Small business lending is increasingly going mobile – and we predict you can expect to see more about the mobile lending trend in 2014.
Three companies are addressing it in different ways. Let’s take a quick look at each:
Kabbage, an Atlanta-based company specializing in loans for online sellers and home-based businesses, has iPhone and Android apps. Small businesses can apply for funds on mobile devices, and access their accounts via their iPhone or Android devices, as well.
Sarah Eyres is co-owner of Cephalopod Yarns, a Baltimore-based yarn store. When a shipment was delayed, she needed to buy 200 pounds of yarn to get her through the Holiday shopping season. And she used $3,500 from Kabbage to do it.
The loan was approved in just seven minutes, Eyres said.
She told The Washington Post:
“I would have just been sitting and waiting for that shipment. I would not have felt comfortable [making the purchase] without the loan.”
CUNA Mutual Group, a Madison, Wis. insurance company that supplies financial products and services to many credit unions, also offers a mobile version of its Loanliner.com system that credit unions can extend to their members.
Peer to peer lending is also converging with mobile. There’s already been speculation that peer to peer lending will gain ground compared to traditional bank loans as a viable option for small business funding.
So it probably makes sense that peer-to-peer lenders like Prosper.com have already have mobile lending, too. Prosper.com’s app lets investors select business listings they would like to lend to and even lets them transfer the funds from a mobile device.
One thing to remember: the apps don’t necessarily allow you to do everything using a mobile device. Each app and its functionality will be different.
Of course, the apps don’t necessarily make it any easier to qualify for a loan. It only makes it faster for those who are approved.
Finally, remember the security issues that have abounded with mobile technology. So be aware of the information these apps request from you when applying. It may have an impact on which lending apps you’re willing to try.
Image via Kabbage
I love the microcredit/peer to peer lending concept and I’m glad to see there are so many options out there that are offering this.
Martin Lindeskog
Robert: I agree with you! Do you know about a resource that has listed the option out there?
Aira Bongco
With more and more lending options, there is now no excuse for small and online businesses that they cannot find the right funds for their projects. I think that this is a really good idea. After all, not everyone has the time to go to banks and other lending institutions. This takes the time factor out of the picture which I love.
yes lending option is good for small business owner and if you have a good plan so you can get easily loan by lending. there are many option for lending so it’s good for small business owners.