Lists of alternative financial services

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    Consume(er)ium list of alternative financial services lists

    Spectrum of consumer finance

    Predatory lending -> Payday loan -> Consumer finance -> Peer-to-peer loan -> credit card debt -> bank loan

    What are alternative financial services?

    This is the Consume(er)ium list of w:alternative financial services lists.

    Alternative financial services (AFS) are financial services provided outside traditional banking institutions, on which many low-income individuals depend. In developing countries, these services often take the form of microfinance. In developed countries, the services may be similar to those provided by banks and include payday loans, rent-to-own agreements, pawnshops, refund anticipation loans, some subprime mortgage loans and car title loans, and non-bank check cashing, money orders, and money transfers. It also includes traditional moneylending by door-to-door collection.”

    Often the spectrum ranges from brute loan sharking in operations known as w:payday loans all the way to almost respectable interest taking of non-collateralized loans.

    What is APR, why does it matter?

    “APR stands for the annual percentage rate.”

    ~ everyone on annual percentage rate

    “[...] In many countries and jurisdictions, lenders (such as banks) are required to disclose the "cost" of borrowing in some standardized way as a form of consumer protection. APR is intended to make it easier to compare lenders and loan options.”

    ~ Wikipedia on annual percentage rate

    “In EU all loaning operations must show the APR for their example loans that they use to market their services.”

    ~ European Parliament on law regarding advertisement of loans
    • APR can range from hundreds of percent to few tens of percent. Credit card debt is usually in the 10-15% zone.

    Peer-to-peer lending

    Peer-to-peer lending, abbreviated P2PL, is the practice of lending money to unrelated individuals, or "peers", without going through a traditional financial intermediary such as a bank or other traditional financial institution. P2PL is not to be confused with peer to peer investing (P2PI). This lending takes place online on peer-to-peer lending companies' websites using various different lending platforms and credit checking tools. Many also use the abbreviation "P2P" when discussing the peer-to-peer lending or investing industries more generally. Peer-to-peer lending is also known as crowdlending.”

    ~ Wikipedia on peer-to-peer lending

    Microfinance and microcredit

    Microfinance is a source of financial services for entrepreneurs and small businesses lacking access to banking and related services.”

    ~ Wikipedia on microfinance

    Microcredit is the extension of very small loans (microloans) to impoverished borrowers who typically lack collateral, steady employment and a verifiable credit history.”

    ~ Wikipedia on microcredit
    More reading Impact of microcredit

    Socially responsible investing

    Socially responsible investing (SRI), also known as sustainable, socially conscious, "green" or ethical investing, is any investment strategy which seeks to consider both financial return and social good.”

    Europe

    Lists of P2P financial services in Europe

    Finland

    List of Finnish alternative financial services lists

    List of P2P financial services in Finland

    Lists of P2P financial services in Finland

    List of alternative investment schemes in Finland

    UK

    List of UK alternative financial services lists

    Lists of P2P financial services in UK

    North America

    USA