Zopa to take on new investors by year end

Yes, but the quoted rate was higher. Much higher.

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More recently, we have reduced the amount of lending in our higher risk, higher return D-E markets (which are included in the Plus product). We are also taking steps to attract more lower risk customers thus increasing the proportion of A and B rated loans.



What this means for new investments

As a result of the increasing proportion of lower risk, lower return loans we expect to approve, we are expecting a lower targeted return of 4.5% for new investments in Plus. Similarly, the targeted return for new investments in Core will be 3.7% reflecting a shift towards lower risk loans in the A-C markets.



It is important to note that the target average return levels for new investments in each risk market (A–E) have not changed materially. The change in overall return is a result of changes in mix. For example, the proportion of D and E loans in the Plus product would go from 30% until now, to 10-15% in the future.



What this means for existing investments

For existing loans, we are expecting slightly higher losses. For existing investments in Safeguarded loans, we expect no impact on loans as Safeguard coverage is expected to remain above 100% (including future contributions).



In addition to changes in loss expectations, we are also seeing an increase in early repayments from borrowers. While this means that investors get their money earlier, it also reduces interest income and thus returns.



If these trends in early repayment rates and credit losses continue, we would expect that for existing investments in non-Safeguarded loans originated up to August 2017, realised returns will be lower than original expectations: 3.5% compared to 3.9% in Core and 5.6% compared to 6.3% in Plus.
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