Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
2 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
A new age of finance 3
The evolution of alternative finance 4
P2P consumer lending 5
P2P business lending 5
P2P property lending 5
Equity-based crowdfunding 5
Real estate crowdfunding 6
Debt–based securities 6
Invoice trading 7
A new opportunity for property investors 8
Investing in developments 9
The Capital Stack 9
What is driving alternative finance? 10
The opportunity 10
Access to markets 11
Technology 11
A property developer’s perspective 12
The funding challenge 13
The Future 14
So who’s investing? 15
Risk and reward 17
Getting started with alternative finance 17
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
2 CrowdLords.com
3CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
The UK is among several economies
around the world witnessing rapid
growth in this area, fuelled by new
technologies and an unsatisfied
need to acquire capital to support
new business ventures and
company growth.
A whole new landscape now offers
combinations of diverse investment
opportunities with varying levels of
and reward. Funders now have the
potential to profit from the many
platforms that cater to this growing
demand.
We are currently witnessing large
growth in a range of different
propositions such as peer-to-peer
business lending (P2P), equity-based
crowdfunding and debt-based
securities. And within these channels,
real estate investment has substantial
volume representation and offers
a popular alternative for investors
looking to profit from the property
sector without the responsibilities
that come with traditional buy-to-let
investments.
While the sector is still young, and
some may have their doubts about
the sustainability of profit potential
in the long-term, growth seems
likely to continue and investment
opportunities remain attractive.
A NEW AGE OF FINANCE
New and exciting models have emerged in the world of finance in recent years signifying a momentous shift in the way funding is provided. These processes that lie beyond the boundaries of traditional finance have opened the doors for investors to many new opportunities to make money.
4 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
THE EVOLUTION OF ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
The alternative finance sector has
undergone rapid expansion in a very
short space of time. Data from the
Cambridge Centre for Alternative
Finance (CCAF) indicates that from
2011 to 2016, the UK market grew
from £0.31 billion to a staggering
£4.58 billion.
Although overall year-on-year
growth has since slowed, this
impressive evolution has established
a formidable and permanent rival to
mainstream financial structures.
Many have attributed this trend to
socio-economic factors such as
low interest rates deterring investors
from traditional investment options.
Also, the wave of post-recession new
businesses hungry for rapid scaling has
created a huge demand for alternative
sources of capital.
Together with the lingering effects of
the financial crisis that have curtailed
bank loans to small businesses,
the context of today’s booming
alternative finance market has been
well and truly set.
The final piece to the puzzle was laid
by the actual platforms that facilitate
connections and exchanges between
lenders and funders. Zopa, for instance,
was among the first peer-to-peer
platforms and remains a dominant entity
in the sector still today.
They succeeded by connecting
borrowers and lenders directly in a
way that completely cut out the banks
– this was the answer many were
looking for.
Similarly, platforms like Funding Circle
applied this very same model to
businesses, supporting the growth of
peer-to-peer business lending that
reached £1.2 billion by 2016, a 40 per
cent increase on the previous year.
Now we can benefit from a
democratised and varied landscape
of alternative finance options that has
become “the default fundraising and
investments channel for businesses,
retail investors and institutions”,
according to Bryan Zhang, co-
founder of the Cambridge Centre for
Alternative Finance.
As we move forward, and the sector
matures, we may see certain models
move even closer to the mainstream
with an increase in institutional
involvement. This could have two
effects; the first being added cost
and complication to a currently
streamlined process; the second being
more consumer confidence as a result
of added regulation - spurring even
more growth.
Whatever happens, the world of alternative finance offers many ways for investors to potentially generate profits from new and exciting models that are greatly outperforming their predecessors.
5CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
P2P CONSUMER LENDING
Peer-to-peer consumer (P2C) lending has been one
of the largest contributors to the alternative finance
market in the UK, reaching £1.169 billion in 2016.
Offering potential returns of around 6-10 per cent,
this method allows investors to fund separate loans to
borrowers online, providing low-cost, unsecured loans
to consumers.
As one of the biggest segments in the UK alternative
finance market, with wide availability and competitive
interest rates, investors can spread risk across hundreds
of potential funding opportunities.
P2P BUSINESS LENDING
Edging ahead of P2C lending in 2016 as the largest
segment of the alternative finance market, peer-to-peer
business lending (P2B) offers investors the opportunity to
lend to businesses in need of capital and the chance of
making annual returns of around 7-10 per cent.
Platforms that facilitate this process are responsible
for sourcing investors, reviewing the credibility of the
borrowers and making the exchange - offering a range of
interest rates based on risk assessments.
P2P PROPERTY LENDING
The peer-to-peer property lending model has been
one of the largest drivers of the UK’s alternative finance
industry. Generating £1.147 billion in 2016, an 88 per cent
increase on the year before, it has financed thousands of
commercial and residential developments.
With a range of products available such as BTL (“buy-
to-let”) mortgages, bridging finance and development
finance, investors can enjoy potential returns from 4 per
cent to up to 12 per cent per annum.
EQUITY-BASED CROWDFUNDING
Equity-based crowdfunding allows funders to invest in an
early-stage unlisted company in exchange for shares. As a
shareholder with partial ownership of a company, profits
can be considerable depending on the success of the
business, although there are unique risks to consider as
well (such as capital risk and illiquidity).
The majority of these businesses are start-ups, however,
with considerable likelihood of failure. Investors are
therefore encouraged to spread their investment across
multiple businesses to reduce exposure. Some people
have also raised concerns about the credibility of
valuations used to raise equity as well as the potential for
exit opportunities down the line.
Depending on the success of the businesses they invest
in, investors could enjoy returns of 10x their original
investment from those that are successful, but the
number of exits achieved so far are few and far between.
Certain alternative finance segments offer added tax advantages due to their Innovative Finance ISA (IFISA) status. Since 2016, peer-to-peer lenders and other debt based investments have been able to offer a tax-free ISA account that enables eligible funders to enjoy tax-free returns, similar to cash or investment (stocks and shares) ISAs.
6 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
REAL ESTATE CROWDFUNDING
This investment-based crowdfunding model enables
investors to acquire partial ownership of a property asset
via the purchase of shares in an SPV (Special Purpose
Vehicle) which owns a single property or a number of
properties. Achieving volumes of £71 million in 2016,
this method offers access to various property types.
Investments are often available in rental properties,
whether commercial or residential, as well as during the
development phase, which has the potential to create
even greater returns.
Compared to the buy-to-let market, which is now
seeing heavy government regulation and new taxes
that significantly limit returns, real estate crowdfunding
can generate potential total returns of 8-25 per cent per
annum and opens the door to different markets within the
real estate world. As with other crowdfunding investments,
investors should still be aware of the fact that their capital
is at risk and investment returns are not guaranteed.
Also, in contrast to equity-based crowdfunding, this model
may offer credible valuations by professionals accredited
by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), along
with realistic exit options that can be achieved either by
selling the property or refinancing through bank lending.
DEBT–BASED SECURITIES
Debt Based Securities (DBS) is a relatively new asset class
that increased dramatically in market volume from £6
million in 2015 to over £79 million in 2016, according to
the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance. It refers to
securities such as shares or bonds representing a loan
from an investor to a company.
Many of the bonds now available on platforms like
WiseAlpha are issued by recognisable high street brands
and were previously unavailable unless you had significant
sums to invest. A good way is to invest in brands you know
and trust where projected returns can be between 5 and 7
per cent p.a.
INVOICE TRADING
Invoice trading, or invoice financing, experienced triple
digit market volume growth from 2011 to 2014 in the UK.
A trend that has since slowed considerably, yet it still
represented a total volume of £452 million in 2016.
This method allows investors to provide relatively low risk
investments into successful businesses in exchange for a
percentage of unpaid invoices owed to the company from
its clients - potentially resulting in an annual return of up to
10 per cent depending on the loan structure. The security
of these invoices offers investors security while the short
term capital for businesses allows them to grow at a much
faster rate - propelling the popularity of this model.
Although your platform may offer IFISAs, your investment may not automatically qualify so it’s worth checking with your provider first if this is an important factor in your investment. Investors should also note that tax status is individual, and consult with a tax professional if they are unsure whether they qualify for tax benefits via the IFISA.
7CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
Source: Entrenching Innovation, The 4th UK Alternative Finance Industry
Report, Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance, 2017
Peer-to-PeerBusiness Lending
Peer-to-PeerConsumer Lending
Peer-to-PeerProperty Lending
Invoice Financing
Debt-based Securities/Debentures
Equity-basedCrowdfunding
Real EstateCrowdfunding
£1,232m
£1,169m£909m
£547m
£1,147m£609m
£287m
£881m£749m
£139m
£452m£325m
£270m£97m
£79m£6.2m£4.4m£2.7m
£272m£245m
£84m£28m
£71m£87m
2013201420152016
SIZE & GROWTH BY MODEL
Figure 2: UK Alternative Finance Market Volume by Model, 2013-2016
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
7CrowdLords.com
8 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
The UK’s property market has long been a favourite
of British and foreign investors alike. Consistent
population growth, a relatively stable economic
and political climate, and the increasing demand
for accommodation in major cities has typically
sustained profits for investors in the buy-to-let market
for many years.
But times are changing. An additional layer of stamp
duty land tax (SDLT), the abolition of mortgage interest
tax relief and added regulation from mortgage lenders
have made direct property investment significantly
more challenging. To avoid these ongoing costs and
responsibilities, many landlords and investors have
begun to look to alternative finance models for new
opportunities to make money from a still consistently
profitable asset class.
Alternative finance for property is now a large and
varied market with a range of products that cater to
different investor types with different attitudes to risk.
BRIDGING LENDING
An increasingly popular model, development or
bridging lending, allows lenders to issue loans
to individuals in need of short term finance
when purchasing property or initiating property
developments. As such, investors can benefit from
short term capital investments with projected
annualised returns of 6-12 per cent over a 6-12
month period.
MORTGAGE BASED LENDING
As banks make it increasingly harder for individuals
to secure mortgages, alternative finance options
offer a potential solution for the Buy-to-Let
mortgage market. Investors can spread money
across multiple loans, often with the help of an
‘auto-invest’ feature, and enjoy potential returns of
4-12 per cent based on the interest paid on these
mortgages by other property investors.
DEVELOPMENT FINANCE
Unlike bridging lending, the amount of property development finance available is usually based on gross
development value – meaning the value of the site once refurbishment or construction has been completed.
Typically a short-term loan, it can generate returns for investors of 8-12 per cent per annum over a 1-3 year term.
DEVELOPMENT EQUITY
Lending specifically to development projects through
dedicated investment vehicles allows investors to
invest in shares in individual property developments,
with the potential for lucrative returns once the
property is completed and sold. Projected returns
range from 15-30 per cent per annum over a 1-3
year period. Unlike development finance, shares are
awarded for partial ownership of the development,
representing an inherent interest in relation to the
value of the future property.
MEZZANINE FINANCE
Offering potential returns of 12-18 per cent per
annum over 1-3 years, mezzanine finance provides
lenders with a secured position behind the senior
lender but with priority over the developer. It is
typically higher risk than development finance, but a
lower risk than development equity.
9CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
INVESTING IN DEVELOPMENTS
Alternative finance has transformed
the way investors access the property
market in the UK, enabling investors
to acquire ownership of a property-
asset via the purchase of shares
in an SPV which owns a range of
rental properties or more recently, in
developments.
Investors can choose from varying
levels of risk and reward depending
on their investment criteria – profiting
from assets that would normally be
out of reach to all except the very
wealthy individuals able to fund joint
ventures by themselves.
THE CAPITAL STACK
As many property developments are multi-million pound projects, funding is usually provided from a variety of sources. The overall structure is then made up of different layers that are referred to in the industry as the ‘Capital Stack’.
If you’re at the top of the stack with
equity in the development, you
will reap greater rewards from its
appreciation in value and eventual
sale price.
For those who don’t want equity,
mezzanine or senior debt investors
will receive interest from the profit
generated from the property. In
general, most real estate developments
will source capital from more than
one entity; typically, higher positions in
the capital stack earn higher expected
returns due to their higher risk as a
result of the order of priority.
Whether it is with a debt-based
investment or equity investments,
individual lenders are starting to
replace banks, insurance companies
and other entities traditionally known
for providing development capital.
OR
DE
R O
F P
RIO
RIT
Y
TOTAL
Common Equity Preferred Equity
Mezzanine Debt Senior Debt
This visual is for illustrative
purposes only.
Until recently, it was difficult for
investors to enter the property market
at any other point than the buy-to-
let market, unless they happened to
be ultra-high-net worth individuals
themselves. Now, both debt financing
and equity ownership is available
through crowdsourcing offering a
range of potential returns at various
levels of the Capital Stack.
10 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
WHAT IS DRIVING ALTERNATIVE FINANCE?
Key driving factors are responsible
for the growth of alternative
finance in the UK. The need for
finance from SMEs and property
developers are among these, as
well as the relative uncertainty
about the UK economy and the
reluctance of banks to issue loans.
As a result of these socio-
economic factors, it is proving
to be progressively challenging
for young companies as well
as property developers to fund
their projects through traditional
methods.
In this void, both individual
and institutional investors are
now providing much needed
capital to various enterprises
and are benefiting from the
potential for attractive returns..
THE OPPORTUNITY
Although motivations for funding
differ across the industry as a
whole, investors are primarily
enticed by the chance of financial
returns and the added advantages
that come with alternative finance
models over traditional methods.
These include:
• More control over investments.
• Access to a diverse range of
investment opportunities.
• The ease of investing and
the functionality of online
platforms.
• Greater returns or more
attractive interest rates.
• The ability to spread capital
across multiple investments.
• Tax benefits for eligible investors
in some cases.
• Access to specialist markets.
11CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
ACCESS
To facilitate this relationship, online platforms
have played a large role in accommodating easy
communication and exchange between funders
and business ventures. The opportunity for anyone,
anywhere, to access information about alternative
investment types is something that previously
never existed.
Property still remains a popular and viable option for
investors, and alternative finance methods such a
crowdfunding have allowed investors to contribute
to the capital stack at various stages, offering the
potential for attractive levels of reward for investors
and new opportunities for developers.
TECHNOLOGY
At the heart of alternative finance processes is the
role of online platforms. As technology and networks
mature, this will allow an ever more efficient process
of connecting, interacting and eventual exchange
that will drive the industry forward even further.
Investors on these platforms also benefit from better access to opportunities and greater transparency, as well as the advantages of the platforms carrying out high levels of due diligence on each of the investment opportunities offered.
12 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
A PROPERTY DEVELOPER’S PERSPECTIVE
Property developers like Harrison
Hunt operate in the space
between national house builders
and small scale developers and
are at the heart of the growing
demand for finance in the property
development sector.
Originally part of the renowned
architectural practice, Purcell, the
team branched out to establish their
own independent development
business focusing on the creation
of beautifully designed bespoke and
sustainable schemes across the UK.
In their search for projects that
enable them to apply their core
skills of commercial acumen,
creative design and distinctive
place making, David Harrison,
James Sanderson, and Diana Hunt
Borland faced the same challenges
as other developers of a similar
size, the most pressing of which is
raising finance.
As David, development director at
Harrison Hunt explains:
“As far as the banks are concerned, they pay very limited regard to our experience and capabilities and treat us as a start up with no track record. This is extremely frustrating for me personally as I’ve got 40 years of development experience across all sectors”.
13CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
THE FUNDING CHALLENGE
The funding required for a development is often referred to as the Capital Stack – made up of three or four layers of funding supplied by different sources.
At the bottom is the senior debt layer, usually sourced from a high street bank or specialist lender. These funds are secured with a charge on the property, meaning that if the project falters, they are first in line to be repaid. However, in order to insulate themselves from unnecessary risk, banks have reduced how much they are willing to lend.
The pressure has since been placed on developers themselves to source the remaining amount needed for the project’s completion. A number of alternative finance platforms now operate in this gap, offering secured lending opportunities to their users.
The next layer is known as mezzanine debt, which in the past has often been provided by wealthy individuals or groups of individuals willing to take a position behind the bank in exchange for charging a higher interest rate. A number of lending platforms now offer access to this layer as a popular method for investors to generate target returns of between 1-2 per cent per month.
The rest of the funding is usually invested as equity, either by joint venture partners (private investors) and increasingly, platforms like CrowdLords, who handle due diligence issues such as the issuing of shares, corporate governance and the distribution of profits at the end of the development.
In the past, David and others like him would have spent a significant amount of time and energy arranging the finance. As he says:
“One of our main challenges has always been sourcing the additional funds needed for us to secure the principal lender. Before the advent of platforms like CrowdLords we were all chasing the same few wealthy individuals out there who could afford to support us in a Joint Venture.
“Now, with CrowdLords, we attract new investors with every development we do and for as long as we do a good job and deliver beautiful, distinctive developments that deliver a healthy profit, we expect this
to continue.”
Access to a wider source of funds is one thing, but Harrison Hunt believe CrowdLords and others bring additional benefits:
“Based on our experience with CrowdLords it seems that transparency and openness are essential and that has not been our experience with some mezzanine finance providers we have used in the past. Crowdfunding has changed how businesses seek funding and now it is doing the same for the property sector.”
14 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
THE FUTURE
“Working with CrowdLords has helped enable our first development as Harrison
Hunt - an Art Deco inspired development of luxury apartments in Lytham St
Anne’s. We are now preparing to start raising funds for our next project – the
restoration of a derelict listed vicarage combined with some modern designed
new-build flats and houses that we’re very excited about.”
Harrison Hunt raised
£335,000 in equity from
27 CrowdLords investors
for their first development
of 8 luxury apartments in
Lytham
St Anne’s.
The restoration of a listed
former vicarage is the
next project for which
they will be looking to
raise £450,000.
David Harrison, Harrison Hunt.
15CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
SO WHO’S INVESTING?
According to the 4th UK Alternative
Finance Industry Report published
in 2017, over 2.5 million individuals
utilised UK alternative finance
platforms in 2016.
Surprisingly, a high proportion of
alternative finance investors earn
less than £25,000 per year with a
large percentage investing in P2P
consumer and business lending
where the entry point can be as low
as £10 per investment.
Other models such as equity-
based crowdfunding typically
attract investors with larger annual
salaries higher than the UK average,
suggesting that wealth plays a role
in the types of alternative finance
models individual investors choose.
With a mix of individual and
institutional funders active across
various models, many are involved in
multiple alternative finance platforms
simultaneously - a true sign of the
market’s maturity.
Data from a 2016 Funder Survey
distributed by Cambridge University
and its research partners shows that
over half of all funders used two
or more platforms when investing
online, with P2P property lenders
exhibiting the highest levels of multi-
platform use at 73 per cent.
Though alternative finance is
considered innovative and largely
decentralised, as processes have
matured, we have witnessed an
increase in institutional investors
entering the market. Specifically,
funding from entities such as banks,
pension funds, asset managers and
building societies have accounted for
a significant proportion of peer-to-
peer property lending.
Although data shows that male
funders dominate the sector, there
is encouraging indication that the
industry could increase gender
balance in the investment sector.
Across P2P lending models as a
whole, about a quarter of lenders
are female. In 2016, 35 per cent of
borrowers in P2P consumer lending
were female while only 16 per cent
were in P2P property and business
lending.
In terms of age, investors tend to be
35 and over with a high percentage
of these funders placed in the over 55
category and holding retired status.
This suggests that funders are likely
to be using accumulated capital set
aside for savings or investments.
Ultimately, the sector as a whole
has created a certain amount
of liberalisation in the financial
investment world, the likes of which
we haven’t seen before. Whether
it’s because of the easy to use
functionality, platforms facilitating
straightforward exchanges, or other
external factors, investments are no
longer restricted to individuals with a
high level of specialist knowledge or
substantial capital.
WHY I INVEST THROUGH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE:
AW is an expat female living in Singapore with plans to return to
the UK someday. Her investment strategy has always been not
put all her eggs in one basket.
She says:
“ Crowdfunding gives me the opportunity to spread the risk by investing in a number of property developments through Crowdlords. As such, I am comfortable with the higher risks and also expect better returns than I can find in other investment areas. ”
“ As these investments are in property, I understand that it is not so liquid and that my money is tied up for a fixed term. So by investing in a number of projects I can spread the risk and receive pay-outs periodically. ”
But what attracts people to this new
style of investing? AW continues:
“ What attracted me to
crowdfunding was how
democratic this style of
investment is and personally,
I feel I am playing a small
part in making Britain a better
place to live as a result of my
investments. This is quite
a satisfying feeling. ”
16 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
RISK AND REWARD
Whether you are investing for income
or capital growth, the world of UK
alternative finance now offers a wide
range of options and with careful
research and a patient approach it
is likely you will find something to
meet your personal situation and
your particular financial goals. Often
the rewards will seem attractive, but
remember that alongside rewards
each option comes with its own risks.
Due diligence is an important way
to limit the risk involved. While you
may be able to trust certain platforms
to execute appropriate levels of due
diligence when vetting investment
opportunities, funders shouldn’t be
complacent.
When assessing an investment
opportunity, it is recommended that
investors perform their own due
diligence to ensure they are content
with the nature of the investments
they are considering and to seek
professional advice if they are unsure
It’s important to understand the
methods used by each platform
to discern creditworthiness and
risk. In the end, what one platform
considers a low risk investment could
be classified entirely differently by
another platform. And while some
rely on the expertise of experienced
professionals, others may rely entirely
on digital algorithms.
Investors should find out everything they can about the people who manage investment platforms as well as the specific loans and investments listed. There is certainly money to be made in the sector, but blind trust may lead you down a dangerous path.
DUE DILIGENCE CHECKLIST
• Learn how platforms categorise
high and low risk groups and
whether this is performed by
people or algorithms.
• Check if loans are secured by
assets such as property or whether
they are unsecured.
• Always weigh up the balance
between security and the potential
for high returns.
• Learn about the sector you are
investing in, especially with equity
financing.
• Consider the reputation of the
platform and the intentions of
its owners.
• Consider whether the platform
and investment opportunity is
sufficiently transparent.
FINDING A BALANCE
Ultimately, investments will always
come with a certain level of risk and
the key is to find the right balance of
security and reward that suits you.
Performing your own research is a
cornerstone of this process as well
as ensuring you invest with credible
platforms.
There are without doubt some
excellent investment opportunities
out there, but treating the whole
sector with naive optimism could
leave you over exposed and
potentially at risk of losing serious
capital.
17CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
GETTING STARTED WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCEInvestors currently have options for low, medium and
high potential yields depending on their capacity and
willingness to shoulder risk. In short, the diversity of
opportunities seems to offer something for various
different types of investors, imbuing the industry with a
more democratic nature than we have ever known.
If you are looking for higher risk investments with greater
potential returns, then choose your investment vehicle
based on this understanding, whether this is equity based
crowdfunding or mezzanine financing for instance. If
you’re looking to play it safe but still want the potential
to generate added value from your existing capital, P2P
property lending may be what you want.
We are also seeing diversity spread to investor profiles with
a mix of demographics contributing to the overall growth
of the sector. No longer are investment opportunities
solely restricted to high profile, sophisticated investors
with large capital – individuals young and old with modest
investment capacity are also finding that they can make
their money work harder for them with alternative finance
models.
As economic forces put further pressure on banks, and traditional investment opportunities become less attractive, this is only likely to push both casual and professional investors further into the world of alternative finance.
Getting started with alternative finance may seem like a big
step at first, but with the variety of options out there, each
offering something different, it’s well worth considering if
you can make your money go further with this pioneering
innovation in the world of finance.
18 CrowdLords.com
MAKING MONEY WITH ALTERNATIVE FINANCE
GUIDES
https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/fileadmin/user_upload/research/centres/alternative-finance/
downloads/2017-12-21-ccaf-entrenching-innov.pdf
https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/faculty-research/centres/alternative-finance/publications/
moving-mainstream/#.W362AuhKiUk
https://media.nesta.org.uk/documents/understanding-alternative-finance-2014.pdf
https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/business/finance-strategy/the-evolution-of-
alternative-finance-is-there-still-life-beyond-the-banks
https://www.fastinvest.com/en/blog/7-reasons-why-you-should-give-p2p-lending-
a-go-in-2018
https://www.investly.co/blog/2016/08/01/what-you-need-to-know-about-investing-
in-invoices
https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/mezzaninefinancing.asp
ARTICLES
19CrowdLords.com
A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR PROPERTY INVESTORS
Find out more at: crowdlords.com
In respect of their crowdfunding activities, CrowdLords Limited is an Appointed Representative of Share In Limited which is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority (No 603332)