Valentine’s Day messages show strength of Social Lending

In the run up to Valentine’s Day this year, Zopa - the world’s first marketplace where people meet to lend and borrow money, set up the opportunity for its borrowers and lenders to send each other Valentine’s messages.

The results demonstrate - in clear human terms - the power of creating a way for people to help out other people to their mutual financial benefit. Beyond the significantly better deal they get (lower interest rates for borrowers, higher returns than from savings accounts for lenders) these messages also show the wider benefits Zopa members are enjoying by choosing the Social Lending alternative to the Big Banks.

James Alexander, co-founder and CEO of Zopa said: “There is no doubt that all of our members are attracted by the much better deals they can access by coming to Zopa rather than being profit-fodder for the Banks, whether they are looking to borrow or to lend. But these messages reflect the wider and more human benefits that comes from using Zopa – a good feeling from being a crucial part of a mutually beneficial relationship with other individuals, with no big faceless corporation involved at all.”

Here are some examples of the messages left by Zopa’s borrowers and lenders for each other this week -

“A great big thank you to all those who have helped me pay off my credit cards. Thanks to you and a Christmas bonus from work I haven't used my credit cards at all despite an expensive trip to the dentist when I broke my crown! I'm even managing to save just a small amount of money each month towards a holiday in the summer. For the first time in a long while I feel I'm finally back on track. So once again - thanks!”

Username: would rather not be identified (borrower)

“I'd like to thank all my Zopa borrowers and congratulate them on taking the decision to use a great service which offers a more ethical way to borrow without the excessive fees incurred by high-street banks, I think it great that my spare cash can bring something useful for others rather than just make a fat bank even fatter. Good luck to you all, I hope the money is very useful and brings you some joy ingetting what you want from life at this present time. I hope 2007 brings many good things.”

Username: Ajogden (lender)

“Many thanks for the loan which enabled me to buy a very well priced people carrier capable of transporting my wife & 4 kids. This enabled us to have 2 good family holidays plus several excursions this summer & autumn. The intention was always to pay off the loan early on my retirement from the police after 30 years service. I commuted part of my pension which has enabled me to clear the credit card, pay off the mortgage and now the Zopa loan; for the first time in years, I am now debt free! I hope this will enable me to finance the family expenses whilst starting a second career as a primary school teacher. I am very impressed with Zopa and wish you happy lending for the future - thanks again for you assistance.”

Username: Gledders (borrower)

“Thanks everyone for the good deal I got. We got a cheerful, cheap to run, diesel car, and we are very happy with the costs of running it, as well as the fact that now with a baby on the way it will make our life so much easier. Thanks again and I hope you get a good return.”

Username: Johnmariapaz (borrower)