banque Raiffeisen Luxembourg cooperative bank offering personal loans and a calculator. | CSSF-licensed credit institution |
| BGL BNP Paribas Bank offering home, renovation, car, student and other project loans. | CSSF-licensed credit institution |
| Aide financière de l'État (mengstudien.lu) State financial aid for higher education, made up of grants and a reduced-rate loan. | Public scheme (Ministry of Higher Education) |
Spain
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Colectual Valencia-based crowdlending platform financing SMEs and social economy projects. | CNMV-licensed crowdfunding service provider (no. 21) |
| MytripleA Crowdlending to SMEs and the self-employed, open to individual investors. | CNMV-licensed crowdfunding service provider (licence no. 10) |
| Ecrowd! Crowdlending for sustainable projects: renewables, energy efficiency, social impact. | CNMV-licensed crowdfunding service provider (no. 17) |
| EvenFi SME lending marketplace founded in Bergamo, open to Italian investors; took over October Italia. | CNMV-licensed crowdfunding service provider (no. 5), EU passport |
| MicroBank (CaixaBank) Microloans without collateral for low-income households, entrepreneurs and micro-businesses. | Social bank, CaixaBank subsidiary (Banco de España) |
| ICO — Instituto de Crédito Oficial Public financing lines for the self-employed and SMEs, distributed via banks. | State-owned public bank |
Italy
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Prestiamoci Social lending platform: online personal loans funded by individual lenders. | Financial intermediary under art. 106 TUB (no. 208), Banca d'Italia |
| EvenFi SME lending marketplace founded in Bergamo, open to Italian investors; took over October Italia. | CNMV-licensed crowdfunding service provider (no. 5), EU passport |
| Trusters Real estate lending crowdfunding: development loans funded by individuals. | Consob-authorised crowdfunding provider (ECSP) |
| PerMicro Microcredit without collateral for families and entrepreneurs excluded from bank credit. | Financial intermediary under art. 106 TUB (no. 139) |
Mexico
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Prestadero P2P platform: investors fund personal loans to individuals. | CNBV-authorised Fintech institution (IFC) |
| Doopla Direct person-to-person loans and investments, regulated under the Ley Fintech. | CNBV-authorised Fintech institution (IFC) |
| yotepresto P2P crowdlending connecting individual borrowers and investors. | CNBV-authorised Fintech institution (IFC) (P127/2021) |
| Compartamos Banco Mexico's microcredit leader: group and individual credit for micro-entrepreneurs. | CNBV-authorised bank |
| Caja Popular Mexicana 75-year-old cooperative offering members personal and mortgage loans. | Savings and credit cooperative (SOCAP) |
| Kubo Financiero Digital popular finance company: personal loans and term deposits. | SOFIPO supervised by the CNBV |
Brazil
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Crediamigo (Banco do Nordeste) Brazil's largest urban microcredit programme, for small entrepreneurs in the Northeast. | Federal public bank programme (BCB) |
| Sicredi Network of credit cooperatives offering members personal loans and financing. | BCB-authorised cooperative credit system |
| Sicoob Large cooperative network: personal credit, digital credit and business working capital. | BCB-authorised cooperative credit system |
| Creditas Loans secured by property, a vehicle or salary, with terms up to 240 months. | Credit fintech supervised by the BCB |
| BNDES National development bank; financing for small businesses (BNDES Impulso) via agents. | Public development bank |
Argentina
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Afluenta Peer-to-peer lending platform ("créditos entre personas") operating from Buenos Aires. | BCRA-registered — peer-to-peer credit provider |
| Banco de la Nación Argentina The country's largest public bank, offering cash personal loans to individuals. | Public bank (BCRA) |
| Banco Ciudad Public bank of the City of Buenos Aires, offering personal loans and microloans. | Buenos Aires public bank (BCRA) |
| Ualá Financial app offering personal loans directly from your phone. | Fintech group with a BCRA-licensed bank |
| Naranja X Galicia group fintech offering online loans, an account and a card via its app. | Fintech, BCRA-registered credit provider |
Morocco
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Al Amana Microfinance Morocco's leading microcredit provider: group, individual, housing and equipment loans for micro-entrepreneurs. | Licensed microcredit association (Bank Al-Maghrib) |
| Attawfiq Micro-Finance (Groupe BCP) Banque Populaire Group microcredit association, with over 400 outlets in Morocco. | Licensed microcredit association (Bank Al-Maghrib) |
| Fondation ARDI Microcredit association set up by Crédit Agricole du Maroc, focused on rural areas and small businesses. | Licensed microcredit association (Bank Al-Maghrib) |
| Tamwilcom Guarantees bank loans for very small businesses and the self-employed, notably under the Intelaka programme. | Public guarantee and financing institution |
| Wafasalaf Attijariwafa bank group consumer credit company: personal loans and car financing. | Licensed finance company (Bank Al-Maghrib) |
| Attijariwafa bank – projets personnels Personal project financing for individuals from Morocco's largest bank. | Licensed bank (Bank Al-Maghrib) |
Algeria
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| ANGEM National microcredit agency: interest-free loans up to DA 100,000 and triangular financing. | Public microcredit agency (State) |
| NESDA (ex-ANADE) Triangular financing for micro-businesses: own contribution, interest-free NESDA loan and subsidised bank credit. | Public entrepreneurship support agency (State) |
| BNA – Banque Nationale d'Algérie Public bank offering credit to individuals (car, motorbike, consumer) and professionals. | Licensed public bank (Banque d'Algérie) |
| CPA – Crédit Populaire d'Algérie Consumer and mortgage credit, plus the "Easy" range of business loans for small companies. | Licensed public bank (Banque d'Algérie) |
| BNP Paribas El Djazaïr Algerian subsidiary of BNP Paribas: consumer credit, mortgages and home improvement loans. | Licensed bank (Banque d'Algérie) |
| Banque Al Baraka d'Algérie Participatory bank: sharia-compliant financing for cars, housing and consumer goods. | Licensed Islamic bank (Banque d'Algérie) |
Tunisia
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Enda Tamweel Tunisia's leading microfinance institution: microloans for micro-entrepreneurs, farmers and young people. | Licensed microfinance institution (ACM) |
| Taysir Microfinance MFI offering microloans to micro-entrepreneurs and people excluded from the banking system. | Licensed microfinance institution (ACM) |
| Advans Tunisie Advans Group subsidiary: loans to micro and small businesses and farmers in Tunisia. | Licensed microfinance institution (ACM) |
| DAAM (ex-CFE Tunisie) MFI active since 2015, financing Tunisian micro and small entrepreneurs. | Licensed microfinance institution (ACM) |
| BTS Bank Tunisian Solidarity Bank: financing small projects and micro-businesses, often via associations. | Licensed public bank (BCT) |
Côte d’Ivoire
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Advans Côte d'Ivoire Advans Group subsidiary: credit for micro-entrepreneurs, small businesses, farmers, plus savings. | Licensed microfinance institution (UMOA/BCEAO) |
| Baobab Côte d'Ivoire Ivorian subsidiary of the Baobab Group: small business loans and digital banking. | Licensed microfinance institution (UMOA/BCEAO) |
| Cofina Côte d'Ivoire "Mesofinance" institution financing SMEs, entrepreneurs and individuals in Côte d'Ivoire. | Licensed microfinance institution (UMOA/BCEAO) |
| NSIA Banque Côte d'Ivoire Loans for individuals: consumer loans, personal property loans and student loans. | Licensed bank (UMOA Banking Commission) |
| Ecobank Côte d'Ivoire Ecobank's retail banking offer in Côte d'Ivoire, with a range of personal loans. | Licensed bank (UMOA Banking Commission) |
| UBA Côte d'Ivoire Ivorian subsidiary of United Bank for Africa offering loans to individuals. | Licensed bank (UMOA Banking Commission) |
Cameroon
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Advans Cameroun Advans Group subsidiary: credit for micro-entrepreneurs, SMEs, farmers, plus savings. | Licensed microfinance institution (COBAC) |
| Express Union Cameroonian microfinance and money transfer network offering financing solutions. | Licensed microfinance institution (COBAC) |
| Afriland First Bank Cameroonian bank offering credit to individuals and businesses. | Licensed bank (COBAC) |
| UBA Cameroun Cameroonian subsidiary of United Bank for Africa, offering consumer credit. | Licensed bank (COBAC) |
Republic of the Congo
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| UBA Congo Congolese subsidiary of United Bank for Africa: personal loans, incl. school loans up to CFA 5M. | Licensed bank (COBAC) |
| MUCODEC Congolese savings and credit mutuals, the main microfinance network in Congo-Brazzaville. | Licensed microfinance institution (COBAC) |
| BGFIBank Congo Congolese subsidiary of the BGFIBank Group offering credit to individuals and businesses. | Licensed bank (COBAC) |
| Charden Farell Congolese microfinance institution offering credit and savings to individuals and traders. | Licensed microfinance institution (COBAC) |
Africa
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Kiva Zero-interest loans crowdfunded online, disbursed via African microfinance partners. | Social lending platform (NGO, United States) |
| Groupe Baobab Microfinance group present in 7 African countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Senegal and Mali. | Group of licensed microfinance institutions |
| Groupe Advans Microfinance group with subsidiaries in Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon and Tunisia, among others. | Group of licensed microfinance institutions |
| VisionFund International World Vision's microfinance network lending in Kenya, Ghana, Mali, Senegal, Rwanda, Uganda, etc. | Network of licensed microfinance institutions |
| Branch International Mobile lending app active notably in Nigeria and Kenya. | Digital lender (local licences, e.g. FCCPC) |
Saudi Arabia
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Lendo Sharia-compliant platform matching Saudi SMEs with investors for short-term financing. | SAMA-licensed debt crowdfunding |
| Raqamyah Crowdlending platform connecting individual investors with Saudi SMEs seeking funding. | SAMA-licensed (licence no. 67/أ ش/202301) |
| Manafa Debt crowdfunding platform for businesses, open to individual investors. | SAMA-licensed (licence no. 64/أ ش/202211) |
| Forus Sharia-compliant business financing marketplace connecting SMEs and investors. | SAMA-licensed (licence no. 65/أش/202301) |
| Funding Souq Sharia crowdlending platform for established SMEs, active in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. | SAMA-licensed debt crowdfunding |
| Tamam Personal microfinance app with instant approval, up to SAR 60,000. | SAMA-licensed consumer microfinance (Zain subsidiary) |
| Social Development Bank (SDB) Saudi public bank offering social financing to individuals and small businesses. | Public development bank |
Qatar
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Qatar Development Bank (QDB) Qatari public bank financing SMEs, start-ups and exporters, with Al Dhameen credit guarantees. | Public development bank |
| QIB – Personal Finance Sharia-compliant personal finance up to QAR 400,000, open to expatriate residents aged 21–60. | QCB-licensed Islamic bank |
| Commercial Bank of Qatar – prêt personnel Salary-transfer personal loan up to QAR 400,000 over 48 months for expatriates. | QCB-licensed commercial bank |
| Dukhan Bank – Personal Finance Islamic murabaha personal finance, with advertised profit rates from 3.49%. | QCB-licensed Islamic bank |
| QNB – Loan Top-Up Personal loan top-up for existing QNB borrowers, with an online loan calculator. | QCB-licensed commercial bank |
South Korea
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| 8Percent (에잇퍼센트) Korean P2P pioneer offering AI-rated mid-rate loans; joined a programme with savings banks in 2025. | Registered 온라인투자연계금융업 operator (FSC) |
| Cple (크플) – PFC Technologies / ex-PeopleFund P2P platform from PFC Technologies (PeopleFund) focused on property-backed loans. | Registered 온라인투자연계금융업 operator (no. 2025-19) |
| HonestFund (어니스트펀드) P2P platform backed by Shinhan, KB and Hanwha, publishing disclosures under Korea's P2P law. | 온라인투자연계금융업 operator (2020 P2P Act) |
| Korea Inclusive Finance Agency (서민금융진흥원) Public agency running social loans (Sunshine Loan / 햇살론) for low-income, low-credit households. | Public inclusive finance agency |
| Korea Housing Finance Corporation (한국주택금융공사) Public body offering home loans, housing guarantees and reverse mortgages (주택연금). | Public housing finance institution |
Japan
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Crowd Bank (クラウドバンク) Crowd Securities Japan's crowdlending service offering fixed-return loan funds. | FSA-registered: 関東財務局長（金商）第115号 |
| LENDEX Loan crowdfunding mostly secured by real estate, open to individual investors. | Registered crowdlending operator (LENDEX LOAN, 東京都知事(2)第31859号) |
| OwnersBook Loadstar Investments' real estate crowdfunding platform, investing in loans from small amounts. | FSA-registered: 関東財務局長（金商）第3260号 |
| Funds (ファンズ) Fixed-return investment platform funding loans to listed or established companies. | Type II FIBO, 関東財務局長（金商）第3103号 |
| Japan Finance Corporation (日本政策金融公庫) Public loans to SMEs and sole traders, plus a national education loan up to ¥3.5M (¥4.5M in some cases). | Public financial institution |
| Shakyo – 生活福祉資金 (全国社会福祉協議会) Low-cost social loans for low-income, elderly or disabled households, via local councils. | Public social loan (social welfare councils) |
International
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| Kiva Interest-free social microloan platform, from $25, to entrepreneurs worldwide. | Non-profit organisation (United States) |
| Lendahand Impact investing in microfinance and SME projects in emerging markets, up to 9% a year. | Crowdfunding platform regulated by the AFM (Netherlands) |
| Mintos European platform for investing in loans, bonds and other assets, available in the EU. | MiFID II investment firm supervised by Latvijas Banka |
| Bondora Go & Grow Portfolio of fractional consumer loans granted by Bondora to European customers. | Bondora AS: licensed lender supervised in Estonia and Finland |
| Ethis Ethical, sharia-compliant crowdfunding group (participatory Islamic finance). | Licensed platforms in Malaysia, Turkey and Oman |
| Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Islamic development bank financing projects in its member countries via governments and partners. | Multilateral development bank |
Check any lender yourself in 4 steps
First check: find the lender in the official register of its country's regulator and note its licence or registration number. Second check: search for its name and website in the authorities' warning lists and blacklists, bearing in mind that not being listed proves nothing.
Third check: refuse any payment before the funds are released, whether it is called an application fee, insurance, a notary fee or a release fee. Fourth check: make sure the contract, the company's identity, its address, its web domain and the bank account given all match; a foreign IBAN or a free email address are warning signs.
Borrowing from family or friends the right way
A loan between people who know each other remains the simplest and safest form of private lending, provided it is put on a formal footing. A written IOU or loan agreement, dated and signed by both parties, sets out the amount, the date the money is handed over and the identity of each person.
Agree on an interest rate, even if it is zero, and on a realistic repayment schedule, then keep proof of every transfer. Depending on your country, a declaration to the tax authorities may be required above a certain amount, so check with the relevant administration.
Frequently asked questions about genuine lenders
Is there a list of verified private lenders for a peer-to-peer loan?
No. No authority publishes a list of "verified" individuals lending money online. The only reliable lists are the official registers of licensed organisations kept by regulators. Any list of private lenders shared on social media or a messaging app should be treated as bait designed to make you pay fees upfront.
Is a crowdlending platform a genuine lender?
An authorised platform usually does not lend its own money: it connects lenders and borrowers under the supervision of a regulator. It must appear in the official register with a specific status. Check that status directly on the authority's website, because clone sites sometimes imitate well-known platforms.
Why check the register if the organisation is already in this list?
Because a licence can be withdrawn or suspended after our last update, and because fraudsters use the name, logo and licence number of real organisations. Only the regulator's register, opened by typing its address yourself, confirms that the party you are dealing with is who it claims to be.
Can a genuine lender ask for fees before paying out the money?
A regulated lender may charge fees, but they are stated in the contract and are generally deducted from the loan or charged after it is set up. A payment demanded before any money is released, by international transfer, voucher or cryptocurrency, is the most consistent sign of a fake loan scam.